Schmidt Highlights Newest Legislation

COLUMBUS – State Representative Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) recently introduced three pieces of legislation that have now been referred to standing House Committees.

First, Schmidt introduced House Bill 17 with State Representative D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), which will ban TikTok and other applications owned by Chinese entities on Ohio’s government devices. This legislation mirrors the Governor’s Executive Order 2023-03D, and Schmidt and Swearingen hope to codify this Executive Order and combat the threat posed to government security.

“It is clear that these applications pose a security threat to our country,” Schmidt said. “It is vital that we protect the data housed on government devices and prevent security breaches of such information.”

H.B. 17 has been referred to the House Technology and Innovation Committee where it awaits future hearings.

Schmidt also recently introduced House Bill 22 with State Representative Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.), which will establish a stroke registry in Ohio. This is a reintroduction of House Bill 431 from the 134th General Assembly. 

A stroke registry is a mandatory, statewide collection of data regarding a sampling of stroke patients. The registry provides protected data confirming that steps are being taken to properly & swiftly care for stroke patients. This bill aims to ensure that the Ohio Department of Health has the necessary time to utilize a stroke registry database and create a new one in the future if necessary.

“Stroke registries can be used as an instrument to improve the quality of care for stroke patients,” Schmidt said. “I am working to ensure that Ohioans have access to up-to-date, lifesaving information to reduce the burden of stroke.”

H.B. 22 has been referred to the House Health Provider Services Committee.

Finally, Schmidt introduced House Bill 51 with State Representative Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta), known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act. This bill prohibits federal officers from using state resources to enforce federal gun laws. Further, the bill will remove federal language from the Ohio Revised Code. 

“As a member of the Ohio General Assembly, I am tasked with upholding constitutional rights for all Ohioans,” Schmidt added. “We must protect the right to bear arms across our state.”

H.B. 51 has been referred to the House Government Oversight Committee.