COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a comprehensive package of bills into law, addressing diverse areas from firearms policies and school safety to healthcare and environmental concerns. The legislation, passed during the 135th General Assembly, reflects bipartisan efforts and tackles a broad range of state priorities.
Key Bills Signed Into Law:
- Senate Bill 58: Sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), this bill prohibits requiring fees or liability insurance for firearm possession and enacts the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act.
- Senate Bill 95: Amends pharmacy law to allow remote dispensing and certifies mental health assistants, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility across Ohio.
- Senate Bill 211: Establishes a 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline while joining the Dietitian Licensure Compact to streamline licensure across states.
- House Bill 8: Introduces the Parents’ Bill of Rights, requiring public schools to notify parents about student health, well-being, and instructional materials containing sexuality content.
- House Bill 74: Focuses on election integrity by requiring state approval for voter registration systems and post-election audits while addressing cybersecurity efforts.
- House Bill 366: Enacts the FORCE Act to combat organized retail crime, creating an advisory council and task force to address theft and related offenses.
- House Bill 531: Enacts “Braden’s Law,” which prohibits sexual extortion and ensures service providers comply with electronic information warrants.
Public Safety and Community Focus
Several bills emphasize public safety and community well-being. House Bill 452, for example, enhances hospital violence prevention measures, requiring training, security plans, and incident reporting. Senate Bill 237 protects free speech under the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act and prohibits minors from being listed as defendants in landlord-tenant disputes.
Economic and Infrastructure Development
Bills like House Bill 37 address OVI-related offenses, and Senate Bill 208 creates the Regional Partnerships Program to expand access to education and training, which aims to bolster Ohio’s workforce and infrastructure.
Social and Environmental Policies
DeWine signed legislation designating May as “Food Allergy Awareness Month” and “Lupus Awareness Month” (Senate Bill 234), and addressing agricultural concerns, including non-commercial seed-sharing exemptions (House Bill 364).
Education and Health
From improving school expulsion policies (House Bill 206) to revising occupational licensing laws (House Bill 238), the new laws seek to address critical educational and health needs.
