Maddy summarySB 338 expands the eligibility for grandparents and other relatives to serve as legal caretakers for children living with them without formal custody orders. The bill defines a "caretaker" broadly to include various blood relatives, stepparents, and non-relative adults who are caring for a child in place of the parents. It allows parents, guardians, or custodians to grant these caretakers specific rights, such as enrolling the child in school and consenting to medical treatment, through a standardized power of attorney form. This document becomes valid only when the parent is unable to care for the child due to circumstances like illness, incarceration, homelessness, or substance abuse treatment. The legislation clarifies that this arrangement does not grant legal custody or affect the parents' future rights to the child.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill designates specific days and weeks in Ohio to honor agriculture, including Farmer's Day, FFA Week, 4-H Week, and Ohio Soil Health Week. It also updates the rules for deputy apiarists, who inspect bee hives, by clarifying their appointment process, compensation, and reporting requirements to the state director of agriculture. The legislation establishes that these deputies serve at the pleasure of the county board and must submit inspection reports and expense claims for director approval before receiving payment. Additionally, the bill repeals an older, conflicting section of the Revised Code regarding these agricultural designations.
Maddy summaryHB 81 designates specific sections of roads and a bridge across Ohio with new names to honor individuals who served in law enforcement, the military, and emergency services. The bill affects various counties by officially renaming highways such as State Route 39 in Carroll County to the "Sheriff Dale R. Williams Memorial Highway" and Interstate 77 in Akron to the "American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Memorial Highway." Under this legislation, the state director of transportation is authorized to install physical markers along these routes to display the new commemorative titles. This measure serves as a formal recognition of public service rather than altering traffic laws or funding requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes adoption laws by updating specific sections of the state's Revised Code and clarifying the exclusive jurisdiction of probate courts over various legal matters. While the text primarily defines the probate court's authority over wills, estates, guardianships, and medical decisions, it explicitly includes the power to hear and determine petitions for adoption. The legislation ensures that these family law cases remain within the probate court system unless other laws assign jurisdiction elsewhere, streamlining the legal process for adoption and related family matters.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for selecting members of the State Teachers Retirement Board to ensure a mix of expertise and independence. It establishes specific qualifications for board seats, requiring that investment-focused members have direct experience in managing assets while prohibiting them from having worked for the retirement system or related financial firms in the last three years. The legislation also clarifies how these members are appointed, designating roles for the director of education, the state treasurer, and elected officials, while maintaining seats for current and retired teachers. These changes aim to structure the board's composition to better reflect professional investment knowledge and prevent conflicts of interest, without altering the terms of those already serving on the board.
Maddy summaryHB 111 increases the potential prison sentences for individuals convicted of third-degree felony domestic violence and establishes a legal presumption that such offenders should be sentenced to prison rather than probation. This change applies specifically to repeat offenders who have a history of domestic violence convictions or related offenses against family or household members. The bill also mandates minimum prison terms for cases involving pregnant victims, ensuring stricter penalties when the offender knew the victim was pregnant at the time of the crime. Additionally, the legislation expands the ability of corporations and organizations to file for protection orders if they are targeted by domestic violence threats.
Maddy summaryHB 338 amends state law to allow child support orders to be issued, modified, or extended for children over the age of 18 who have a disability. This change directly affects parents and guardians of adult children with disabilities who may still require financial support. The bill also clarifies how funds related to computerization fees should be disbursed within the child support system. By updating the legal framework, the legislation ensures that support obligations can continue beyond the typical age of majority for qualifying disabled minors.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates the 1905 Wright Flyer III as the official state airplane of the state. It achieves this by amending the state code to formally recognize the historic aircraft, which was the first successful powered flight. The legislation does not authorize the purchase of the plane or require any government agency to operate it. Instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the Wright brothers' invention and its historical significance.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Senator Vernon Sykes for his distinguished service to the Ohio Senate. It recognizes his long tenure, professional background, and contributions to various committees while expressing appreciation from his colleagues. The resolution concludes by directing the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Senator Sykes as a gesture of respect.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors John D. Whaley for his dedicated service to the State of Ohio. It recognizes his nine years with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and his subsequent work as a sergeant-at-arms for the Senate, where he supported members of the General Assembly. The bill formally commends his contributions and instructs the Senate Clerk to send an official copy of the resolution to him.