Dontavius L. Jarrells News

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) today praised Federal lawmakers for considering legislation to expand access to overdose-reversal medications in schools. In January 2026, House Bill 57 (HB 57), which authorizes schools to store and administer overdose-reversal medication, such as Naloxone, in emergencies to prevent fatal overdoses among students and staff, went into effect in Ohio. The bipartisan legislation championed by Rep. Jarrells and Majority Whip Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) places Ohio as a leading state in overdose prevention in K-12 schools.  

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) Wednesday hosted a Behavioral Health Legislative Brunch at the Vern Riffe Center, bringing together behavioral health professionals, advocates, and community leaders from across Ohio to discuss strategies for improving behavioral health outcomes statewide.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) alongside fellow members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) today held a press conference recognizing Juneteenth and reflect on the continuing pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality for Black Ohioans.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) today announced the passage of Senate Bill 450, the state's biennial state capital budget in both the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate. The passing of this bill will provide $8.35M to District 01 for community initiatives and state-owned infrastructure, expanding access to healthcare, improving public infrastructure, preserving cultural institutions, and enhancing quality of life for residents across the region.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) today announced that the Ohio Controlling Board has approved nearly $200K in state funding. The importance of this funding lies in improving the condition of a Columbus State University building and supporting construction at the Columbus Developmental Center.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) introduced five new pieces of legislation aimed to protect and serve all Ohioans.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) and State Rep. Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp) successfully passed the bipartisan Ohio House Bill (H.B.) 565, the Grand Jury Privacy and Protection Act, with a unanimous vote.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) Monday announced that the Ohio Controlling Board has approved nearly $18M in state funding to enhance student success initiatives and support critical improvements to community facilities.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) last Thursday hosted a Small Business Leadership Brunch Thursday at the Huntington Empowerment Center, bringing together local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Columbus. The event featured a panel-style discussion where business owners shared their experiences and heard from leaders offering practical guidance and resources.

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) last Friday visited Schoenbaum Family Center in Columbus, an early childhood education center dedicated to providing high-quality education and serving lower-income families. The visit focused on the impact of recent and proposed changes to Ohio’s publicly funded childcare system.