The Catholic Conference of Ohio supported House Bill 393 (R-Click | D-Brewer), which requires Community Based Correctional Facilities to assist inmates in obtaining ID cards prior to release, has been signed into law by Governor DeWine. The law, which passed both the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously, is an expansion of previously enacted legislation that requires the State of Ohio's correctional facilities to do the same. This new law will help returning citizens access employment and the resources needed for their successful reintegration into Ohio communities.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supported House Bill 393 (R-Click | D-Brewer), to require Community Based Correctional Facilities to assist inmates in obtaining ID cards prior to release, unanimously passed both the Senate and House of Representatives. The bill, which now goes to Governor DeWine for signature, is an expansion of previously enacted legislation that requires the State of Ohio's correctional facilities to do the same. "Providing applications for identification that assist a returning citizen in obtaining employment will yield manifold benefits, both for those involved in the justice system and beyond,” wrote the CCO. "HB 393 is a laudable step toward this kind of authentic reconciliation and justice by giving individuals greater access to the resources needed for their reintegration into our communities.”

Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent passed the Ohio House of Representatives. HB 347 requires a physician to meet with a woman at least 24 hours before an abortion and provide information on alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported Senate Bill 318 (R-Cutrona), which would authorize a township law enforcement agency to provide school resource officer services to a chartered nonpublic school, passed the Ohio Senate. School safety remains a high priority for the bishops and our Catholic schools. School resource officers play an important role in protecting students and staff. The bill now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration. 

A reworked version of House Bill 84, the Innocence Act, which is supported by the Catholic Conference of Ohio, has passed the House. While the original version of the bill to require age verification for pornography websites was passed in the state operating budget, the amended bill adds language to enable stronger enforcement and clarifies that certain entities hosting adult content are not exempt from age verification rules. Some large websites and hosts of obscene content had evaded enforcement of the bill on technicalities. The bill now goes to the Senate for review.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in the Senate Addiction and Community Revitalization Committee in support of House Bill 393 (R-Click | D-Brewer) to require Community Based Correctional Facilities to assist inmates in obtaining ID cards prior to release. The bill, which already passed the House, is an expansion of previously enacted legislation that requires the State of Ohio's correctional facilities to do the same. "Providing applications for identification that assist a returning citizen in obtaining employment will yield manifold benefits, both for those involved in the justice system and beyond,” wrote the CCO. "HB 393 is a laudable step toward this kind of authentic reconciliation and justice by giving individuals greater access to the resources needed for their reintegration into our communities.”

Read the full testimony >

The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in opposition of Senate Bill 323 (R-Blessing), which would legalize the composting of human remains for use as a fertilizer-like substance.  "Respect for the dignity of the human person is a foundational principle of civilized society and remains essential even after death. ... When the bodies of the deceased are treated as other disposable objects, we risk contributing to what Pope Francis has described as a “throwaway culture,” fostering a broader indifference toward human life," testified CCO. The testimony also noted, "Ohio already provides meaningful and morally sound alternatives consistent with ecological stewardship and respect for the person. Many Catholic and other cemeteries throughout the state offer natural or green burial areas that gently return the body to the earth without chemicals, burial vaults, or non-biodegradable materials."

Read the full testimony >