Latest news with #HouseBill106
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Ohio lawmakers want to make schools safer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Some Ohio lawmakers want to bring extra safety measures to schools by getting a pilot program for certain panic systems off the ground. 'Anything that we can do to prevent a tragedy from happening, we need to be able to do so,' Ohio Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) said. Ohio congressman introduces bill to study 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' Miller is one of the sponsors of House Bill 106, known as the SoS or 'Securing our Schools' Act. The bill would create a pilot $12 million grant program for public and chartered nonpublic schools to purchase panic alert systems or contract for artificial intelligence firearm detection software. 'I think these are some of the next steps,' Miller said. 'Unfortunately, with our society, we've seen active shooters throughout the country, and we wanted to be able to do something.' The bill has stipulations attached. For example, a school that has an existing system in place cannot apply for the grant to buy a new one, and the panic or AI system must also be made in the United States. 'We want to make sure that privacy data is protected as well in our schools,' Miller said. 'So, it's important we provide those guardrails in this new digital age.' Miller said the bill aims to help 'aging facilities' in the state. The panic system would also need to be able to initiate campus-wide lockdown notifications and transmit calls to 911. Ohio State to give LeBron James an honorary degree 'If there was an emergency, an active shooter or even a health emergency, [law enforcement] knows exactly the GPS location,' she said. 'They can get medical attention to that student or, in the event there is someone that escaped out of jail who might be a sex offender, or someone might have been spotted with a gun.' Right now, the bill has a $12 million dollar price tag to help some of those schools pay for the systems. When it was first introduced, that number was $25 million. 'We thought if we, maybe, cut that in half, that might start the conversation,' Miller said. But the money may be a nonstarter. Lawmakers are also working on a $60 billion state budget right now, and though this was pitched as a contender in that bill, it ultimately did not make it in the House version. 'We've obviously had a four-month process looking at budget requests,' Ohio House Finance Committee Chairperson Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said. 'That's not something we were able to include in the budget that the House passed. We'll see what the Senate does with it.' Stewart said he is happy to discuss the bill in his committee, even though it has money attached to it. 'But I don't expect that we'll see a lot of bills passed that directly conflict with the House version of the budget in terms of the amount of money,' he said. 'Through the process, maybe as time goes on, revenue estimates change, maybe we can revisit some of those funding items.' Intel CFO: Division responsible for Ohio plant remains on track; layoffs have dual purpose Miller said even if the policy passes without the money, it will be a step in the right direction to ensure that the AI and panic devices are made in the U.S. and suitable for Ohio's schools; she remains hopeful something will get through. 'There are a lot of things that we can do to prevent something from happening,' Miller said. 'So if we can get ahead of that instead of reacting, I think this is a really important part of the conversation.' The bill is set to have opponent and proponent testimony in the coming weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New paystub details requirements go into effect April 9
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance's Bureau of Wage and Hour is highlighting important changes that will soon impact Ohioans' paychecks. When the Pay Stub Protection Act, or House Bill 106, goes into effect Wednesday, April 9, employers will be required to include certain details within their employees' pay statements. One key provision requires all Ohio employers to provide employees with comprehensive earnings and deductions statements for each pay period. These statements must include details such as gross wages earned, itemized deductions and net pay. This will help to ensure employees have the information they need to more fully understand their compensation. If an employee has not been provided with this information once the law takes effect, they have the right to request this information from their employer. If, after ten business days, the employer has not provided this information, the employee may file a complaint with the Bureau. Starting Wednesday, April 9, a complaint form along with instructions will be available on the Bureau's website, which is available at Employees can choose to submit the completed form to the Division via mail, email or fax. Ohioans with any questions about these changes or the process should contact the Division of Wage and Hour at 614-644-2239 or wagehour@
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio could contribute millions toward panic alert systems in schools
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio lawmakers are pushing for the state to contribute millions toward safety products in schools, such as panic alert buttons and artificial intelligence gun detection software. House Bill 106, named 'Alyssa's Law,' would create a pilot program allowing public and chartered private schools to apply for grants to purchase panic alert systems. The program would contribute $25 million overall from the state's general revenue fund, which is primarily funded through taxes. Columbus ranks among world's happiest cities The bill, introduced in February by Reps. Angela King (R-Celina) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, who was a victim of the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. 'By creating access to this life-saving technology, we can give both educators and students the security and peace of mind to feel safe while they're at school,' King said in a news release. The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) would be in charge of developing an application process for schools and a method to determine grant amounts. The bill states funds should be equally distributed between schools in urban, suburban and rural areas, as well as schools with different socioeconomic statuses and enrollment sizes. To be eligible for a grant, a school could not already have a security system in place. Additionally, the safety device would have to be developed in the United States and capable of immediately contacting local law enforcement. The bill used the examples of wearable panic alert buttons and AI firearm detection programs. One measure of property tax relief works its way through Ohio Statehouse To receive a grant, schools would also have to ensure the appropriate staff receives training on the safety device. The bill states the ODPS would begin distributing the funds on Jan. 1, 2026, or 'as soon as possible thereafter.' The ODPS would be required to submit a report detailing the pilot program to the governor and legislature no later than Dec. 1, 2027. The report would include data such as program applications, rewarded grants and the types of device purchased. Alhadeff's family founded the nonprofit Make Our Schools Safe in the wake of their daughter's death. The organization pushes for school safety legislation in a variety of states, specifically 'Alyssa's Law.' Seven states have passed their own version of Alyssa's Law, which all look different from Ohio's current bill. The foundation of Alyssa's Law requires all public schools to be equipped with a wearable or stationary silent panic alarm, which can be pressed to notify law enforcement of an emergency. Six states' versions of the law require a panic alarm system in schools, while one's version states schools must 'consider' the use of such devices. Revived Big Lots stores to reopen this spring; HomeBuys to acquire central Ohio shop In the last General Assembly, an Ohio senator introduced a bill also called Alyssa's Law that would have required public school staff to wear panic alarm buttons. The bill had one hearing and did not pass by the end of the session. HB 106 varies from Ohio's previous bill named Alyssa's Law and other states' versions of the statute since it would not require schools to implement panic alarms. The legislation was assigned to the finance committee where it awaits its first hearing. It has one Democrat and four Republican cosponsors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Homeschoolers warn Lee child care bill could regulate them; amendment promised
A child care reform bill backed by Gov. Bill Lee was delayed in committee on Tuesday after homeschoolers in Tennessee raised the alarm that it could inadvertently "take out" homeschool tutorials and co-ops. House Bill 106, which is aimed at providing some new regulatory flexibility for certain child care providers, was on calendars in both Senate and House committees this week. Because of a change the bill would make to definitions of education providers, many in Tennessee's homeschool community are concerned that it could unintentionally create burdensome regulations for homeschool tutorials and collaborative learning groups. House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, who is sponsoring the bill, said Tuesday that an amendment is coming to specifically exclude any application to homeschoolers. "This legislation simply updates the list of eligible child care facilities exempt from DHS licensure. Nothing in this bill applies to homeschoolers or will impact them in any way," Lamberth told The Tennessean. "However, we will be happy to amend this bill to ensure clarity on this issue." Claiborne Thornton, president of the Tennessee Home Education Association, told The Tennessean that he raised concerns with the sponsors and asked for the bill to be amended to exclude homeschoolers. He hopes that the issue will be resolved amicably. 'If we're not able to do that, then we will have to have a vigorous opposition to the bill because it would — I think inadvertently — take out co-ops and tutorials,' Thornton said. An administration official on Monday confirmed to The Tennessean that an amendment is coming to clarify that the bill will not apply to homeschoolers in any way. While homeschoolers are not regulated by the Department of Human Services, legally under the state's compulsory school attendance requirement, school-aged children must be in a school, at home with a parent, in a homeschool or in a day care. Tutorials and co-ops — classes, electives and activities taught by parents or others with expertise or specialized knowledge to groups of homeschool students from multiple families — are not considered single-home schools, so the bill could easily be interpreted to apply to them. 'It does appear that the sponsor's intent is to affect child care services only,' Thornton said. 'But the way the day care bill is written, it does reach out and — I believe inadvertently — encompasses co-ops and tutorials. Co-ops and tutorials are not considered schools. They are enrichment programs for having multiple different schools represented in a single co-op or tutorial.' In response to inquiries from The Tennessean, the governor's office confirmed that the intent of the bill is to apply to child care providers only. 'The intent of HB0106 is to create more opportunity for the private sector to offer childcare options and support working parents in Tennessee,' Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson wrote in an email. 'Homeschools are not currently regulated by DHS, and this bill does not change that.' THEA represents about 3,500 homeschool families in Tennessee — a fraction of the estimated 70,000 homeschoolers in the state. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee homeschoolers warn bill could regulate them; change promised
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Crime package headed to New Mexico House
Rep. Christine Chandler, (D-Los Alamos), right, and Megan Dorsey, an attorney and expert witness, present a package of crime bills to the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 12, 2025. (Photo by Eddie Moore / Albuquerque Journal) The New Mexico House Judiciary Committee voted on Wednesday afternoon in a 7-4 party-line vote to advance a package of six bills intended to reduce crime. The package of legislation, including bills with sponsors from both parties, now heads to the floor of the House of Representatives. It was not clear on Wednesday when the House would actually vote. Committee Chair Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) is sponsoring the package called House Bill 8. She said the bills were rolled into one in response to public interest 'and our commitment to the public to address crime swiftly.' 'We are doing that through a collection of bills that I think are very meaningful and impactful,' Chandler said. A self-described Public Safety Coalition composed of 11 civic organizations issued a news release with comments it said would have been delivered had public comments been allowed in the hearing. However, Chandler said no public comments would be allowed as each bill within the package had already been through the public comment process. In that statement, the coalition, which includes NM Native Vote, Equality New Mexico, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless, said while members appreciated the collaborative work done to address their concerns about the criminal competency proposals, the final bill fails to address root causes and instead 'focuses on new crimes, increased punishments, and forced hospitalization.' In a statement, ACLU-NM Interim Director of Public Policy Lena Weber said the caucus proposals 'wrapped up into HB8 now depart starkly from those championed by these community voices. While the proposal makes significant improvements from the proposals of the 2024 special session, HB8 still relies principally on coerced care and forced hospitalization, which we know often exacerbate the very problems they seek to fix.' Rep. Steven McQueen (D-Santa Fe) said he voted for the package to reach the House, but said his vote on the floor 'may be different.' After the hearing, he told Source NM he opposes House Bill 106, which gives police officers more leeway to collect and test someone's blood if they are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Rep. Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque) said she voted against the package because it doesn't go far enough and doesn't include her proposed changes to the Delinquency Act, which governs how the state can hold children accountable for behavior that would be considered criminal if they were over 18. Chandler said that bill would be inappropriate to include in this package because it hasn't been heard in any committee yet, while every bill in this package had already been discussed. 'It will be heard in due course,' Chandler told Chavez. 'It will not be in this package, as I understand it.' House Bill 4 would give prosecutors more options to involuntarily commit people into a locked psychiatric facility if they are found to be dangerous and unable to stand trial. House Bill 16 would increase sentences for trafficking fentanyl, depending on how many pills the defendant is convicted of possessing. House Bill 31 would more severely punish the crime of threatening to shoot people by increasing the attached penalty from a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum possible jail sentence between six months and one year, to a fourth-degree felony, which comes with 18 months in prison. House Bill 38 would ban devices that can convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic ones. House Bill 50 would group together the sentences for four different crimes related to stealing motor vehicles. State law already requires longer prison terms if someone commits one of these crimes on multiple occasions, but HB50 would make subsequent convictions carry greater sentences for having violated any of the four statutes. House Bill 106 would allow police officers to test someone's blood for drugs or alcohol if they refuse to take a breath test and the police have probable cause to believe they committed a misdemeanor. Existing law only allows police to test someone's blood when they drive under the influence and either kill or seriously injure someone, or when the drive impaired and the officer has probable cause to believe they also committed a felony while doing so.
