Erin's Law recently passed out of the House and is currently with the Senate Primary and Secondary Education Committee. We sincerely thank the House for its support in passing Erin's Law, along with those who gave their time and effort writing and testifying on behalf of HB105.

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Emerging research shows that parents are major producers of child sexual abuse (CSA) material. Almost 70 million reports of CSA material were made to U.S. authorities in 2019. That figure rose even further in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove children to stay at home with abusive adults. Children abused by a parent or guardian are the least likely group to disclose to anyone, and the shame and fear caused by trauma makes it extremely difficult to speak out.

We must act now to establish protective policies for when Ohio's children return to school and need additional support and education from trusted adults.

On the 49th anniversary of Title IX, the Department of Education announced its plans to amend the regulations for Title IX put into place under the previous administration in 2020. ED intends to release its proposed rule in May 2022, following the same notice and comment process as the previous administration.

Sponsors: Representative Miranda, Representative Galonski

Committee: House Criminal Justice

HB 266 would eliminate the statute of limitations of § 2907.02 Rape, remove the spousal exemption from § 2907.02 Rape, and extend the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse claims from 12 years to the date the survivor reaches the age of 55.

Eliminate sex crime spousal exceptions; permit spousal testimony

Sponsors: Representative Lanese, Representative Boggs

Committee: House Criminal Justice

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Declare racism a public health crisis 

House Sponsors:

Senate Sponsors:

Committees: House State and Local Government Committee, Senate Health Committee

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Sponsors: Representative Lipps, Representative Kelly

Committee: Senate Primary and Secondary Education

Status: Passed House, Referred to Senate Primary & Secondary Education Committee

Current law does not mandate education addressing the pervasive problems of sexual abuse and sexual violence. Erin's Law would require sexual abuse prevention education in grades K-6, add sexual violence prevention education in grades 7-12, and require additional training for school personnel. Ohio is a regional outlier, as Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York have all passed Erin's Law. Erin's Law curriculum first appeared in public schools in 2009, and Ohio's legislation meets our individual state's needs for district expertise in crafting compliant lessons.

Remove the cap on damages for noneconomic loss when a victim of rape or assault brings a tort action 

Sponsors: Representative Boggs, Representative Russo

Committee: House Civil Justice Committee

This bill would remove limitations on the amount of compensatory damages for noneconomic loss in tort actions brought by a victim of rape, felonious assault, aggravated assault, assault, or negligent assault.

Sponsors: Representative Galonski, Representative Richardson

Committee: House Criminal Justice Committee

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