Rep. Cecil Thomas

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal resolution that honors the National Black Caucus of State Legislators as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. It acknowledges the organization's role in supporting African American state legislators and its work on issues like equity, education, and criminal justice reform. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the group's contributions to public service. The Clerk of the House will send copies of this resolution to the organization and Ohio news outlets to share the recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 848 designates the month of September as "Celebrate HBCU Month" to honor historically black colleges and universities. The bill achieves this by adding a new section to the state's Revised Code, which officially recognizes the period for celebration. This legislative action directly affects state records and official designations but does not create new funding or change existing laws. It is a symbolic measure intended to highlight the significance of HBCUs during September.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new public registry for individuals convicted of repeat domestic violence offenses. It requires courts to identify defendants who have a current charge plus at least one prior conviction for domestic violence and order them to register with the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. The registry will publicly display personal details like names and photos to help the community identify these offenders, while protecting sensitive data such as social security numbers. The system is designed to automatically remove an individual's record after a set period if they do not commit further violations.

To enact section 149.61 of the Revised Code regarding the provision of personal data to out-of-state entities and to name this act the Ohio Privacy Act.

To amend sections 5747.08 and 5747.98 and to enact section 5747.74 of the Revised Code to authorize a refundable income tax credit for certain child care expenses and to name this act the Childcare Tax Credit Act.

To amend sections 3301.50, 3301.53, 3301.54, 3301.56, 3313.48, 3313.64, 3313.646, 3313.842, 3313.98, 3313.981, 3314.03, 3314.08, 3317.011, 3317.0110, 3317.02, 3317.0213, 3317.03, 3321.01, 3321.05, 3323.02, 5753.021, and 5753.031 and to enact sections 3301.542, 3301.591, 3301.592, 3313.6415, and 3317.083 of the Revised Code to increase the rate of the sports gaming tax on certain operators, to require all-day kindergarten, to establish universal preschool programs, and to name this act the Preschool for All Act.

To enact section 3301.0722 of the Revised Code regarding model curriculum for world history that includes ancient African civilizations and global influence.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring L. Helen Rankin, a former Ohio state representative who passed away. It formally expresses condolences to her family and acknowledges her 16 years of public service, during which she served on the Finance and Appropriations and Human Resources committees. The resolution highlights her advocacy for women's health, children, and social services, and directs the House Clerk to send a copy of the document to her family.

To enact sections 3301.96 and 3333.89 of the Revised Code to establish the Foster-to-College Scholarship Program, to require the Department of Education and Workforce to hire a full-time school foster care liaison, and to make an appropriation for the Foster-to-College Scholarship Program.

To amend sections 2307.66, 2917.211, and 2981.02 and to enact sections 2307.68 and 2907.312 of the Revised Code to enact the Innocence Act to prohibit an organization from failing to verify the age of a person attempting to access material that is obscene or harmful to juveniles, to prohibit a person from using another person's likeness to create sexual images of the other person, and to create a private right of action for each prohibited activity.