by: Andy Jesson, AOF Policy & Communications Intern
As part of our effort to improve the health and human services landscape for all Ohioans, AOF is always tracking state legislative efforts related to our work. Below is an overview of some of the major pieces of legislation AOF is tracking, including links to bills, information about co-sponsors and movement, as well as descriptions regarding what each bill seeks to implement.
Direct state funds for economic growth and community development (Capital Funds)
Sponsors: Representatives Al Cutrona and Terrence Upchurch
HB 2 was passed by the House on February 7, 2024, and introduced in the Senate on February 13. The legislation would give $1.65 billion in state capital spending and appropriate another $350 million from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund towards projects across Ohio.
Enact the Strong Foundations Act
Sponsors: Representatives Andrea White and Latyna Humphrey
HB 7 was introduced in the House on February 15, 2023, and reported to the Rules and Reference Committee on June 13, 2023, where it awaits further movement. HB 7 requires the Ohio Board of Nursing to establish a registry of certified doulas, while also establishing the Doula Advisory Board within the Board of Nursing. HB 7 also requires the Department of Medicaid cover doula services provided by a certified doula with a Medicaid provider agreement. The legislation covers a wide range of issues, including efforts to establish an informational pregnancy and postpartum mobile app, appropriations for maternal-focused housing initiatives, revisions and appropriations to Help Me Grow, continuous Medicaid enrollment for young children, early childhood mental health services, and more.
Regards single-sex bathroom access in schools, universities
Sponsors: Representatives Beth Lear and Adam Bird
HB 183 requires public and chartered nonpublic schools, educational service centers (ESCs), and institutions of higher education to designate specified facilities for the exclusive use of students either assigned female at birth or assigned male at birth. The legislation was introduced in the House on May 23, 2023, and referred to the Higher Education Committee on June 7, 2023. During the fourth hearing on January 10, 2024, primary sponsor of the bill, Representative Adam Bird announced a slight change in the language of the bill.
Modify procedures to conduct property tax sales-assessment study
Sponsors: Representatives Thomas Hall and Adam Bird
Passed by the House on October 11, 2023, and passed by the Senate on December 6, 2023, HB 187 temporarily increases the amount of all property tax homestead exemptions and expands eligibility for seniors and Ohioans with disabilities. Following passage by the House, the Ohio Senate unanimously passed an altered version of the legislation. The House has not yet voted on/agreed to the changes adopted by the Senate.
Authorizes certain public bodies to meet virtually.
Sponsors: Representatives James Hoops and Thaddeus Claggett
Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support on November 29, 2023, HB 257 currently awaits movement in the Senate Government Oversight Committee. HB 257 allows public meetings to be held virtually once the public body has adopted certain policies, including means for the public to view virtual meetings. Public meetings can be held virtually only if all parties participating in the hearing consent, and meetings may not be virtual if it involves voting on a major nonroutine expenditure, significant hiring decision, or a vote on a tax issue or tax increase.
Authorizes a property tax freeze for certain owner-occupied homes
Sponsors: Representatives Dani Isaacsohn and Thomas Hall
HB 263 was introduced in September 2023 and referred to the Ways and Means Committee, where multiple hearings have been held. If passed, the legislation would freeze property tax amounts for older Ohioans who own homes, ensuring individuals often on a fixed income do not pay a larger property tax bill year-over-year. On February 6, 2024, the Ways and Means Committee met and House Bill 263 was heard for a fourth time. During the committee hearing, Representative Hall introduced a substitute bill with four key amendments to the original legislation, lowering the age requirement, maximum allowable income, maximum allowable home value, and required length of residency prior to being eligible for participation.
Authorizes the refundable thriving families tax credit
Sponsors: Representatives Casey Weinstein and Lauren McNally
Introduced in the House on October 3, 2023, and referred to the Ways and Means Committee on October 10, 2023. HB 290 would offer a refundable tax credit of $1,000 per year for children aged 0-5, and a credit of $500 per year for children 6-17. The legislation awaits further movement.
Establishes Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Commission (ACES)
Sponsors: Representatives Rachel Baker and Sara Carruthers
HB 352 was introduced on December 4, 2023, and referred to the Behavioral Health Committee on December 6, 2023. The legislation establishes the study commission and requires the commission recommend legislative actions to address adverse childhood experiences. The study commission would consist of 21 members, most appointed to the governor as well as one member from each party in the House and Senate.
Phase-out state income tax; repeal commercial activity tax
Sponsors: Representatives Adam Mathews and Brian Lampton
HB 386 was introduced on January 24, 2024 and referred to the Ways and Means Committee on February 6, 2024. The legislation would eliminate the state income tax on nonbusiness income over the next six years, and after 2029, would repeal the commercial activity tax. There is a companion bill in the Senate (SB 216).
Regards enforcement of Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule
Sponsors: Representatives Rachel Baker and Andrea White
HB 388 was introduced on January 29, 2024, and referred to the Public Health Policy Committee on February 6, 2024. The legislation authorizes the Director of the Ohio Department of Health to enter into agreements with the EPA for administration/enforcement of the federal Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). RRP requires a certification process for firms completing projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities and pre-schools built before 1978. The certification process helps ensure lead-safe work practices are followed.
Requires public schools to provide meals and related services
Sponsors: Representatives Darnell Brewer and Ismail Mohamed
HB 408 was introduced on February 12, 2024. The legislation requires school districts serve a student a meal, regardless of whether the student has the funds to pay for the meal. If passed, school districts would no longer be able to discard an already-served meal if the student is unable to provide payment for the meal, nor will districts be allowed to refuse to provide a meal or stigmatize the student in any way.
Establishes supplemental benefit for certain SNAP recipients
Sponsors: Representatives Daniel Troy and Jay Edwards
HB 428 was introduced on February 27, 2024. The legislation would provide an additional SNAP benefit for individuals 60 years of age or older and currently receiving a monthly nutrition benefit allotment of less than $50/month. If passed, HB 428 uses state funds to raise the floor to $50/month for older Ohioans receiving nutrition assistance.
Regards driver’s license suspension law; financial responsibility
Sponsors: Senators Louis Blessing and Catherine Ingram
SB 37 was introduced on January 31, 2023, and referred to the Judiciary Committee on February 8, 2023. The legislation removes the possibility of suspending an individual’s driver’s license for drug offenses (aside from first degree felonies), failure to pay child support, and truancy. SB 37 would also reduce the lookback period allowed for suspension of driver’s license due to proof of financial responsibility penalties.
Enact Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act
Sponsor: Senator Jerry Cirino
SB 83 was passed by the Ohio Senate on May 17, 2023. It was introduced in the House on May 22, 2023, and most recently re-referred to the House Rules and Reference Committee on January 3, 2024. SB 83 would prohibit in most instances any mandatory orientation or training courses regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Among other things, the legislation would also require all state institutions of higher educations to create a syllabus for each course and make the syllabus publicly-available on the university website.
Revise Ohio’s Unemployment Compensation Law
Sponsors: Senators George Lang and Mark Romanchuk
SB 116 was introduced on April 26, 2023, and referred to the Insurance Committee on May 4, 2023. The legislation would raise the taxable wage base from $9,000 to $9,500 used to calculate employer contributions under Ohio’s Unemployment Compensation Law. SB 116 also eliminates dependency class caps for weekly unemployment benefits, makes the maximum weekly benefit amount up to 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, and reduces the maximum number of weeks an individual can receive unemployment benefits in a year from 26 weeks to 12-20 weeks.
Phase-out state income tax; repeal commercial activity tax
Sponsors: Senators George Lang and Stephen Huffman
SB 216 was introduced on January 23, 2024, and referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on January 24, 2024. The legislation would eliminate the state income tax on nonbusiness income over the next six years, and after 2029, would repeal the commercial activity tax. There is a companion bill in the House (HB 386).