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Legislative update

An overview of bills introduced in the 131st General Assembly


In an effort to keep you more connected to your government and whats happening at your Statehouse, I have
compiled a list of bills recently introduced in the Ohio General Assembly.
As always, dont hesitate to contact me with ideas for legislation or ways of bettering our community. I value
and respect your input.
Reps. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) & Niraj Antani (R-Miami Township) HB 289 To abolish the death penalty
replacing it with life without parole.
Reps. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) & Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) HB 272 To exempt from sales and use tax the sale of
tampons and other feminine hygiene products associated with menstruation.
Reps. Denise Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) & Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) HB 249 To provide an immunity from arrest for a minor drug possession offense for a person who seeks medical assistance for self or another person in the event
of a medical emergency due to drug indigestion.
Reps. Denise Driehaus (D-Columbus) & Debbie Phillips (D-Albany) HB 247 To prohibit certain health care professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts when treating minor patients.
Reps. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) & Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) HB 234 To eliminate the statute of limitations on all
rape cases and remove marital rape exceptions from Ohio law.
Rep. Nick Celebrezze (D-Parma) HB 177 To create an animal abuse registry and prohibit animal shelters from allowing violators in the registry to adopt a companion animal.
Reps. David Hall (R-Millersburg) & Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) HB 135 To prohibit the performance of an abortion on a pregnant woman when the abortion is sought because of a test result indicating Down Syndrome in an unborn child.

Engaging your legislature and the committee process


The formal votes during House sessions may give the
impression that every vote has been decided in advance. This is indeed the case because in-depth examination of legislation takes place in committee
hearings.
Following a bill's introduction, it is assigned to one of the Houses 17
standing committees. During committee meetings, bills are debated and
amended and members of the general
public are given the opportunity to
contribute testimonies. Witnesses are
not under oath, as in a courtroom,
but they must register with the committee chairperson at the beginning
of the hearing.
State Representatives want to hear the views of Ohioans as they consider legislation. Weekly committee
schedules are posted on the web at http://
www.ohiohouse.gov/committee/standing-committees
and in the House Clerk's office.

The House Speaker determines the membership and


number of House standing committees. Appointments
for committee chairs, vice chairs, and ranking minority members are made at the beginning of each new
General Assembly, but changes and substitutions can
always be made at the House Speakers discretion.
You should know that, as an Ohioan,
you have the right and opportunity to
present testimony on a bill you favor
or oppose. If you should decide to
visit the Statehouse to offer your
views on a particular bill, be sure to
contact me so that I can assist in
making your time here as enjoyable
and productive as possible.
For more information about legislation from the past
or bills currently pending before the House, visit the
Ohio General Assembly's website at
www.legislature.state.oh.us/ or call the legislative toll
-free hotline at 1-800-282-0253.

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