Greetings, Friends and Neighbors!
This week has been highly productive for Representative Gary Click! Several pieces of legislation that he champions have continued advancing through the legislative process, moving through committee and passing the House and Senate. Here is a look at what has been happening at the Statehouse!
 The Ohio Supreme Court heard hearings regarding the SAFE Act, House Bill 68 (Saving Adolescents from Experimentation). H.B. 68 seeks to protect minors from life-altering experimental surgeries. This legislation was first introduced as House Bill 454 on October 26, 2021, during the 134th General Assembly. The legislation was later reintroduced as House Bill 68 in February 2023, passed the Ohio House on June 21st, 2023, and passed the Ohio Senate on December 13th, 2023. The bill was then vetoed by Governor Mike DeWine on December 29th, 2023. The Ohio House voted to override the veto on January 10th, 2024, and the Ohio Senate followed with a successful override on January 24th, 2024. The bill’s effective date was April 24th, 2024; however, Franklin County courts issued a stay. The case was ultimately appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, where arguments have now been heard.
House Bill 252, sponsored by Representative Click and Representative Adam Bird, successfully passed the House! This legislation works to clarify the language in Ohio’s breaking and entering statutes within the Ohio Revised Code. In State v. Bertram, a man convicted of burglary had his conviction overturned because he did not use force, stealth, or deception. He just walked into an open garage and took what he wanted. This legislation removes those requirements from the statute. House Bill 252 now awaits consideration in the Senate.
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The House Judiciary Committee heard proponent testimony this week on House Bill 693, the Affirming Families First Act. They heard from investigative journalist Megan Brock (Daily Wire), Laura Hanford (Senior Policy Analyst for the Heritage Foundation), and Attorney Matt Sharp (ADF), who has sixteen Supreme Court victories under his belt. They also heard from real-life individuals who shared personal experiences regarding family custody matters. This legislation addresses custody-related concerns and seeks to ensure that parents are not denied custody based solely on affirming a child’s biological sex. This bill will continue through the legislative process for further consideration.
House Bill 393, sponsored by Representative Click and Representative Darnell Brewer, unanimously passed out of the Senate Addiction and Community Revitalization Committee, and we look forward to receiving a vote in a Senate session soon. House Bill 393 requires that individuals in Community-Based Correctional Facilities be provided with a state identification card before release, helping ensure they have the necessary identification to apply for employment, housing, and other essential services as they reenter society. We are thankful to see this legislation being put into effect!
 House Bill 363 received its first hearing in the House Health Committee this week. The legislation would designate the Eating Disorders Awareness Week each year in Ohio to increase awareness, encourage education, and promote prevention and treatment efforts related to eating disorders. Rep. Click is excited to see this bipartisan legislation with Representative Bride Rose Sweeney move forward.
 The CQE bill, House Bill 268, received proponent testimony in the Senate Workforce Development Committee this week. This legislation works to expand opportunities for individuals with a criminal record to obtain employment by improving access to Certificates of Qualification for Employment, helping more Ohioans successfully reenter the workforce. We were happy to have Fremont resident Joseph Martinez provide proponent testimony. We are happy to see this legislation progress forward!
We hope you have a restful weekend!
Be sure to check out our podcast, “What’s Clickin” with State Representative Gary Click, and see what’s “Clickin” in the statehouse!
Listen to 'What's Clickin? with Representative Click'
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at Rep88@ohiohouse.gov.
Best wishes! - Janae Myers, Legislative Aide for Representative Click
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