NEWSLETTER
State Representative Gayle Manning - June 2026
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Dear Neighbor,
I am proud to represent the 52nd Ohio House District and serve as the Speaker Pro Tempore, assisting Speaker Matt Huffman in leading the House of Representatives and the important legislative agenda that will support all Ohioans. It is a true honor to be the first female in House history to serve in this role, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass sound legislation. I also serve on the House Education, General Government, Finance, and Workforce and Higher Education committees.
If I can be of any assistance to you, please reach out to my office at 614.644.5076 or rep52@ohiohouse.gov
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Legislative Update
PASSED: Amanda Dean's Law
I'm pleased to share that the Ohio House passed Amanda Dean’s Law, legislation that works to increase criminal penalties to ensure accountability, protect human dignity, and provide justice for victims’ families.
Amanda Dean’s Law increases penalties for a person who treats a human body in a way that deeply violates family or community standards, and it imposes even stronger consequences when the abuse involves dismemberment, mutilation, intentional disfigurement, or attempts to hide a crime or interfere with justice.
House Bill 654 is named in honor of Amanda Dean, a 36-year-old mother of four from Huron County, who was tragically murdered by her boyfriend in 2017. Investigators with BCI determined that Dean was killed inside a residence where the couple lived, and that the killer later cleaned the crime scene and disposed of evidence. Dean’s body has not been found.
Abuse of a human corpse is a profound violation of dignity and deeply traumatizing for families, and Amanda Dean’s Law ensures that Ohio law treats these offenses with the seriousness they deserve and holds offenders fully accountable.
Key provisions of Amanda Dean’s Law include:
- Reclassifying abuse of a corpse that outrages reasonable family sensibilities as a felony of the fifth degree;
- Increasing penalties for gross abuse of a corpse to a felony of the fourth degree;
- Elevating the offense to a felony of the third degree when the conduct involves dismemberment, mutilation, or intentional disfigurement;
- Establishing a felony of the second degree when such acts are committed to conceal a crime, obstruct justice, or impair a criminal investigation or prosecution.
House Bill 654 now advances to the Ohio Senate.
PASSED: Bipartisan Brenna Brossard SUDEP Awareness Act
 The Ohio House also passed House Bill 758, the “Brenna Brossard SUDEP Awareness Act.” The bipartisan legislation works to raise awareness of SUDEP, or Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, by ensuring patients, families, healthcare providers, and first responders have access to prevention information and resources.
Families deserve access to information and resources that can help protect their loved ones. This legislation raises awareness and strengthens education efforts for patients and healthcare providers, helping Ohioans living with epilepsy access the support and resources they need.
On January 30, 2022, an otherwise healthy and active 25-year-old young woman named Brenna Brossard passed away suddenly during an epileptic seizure in the middle of the night. In the aftermath of their unimaginable loss, Brenna’s parents learned about SUDEP for the first time through the Epilepsy Association of Cleveland. Despite more than two decades of care from epilepsy specialists, Brenna and her family had never been informed about SUDEP, its risk factors, or the steps that could be taken to reduce risk.
SUDEP is the sudden, unexpected death of someone with epilepsy who was otherwise healthy and is the leading cause of death among individuals with uncontrolled seizures. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, more than 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP each year, though advocates believe the condition is significantly underreported.
House Bill 758 would strengthen Ohio’s approach to SUDEP prevention in four key ways:
- Improving patient education and provider support by requiring healthcare professionals treating epilepsy patients to provide information on SUDEP risk factors and prevention;
- Improving data collection and reporting by requiring confirmed SUDEP cases to be documented and reported to the national SUDEP registry;
- Improving emergency response by creating a voluntary epilepsy designation on Ohio driver’s licenses and state identification cards to assist first responders during medical emergencies.
House Bill 758 advances to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
PASSED: Ohio's Capital Budget Bill
 Ohio’s Capital Budget bill is a two-year capital improvements budget for state and community projects throughout Ohio totaling nearly $4 billion.
The bill provides appropriations for state infrastructure needs, including renovations to state offices, new construction for mental health facilities, land acquisition, and equipment. The plan also includes just over $200 million for community projects, which are projects that come from outside of state agencies and have a benefit or nexus to the state.
All 88 counties will receive funding for community projects.
I’m proud to have helped secure funding through Ohio’s Capital Budget for projects that will make a lasting impact across Lorain County and the 52nd House District. Additionally, I worked alongside Veteran John Sekletar, Parma Mayor Timothy DeGeeter, Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker, North Ridgeville Mayor Kevin Corcoran, Vermilion Mayor Russel owens, Wellington Mayor Hans Schneider, Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel, Mayor of Grafton Charles Duke, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley, and Historical Society members and others.
Bringing state resources back to Lorain County is one of my top priorities, and I’m grateful to help champion projects that will benefit our communities for years to come.
Through this bill, Ohio House Republicans prioritized investing in Ohio’s future by expanding access to education and healthcare through new facilities or upgrades to existing ones, improving parks and roadways to better connect communities, and strengthening local facilities across the state by providing necessary funding for enhancements.
In District Events
Lorain County Lion Club
I recently presented a commendation to the Lorain County Lion Club, recognizing them for receiving the Journey of Hope Award. I presented this to their president, Tom Bruno, at the Ohio Lions District 13 OH2 convention in Westlake. Congratulations!
Welcome Home Ohio Grant
The Welcome Home Ohio Grant is officially in Lorain County! They were awarded $902,000 through the grant program.
The Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) program is designed to provide grants for the purchase of qualifying residential properties, the cost of construction or rehabilitation, or nonrefundable tax credits for qualifying activities.
The Ohio General Assembly funded the program in House Bill 96, with $91,250,000 in General Revenue Funds for grants and $20 million in nonrefundable tax credits through the biennium. Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on June 30, 2025. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development.
Lorain Historical Society 45th Anniversary Celebration
I was honored to attend the 45th anniversary celebration of the Lorain Historical Society and present a commendation to Barb Piscopo in recognition of her outstanding leadership and service as she retired as executive director. Congratulations, Barb, and thank you for your lasting impact on our community.
Honoring our Fallen Officers
It was a privilege to attend the Avon Lake Police Department and Avon Lake American Legion No. 211 ceremony honoring fallen officers. I was so proud as our community came together to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their service, courage, and dedication will never be forgotten.
The ceremony was especially meaningful as I had the opportunity to watch my daughter speak. Seeing her take part in honoring these heroes made the day even more memorable. Thank you to everyone who helped make this important tribute possible.
Ohio Latino Affairs Commission
I recently spoke at the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission meeting and El Centro. I talked about the Ohio capital budget process at their nonprofit capacity development retreat event.
At the Statehouse
Firelands Association
Housing and homeownership remain vital to strong communities, which made meeting with members of the Firelands Association of Realtors, David Fretag and Frank Quarter, and attending the Ohio REALTORS reception especially worthwhile. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the issues impacting homeowners, property values, and the housing market across our community.
Thank you, Firelands and Ohio Realtors, for the conversations and for all you do to support homeownership and economic growth throughout Ohio.
Ohio Children’s Hospital Association
I recently had the opportunity to speak with and congratulate board members from the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association at the Ohio Statehouse as they marked 40 years of championing children’s healthcare throughout our state.
I know my family and I appreciate the dedication shown by these hospitals and healthcare professionals, whose work continues to make a meaningful difference for children and families across Ohio, especially UH Hospitals and Akron Children’s.
Ohio Beverage Association
As Coca-Cola Consolidated continues to expand its presence in Northeast Ohio, I was pleased to meet with representatives from the Ohio Beverage Association, John Cadwell, Michael King, and others to learn more about their work and impact in our region.
Our conversation highlighted the important role Coca-Cola Consolidated plays in Northeast Ohio’s economy through job creation, community partnerships, and continued investment in local communities.
Thank you for taking the time to share your vision for the future and your ongoing commitment to Northeast Ohio.
Meeting with NAIOP Northern Ohio Chapter
 I had productive conversations with members of the NAIOP - Northern Ohio Chapter, which highlighted the important role commercial real estate development plays in strengthening Ohio’s economy and building vibrant communities across our state. I especially enjoyed speaking with Craig Miller and learning more about the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
If you are ever in Columbus and would like to have a meeting or visit the statehouse, please don't hesitate to reach out to my office.
Phone: 614.644.5076
Email: Rep52@ohiohouse.gov
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