Each Friday, we highlight some of the bills and resolutions introduced in the Ohio Legislature in the past week. For question about these bills, or to see the full list, contact Laura Dixon-Caldwell.
Animals
This bill would amend the definition of a vicious dog, and establish training and new procedures for dog wardens.
Automobiles
Senate bill 194 require only one notice to be sent to a vehicle owner and any known lienholder after a vehicle is towed from a private tow-away zone.
Criminal Law
House bill 355 would prohibit sexting under age 21.
HB 348-Fentanyl Trafficking Penalties
This bill would increase penalties for trafficking in Fentanyl, making it the same as trafficking in heroin, and make possession of Fentanyl a third degree felony.
HB 349-Assaulting Police Animal
House bill 349 would increase the penalties for assaulting a police animal and expand the law to cover search and rescue dogs and horses.
Senate bill 196 would create a new juvenile offense, "aggravated bullying" which would be a third degree misdemeanor. A companion bill, SB 197, would create tiered disciplinary procedure for harassment, intimidation, or bullying in school.
Elder Law
SB 193-Long Term Care Inspection
This bill would create a long-term care inspection committee. The committee would be under the supervision of the Legislative Service Commission and would conduct an inspection of each long-term care facility each biennium.
Family Law
Senate bill 198 would raise the minimum age for marriage to 18, or 16 with parental or judicial consent.