Latest news with #172
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lawmakers clash over Ohio bill to ban therapy for minors without parent consent
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio lawmaker said a bill that would prohibit counseling and healthcare services to minors without guardian consent would solidify parental rights, while other legislators argue the measure could stifle youth experiencing abuse at home. Introduced by Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) in March, House Bill 172 reiterates regulations set by Ohio's 'Parents' Bill of Rights' law requiring schools to notify a parent of a student's change in counseling services, emotional or physical health, or well-being. Educators also must provide parents the opportunity to review instructional material that includes 'sexuality content.' Watch a previous NBC4 report on the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' in the video player above. H.B. 172 additionally bans a mental health professional from treating a minor who 'presents for the diagnosis or treatment of a gender-related condition' without first obtaining consent from a parent. Ohio bill that would require free feminine hygiene products in prisons moves forward During H.B. 172's first hearing on May 21 in the Ohio House Health Committee, Newman said the legislation is needed, given that part of Ohio's Revised Code is not in compliance with the 'Parents' Bill of Rights,' which went into effect in April. Should the state's revised code remain as is, Newman said it could cause confusion in Ohio schools and make 'them think they should or could promote children keeping the knowledge of mental health treatment from their parents.' 'We all should want to see students who suffer with mental health issues receive the help they need,' Newman said during the hearing. 'This bill seeks to do that, maintaining that the students' parents cannot be left out of the picture because the parents are the child's authority and most important and essential part of the student's recovery.' However, Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) voiced concern for how H.B. 172 might impact a student facing abuse from a parent or relative. Somani argued 'there is not safe space for that child' if they need to get permission before seeking help, and asked how a teacher is expected to identify abuse without communicating with the student. Newman said he expects a student would seek counseling services after reporting an abusive parent, not the other way around. The lawmaker noted H.B. 172 would not interfere with school employees' obligation to report to law enforcement if there's evidence of a child suffering a crime of abuse or neglect. Ohio lawmakers push for stricter rules on 'obscene' drag queens, indecent exposure Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township) said she has worked through such situations as a clinical social worker in Cincinnati. Brownlee said there were many times parents weren't readily available when she, or other school staff, had to send a student to the hospital for a medical emergency. 'Are you suggesting that we do not get them that immediate care because of this parental consent need?' Brownlee asked. Newman reiterated that many of these provisions are already law because of the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' and said that if a child needs help and a school employee is aware, then 'parents must absolutely be notified and informed.' If there's a crisis at the school and parents cannot be reached, 'certainly we address the emergency,' Newman said. 'This bill seeks to uphold what the law currently says, that if there are mental health services to be provided, parents are to be notified. Parents can't be written out of the mental health or behavioral care of their children,' Newman said. 'Parents must be a part of the solution for care.' Brownlee also said 'it would completely go against, not only code of ethics, but would impede the safety of the child' for a social worker or educator to discern a 'gender-related condition' or any diagnostic or mental health issue, before that student received treatment. Pilot program testing tasers in Ohio's prisons; may expand statewide H.B. 172's provision banning mental health professionals from treating minors who 'present for the diagnosis or treatment of a gender-related condition' is one of several reasons the proposal has been condemned by Ohio LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Equality Ohio argued in March that both H.B. 172 and the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' will cut off 'a crucial lifeline' for LGBTQ+ youth who live in unsupportive homes and confide in their therapist or school counselor. Dwayne Steward, Equality Ohio's executive director, said H.B. 172 continues the Ohio Statehouse's trend of 'anti-LGBTQ+' legislation and that the measure would force youth out of the closet 'in very, very dangerous situations where they're already experiencing crisis.' 'The bill would remove the confidentiality of a trans student who was experiencing mental health needs, and it could delay or keep a child from going and getting the mental health care that they need,' Steward said. 'It's extremely dangerous and another way in which our legislature is failing trans students.' H.B. 172 could receive additional hearings in the Ohio House Health Committee, which would be open for public testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Three women face 106 corruption charges linked to driving test bribes
JOHOR BARU: Two former clerks and a driving licence candidate agent were charged at the Sessions Court here today with a total of 106 counts of accepting and abetting bribes related to the approval of computerised driving tests. Nuratika Natasha Mohd Salleh, 25, and Nurieta Ahmad Pale, 36, pleaded not guilty to a combined 53 charges of accepting bribes between August and October last year, while their former employer, agency owner Siti Norafidah Othman, 45, denied the 53 charges of abetting the offences. According to the charge sheet, Nuratika allegedly received RM48,741 through 29 online transactions from a 26-year-old woman as payment to ensure passing results for candidates in the first part of the computerised driving licence test. These transactions were reportedly conducted at a bank in Jalan Niaga 1, Kota Tinggi. Meanwhile, Nurieta was charged with receiving RM21,172 through 24 online transfers from Nuratika as a reward for providing similar favours. Her transactions took place at a bank in Bandar Penawar, also in Kota Tinggi. Siti Norafidah, who managed the agency supplying driving test candidates, was accused of abetting both former clerks in receiving the bribes totalling RM69,913. The payments were allegedly made via accounts at banks in Bandar Penawar and Felda Air Tawar. All charges fall under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act. Convictions carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. MACC deputy public prosecutor Fazal Lisam Abidin prosecuted, while Nuratika and Nurieta were represented by lawyers Syufri A. Samad and Naufal Amran, and Siti Norafidah was represented by Abdul Rahim Ali. Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail granted bail of RM7,000 each to Nuratika and Nurieta, and RM10,000 to Siti Norafidah, with conditions including monthly reporting to the Johor MACC office and surrendering their passports. The court has set June 26 for document submission and further mention.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
Three charged in Johor driving test scheme involving bribes for passes
JOHOR BARU: An agency owner and her two former clerks have been hit with a total of 106 charges for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for allowing driving test candidates to pass their computer-based theory tests without actually sitting for them. The accused, Nuratika Natasha Mohd Salleh, 25, Nureita Amat Pale, 36, and Siti Norafidah Othman, 45, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out before Sessions Court judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail here. The trio worked under an agency responsible for recruiting students for a driving institute in Johor Baru. Nuratika Natasha faces 29 charges of allegedly receiving RM48,741 from a woman as a bribe to arrange for candidates to pass the theory test without attending it. Nureita is charged with 24 counts for allegedly receiving RM21,172 from Nuratika Natasha linked to the same scheme. Their former employer, Siti Norafidah, faces 53 charges for allegedly collaborating in the illegal scheme alongside the two clerks. They were accused of committing the offences at various banks around Felda Air Tawar and Bandar Penawar in Kota Tinggi between August and October 2023. All three were charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 for soliciting or accepting gratification. Siti Norafidah was also charged under Section 28(1)(c) for abetting or conspiring to commit offences under the same Act. If found guilty, they could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of no less than five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Nuratika Natasha and Nureita were represented by lawyers Syufri A. Samad and Naufal Amran, while Siti Norafidah was represented by Abd Rahim Ali. The prosecution was handled by deputy public prosecutor Fazal Lisam Abidin. Bail was set at RM7,000 with one surety each for the two clerks, and RM10,000 with one surety for the agency owner. The next mention for the case is scheduled for June 26. The court also ordered all three accused to surrender their passports and report monthly to the nearest MACC office. All have since posted bail.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
3 women charged with 106 graft counts over driving test bribe scheme
JOHOR BARU: Two former clerks and a driving licence candidate agent were charged at the Sessions Court here today with a total of 106 counts of accepting and abetting bribes related to the approval of computerised driving tests. Nuratika Natasha Mohd Salleh, 25, and Nurieta Ahmad Pale, 36, pleaded not guilty to a combined 53 charges of accepting bribes between August and October last year, while their former employer, agency owner Siti Norafidah Othman, 45, denied the 53 charges of abetting the offences. According to the charge sheet, Nuratika allegedly received RM48,741 through 29 online transactions from a 26-year-old woman as payment to ensure passing results for candidates in the first part of the computerised driving licence test. These transactions were reportedly conducted at a bank in Jalan Niaga 1, Kota Tinggi. Meanwhile, Nurieta was charged with receiving RM21,172 through 24 online transfers from Nuratika as a reward for providing similar favours. Her transactions took place at a bank in Bandar Penawar, also in Kota Tinggi. Siti Norafidah, who managed the agency supplying driving test candidates, was accused of abetting both former clerks in receiving the bribes totalling RM69,913. The payments were allegedly made via accounts at banks in Bandar Penawar and Felda Air Tawar. All charges fall under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, punishable under Section 24(1) of the same Act. Convictions carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of not less than five times the amount of the bribe, or RM10,000, whichever is higher. MACC deputy public prosecutor Fazal Lisam Abidin prosecuted, while Nuratika and Nurieta were represented by lawyers Syufri A. Samad and Naufal Amran, and Siti Norafidah was represented by Abdul Rahim Ali. Judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin Ismail granted bail of RM7,000 each to Nuratika and Nurieta, and RM10,000 to Siti Norafidah, with conditions including monthly reporting to the Johor MACC office and surrendering their passports. The court has set June 26 for document submission and further mention.
