Bill would require local police officers to report abuse

Lawmakers say early detection is key to stopping cycle of domestic violence

Currently, Ohio law only Child abuse and neglect can cause irreversible trauma,
requires county and PTSD, and other mental health issues that no one
municipal peace officers should have to endure. With the passage of this
to notify a local child legislation, Ohio will add approximately 35,000 people
protective agency upon as mandated reporters, which means more trained
receiving a child abuse personnel are keeping an eye on the safety of children
report.1 In fact, Ohio in our communities.
stands alone as the only
state that does not Additionally, there will be little to no cost associated
require law enforcement with this legislation. I truly believe this bill will provide
to mandate child abuse reports.2 another layer of protection sorely needed in the wake
of the statewide opiate crisis, Ohio's abysmal infant
Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent (D-Columbus) moves to mortality rate and continued human trafficking.
increase safety for victims of domestic violence through
House Bill (HB) 137, legislation which will make By requiring more trained officers to report abuse in
municipal and county peace officers mandatory the home, we can save lives and help put a stop to
reporters of child abuse and neglect. domestic violence.
1
In 2015, police officers in Ohio were called to peoples 2
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2151.421
homes to address domestic violence situations 72,899 https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-
policies/statutes/manda/
times.3 In many of those instances, children were 3
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/
present and in potential danger. Services-for-Law-Enforcement/Domestic-Violence-Reports/
Domestic-Violence-Reports-2015/2015-Domestic-Dispute-
Calls

Right to Work is Wrong for Ohio workers

Legislation limits collective bargaining rights for public, private sector employees
This General Assembly, I am especially committed Recently, politicians in West Chester, a suburb
to fighting any attempts to limit the rights of outside of Cincinnati, announced they are pushing
working people by passing Right to what I call Right to Work is Wrong
Work is Wrong legislation. at the local level.

I believe Ohio workers should have Instead of restricting workers

the right to come together and ability to earn wages that sustain
speak with one voice to improve their families, I believe the
their working conditions. However, legislature should focus on policies
Right to Work is Wrong legislation that attract better jobs, invest in a
could weaken our ability to bargain quality education system, and fight
collectively for safe staffing levels the statewide opioid epidemic. I
and fair wages. remain hopeful that Republicans
and Democrats will be able to work together in a
Research shows that working people in states with bipartisan manner to do just that.
so-called Right to Work laws in place earn less 1
on average1 and may be more likely to experience 2
http://www.epi.org/files/pdf/82934.pdf
2 http://kypolicy.org/dash/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/
a workplace fatality. What-the-Research-Says-about-RTW-Laws-Employment-and
-Wages.pdf