In the last 48 hours, Governor Mike DeWine has signed over 20 bills on various topics in Ohio. These bills cover a wide range of issues such as imposing stricter penalties for stunt driving, altering the numbering system for statewide ballot issues, and much more.
After a flurry of activity by state lawmakers, a set of bills were passed with bipartisan support and subsequently became law in late October after the state’s usual 90-day waiting period. While most of the bills passed easily with bipartisan support, a few were passed by the Republican majority over mostly Democratic objections.
More information about the bills that were recently signed will be provided below.
Re-numbering state ballot issues
This Article Includes
Ohio has passed Senate Bill 98 with almost no opposition. The bill will bring an end to the practice of re-numbering statewide ballot issues every election cycle. Instead, state elections officials will assign a unique number to each proposed constitutional amendment or initiated statute. This number is likely to remain unchanged for decades.
Ohio voters experienced confusion last year when they cast their ballots for two different proposals both called State Issue 1. The first Issue 1, held during a special election in August, was unsuccessful in its attempt to make it harder for future state constitutional amendments to pass. The second Issue 2, which passed in November, aimed to add abortion-rights guarantees to the Ohio Constitution. To prevent any future confusion, a change has been made to address the issue.
Lawmakers made several last-minute amendments to SB98 before its passage. One of these amendments included a proposal that would permit fire investigators to carry firearms while on duty.
Anti-’hooning’ measures
Governor DeWine has taken a strong stance against reckless driving by signing House Bill 56 into law. This bill introduces criminal charges for those who engage in “stunt driving” activities, including doughnuts, wheelies, burnouts, drifting, and allowing passengers to ride outside the vehicle. It also addresses the issue of “street takeovers” that disrupt public roads and highways. With these new measures in place, Ohio is sending a clear message that reckless driving will not be tolerated.
The bill has introduced two new crimes, both of which are considered first-degree misdemeanors. Those found guilty of these crimes could face up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. In addition, offenders may have their driver’s license suspended for a period of up to three years and be given six points on their license. The bill also states that those who provide any sort of assistance to street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover will be charged equally to the participants.
The penalty for willfully eluding or fleeing police in a vehicle has been increased by HB56. This offense that was previously categorized as a first-degree misdemeanor is now considered a fourth-degree felony. Those found guilty of this offense could face imprisonment ranging from 6 to 18 months and a maximum fine of $5,000. Additionally, the new law also enforces stricter penalties if the fleeing from police occurred immediately after committing a felony or if it resulted in (or posed a significant risk of) substantial harm to individuals or property.
Local law-enforcement officials requested the HB56 bill to tackle the issue of ‘hooning,’ which refers to the dangerous trend of reckless driving and street takeovers fueled by social media and the internet. The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to crack down on this dangerous behavior.
Expunging trafficking victims’ criminal records
DeWine has signed a fourth bill named Senate Bill 214, which aims to simplify the process for human trafficking victims to request officials to expunge their criminal conviction records for misdemeanors, fourth-degree felonies, or fifth-degree felonies. This will provide much-needed relief to the victims of human trafficking.
Advocates of the legislation, such as Yost, assert that traffickers frequently coerce their victims into committing illegal acts like burglary, drug possession, and breaking and entering. In Ohio, trafficking survivors have the option to expunge their criminal records for the majority of offenses, but solely if a minimum of one of those convictions was for soliciting, loitering to engage in solicitation, or prostitution.
Appealing freezes of controversial laws
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will now find it easier to appeal local judges’ orders that freeze controversial state laws, thanks to the newly signed House Bill 301. Although SB214 passed the legislature with near-unanimous support, the same cannot be said for this bill.
Several controversial GOP-backed state laws, such as the “heartbeat” abortion restrictions in 2022 and the ban on transgender medical treatment for minors and transgender athletes in women’s sports in April, have been blocked from enforcement by judges in Democratic counties. The Republican-authored measure aims to address these issues and prevent further legal challenges to state laws.
The standard set by HB 301 does not apply to appeals that put a hold on the enforcement of local ordinances. This means that if a judge issues a temporary halt on a local gun restriction, it cannot be appealed right away.
In a separate case, Yost, who belongs to the Republican Party in Columbus, has contended that a judge’s decision to block the enforcement of a law, even if it is temporary, is akin to vetoing a policy judgment that voters have entrusted to their lawmakers.
The judicial measure added to HB56 was opposed by most legislative Democrats, and it was passed by Republicans. Cincinnati Democrat State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn expressed her disagreement with the decision in a floor speech, stating that it is unfair to provide the attorney general with an expedited approach to the court system. She also warned Republican lawmakers that this change might have negative consequences for them if Democrats regain control of the state government in the future.
Education bills
The House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 214 despite strong objections from the Democrats. This bill mandates public schools to establish policies that prohibit individuals from being forced to conform to a particular belief system, political movement, or ideology. Additionally, students will be allowed to take up to three excused absences for religious expression days, provided there is parental notification.
According to proponents of HB214, the bill will play a crucial role in fighting against liberalism in Ohio schools. On the other hand, some educators are against the bill, stating that it is unnecessary as many schools already implement comparable policies.
In addition, DeWine has endorsed several other education bills, which include:
-
- Senate Bill 94, which will require all colleges and universities in Ohio to adopt and enforce a policy on racial, religious, and ethnic bias, harassment, and intimidation, as well as mandate that public colleges and universities provide a financial cost and aid disclosure to newly admitted students (most schools already provide this thanks to federal requirements).
- Senate Bill 168, which expands alternative pathways to teacher licensure, creates an apprenticeship program for school principals, and allow later school-bus pickup times. It also softens languages that’s used to teach students about unwed parenthood, as an increasing number of Ohio kids are raised by single parents or couples who are in a relationship but aren’t married.
- House Bill 147, which will require schools to notify the state when an educator is under threat of termination or nonrenewal of their contract during a misconduct investigation. It also prohibits schools and the Ohio High School Athletic Association from setting different prices for athletic event tickets based on whether they’re paid for with cash or a credit card, and it requires ticket prices to be lower for students than for adults.
Partial veto of medical legislation
Governor DeWine has recently approved Senate Bill 144, which seeks to address the staffing shortage issue at long-term care facilities. This bill includes several provisions, such as reducing the amount of training required to become a medication aide and allowing pharmacy technicians to administer immunization shots.
Prior to signing the bill, the governor exercised his line-item veto power to eliminate the provision that would dissolve the Ohio Medical Quality Foundation. This foundation provides grant funding to aid in the support of various initiatives, such as graduate medical education, hospital risk-management, and quality-assurance programs.
DeWine stated in his veto message that he wants to give the Ohio Sunset Review Committee ample time to conduct hearings on the Ohio Medical Quality Foundation’s future. This committee is responsible for identifying state committees that are no longer necessary and should be abolished.
DeWine wrote that he urges the parties involved to collaborate and find a solution. He also expressed his eagerness to work with all parties concerned regarding this issue.
The governor signed several other bills into law, including:
-
- Senate Bill 28, which enters Ohio into the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact and revises regulations on medication aides in assisted living facilities
- House Bill 226, which allows public water utilities to cover the cost of replacing lead pipes leading to Ohioans’ homes. The utilities could then factor in those costs when setting future rates.
Read More:
- Man arrested for threatening Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Trump Judge Juan Merchan
- Hip-Hop Pioneer Kool DJ Red Alert Receives Statue in Harlem, and We’re Going Berserk