The Ohio House General Government committee is currently holding hearings on House Bill 59 which makes changes to various licenses issued by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). HB 59 was introduced by Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) and Representative Mark Hiner (R-Howard) to cut down on bureaucracy but may inadvertently lead to the loss of millions of dollars of lead poisoning prevention funding.

The bill proposes lower fees for several lead licenses which does not seem harmful, but ODH has not changed its fees in over 30 years and any decline in revenue from lower fees would likely lead to workforce reductions. The workforce reductions would affect the ability of ODH to approve and issue licenses in a timely manner, which ultimately could result in losing accreditation with the US EPA. A loss of accreditation would cost the State of Ohio millions of dollars in HUD grants.

Earlier this year, the Ohio General Assembly cut state funding for lead poisoning prevention by 96% in the operating budget. Outside of the fees collected for licenses, federal HUD grants are now the only significant source of funding the state has to combat lead poisoning. In Ohio, where kids test positive for elevated blood lead levels at twice the national average, the loss of millions of dollars would be catastrophic. OPLC is working with the members of the Ohio House General Government committee to ensure that we do not lose out on important resources to help keep our kids and communities safe.

Bipartisan Legislation to Help Unhoused Get Identification Documents

New bipartisan legislation would waive fees for an identification card or a copy of a birth certificate for individuals experiencing homelessness. Sponsored by Representative Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) and Representative Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), House Bill 472 is currently under consideration in the House Children and Human Services Committee.

During proponent testimony this week, Chris Kelly from the Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio told the Committee, “ID cards are not expensive, but to many of the people I [work with], even the modest costs can be out of reach.” Additional proponent testimony was submitted by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, Huckleberry House, Community Shelter Board, and YWCA Columbus. OPLC will continue to monitor HB 472 as it moves through the committee process.

Legislation Introduced to Protect Tenants from Surprise Rent Default Notices

Representative Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) and Representative Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) introduced legislation that would require a landlord to notify a tenant of rent default and to offer to negotiate a payment plan to recover defaulted amounts prior to commencing an eviction action.

House Bill 553, if enacted, would require a landlord to notify a tenant of a default in rent payment, and the amount in default, no later than 60 days after the default occurs. If the landlord fails to provide the notice (or initiate an eviction action) during the 60-day period, the landlord would then not be able to initiate an eviction until they provide the notice, offer to negotiate a payment plan, and at least 90 days have passed since the late notice was provided.

Over the summer many tenants in the Heritage Apartments in Columbus received notices from their property manager stating they owed back rents dating back multiple years and ranging from $1,000 to $12,000. The notices informed tenants they would need to leave their apartments in 30 days if they did not pay the alleged back rent in a lump sum payment. Representative Mohammed and the Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio have been working with the tenants to find a resolution. If passed, H.B. 553 would prevent situations like the Heritage Apartments from happening in the future.

Get Involved

• Senate Bill 204 would limit access to eviction filings until there is a judgment in the case and seal records for tenants who win their case. Contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to support SB 204.
• Senate Bill 58 would expand who is eligible to execute a grandparent power of attorney or a caretaker authorization affidavit. Contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to support SB 58.
• House Bill 352 would expand the offense of domestic violence to include a person in a dating relationship and would expand the offense of weapons under disability to include a person subject to a domestic violence protection order or convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. Contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to support HB 352.
• House Bill 472 would waive fees for an identification card or a copy of a birth certificate for individuals experiencing homelessness. Contact members of the House Children and Human Services Committee and ask them to support HB 472.