Canton Reporter

COLUMBUS—Speaker Pro Tempore Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton) has announced the recent passage of several significant pieces of legislation.

“In everything I do, whether it is in Columbus or back in my home district of Stark County, I will continue to make your priorities my priorities,” said Oelslager.

The following bills were highlighted:

Senate Bill 40: This bill will join Ohio to the “Dentist and Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact,” an interstate occupational licensure compact for dentists and dental hygienists. The vote was 81-11.

House Bill 7: Co-sponsored by Oelslager, this bill, known as the Strong Foundations Act, aims to address Ohio’s high infant and maternal mortality rates. It seeks to improve health, learning, and developmental outcomes for mothers and infants. The vote was 72-20.

House Bill 164: Also co-sponsored by Oelslager, this bill will establish a Foster-to-College Scholarship Program to support foster youth in their pursuit of higher education through new scholarship opportunities. The vote was 85-5.

House Bill 236: Known as the Never Alone Act, this bill ensures that every patient has access to an advocate in hospitals, nursing homes, or other congregate care settings during health emergencies. The vote was unanimous at 88-0.

House Bill 378: Co-sponsored by Oelslager, this bill permits homestead exemptions for surviving spouses of uniformed service members killed in the line of duty. The vote was 90-1.

House Bill 178: This bill establishes protections for natural hairstyles in Ohio schools under the C.R.O.W.N. Act. The vote was 83-8.

House Concurrent Resolution 11: Co-sponsored by Oelslager, this resolution condemns the People’s Republic of China for its role in creating a global drug crisis leading to widespread addiction. The vote was unanimous at 88-0.

Oelslager welcomes feedback and invites anyone to contact his office at (614) 752-2438 or Rep48@OhioHouse.gov.