1. Did you know that Ohio Senate Bill 252 holds schools and organizations more accountable for preventing sudden cardiac arrest issues during youth activities? The Bill requires a coach at a school or a youth sports organization to annually undergo training, making them more likely to recognize such an issue and pull an athlete from a game or contest.
This action prohibits athletes from playing until he or she receives a doctor’s permission if they have experienced such symptoms as fainting spells or if an immediate family member experienced cardiac arrest. The Bill is sponsored by Sen. Cliff Hite (R., Findlay), a former high school football coach. Hite coached Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger at Findlay High School.
Also, The Bill is named “Lindsay’s Law” for Lindsay Davis, a former Miss Ohio and now a heart health advocate. Davis’ own heart condition initially went undiagnosed when she was a young ballerina.
2. Did You Know that Ohio House Bill 300 states that if a person is convicted of a specific aggravated vehicular homicide offense, their license will be suspended for 15 years? The suspensions begin subsequent to the prison sentence.
Prior to this bill going into effect, license suspensions began at the time of sentencing. For example, if your license was suspended for 5 years and you’re in prison longer than that, you could receive your license upon being released from incarceration. Therefore, individuals were serving lengthy prison sentences, but getting their license back immediately. And in some cases, they had taken someone’s life while at the wheel of a vehicle.
Ohio State Reps Nathan Manning and Nan Baker initially brought the Bill to the House, and it was subsequently supported by the Senate and signed off on by Ohio Governor John Kasich. The primary focus was on repeat offenders.
3. Did you know House Bill 470 makes knowingly assisting someone with suicide a third-degree felony? Previously, Ohio law only allows a court to issue an injunction against individuals who assist others in killing themselves. It was Cincinnati Republican and State Senator Bill Seitz who developed House Bill 470. The action is similar to legislation passed by Michigan in 1998 following Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s nationally publicized efforts to assist terminally ill patients in committing suicide.
4. Did you know Ohio House Bill 347 ensures a property owner’s right to be innocent until proven guilty? Specifically, the Bill states that criminal conviction is required before law enforcement officials can permanently confiscate property for any number of civil forfeiture cases.
Bill 347 sets a new threshold for civil forfeiture, thereby protecting property owners. To forfeit properties valued at under $15,000, the government must first convict the property’s owner in criminal court.
Also, in such circumstances, the burden of proof shifts to the state. Ohioans no longer have to prove their innocence. Such better safeguards protect private property rights.
5. Did you know Ohio Senate Bill 332 strives to address the state’s high infant mortality rate? According to 2014 data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ohio ranked 4th in infant mortality nationally.
Senate Bill 332 implements changes recommended by the Commission on Infant Mortality. This includes enhancing data access and reporting to make sure providers are using only the best, evidence-based practices. It aims to provide health professionals with necessary tools to consider and review the impact of culture in an individual’s health and wellness. As a result, more competent care will be accessible across socioeconomic lines.
The 2014 United States Census Projections, as reported by the Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC), further accentuates the need for Ohio to take such measures:
- The United States is projected to become a majority-minority nation for the first time by 2050 when the non-Hispanic white population falls to 44%.
- Along those lines, 64% of those 18 years and younger are projected to belong to a minority race or ethnic group by 2020.
- Ohio continues to be home to the second largest concentration of Somali Americans in the nation.
MACC reported that Ohio continues to rank 49th nationally for the deaths of African-American babies.
6. Did you know Ohio Senate Bill 27 was passed to protect firefighters who are diagnosed with some cancer while serving in the job? Through this legislation, firefighters receive workers compensation benefits if such a diagnosis occurs.
Lawmakers concluded that firefighters incur risks associated with serving the public in this profession. Senate Bill 27 recognizes increased risks for these men and women by allowing them to receive benefits through the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and Ohio Police Fire Pension Fund.
Workers compensation benefits are only allowable in the event that firefighters prove the exposures that led to their illness. The Bill was passed weeks after a Cleveland television station’s exclusive revealed that Ohio was one of just 16 states without a cancer presumptive law. The investigation also discovered scientific studies connecting firefighting to an increased risk of cancer.
The station’s taped investigation was shared with members of Ohio’s Senate Insurance Committee, which subsequently, unanimously voted to send the bill to the Ohio Senate.
7. Did you know Ohio Senate Bill 199 made significant changes to the state’s concealed carry law? The law allows concealed carry in some places where it is already legal, but also removes several “victim zones” where innocent people could be more vulnerable.
With the passing of Senate Bill 199, individuals with a concealed carry license can take their firearms into more establishments now. These establishments include places like daycare centers and non-secure areas of airports including drop-off locations and some baggage areas. Also, employers are no longer allowed to place restrictions prohibiting employers from bringing a firearm onto company property. Employees can legally carry a weapon to the business site, and are allowed to lock their weapon and ammunition in their vehicle.
Additionally, active duty military personnel who provide military ID and proof that they completed training that meets or exceeds Ohio concealed carry law training requirements are allowed to carry firearms, too.
The Bill still prohibits concealed carry of firearms on college campuses in Ohio. However, the institutions themselves can authorize select individuals and groups to carry firearms on their campus if they desire. A similar stipulation is in place on school grounds. The Bill aims to allow individuals a better opportunity to practice self-defense, if necessary.
8. Did you know if another person’s careless act is responsible for the death of a family member, you may be entitled to compensation. Rion, Rion & Rion understands such difficult and emotional circumstances, and we are experienced in fighting for justice of loved ones. Families can possibly receive compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering of you and your loved ones