The Ohio House of Representatives today passed legislation to assist counties in carrying out their child abuse and child neglect prevention programs through certain administrative changes.

House Bill 142 includes minor revisions to laws governing the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF), which is used to invest in abuse and neglect prevention programs by partnering with an advisory board in every county. The changes will provide both the OCTF board and each county’s advisory board more flexibility in allocating funds so that multiple advisory boards can collaborate and the prevention programming can be planned in a timelier manner.

“The programs put on through each county’s advisory board play a vital role in protecting our children,” Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder said. “If they can perform their roles in a way that makes better sense, it’s important that we adopt the legislative changes for them to do that.”

The changes in House Bill 142 include:

• Providing the OCTF board with the discretion to allow multiple counties to collaborate and submit one application.
• Allowing the counties to submit an application for multiple years, rather than on an annual basis.
• Enabling OCTF to send funds directly to the administrative agent of a county Family and Children First Council that has been designated as that county’s child abuse and neglect prevention advisory board.
• Moving the due date of an application up from April 1st to March 1st of the fiscal year so that the advisory boards will receive their funding at roughly the same time as they are to initiate their child abuse and neglect prevention programming.

House Bill 142 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The Ohio House of Representatives today concurred on Senate changes to Substitute House Bill 1, which strives to streamline Ohio’s workforce development efforts and make it easier for Ohioans to utilize the resources that are available to them.

Sub. H.B. 1 rebrands all of the state’s patchwork of workforce centers (also known as One-Stops) as “Ohio Means Jobs ___ County” to ensure consistency, reduce public confusion, and connect these centers directly to OhioMeansJobs.com.

“I am extremely proud that so many interested parties came together to help Ohio’s unemployed and underemployed in passing House Bill 1,” said State Representative Tim Derickson (R-Hanover Twp.), who sponsored the legislation with State Representative Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario).

“Passage of this bill is an important step in getting Ohioans back to work,” Rep. Romanchuk said. “The changes will make it easier for people to find a job and ensure that our state’s resources are being used in a simple and easy way. I am pleased to have jointly sponsored this legislation with Rep. Derickson in an effort to help Ohioans find employment.”

Sub. H.B. 1 requires all workforce investment boards to use OhioMeansJobs.com as the only job-matching tool to streamline job matching services, reduce duplication, and maximize this increasingly important benefit to Ohioans. The bill also would provide flexibility to the Governor’s Executive Workforce Board as it relates to specifying the number of voting members needed to conduct business.

“The passage of House Bill 1 is a critical first step in strategically aligning Ohio’s workforce development system to serve as a meaningful and effective economic driver,” said Adam Jones, assistant director of the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services. “Rebranding all county One-Stops across the state will provide much-needed uniformity as we promote our program and service offerings to employers who operate across county lines. Further, the Ohio Means Jobs website gives Ohio a distinct competitive edge, providing employers with an expansive, easy-to-use medium for workforce analysis and talent searching. OhioMeansJobs.com has long been the premier placement system used by Butler County, and has been heavily promoted to and used by employers and job seekers alike.”

The House concurred with strong bipartisan support. Sub. H.B. 1 will now be sent to the governor for his signature.

In an effort to reduce infant mortality across the state, and ensure the diagnosis and treatment of critical congenital heart defects, the Ohio House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 4, which requires hospitals and birthing centers to perform screenings pertaining to critical congenital heart defects in newborns.

A critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) screening uses a physiologic tests, like pulse oximetry, to identify if a newborn has a structural heart defect. These particular newborns are at risk of suffering serious complications after birth that could involve surgery, and some cases, loss of life. According to the CDC, 300 infants with unidentified CCHDs are released from newborn facilities each year.

“S.B. 4 is a very important piece of legislation to help ensure infants have this vital screening conducted to assure a healthy future,” Rep. Lynn Wachtmann (R, Napoleon), who serves as Chair of the Health and Aging committee, said.

The bill also specifies that the timing of the procedure must be conducted prior to the newborn being discharged unless the newborn is transferred. Parents are able to object to the screening if it conflicts with their religious practices and beliefs.

S.B. 4 passed with bipartisan support and will now move to the Senate for concurrence.

State Representative Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 24.

The resolution urges the federal government, particularly the Department of Defense, to do everything possible to rescue United States prisoner of war Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.

Sergeant Bergdahl, 27, was captured June 30th, 2009 in eastern Afghanistan by a militant Taliban ally called the Haqqani Network. His capture and subsequent plight has factored in negotiations between the United States and the Taliban.

Rep. Johnson, who was a joint sponsor of the resolution, released the following statement:

"It is distressing to know that so few people have been made aware of the fact that the United States of America has a soldier held captive by our enemies in the Global War on Terror. We owe it to this man, and to his family, to show that we recognize their pain, their great anguish, and their special sacrifice on our behalf. In the US military we have a creed that we will leave no man behind. That certainly must apply to Sgt. Bergdahl, as it would to any other service member who has not returned home from duty. My prayers go out for his safe and speedy return."

A native of Hailey, Idaho, Sergeant Bergdahl was based at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

State Representative Andy Thompson (R-Marietta) today applauded the Ohio House of Representatives’ passage of House Bill 19, legislation that designates several memorial highways in honor of 10 local heroes.

“Those Ohioans who have lost their lives in service to our nation deserve to be honored within their communities and to have their sacrifice remembered,” said Rep. Thompson, who sponsored House Bill 19. “Although these highway designations in no way repay them for all they have done for this nation, it is just one way that we can show our gratitude for their bravery and heroism. And for the families these brave Ohioans left behind, having a highway named in their honor will hopefully be a reminder that their lost loved one is greatly missed and greatly appreciated.”

Rep. Thompson introduced House Bill 19 in January to honor U.S. Army Specialist Allen Nolan of Marietta, who lost his life after being injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2004. House Bill 19 designates a portion of State Route 676 from mile marker 22 to mile marker 23 in Washington County as the “U.S. Army Specialist Allen Nolan Memorial Highway.”

“Army Specialist Nolan’s courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Rep. Thompson. “He was from my hometown, and I know that he is very loved and missed by our friends and neighbors in Marietta. I hope that this highway designation will give his family at least some comfort that his selfless commitment to our country is appreciated.”

House Bill 19 passed unanimously and will be sent to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Typically when there are overturned vehicles and explosions on the streets of Cleveland, I find cause for concern. But with the filming of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” taking place here, Ohioans can consider the Hollywood effects as a very good thing.

Last September we found out that the Captain America movie would be filming in multiple locations throughout the city. I was very pleased that yet another production crew would be coming to shoot in Ohio and taking advantage of the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit.

The Motion Picture Tax Credit is an incentive to attract those who are making films to make all or portions of their production in Ohio. This includes feature-length films, documentaries, music videos, commercials and many others. During the previous General Assembly, Rep. Mike Dovilla, from Berea, sponsored legislation to increase funding for the tax incentive. It passed overwhelmingly, with broad bipartisan support.

With our state’s urban and suburban communities, in addition to our farmland, industrial towns, hills and bodies of water, it makes sense that Ohio would be a great place to come and film for a less expensive cost. We offer everything from hot and sunny days to picturesque and snowy winter evenings. And many of our state’s top attractions could make a great movie backdrop, which has been proven time and again.

Hollywood producers and directors already know that the cost of living is lower in Ohio, and they are willing to take advantage of that. In fact, Ohio is 41 percent less expensive than the Los Angeles region and 50 percent less expensive than Manhattan. When Ohio offers tax breaks and low-cost permitting, that makes the deal all the better.

With the crews coming to Ohio, our local economies stand to benefit. Not only do the crews stay overnight and dine in our facilities, but they also purchase supplies here and employ a good number of people. The business they bring is of greater value than the tax credit itself.

Watching great movies is something that we enjoy doing with our friends and family. It provides a common experience that brings each of us closer together. Although we have become accustomed to thinking of the films as from lands far away, the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit is bringing them even closer to reality than we ever thought they would be. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is just one more example of the gains Ohio has made.

In an effort to help military veterans gain access to critical treatment, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 21, which urges President Barack Obama, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Congress to take prompt action to reduce the processing time for veterans’ disability claims.

Over the past year, the average wait time for a decision regarding a medical claim has increased from two months to more than 260 days. As of April, there were more than 850,000 claims awaiting a decision. Additionally, from January 2009 to December 2012, the number of veterans waiting more than a year for their disability claims increased by 2,000 percent.

“It is unfortunate and tragic that many of our military heroes who have defended our country are unable to access the treatment they need to live happy, productive lives,” said Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “The disability benefits that we provide to these men and women are vital in compensating them for their sacrifice and service. These claims need to be handled in a much more efficient, streamlined manner so that these individuals can get the treatment they need.”

“It’s unacceptable that many of our nation’s veterans have to wait a year or more before they are able to receive treatment,” said Rep. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott). “House Concurrent Resolution 21 is an effort to shine some light on this devastating situation so that the problem can be addressed. The federal government needs to be held accountable for the inefficient processing of these claims and do more to better meet the needs of our service members.”

The United States Government Accountability Office reports that between fiscal years 2009 and 2012, the average length of time for the Department of Veterans Affairs to complete a disability claim increased from 161 days to 260 days, and that the number of backlogged claims—which have been awaiting a decision for more than 125 days—has more than tripled since September 2009. The office also reports that appeals processing at the department’s regional offices has slowed by 56 percent over the past several years.

House Concurrent Resolution 21 passed from the House with unanimous support.

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed legislation pertaining to durable power of attorney for health care and access to important health-related information.

House Bill 126, which is sponsored by State Representative Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), allows the principal the option to make his or her health care power effective immediately, solely for the purpose of allowing his or her attorney obtain health information. Under current law, the agent may only act when the principal has lost the capacity to make informed health care decisions, which creates an obstacle to the agent in obtaining health information about the principal.

“In some cases, agents are unable to fully assist the principal because they have been denied access to important health information,” said Rep. Kunze. “House Bill 126 will give the principal’s attorney access to critical information that is protected under HIPAA, provided that the principal has given consent.”

Among other provisions, House Bill 126 also:
• Specifies that a person who is designated as an agent cannot act as a witness to the health care power of attorney
• Allows the principal the option of nominating a guardian for the principal under a health care power of attorney
• Provides that unless a living will provides otherwise, the living will is revoked by a subsequent declaration

House Bill 126 passed unanimously and will now be sent to the Ohio Senate.

State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) today applauded the Ohio House of Representatives’ passage of Substitute House Bill 116, which pertains to the capture of animals using tranquilizers and makes changes to laws governing animal euthanasia.

Sub. H.B. 116 allows county dog wardens to utilize a tranquilizer gun to capture stray or vicious dogs without the need to have a licensed veterinarian present. Under current law, a licensed veterinarian must be present in order for a dog warden to use a tranquilizer gun to capture a potentially dangerous dog.

The legislation also allows a more humane way to euthanize dogs in shelters by permitting wardens to tranquilize dogs prior to euthanasia. Currently, someone must physically restrain the dog for the warden to administer a euthanasia injection, which can be traumatic for the dog and dangerous to the warden.

“This bill provides another tool for Ohio dog wardens that provides safety and comfort for both the dog warden and the animal,” said Rep. Pelanda.

According to Sub. H.B. 116, the Ohio Pharmaceutical Board, in collaboration with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, would have the authority to determine which drugs can be used for chemical capture, which would allow for flexibility in the use of the appropriate drugs.

The issue was brought to Rep. Pelanda’s attention by Union County Dog Warden Mary Beth Hall, as well as representatives of the Ohio Dog Wardens Association, the Ohio Veterinary Association, the Ohio Pharmaceutical Board, and the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.

Sub. H.B. 116 passed with strong bipartisan support and will move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

State Representative Peter Beck (R-Mason) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives yesterday passed House Concurrent Resolution 16, which honors the State of Israel on its 65th Anniversary.

The resolution, which passed with unanimous support in the House, commends Israel’s “strategic partnership with the United States based on shared democratic values, friendship, and respect” and celebrates this significant milestone.

“It is an honor to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Israel as a modern nation and our continuing relationship,” said Rep. Beck.

The United States was one of the first countries to recognize Israel’s independence when it was declared a state in 1948. House Concurrent Resolution 16 highlights Israel’s work to establish peaceful relations with neighboring countries and its role as a model of democratic values.