Fellow Ohioans,
As always, it’s my honor to represent you and keep you updated on the important work being done to protect and serve our communities. The Public Safety Committee has advanced several critical bills focused on helping our first responders and keeping people safe.
Public Safety Committee Update:
House Bill 20 – Protecting Emergency Responders
Sponsored by Reps. Hall and Plummer
Increases penalties for obstructing emergency service responders after a verbal warning is given and ensures our first responders can do their jobs without interference.
Committee Vote: 8–2 | House Floor Vote: 79–18
House Bill 23 – Escaped Convict Alert Program
Sponsored by Reps. Roemer and Williams
Creates a statewide alert system to assist law enforcement in locating escaped felons.
Committee Vote: 11–0 | House Floor Vote: 97–0
House Bill 44 – Law Enforcement Hiring and Training
Sponsored by Reps. J. Miller and K. Miller
Streamlines hiring for vacant police positions and allows regional training centers to conduct police chief training.
Committee Vote: 11–0 | House Floor Vote: 95–1
House Bill 131 / Senate Bill 114 – Ban on Arrest Quotas
Sponsored by Reps. K. Miller & Sweeney / Sen. Patton
Prohibits the use of quotas to evaluate or discipline law enforcement officers.
HB Committee Vote: 9–1 | Floor Vote: 91–0
SB Committee Vote: 7–0 | Floor Vote: 96–0
House Bill 210 – Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention
Sponsored by Reps. Roemer and Plummer
Strengthens oversight and penalties surrounding the sale of used catalytic converters to curb theft.
Committee Vote: 10–0 | House Floor Vote: 91–2
House Bill 247 – Avery’s Law: Dog Safety Reforms
Sponsored by Reps. K. Miller & Lawson-Rowe
Modernizes Ohio’s dog laws and increases penalties for dangerous dog attacks.
Committee Vote: 11–0 | House Floor Vote: 97–0
Legislation Sponsored or Joint-Sponsored by Rep. Abrams
House Bill 88 – Fighting Trafficking and Fentanyl Abuse
Joint-Sponsored by Rep. Plummer
Increases penalties for trafficking dangerous drugs and expands Ohio’s human trafficking laws. Requires fentanyl education from K–12 through college.
Status: In Judiciary Committee (3 hearings completed)
House Bill 141 – Pediatric Extended Care Centers
Joint-Sponsored by Rep. Baker
Authorizes specialized care centers for medically complex children.
Passed the House | Committee Vote: 12–0 | Floor Vote: 97–0
House Bill 280 – Ohio Police & Fire Pension Reform
Joint-Sponsored by Rep. Hall
Switches the pension fund to an actuarial determined funding model and aligns police contribution rates with firefighters at 24%.
Status: In Public Insurance & Pensions Committee (1 hearing completed)
House Bill 372 – The Larry Henderson Act
Joint-Sponsored by Rep. Plummer
Sets life without parole or the death penalty as the penalties for aggravated murder of a first responder or military service member.
Status: Introduced
House Bill 374 – Prescription Readers for the Visually Impaired
Joint-Sponsored by Rep. Sigrist
Requires pharmacies to offer drug readers to visually impaired patients upon request.
Status: Introduced
House Bills 378 & 381 – Specialty License Plates
- H.B. 378: Blue Knights Plate (Rep. Kishman)
- H.B. 381: DoItForJack Plate (Rep. Ghanbari)
Coming Soon: The Patrick Heringer Act
This upcoming bill will require law enforcement notification when an offender escapes a halfway house or community correctional facility.
Happy Fourth of July, District 29!
Thank you for staying engaged with the legislative process. Together, we are working toward a safer Ohio. If you have questions or would like to share feedback on any of the legislation mentioned, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
Rep. Cindy Abrams
District 29
Ohio House of Representatives
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