Sen. Willis Blackshear

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Charles F. Kurfess, a former Ohio state representative and lawyer. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' condolences to his family and acknowledges his service as Speaker of the House, his military duty in the Korean War, and his long career in law. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to Kurfess's family, serving as a formal record of respect rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution honoring the memory of Darrell W. Opfer, a former public official and community leader from Ohio. It formally expresses the House of Representatives' sympathy to his family and acknowledges his service as a teacher, county commissioner, state representative, and Peace Corps volunteer. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to send an authenticated copy of the tribute to Opfer's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Dr. Samuel Wallace Speck, Jr., a former Ohio legislator and public servant. It formally recognizes his contributions to his community and family while expressing the House's sympathy to his loved ones. The resolution directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the document to Speck's family as a gesture of respect.

Maddy summaryHR 651 is a commemorative resolution honoring Senator J. Kirk Schuring following his death. The bill expresses the House of Representatives' sympathies to his family and acknowledges his thirty-one years of service in the Ohio legislature, including his roles as acting speaker and president pro tempore. It also highlights his community involvement and directs the Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to his family. This measure serves as a formal tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution honoring the memory of Dan Ramos, a late Ohio state representative and the first Latino to hold a legislative leadership position in either party. It formally recognizes his contributions to the community and his career, which included serving as a page, aide, and policy analyst before his election to the House. The resolution expresses the House's condolences to his family and directs the Clerk to send an official copy of the tribute to them. This measure is purely symbolic and does not alter any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 29 amends state laws to give municipal, mayor's, and county courts more flexibility in handling fines and costs for people found guilty of offenses. When a defendant cannot pay a fine immediately, the court can now order them to perform community service instead or set up a payment plan. The bill also updates the process for suspending vehicle registration if someone fails to pay fines or court costs, requiring courts to send specific forms to the motor vehicle registrar to trigger the suspension. Once the outstanding fines are paid in full, the court must notify the registrar to lift the suspension and allow vehicle registration or transfer applications to resume.

Maddy summaryHB 452 updates Ohio laws regarding hospital security and concealed carry rights. The bill mandates that hospital security personnel have access to specific online training for handling violent situations and grants civil immunity to individuals acting in self-defense to protect hospital members or guests. It also clarifies where people with valid concealed handgun licenses are prohibited from carrying firearms, including schools, courthouses, and certain government buildings, while allowing institutions of higher education to set their own policies. Additionally, the legislation provides immunity to private employers from lawsuits if a licensee brings a gun onto their property, unless the employer acted with malicious intent.

Maddy summaryHB 531, known as Braden's Law, establishes new criminal penalties for sexual extortion, which involves threatening to release private images to force someone into performing acts, paying money, or providing additional photos. The bill specifically defines private images to include content involving nudity, sexual activity, or extreme violence, and it sets felony charges that become more severe if the victim is a minor, elderly person, or disabled adult. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the legal responsibilities of digital service providers regarding deceased users' accounts, requiring them to comply with court orders for disclosure or termination while protecting them from liability when acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a specialty license plate featuring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library logo. Money collected from drivers who choose this plate goes into a state fund and is distributed to various organizations, including cancer research groups, educational foundations, and youth development programs. The legislation also directs specific funds to scholarships for students attending certain universities, both within Ohio and out of state. By creating this plate, the state provides a way for vehicle owners to contribute directly to these designated causes.

Maddy summaryHB 438, titled the Homebuyer Protection Act, requires real estate brokers and salespeople to provide sellers with a specific disclosure form before listing their homes for sale. This mandatory form outlines federal and state laws regarding anti-discrimination in the home-buying process and explains the penalties for violating these laws. Sellers must sign and date the disclosure to allow the property to be marketed, and agents must keep a copy of the signed document for at least three years. The bill also establishes a system where the state real estate superintendent can issue citations and fines for non-compliance, with automatic license suspension if the agent fails to meet citation requirements within thirty days.