COYBD LEGISLATION OF THE MONTH
Ohio General Assembly
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
What: House Bill 411—Modify Wrongful Imprisonment Law Who: Representatives Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) & Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati)
Impact: If passed this bill will:
Allow an Ohio resident who believes they were wrongfully imprisoned to file a claim in the court where the original crime was charged or in the county Common Pleas Court of which they reside in.
Expand the criterion for wrongful convictions to include misdemeanor convictions as well as felonies/aggravated felonies.
Apply the “error in procedure that resulted in the individual’s release” criterion following sentencing or imprisonment; includes a violation of the individual’s constitutional right known as the “Brady Rule”.
Next Steps: Third consideration on the House Floor for a chamber vote
SENATE:
What: Senate Bill 16—Make Health Professionals Culturally Competent Who: Senator Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus)
Impact: If passed this bill will:
Require health care professionals including but not limited to, dentists, registered nurses, optometrists to receive continuing education in cultural competency in order to obtain or renew their licensure.
Mandate state boards that regulate each profession to configure the amount of hours of cultural competency instruction that must be completed.
State boards must consider race and gender-based disparities when making this determination and consult with national accredited organizations.
Next Steps: Committee hearings and vote
City of Columbus
What: Ordinance 1010-2018—Capital Improvements Budget (CIB) Who: Columbus City Council
Impact: The 2018 CIB will allocate $719.7 million in new funding to various local entities and agencies for physical infrastructure including street pavement, construction/remodeling of buildings, and water and sewer upgrades
Next Steps: Passed City Council April 23, 2018, now must be appropriated
