THE OHIO SENATE

SENATOR SHIRLEY A. SMITH

JUNE 2010
SB 237 RECEIVES SECOND HEARING, PROPONENT TESTIMONY
RENEWING & IMPROVING OHIO’S THIRD FRONTIER
PREPARING LEGISLATION TO REFORM CHILD SUPPORT LAWS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY | COMMITTEE HEARINGS
PROFILES IN THE DISTRICT: THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

Dear Neighbors and Friends,   Want  to  get  in  touch  with 

Ensuring  that  Ohioans  have  access  to  healthcare  has  always  been  a  primary  Senator  Smith?  Use  the 
concern of mine.  Unfortunately, the high cost of health insurance has meant  information  below  to  contact 
that many people simply cannot afford to purchase healthcare.   her Columbus office. 
New  laws  in  Ohio,  however,  have  made  it  possible  for  an  estimated  52,000  The Honorable Shirley A. Smith 
adult  Ohioans  to  obtain  affordable  health  insurance.    The  new  law  places  a  1 Capitol Square,  
rate‐cap on how much private insurers can charge people with diabetes, can‐ The Ohio Statehouse 
cer and other pre‐existing or chronic conditions who purchase individual health  Senate Annex, Suite 223 
policies through the program.  This reform will reduce open enrollment premi‐ Columbus, Ohio 43215 
ums by at least fifty‐percent.  It became effective in January, and will be imple‐
Email 
mented  through  the  state‐mandated  Open  Enrollment  Health  Insurance  Pro‐
gram.  This is an excellent step forward in giving more Ohioans greater access  Telephone: 614‐466‐4857 
to healthcare. 
I  strongly  encourage  you  to  find  out  if  you  or  a  loved  one  qualify  under  the 
Office staff 
Open  Enrollment  Health  Insurance  Program.    For  more  information,  visit  the 
Legislative Aide: Ed Stockhausen 
Open Enrollment Health Insurance Program Toolkit at www.insurance.ohio.gov 
for  a  list  of  the  insurers  in  the  program.    Alternatively,  call  the  Department’s  Administrative Aide: Charlynn 
consumer hotline at 1‐800‐686‐1526.  English 
LSC Intern: Tom King 
Healthcare is important all of us, and I take pride in helping expand access to  Page: Kara Francis 
more people.  OSU Women’s Studies Intern: 
Sincerely,  Erin McBride 
 
  Important links 
The Ohio Senate 
 
The Senate Democratic Blog 
Shirley A. Smith  Ohio Senate Schedule 
State Senator, 21st District  Watch Session 
Search for Legislation 
SENATE BILL 237
TIER III SEX OFFENDER NOTIFICATION
Senator  Smith’s  legislation  modifying  community.    If  such  notification  was  originally  sentenced  under  the  old 
Ohio’s  current  Tier  III  sex  offender  not sent out, Senator Smith’s legisla‐ system  as  “low‐level”  and  later  re‐
notification  laws  recently  received  tion mandates that sheriffs do so im‐ classified to a Tier III status under the 
two  hearings  in  the  Senate  Criminal  mediately.  Adam Walsh Act would be eligible to 
Justice Committee.  On  April  28,  Lieutenant  Donald  apply  for  exemption  from  the  notifi‐
cation  order.    However,  any  sex  of‐
On  April  14,  Senator  Smith  gave  Michalosky  from  the  Cuyahoga 
fender  convicted  after  January  1, 
sponsor  testimony  to  the  committee  County  Sheriff’s  office  gave  propo‐
2008  would  not  be  eligible  for  ex‐
and  explained  how  the  legislation  nent testimony to the committee and 
emption.  Thus, the legislation would 
responded  to  the  recent  case  of  a  emphasized  the  added  safety  that 
Tier  III  sex  offender  who  is  awaiting  Senate  Bill  237  would  provide  to  change a recent Ohio Supreme Court 
trial.  “Last fall, my city was paralyzed  Ohio’s communities. “Senate Bill 237  ruling  that  allowed  any  Tier  III  sex 
offenders to request a judge to waive 
by  rage  and  disbelief  when  the  re‐ allows  the  use  of  resources  to  audit 
the  notification  law.    Judges  would 
mains of 11 females were discovered  our  files,  in  order  to  flag  any  sex  of‐
still  retain  the  authority  to  exempt  a 
buried  in  and  around  the  home  of  fenders  who  potentially  could  fall 
Tier III sex offender from the commu‐
Anthony  Sowell,”  Senator  Smith  ex‐ through  the  cracks  and  legally  bring 
plained.   A loophole in the Ohio Re‐ into  compliance,  all  sex  offenders  nity  notification  laws  20  or  more 
vised Code prevented neighbors from  with  the  Adam  Walsh  Act  of  2006,”  years after being sentenced. 
knowing  about  Sowell’s  sex  offender  Lt.  Michalosky  told  the  committee.   Senator  Smith  is  encouraged  by  the 
status while he continued living in his  He  also  touched  on  how  the  legisla‐ bipartisan support her bill has gained, 
Imperial Avenue home. “Like all other  tion  would  prevent  a  repeat  of  the  along  with  the  support  of  the  Buck‐
sex  offenders,  he  was  reclassified  on  Imperial Avenue murders.   eye State Sheriffs’ Association. 
January 1, 2008 as part of the state’s 
“There are no easy or complete solu‐ If you would like to show support for 
compliance  with  the  federal  Adam  tions  to  a  complex  sex  offender  pro‐ Senate  Bill  237,  please  contact  Sena‐
Walsh Act.  Sowell went from being a  gram, but Senate Bill 237 takes a pro‐ tor  Tim  Grendell,  Chairman  of  the 
low‐level  offender  to  a  Tier  III  sex 
active  approach  to  reduce  the  possi‐ Senate  Committee  on  Criminal  Jus‐
offender,  the  most  serious  level  in 
bility of such an occurrence repeating  tice. 
the  new  system.    However,  he  did 
in our community.” 
not  move  residences  after  being  re‐ e‐mail: SD18@senate.state.oh.us 
classified,  so  the  Cuyahoga  County  Senate  Bill  237  will  also  clarify  the  Post:  Senator  Tim  Grendell 
sheriff had no authority to notify the  law  in  regards  to  judges  having  the 
1  Capital  Square,  Suite  042 
community  about  his  new  Tier  III  authority to exempt Tier III offenders 
Columbus, Ohio 43215 
status,”  Senator  Smith  explained  to  from  a  notification  order.    With  an 
the committee.  expected  amendment  to  Senator  Phone: 614‐644‐7718 
Smith’s  legislation,  sex  offenders 
Senate Bill 237 would require 
sheriffs to check each Tier III 
sex  offender’s  files  to  verify  “Senate Bill 237 allows the use of resource to au-
that  notification  has  been 
sent  to  the  victim  and  local 
dit our files, in order to flag any sex offenders who
potentially could fall through the cracks...”
-Lieutenant Donald Michalosky
Cuyahoga County Sheriff ’s Office
 RENEWAL OF THE THIRD FRONTIER
BUILDING OHIO’S ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES
On  May  4th  Ohioans  voted  to  support  the  General  As‐ areas  of  bioscience,  renewable  energies,  and  advanced 
sembly’s  decision  to  reauthorize  Ohio’s  Third  Frontier  materials. 
program  with  an  additional  $700  million.    “I  am  ex‐
Senator  Smith  has  long  been  a  supporter  of  the  Third 
tremely  pleased  with  Ohio’s  overwhelming  support  for  Frontier program, and she is working with the Chairman 
the  Third  Frontier  program,”  said  Senator  Smith.    “By  of  the  Third  Frontier  Commission,  Eric  Fingerhut,  to 
choosing  to  renew  the  program,  voters  showed  that 
make sure that the program is beneficial for all Ohioans.  
they understand the importance of this job creation pro‐
She plans to introduce legislation to ensure that the De‐
gram  and  the  positive  effects  that  it  is  having  across 
partment of Development effectively tracks various em‐
Ohio, especially in Greater Cleveland.” 
ployment numbers through the program. 
The Third Frontier initiative represents a bipartisan com‐
“I feel it is vital that the Third Frontier program continue 
mitment of $1.6 billion to development new, innovative 
so that Ohio  can become  the nation’s leading  center of 
products and businesses across Ohio in the areas of bio‐ science  and  technology,”  said  Senator  Smith.    “I  am 
science  and  technology.    It  does  this  by  providing  com‐ working with the leaders of the Third Frontier to ensure 
petitive grants to businesses and by working with univer‐
that we track as many signs of progress as possible.” 
sities  to  educate  the  next  generation  of  leaders  in  the 

OHIO’S CHILD SUPPORT LAWS

PREPARING FOR LEGISLATION
In  the  near  future  Senator  Smith  will  introduce  legislation  tion  of  the  child  support  obligation  when  exercising 
to revise Ohio’s Child Support laws.  Last year, she served  court‐ordered parenting time. 
on the fifth Ohio Child Support Guidelines Advisory Council.  
• Update the Basic Child Support Schedule and Underly‐
While  the  Council  issued  its  recommendations  in  earnest,  ing Economic Assumptions: Update the basic child sup‐
the  legislature  has  not  adopted  substantive  reforms  in  port schedule using a standard inflationary  index. 
nearly two decades. 
• Cash  Medical  Support:  Revise  cash  medical  (money 
As  a  result  of  legislative  inactivity,  Ohio’s  Child  Support  paid  for  the  child’s  medical  support)  calculations  be‐
laws are outdated.  They have not been adjusted for infla‐
cause  the  current  system  has  proven  to  be  extraordi‐
tion,  there  is  no  adequate  schedule  for  shared  parenting 
narily complex for both courts and local Child Support 
agreements,  and  support  for  medical  expenses  is  poorly 
enforcement  agencies.    This  difficulty  has  resulted  in 
contrived.   
inconsistent  application  of  the  medical  support  provi‐
Her legislation is likely to include the following provisions:  sions statewide.  The problem will be solved by basing 
the cash medical support amount on the cost of health 
• Create the Self‐Support Reserve Test: Use a two‐prong 
test to determine the parents’ ability to meet the sup‐ insurance, allowing there to be only one child support 
port  obligation  and  maintain  a  modicum  of  self‐ and one cash medical support obligation. 
support  Child  support  is  an  issue  that  touches  thousands  of  Ohio‐
• Parenting  Time  Adjustment  for  Standard  Visitation  ans from all walks of life, and it is an issue which should be 
addressed with bipartisan support. 
Order: Allow the non‐custodial parent to retain a por‐
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
B IOGRAPHY
Shirley A. Smith was elected to serve the
21st Senate District of the Ohio Senate in
November 2006 after completing eight
years in the Ohio House of Representatives.
She is currently the Assistant Minority
Leader in the Ohio Senate.
A strong advocate for the poor, minorities,
and disenfranchised across Ohio, Senator
Smith demonstrates her genuine concern
for the socially and economically disadvan-
taged through the bills she has introduced
and endorsed as a legislator. As a member
of the Senate Health, Human Services, and
Aging Committee for the 128th General
Assembly, she continues to focus on the two
critical issues of health care disparities and
providing affordable health care for all
Ohioans.
S ECOND C HANCE A CT
Two years ago, Senator Smith introduced
the Second Chance Act, which would help
non-violent offenders who paid their debt to
society but can not secure employment be-
cause of the stigma of their criminal record.
The legislation would allow them to apply to
have their records sealed after a specified
period of time without addition offenses.
Senator Smith continues to prepare this
legislation for introduction in the 128th Gen-
eral Assembly by working with other legis-
lators and interested parties.
SENATOR SHIRLEY SMITH
S.B. 164—B AN ON T EXTING AND D RIVING
This bill would create a statewide ban on the dangerous distraction of
texting while driving. Currently there are no state laws restricting cell
phone use while operating a motor vehicle.
If you wish to express your support on this issue please contact Senator
Tom Patton, Chair of the Senate Committee on Highways & Transporta-
tion, be e-mailing his office at SD24@senate.state.oh.us or by calling
(614)-466-8056.
S.B. 201—M ETASTATIC B REAST C ANCER A WARE-
NESS D AY
On March 3, S.B. 201’s companion legislation in the Ohio House of Rep-
resentatives, HB 420, was favorably reported by the House Committee
on Health and Human Services. S.B. 201 was already favorably reported
by the Senate’s Health Committee on January 13, 2010. Both bills now
await full consideration by their respective legislative bodies.
If you wish to express your support on this issue please contact Senate
President Bill Harris by e-mailing his office at SD19@senate.state.oh.us or
by calling (614)-466-8086.
Metastatic breast cancer is the spread of breast cancer to distant or-
gans; and, because it usually stems from a reoccurrence, the cancer is
considered to be exceptionally dangerous.
S.B. 237—T IER III S EX O FFENDER N OTIFICATION
On March 9, Senator Smith introduced Senate Bill 237, legislation that
will close two loopholes in the Ohio Revised Code that regulate sex of-
fender notification. The bill has received two hearings in the Senate Ju-
diciary- Criminal Justice committee.
The bill addresses certain cracks in the sex offender notification regula-
tions that allowed Anthony Sowell to live in his home without his commu-
nity knowing of his Tier III sex offender status.
For more information on SB 237 please see page 2 of this newsletter.
A UDITS FOR S PECIAL L ICENSE P LATES
Senator Smith will soon be introducing legislation to require audits from
certain organizations that receive charitable money from the sale of spe-
cial license plates. As recent Cleveland news investigation have re-
vealed, one organization has found discrepancies in the amount that the
state Department of Motor Vehicles reports to have given and what the
organization can account for. Senator Smith’s legislation will make sure
that charitable drivers’ donations are not lost to poor accounting.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS
SENATOR SHIRLEY SMITH
G OVERNMENT O VERSIGHT
SB 219 - 2nd Hearing, Proponent/Opponent: Authorizes the termination of
disability benefits for a member of the state retirement system if they are O RGANIZATIONS &
convicted of a felony while under employment with the state L EADERSHIP P OSITIONS
SB 222 - 2nd Hearing, Proponent/Opponent:: To require vendors to disclose
to campaign committees all expenditures made on their behalf and to
require campaign committees to report all expenditures made by third Standing Committees of the Senate
parties on their behalf. Government Oversight
-Ranking member-
H EALTH , H UMAN S ERVICES , & A GING
Health, Human Services, & Aging
SB 200 - 2nd Hearing, Proponent: Allows Certified Registered Nurse-
Anesthetists to write orders for medications that will be administered by Judiciary—Criminal Justice
Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Respiratory Therapists
Rules & Reference
SB 226 - 2nd Hearing, All Testimony: To declare May as Substance Abuse
Awareness and Education Month
Other Appointments
SB 220 - 2nd Hearing, Proponent: Includes autism under the definition of mo-
bility impaired person so that they can obtain access to an assistance dog Ohio Commission on Criminal Sentencing
S.C.R. 24 - 3rd Hearing, Opponent: To memorialize Congress regarding the Correctional Institution
federal health care reform bill. Inspection Committee

F INANCE & F INANCIAL I NSTITUTIONS Council of State Governments Justice Rein-

vestment Core Leadership Team
SB 224 - 1st Hearing, Sponsor: Creates the Ohio Promise Scholarship Pro-
gram, which would be funded via lottery and turnpike privatization initia- Minority Business Advisory Council
tives. Chairman’s Leadership Forum
SJR 9 - 1st Hearing, Sponsor: Enables the privatization of the lottery and ex- Women Legislators’ Lobby
pands the use of lottery profits to fund scholarships. -State Director-
HB 7 - 1st Hearing, Sponsor: Requires a building or structure constructed
using state capital monies to adhere to certain energy efficiency and
building standards. Past Affiliations

SB 214 - 1st Hearing, Sponsor: To revise the waiting list provisions of the National Black Caucus of State Legisla-
PASSPORT and Assisted Living programs. tors Executive Committee
-Chair of Region IX-
SB 197 - 5th Hearing, Proponent/Opponent: To require courts to establish
and operate programs of mandatory foreclosure mediation in non-tax Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
foreclosure actions on occupied residential properties. -President, Secretary -

Women in Government
J UDICIARY -C RIMINAL J USTICE
SB 247 - 1st Hearing, Sponsor/Proponent: Conforms the restoration of civil National Black Caucus
firearm rights with federal law and allows restoration of civil firearms of State Legislators
rights for firearms that are dangerous ordnance. Emily's List
SB 237 - 2nd Hearing, Proponent: Ensures that all Tier III sex offenders are The National Organization of Women
subject to community notification orders. Ohio Legislative Women's Caucus
SB 235 - 3rd Hearing, Proponent: Creates the offense of trafficking in per-
sons.
SB 239 - 3rd Hearing, Proponent: Permits a concealed carry licensee to carry
a firearm in a premises that serves alcohol or in an open air arena.
 Helpful State Numbers 
Profiles in the District: Cleveland Museum of Art  Agriculture Consumer Info 
800‐282‐1955 
Senate District 21 is easily Ohio’s most diverse and dynamic district, with variegated neighborhoods  Attorney General Richard Cordray 
combining  Old  World  charm  and  youthful  vibrancy.    Senate  District  21  has  already  significantly 
contributed to Cleveland’s rich history in the arts, industry, culture, and education, but it is also clear  614‐466‐4320 
that history is in the making right now!  With world‐famous institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic  Child Support Hotline 
and University Hospitals, John Carroll and Case Western Reserve universities, the Cleveland Museum  614‐752‐9743 
of Art, and the Cleveland Orchestra, no other location in the state lays claim to our past and promise! 
  Civil Rights Commission 
  ‐Senator Shirley A. Smith  888‐278‐7101 
Consumer Protection 
The  Cleveland  Museum  of  fered  by  the  museum.    The  glass  atrium  that  will  be  800‐282‐0515 
Art  is  one  of  the  most  educational  classes  provide  used  as  a  civic  center  for 
Crime Victim Assistance 
prominent  art  museums  in  a  great  opportunity  for  the  regional  events.    These 
800‐582‐CVSS 
the  United  States  and  con‐ public  to  learn  more  about  renovations  allow  the  mu‐
tains  one  of  the  finest  art  the museum and to develop  seum  to  expand  the  educa‐ Environmental Complaints 

collections  in  the  world.  a greater understanding and  tional  programs  that  they  800‐282‐9378 
With  over  42,000  pieces,  appreciation for the artwork  offer  to  the  local  commu‐ Golden Buckeye Card 
there  is  certainly  something  it displays.  nity.    Opening  up  classes  to  800‐422‐1976 
for  everyone.  Astoundingly,  all ages has allowed the mu‐ Health Dept. Complaint Hotline 
The  Cleveland  Museum  of 
it is also one of the few ma‐ seum  to  bring  the  commu‐
Art  has  come  a  long  way  800‐669‐3534 
jor museums that still offers  since it opened in 1916.  The  nity  together  and  ensured 
Help Me Grow Helpline 
free admission to the public.   museum  went  through  a  that  the  importance  of  art 
800‐755‐GROW 
Located  in  University  Circle  will be maintained. 
series  of  renovations  in  Home Energy Assistance Program 
just  east  of  downtown,  the 
1958,  1971,  and  1984,  and   After the renovation is com‐
museum  is  surrounded  by  800‐282‐0880 
most recently in 1999.   The  plete,  the  Cleveland  Mu‐
several  other  cultural  insti‐ Dept. of Job and Family Services 
$350  million  project  has  seum  of  Art  will  be  an  even 
tutions  and  attractions,  as  taken  place  in  two  phases.   more  extraordinary  collec‐ 800‐686‐1556 
well  as  a  spectacular  land‐ License Plate Info 
The  first  phase,  begun  in  tion  of  artwork,  spectacular 
scape  that  offers  plenty  for  800‐589‐TAGS 
2005,  involved  the  recon‐ architecture,  beautiful  land‐
visitors  to  see  outside.    It 
struction  of  the  original  scapes,  and  educational  re‐ Lottery—Customer Service 
offers a variety of art educa‐
building  and  included  the  sources.    Located  in  Ohio’s  800‐686‐4208 
tion  classes  for  art  lovers  of  building  of  a  new  central  21st  Senate  District,  the  mu‐ Medicaid Hotline  
all  ages.    Each  year  more  utility  plant and a new wing  seum  prides  itself  on  main‐
than  400,000  students  in  614‐728‐3288 
located  on  East  Boulevard.   taining  a  strong  relationship 
grades  K‐12,  and  70,000  Missing Children’s Clearinghouse 
The  second  phase,  which  with  the  Cleveland  commu‐
adult  learners  from  across  800‐325‐5604 
was  started  in  2008  and  is  nity  and  is  a  key  leader  in 
the  continent  participate  in  Ohio Tobacco Quit Line 
still  underway,  will  see  the  the  cultural  and  economic 
educational  programs  of‐ construction of an expansive   revival of Northeast Ohio.  800‐QUIT‐NOW 
Ohio Turnpike Info 
Upcoming Events at the Museum  88‐TURNPIKE 
March 7—May 30: Art of the American Indians: The Thaw Collection  Road Condition Hotline 
The exhibit features 135 works of Native American Art from the Thaw Collection of the Feni‐ 888‐2‐OH‐ROAD 
more Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York.  Admission to this event is free to the public.    State Highway Patrol 
Highway Help 
June 12, 11 AM  ‐ 4 PM: Parade the Circle at Wade Oval 
877‐7‐PATROL 
The parade features artists, families, schools, and community organizations in a spectacle of 
State Highway Patrol 
costumes, masks, puppets, and floats! 
DUI Hotline 
June 19, 5:30 PM  ‐ 2 AM: Summer Solstice Party  800‐GRAB‐DUI 
Celebrate the longest day of the year with performances by musicians from around the world  Tax Questions 
800‐282‐1780