Sen. Bill DeMora

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21 as Ameloblastoma Awareness Day to raise public recognition of this rare jaw tumor. The primary mechanism is the official proclamation of a specific date, which aims to focus attention on the condition without altering laws or funding. It directly affects individuals and organizations interested in ameloblastoma by providing a designated day for awareness campaigns. The legislation does not change medical treatment protocols or allocate resources, serving instead as a symbolic gesture to highlight the disease.

Maddy summarySB 125 creates a specialty license plate for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, allowing vehicle owners in Ohio to purchase plates that display the school's name. The money collected from these plates goes into a state fund and is distributed to various organizations, including the high school itself, which will use the funds for scholarships and educational programs. The bill also maintains funding for numerous other causes such as cancer research, special needs support, and agricultural education through existing specialty plate programs. By adding this new plate option, the legislation provides a way for drivers to support the specific high school while continuing to contribute to a wide range of charitable and educational initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 178 requires drivers to take specific actions when passing a stationary vehicle in distress or an emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights. On highways with at least two lanes in the same direction, drivers must change lanes to avoid the stationary vehicle if it is safe and possible. If lane changes are not feasible or the road does not have multiple lanes, drivers must proceed with caution, reduce speed, and maintain a safe distance. Violating these rules is classified as a minor misdemeanor, but penalties increase to higher-degree misdemeanors for repeat offenders and include additional fines if the violation occurs while the driver is distracted.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state definitions to officially include the U.S. Space Force within the armed forces and uniformed services. It establishes a program to certify businesses that employ veterans, allowing these companies to receive bonus points when bidding on state contracts. Additionally, the legislation grants examination credit to state job applicants who have served honorably in the military, including the Space Force, to help them qualify for public employment.

Maddy summarySB 338 expands the eligibility for grandparents and other relatives to serve as legal caretakers for children living with them without formal custody orders. The bill defines a "caretaker" broadly to include various blood relatives, stepparents, and non-relative adults who are caring for a child in place of the parents. It allows parents, guardians, or custodians to grant these caretakers specific rights, such as enrolling the child in school and consenting to medical treatment, through a standardized power of attorney form. This document becomes valid only when the parent is unable to care for the child due to circumstances like illness, incarceration, homelessness, or substance abuse treatment. The legislation clarifies that this arrangement does not grant legal custody or affect the parents' future rights to the child.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates specific days and weeks in Ohio to honor agriculture, including Farmer's Day, FFA Week, 4-H Week, and Ohio Soil Health Week. It also updates the rules for deputy apiarists, who inspect bee hives, by clarifying their appointment process, compensation, and reporting requirements to the state director of agriculture. The legislation establishes that these deputies serve at the pleasure of the county board and must submit inspection reports and expense claims for director approval before receiving payment. Additionally, the bill repeals an older, conflicting section of the Revised Code regarding these agricultural designations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes adoption laws by updating specific sections of the state's Revised Code and clarifying the exclusive jurisdiction of probate courts over various legal matters. While the text primarily defines the probate court's authority over wills, estates, guardianships, and medical decisions, it explicitly includes the power to hear and determine petitions for adoption. The legislation ensures that these family law cases remain within the probate court system unless other laws assign jurisdiction elsewhere, streamlining the legal process for adoption and related family matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for selecting members of the State Teachers Retirement Board to ensure a mix of expertise and independence. It establishes specific qualifications for board seats, requiring that investment-focused members have direct experience in managing assets while prohibiting them from having worked for the retirement system or related financial firms in the last three years. The legislation also clarifies how these members are appointed, designating roles for the director of education, the state treasurer, and elected officials, while maintaining seats for current and retired teachers. These changes aim to structure the board's composition to better reflect professional investment knowledge and prevent conflicts of interest, without altering the terms of those already serving on the board.

Maddy summaryHB 111 increases the potential prison sentences for individuals convicted of third-degree felony domestic violence and establishes a legal presumption that such offenders should be sentenced to prison rather than probation. This change applies specifically to repeat offenders who have a history of domestic violence convictions or related offenses against family or household members. The bill also mandates minimum prison terms for cases involving pregnant victims, ensuring stricter penalties when the offender knew the victim was pregnant at the time of the crime. Additionally, the legislation expands the ability of corporations and organizations to file for protection orders if they are targeted by domestic violence threats.

Maddy summaryHB 338 amends state law to allow child support orders to be issued, modified, or extended for children over the age of 18 who have a disability. This change directly affects parents and guardians of adult children with disabilities who may still require financial support. The bill also clarifies how funds related to computerization fees should be disbursed within the child support system. By updating the legal framework, the legislation ensures that support obligations can continue beyond the typical age of majority for qualifying disabled minors.