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
requires county and
municipal peace officers
to notify a local child
protective agency upon
receiving a child abuse
report.1 In fact, Ohio
stands alone as the only
state that does not
require law enforcement
to mandate child abuse reports.2
Rep. Bernadine Kennedy Kent (D-Columbus) moves to
increase safety for victims of domestic violence through
House Bill (HB) 137, legislation which will make
municipal and county peace officers mandatory
reporters of child abuse and neglect.
In 2015, police officers in Ohio were called to peoples
homes to address domestic violence situations 72,899
times.3 In many of those instances, children were
present and in potential danger.
Sales Tax Holiday briefly lessens the sting from recent hikes
Temporary tax-free weekend extended to help families prepare for school year
Ohio families recently had the opportunity to ease the
pain of Republican-led sales tax hikes through the
second-ever sales tax-free holiday August 5-7. The
temporary tax-free holiday covered
many back-to-school items, including
clothing, school supplies and
instructional materials.
Not only did temporary holiday help
offset Ohios 4.5 percent sales tax
increase enacted by the 2013 state
budget, but for three days shoppers paid
no sales tax on itemized purchases as
they prepared their children for the
coming of the new school year.
The first sales tax holiday was introduced in 2015 and,
according to an analysis1 conducted by the University
of Cincinnatis Economic Center, saved consumers over
Child abuse and neglect can cause irreversible trauma,
PTSD, and other mental health issues that no one
should have to endure. With the passage of this
legislation, Ohio will add approximately 35,000 people
as mandated reporters, which means more trained
personnel are keeping an eye on the safety of children
in our communities.
Additionally, there will be little to no cost associated
with this legislation. I truly believe this bill will provide
another layer of protection sorely needed in the wake
of the statewide opiate crisis, Ohio's abysmal infant
mortality rate and continued human trafficking.
By requiring more trained officers to report abuse in
the home, we can save lives and help put a stop to
domestic violence.
1
2
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2151.421
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-
policies/statutes/manda/
3
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/
Services-for-Law-Enforcement/Domestic-Violence-Reports/
Domestic-Violence-Reports-2015/2015-Domestic-Dispute-
Calls
$3 million on almost $47 million worth of back-to-
school purchases. That good news will continue next
year and hopefully for many years to come under
bipartisan legislation, House Bill 89,
pending in the Ohio House.
Though I believe Ohio should rebalance
taxes to grow our economy and make
taxes fair for working people, families
and businesses, I am optimistic that
passing a permanent sales-tax holiday
would help lessen the sting of recent
increases on goods and services.
1
http://focusonohiosfuture.com/wp-content/
uploads/2016/02/20160215_Report-of-Ohio-Sales-Tax-
Holiday-2015-Final-003.pdf