In an effort to keep you more connected to your government and what’s happening at your Statehouse, I have

compiled a list of bills recently introduced in the Ohio General Assembly.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me with ideas for legislation or ways of bettering our community. I value

and respect your input.

Legislative update An overview of bills introduced in the 131st General Assembly

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 ar-rest 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 pro-fessionals 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 al-

lowing violators in the registry to adopt a companion animal. Reps. David Hall (R-Millersburg) & Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Township) —HB 135— To prohibit the perfor-mance of an abortion on a pregnant woman when the abortion is sought because of a test result indicating Down Syn-drome in an unborn child.

The formal votes during House sessions may give the

impression that every vote has been decided in ad-

vance. This is indeed the case because in-depth ex-

amination of legislation takes place in committee

hearings.

Following a bill's introduction, it is as-

signed to one of the House’s 17

standing committees. During commit-

tee 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 com-

mittee chairperson at the beginning

of the hearing.

State Representatives want to hear the views of Ohio-

ans 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 minori-

ty members are made at the beginning of each new

General Assembly, but changes and substitutions can

always be made at the House Speaker’s 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.

Engaging your legislature and the committee process