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Over a 16-hour period that ended close to 6:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, the Ohio General Assembly concluded its post-election “Lame Duck” session. Barring an unforeseen emergency that brings the Legislature back to Columbus, lawmakers have completed their work and a new Legislature will begin with a clean slate in January.
Several of the high-profile issues were not adopted:
- Increasing to 60% the voter approval threshold for Constitutional amendments
- Further refinements in definitions, nor further restrictions, of abortions
- Dismantling the State Board of Education
- Limiting trans-gender student athletic participation beyond the current OHSAA policy
Note that issues can be reintroduced in January, and should the 60% threshold for voters to change the Ohio Constitution be reintroduced, it would need to be passed in January in order to make the May primary in 2023.
Below are updates on some of the legislative issues that have been on the CMA’s policy radar:
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HB 558: Repository for Donated Drugs. This bill would expand the ability of charitable pharmacies to accept donated medications. This bill passed and is going to the Governor, who is expected to sign it.
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HB 431 Stroke Registry. This bill establishes a statewide stroke registry database. This bill did not pass and does not appear to have been adopted into any other bill.
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HB 135: Co-Pay Accumulator. This bill helps patients with prescription coupons and insurance costs. This bill did not pass the Senate. It is expected to be reintroduced in the new General Assembly.
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HB 456: Decriminalizing Use of Fentanyl Testing Strips. The intent of this bill is to allow a way to test legal substances for fentanyl contamination. Legalizing fentanyl testing strips was incorporated into a ‘criminal justice reform’ bill, SB 288 which was passed.
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HB 492: Mental Health Training for High School Coaches. This bill has been supported as a way to support youth in may be in need of professional mental health services. This bill did not pass the Senate and does not appear to have been adopted into any other bill.
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HB 283: Distracted driving as primary offense. This bill is a step to trying to improve automobile use safety. Some of these provisions were incorporated into a ‘criminal justice reform’ bill, SB 288 which was passed.
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HB 454: Limit Transgender Care for Minors. Per earlier comments from House leaders, it appears this bill was not taken up in 2022’s lame duck session.
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HB 151: “Save Women’s Sports”. This bill to replace the current Ohio High School Athletic Association policy with law to govern determination in Ohio high school sports did not pass. It was merged with other school ideas, including revising/reforming the Ohio Board of Education and a ban on COVID vaccination requirements for K-12. Some of these issues are expected to be re-introduced next session.
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