Sen. Bill DeMora

Maddy summaryHB 497 amends Ohio Revised Code sections to update how legal notices and advertisements are published by state agencies and local governments. The bill requires newspapers to offer a government rate for these mandatory publications that does not exceed the lowest rate charged to other advertisers. It also mandates that required notices be posted on an official public notice website alongside their newspaper publication, ensuring free public access to this information. Additionally, the legislation allows for abbreviated versions of repeated notices online and clarifies formatting requirements for legal ads. Specific provisions also address extending the jurisdiction of the Erie County Municipal Court and modifying educational requirements for public children services caseworkers.

Maddy summaryHB 173 requires hospitals to publish detailed price information for all their items and services in a digital format that computers can easily read. This rule mandates that hospitals list specific costs, such as the highest and lowest negotiated rates with insurance companies, as well as the price for patients paying with cash. The bill also establishes "Ohio Black Media Week" and "Older Ohioans Month" to recognize contributions to the state. Additionally, the legislation includes definitions for terms related to hospital pricing and data privacy to support these transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 452 updates Ohio laws regarding hospital security and concealed carry rights. The bill mandates that hospital security personnel have access to specific online training for handling violent situations and grants civil immunity to individuals acting in self-defense to protect hospital members or guests. It also clarifies where people with valid concealed handgun licenses are prohibited from carrying firearms, including schools, courthouses, and certain government buildings, while allowing institutions of higher education to set their own policies. Additionally, the legislation provides immunity to private employers from lawsuits if a licensee brings a gun onto their property, unless the employer acted with malicious intent.

Maddy summaryHB 77 establishes a legal process for public-use airports in Ohio to sell abandoned or derelict aircraft that have remained on airport property for at least 90 consecutive days without payment of fees. The bill defines an abandoned aircraft as one located at a public airport where the owner has not paid tie-down, hangar, rent, or storage costs for the specified period. It also creates a lien system that allows repair shops and storage providers to secure payment for labor, materials, and storage by filing an affidavit with the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, the bill outlines specific steps for airport directors to identify aircraft owners, notify them of accrued fees, and proceed with selling the aircraft if the owner fails to pay or remove the plane within a set timeframe.

Maddy summaryHB 315 amends Ohio laws to regulate how newspapers charge for publishing legal notices and establishes a new program to help clean up contaminated industrial sites. The bill requires newspapers to offer a special, capped rate for government-mandated legal advertisements and mandates that these notices be posted online alongside their print versions. It also allows agencies to publish abbreviated summaries of repeated notices online to reduce costs, provided the full text remains accessible on an official public notice website. Additionally, the legislation creates a brownfield remediation program that provides grants to counties and other entities for cleaning up abandoned properties with hazardous substances to encourage redevelopment.

Maddy summaryHB 331 modifies how legal notices, such as those related to village dissolution, must be published by requiring them to be posted on an official public notice website in addition to appearing in newspapers. The bill mandates that the publisher of the newspaper hosting the official public notice site cannot charge state agencies or political subdivisions for this online posting. Furthermore, the legislation allows for abbreviated versions of these notices to be posted online after the initial full publication in a newspaper, provided the summary clearly describes the notice's purpose and includes contact information.

Maddy summaryHB 531, known as Braden's Law, establishes new criminal penalties for sexual extortion, which involves threatening to release private images to force someone into performing acts, paying money, or providing additional photos. The bill specifically defines private images to include content involving nudity, sexual activity, or extreme violence, and it sets felony charges that become more severe if the victim is a minor, elderly person, or disabled adult. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the legal responsibilities of digital service providers regarding deceased users' accounts, requiring them to comply with court orders for disclosure or termination while protecting them from liability when acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryHB 403 creates new legal causes of action for vehicles that are towed following an accident, allowing owners to seek compensation in such cases. The bill also clarifies rules regarding tampered emission control systems by defining specific prohibited actions, such as selling or operating vehicles with bypassed emissions equipment, while providing exceptions for legitimate repairs and vehicle conversions. Additionally, it expands an existing exception to window tinting laws to include residents who own non-compliant vehicles and requires transportation network companies to perform annual background checks on their authorized drivers.

Maddy summaryHB 496 updates the legal procedures for local governments in Ohio to issue general obligation bonds by clarifying the specific information that must be included in legislation submitted to voters. The bill requires taxing authorities to provide detailed estimates of bond interest rates and the resulting property tax increases, which must then be independently verified by county auditors before an election is held. It also establishes strict timelines for filing these documents and mandates that election ballots clearly display the bond amount, repayment period, and the estimated additional tax burden on property owners. By standardizing these disclosure requirements, the bill aims to ensure voters receive consistent and accurate financial data when deciding on local debt financing.

Maddy summaryHB 7, known as the Strong Foundations Act, establishes a state fatherhood commission to organize summits and produce annual reports on resources and initiatives aimed at improving parenting skills, employment opportunities, and family reunification for fathers. The bill also updates the rating standards for early learning programs to include specific criteria for Head Start and accredited child care centers. Additionally, it creates the Help Me Grow program as the state's official evidence-based home visiting service for pregnant women and families with young children, requiring providers to track outcomes related to health, safety, and economic stability.