Weekly Review: Another Jam-Packed Week (Week of February 11th)


WOMEN’S PUBLIC POLICY NETWORK
WEEKLY REVIEW:

Week of February 11, 2019


In our Weekly Review, we take a look back on the highlights from last week in news from the Statehouse and provide a look-ahead at what to expect this week. In this weekly review from the week of February 11th, there is a lot happening as things pick up at the Statehouse. You won’t want to miss this jam-packed update. Sign up for our email list to receive these newsletters in your inbox at the start of every week

Enjoy!
– Erin Ryan, Managing Director, The Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network

 


LEGISLATIVE SPOTLIGHT: END THE TAMPON TAX

Representatives Brigid Kelly (D) and Niraj Antani (R) recently introduced two important bi-partisan bills for women and families in Ohio: one to eliminate the sales tax on menstrual hygiene products; and one to make baby diapers sales tax free. Representative Kelly stressed why the passage of these bills is so crucial for women and families:

“Making sure people and families have medically necessary products means that people can go to work, can go to school, can more fully participate in their school and their community,” Kelly said. “It will keep women healthy, it will keep babies healthy and that’s good for everybody.”

 
Menstrual hygiene products and baby diapers are absolutely not luxury items; they should not be treated and taxed that way. Learn more about the two bills here.

WHAT’S YOUR PAID LEAVE STORY?

When Irene’s father became ill with pneumonia, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 made sure that her job was protected while she cared for him. The FMLA helps American workers balance the duel demands of work and family responsibilities, but it falls short of providing the kind of support many workers need: access to paid leave. Watch Irene’s story here.

Now it’s time for lawmakers to take the next step by providing paid leave, because no one should be forced to choose between caring for a loved one and earning a paycheck. What’s your paid leave story?

OHIO LEGISLATIVE ALERTS

We are tracking the progress of bills in the Ohio Legislature, and looking forward to a new legislative session with the 133rd General Assembly (2019 – 2020). For the next few weeks, things will start to pick up with committee hearings on bills and preparation for the biennial budget process.
 
WEEKLY REVIEW (FEBRUARY 11 – FEBRUARY 15): While we had been anticipating another relatively quiet week, we saw a lot more activity last week as activity in the legislature continues to ramp up. The House and Senate introduced a number of bills last week and a few committees took up bills for first hearings. Here’s the run down of what happened last week:
 
BILL INTRODUCTIONS AND COMMITTEE REFERRALS:
  • Senate Bill 5 (Kunze, Dolan) – Prostitution: Increases the criminal penalties for individuals convicted of promoting prostitution in Ohio. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 13.
  • Senate Bill 11 (Antonio) – Ohio Fairness Act: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, meaning that it would add LGBTQ people to the laws that make discrimination illegal in Ohio. The bill would not affect existing religious exemptions that are currently present in Ohio’s law. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12.
  • Senate Bill 13 (Fedor) – Human Trafficking: Aims to protect minors from human trafficking: It would increase the penalties for traffickers who traffic 16 and 17-year-olds, applying the same offenses for human trafficking that apply for a victim under the age of 18. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 17 (Yuko, Antonio) – Sex Assault Victims: Prohibits law enforcement from including any identifying information of sexual assault victims in policy reports posted online. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 18 (Antonio, Lehner) – Confinement: Prohibits law enforcement, court, or corrections officers from restraining or placing in solitary confinement a pregnant woman or child at certain points during their pregnancy or during transport to a hospital, during labor, or during delivery. It would also prohibit restraints or confinement during any period of postpartum recovery. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 19 (Williams) – Protection Orders: Enacts the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which would allow family members, household members, and law enforcement officers to obtain a court order temporarily restricting a person from having access to firearms if that person is deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12. 
  • Senate Bill 23 (Roegner) – Six-Week Abortion Ban: Bans abortion as early as six weeks, before most women even know that they are pregnant. The bill would also criminalize doctors who perform an abortion after this point with a fifth degree felony, with the ability for the State Medical Board to suspend a medical license without a hearing. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 25 (Huffman) – Medicaid Requirements: Would impose work and education requirements for the state’s Medicaid program. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 27 (Uecker) – Tissue Disposal: Requires biological tissue from an abortion to be cremated or buried. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12. 
  • Senate Bill 28 (Hottinger) – Protection Order: Increases the penalty for violating a protection order under certain circumstances. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 30 (Kunze, Williams) – Women’s Suffrage: Creates the Bi-Partisan women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission in recognition of the one hundredth anniversary of the 19th amendment. The Commission would be responsible for plan and carry out events that educate and raise the awareness about the women’s suffrage movement. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12 and referred to the Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee on February 13. 
  • Senate Bill 43 (Kunze, Antonio) – Domestic Violence: Addresses domestic violence by enhancing penalties and restricting firearms from convicted perpetrators. The bill also prohibits strangulation against a family or household member or dating partner. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 12. 
  • House Bill 19 (Antani, Kelly) – Menstrual Hygiene Products: Exempts tampons and other menstrual hygiene products from the sales and use tax. The bill was introduced in the House on February 12 and referred to the House Ways & Means Committee on February 13. 
  • House Bill 34 (Kelly) – Minimum Wage: Increases the state’s minimum wage to be $15 per hour by 2023. Also allows for municipalities, townships, and counties to establish higher minimum wage requirements. The bill was introduced in the House on February 12 and referred to the House Commerce and Labor Committee on February 13. 
  • House Bill 58 (Schaffer) – SNAP Benefits: Establishes new requirements for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards associated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill was introduced in the House on February 12 and referred to the House Health Committee on February 13. 
  • House Bill 60 (Antani, Kelly) – Diaper Tax: Exempts infant and toddler diapers from the sales and use tax. The bill was introduced in the House on February 12 and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on February 13. 
  • House Bill 68 (Hood, Keller) – Six-Week Abortion Ban: Bans abortion as early as six week, before most women even know that they are pregnant. The bill would also criminalize doctors who perform an abortion after this point with a fifth degree felony, with the ability for the State Medical Board to suspend a medical license without a hearing. The bill was introduced in the House on February 12 and referred to the House Health Committee on February 13.
  • House Bill 78 (Riedel, Manchester) – Prevailing Wage: Permits political subdivisions, special districts, and state institutions of higher education to elect whether or not to apply the Prevailing Wage Law to public improvement projects. The bill was introduced in the House on February 12. 
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY:
  • Senate Bill 23 (Roegner) – Six-Week Abortion Ban: Bans abortion as early as six weeks, before most women even know that they are pregnant. The bill would also criminalize doctors who perform an abortion after this point with a fifth degree felony, with the ability for the State Medical Board to suspend a medical license without a hearing. The Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee held a first hearing for sponsor testimony on Tuesday, February 13. You can read witness testimony from that hearing here.
  • Senate Bill 13 (Fedor) – Human Trafficking: Aims to protect minors from human trafficking: It would increase the penalties for traffickers who traffic 16 and 17-year-olds, applying the same offenses for human trafficking that apply for a victim under the age of 18. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a first hearing on the bill for sponsor testimony. You can read witness testimony from that hearing here.

WEEKLY PREVIEW (FEBRUARY 18 – FEBRUARY 22): Things are picking up at the Ohio Legislature as lawmakers introduce some of their priority bills for the session and committees continue to meet to take up legislation. Here’s what is happening this week:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
 
House Health Committee (Statehouse Room 116, 11:00 am)
  • House Bill 58 (Schaffer) – SNAP Benefits: Establishes new requirements for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards associated with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The House Health Committee will hold a first hearing on the bill for sponsor testimony. 
Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid (South Hearing Room, 1:00 pm)
  • Senate Bill 23 (Roegner) – Six-Week Abortion Ban: Bans abortion as early as six weeks, before most women even know that they are pregnant. The bill would also criminalize doctors who perform an abortion after this point with a fifth degree felony, including the ability for the State Medical Board to suspend a medical license without a hearing. The Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee will hold a second hearing on the bill for proponent testimony. 
Senate Government Oversight & Reform (Finance Hearing Room, 2:30 pm)
  • Senate Bill 30 (Kunze, Williams) – Women’s Suffrage: Creates the Bi-Partisan women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission in recognition of the one hundredth anniversary of the 19th amendment. The Commission would be responsible for plan and carry out events that educate and raise the awareness about the women’s suffrage movement. The Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee will hold a first hearing on the bill for sponsor testimony. 
House Ways & Means Committee (Statehouse Room 116, 3:00 pm)
  • House Bill 19 (Antani, Kelly) – Menstrual Hygiene Taxes: Exempts tampons and other menstrual hygiene products from the sales and use tax. The House Ways & Means Committee will hold a first hearing on the bill for sponsor testimony. 
  • House Bill 60 (Antani, Kelly) – Diaper Taxes: Exempts infant and toddler diapers from the sales and use tax. The House Ways & Means Committee will hold a first hearing on the bill for sponsor testimony. 
We will keep tracking any new updates and will be sharing timely legislative updates on women-centric legislation on Twitter using the #OHLeg hashtag. Follow us to stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Statehouse.

CALLS TO ACTION

Ready to take action? Here are your three to-dos for the week:

1.) Contact your State Senator and demand that they put a stop to the attacks on abortion access in Ohio. Use the letter writing tool from NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio to send a message directly to your lawmaker’s inbox.

2.) Attend the second hearing on the six-week abortion ban (SB 23) in the Senate Health, Human Services & Medicaid Committee. The Committee will meet at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 19 in the South Hearing Room of the Statehouse. Help us send a message to lawmakers at this hearing: Stop The Bans. More details.

3.) Contact Senate President Larry Obhof and tell him: Spread the love, Pass the Ohio Fairness Act in 2019. Use the letter-writing tool from Innovation Ohio to send a message directly to his inbox. 


The Outline

Conservatives Are Perpetuating Dangerous Tropes About Patients Who Need Later Abortions
Rewire News, February 04, 2019 

Restrictions on Later Abortions Hurt People of Color the Most
Rewire News, February 06, 2019

‘A Woman, Just Not That Woman’: How Sexism Plays Out on the Trail

The New York Times, February 11, 2019

Cleveland, February 11, 2019

The New York Times, February 12, 2019

The Mary Sue, February 12, 2019

Bustle, February 12, 2019

Glamour, February 12, 2019

Teen Vogue, February 12, 2019

Drug sentencing, more school building money, and abortion among Ohio Senate GOP priorities

The Columbus Dispatch, February 12, 2019

The Washington Post, February 15, 2019

Could the U.S. Get Paid Family Leave? It’s Looking Better Than Ever
The New York Times, February 15, 2019

Op-Ed: Paid family leave isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an economic one

Hartford Courant, February 18, 2019

Dayton Daily News, February 18, 2019

Next week, on February 26th, we’ll be gathering with hundreds of women in Central Ohio for Thrive Columbus, a full day summit that will support women in accomplishing their goals by providing them with the resources they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Event Details: 
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
The Ohio State University – Fawcett Event Center
2400 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43210
Ticket pricing: $89
The day will be packed with 4 panels, 26 speakers, and multiple opportunities to network and meet other women looking to get involved and make a difference. We hope to see you there.Find out more and purchase your ticket today!

In our weekly reviews, we highlight events of our coalition partners for the upcoming month. You can also check out our Partner Events Calendar for more information about upcoming events near you.

FEBRUARY EVENTS:

NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio: Columbus Stand Up for Choice: Women Have Options 
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm 
Ace of Cups 
2619 N High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43202 
John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Women of the Ohio Legislature: Women of POWER Networking Reception
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Capital Club
41 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
YWCA Dayton: Y-Dub Discussions: How To Talk About Race and Political Marginalization 
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm 
Location TBD 
THRIVE Columbus
Partnering Organizations: Awesome Women in Business, Columbus Women’s Commission, Dames Bond, the Diva Movement, Hear Jane Roar, Latina Mentoring Academy, LEAD Ohio, League of Women Voters Ohio, NAWBO Columbus, Nation Coalition of 100 Black Women Central Ohio Chapter, POWER, The Promise Box, The Women’s Public Policy Network, SCORE, The Transition Network, Women’s Business Centers of Ohio, WELD Ohio, the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, and Women’s Small Business Accelerator
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
The Ohio State University – Fawcett Event Center
2400 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43210