The new year brings the start of the second half of the General Assembly’s two-year session. In addition to dealing with important issues facing the state, 2022 is an election year for all 99 members of the House of Representatives, 17 of the 33 members of the Senate, and all statewide officeholders including the governor.
The Ohio Poverty Law Center will continue to advocate for policies that reduce poverty and increase justice for low-income Ohioans.
Among our 2022 priorities are:
Asking Ohio leaders to invest American Rescue Plan Funds to support and equitable recovery for all Ohioans.
Ohio has received $2.7 billion in flexible state recovery dollars. Of that amount, $600 million has yet to be allocated. We ask Ohio’s leaders to use the $600 million to support basic needs like food, healthcare, and housing.
Ohio will receive another $2.7 billion in recovery dollars in May 2022. We ask Ohio’s leaders to establish a transparent process that allows for public input as they decide the best use of these dollars to ensure a fair and equitable recovery for all Ohioans.
Ensuring continued access to health care.
The new year will bring changes to Ohio’s Medicaid program. We will support the roll-out of Ohio’s new managed care program on July 1, 2022 so Medicaid-eligible Ohioans can make informed choices on plan selection. In addition, we will monitor the Medicaid re-determination process to ensure eligible Ohioans do not lose coverage as the public health emergency ends.
Supporting House Bill 158 to give all Ohioans a pathway to expunge eviction records.
An eviction on a tenant’s record can affect their ability to gain safe and affordable housing and can follow them for years. Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) and Senator Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) would allow for a court to expunge an individual’s eviction record after three years from the date of judgment.
Ensuring access to appropriate education.
We support House Bill 34 which requires school districts to transfer student records within five days of receiving a request. When records are not transferred in a timely manner, children can be placed in improper classroom settings or not get the support services they need. HB 34 was approved by the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee and is waiting for a vote of the full House of Representatives.
We oppose proposals such as House Bill 322 and House Bill 327 that restrict what educators can teach in the classroom. Although different in form and potential penalties, HB 322 and HB 327 have the same goal: to end the teaching of “divisive concepts” in public schools. Both bills would severely hamper how teachers can teach U.S. history and current events.
Improving the process for discharge planning for nursing home residents.
Effective nursing home discharge planning is necessary to meet federal standards and ensure that people with disabilities have the proper supports to live independently in the community. Improper discharge planning can result in hospitalization or other severe negative health outcomes. However, nursing home resident advocates face procedural barriers when attempting to stop these illegal discharges in the state hearing process. We are asking lawmakers to clarify Ohio’s statute related to nursing home discharges.
Supporting criminal justice reforms that remove barriers to employment.
Ohioans with criminal records continue to face barriers to employment. As the General Assembly considers its criminal justice reform legislation, we will support changes that increase access to and affordability of record sealing and remove other barriers to employment.