From the Statehouse 2006 No. 13
by Jennifer Garrison
Apr. 8, 2006
STATEHOUSE ARTICLE 2006- 13
Last week, the Ohio House of Representatives voted out a number of bills. I will report on these bills over the next 2 weeks.
The House voted on Substitute Senate Bill 17 last week. This has been known as, the clergy sexual abuse law. The bill changed considerably in the House. This bill extends the statute of limitations (the time in which a lawsuit can be brought) for civil actions based on childhood sexual abuse to 12 years after the victim reaches age 18. The Senate version originally extended the statute of limitations to 20 years after the child reaches age 18. Current law allows a lawsuit to be brought within 2 years of reaching the age of 18.
The House version eliminated the “look back” provision the Senate version contained. The Senate version “look back” provisions allows a 1-year window to bring a civil action if the abuse occurred within 35 years of the effective date of the bill. A few reasons for the look-back provision are:
Parents of the child were told their child was the first victim, when this was not true.
the church transferred priests knowing they were perpetrators of sexual abuse on children and continued to allow these priests to pastor children.
Instead of including the “look back” provision, the House created a civil registry for sex offenders. This Substitute Senate version allows a prosecutor or the Attorney General to bring a declaratory judgment action to put a perpetrator on a civil registry of sex offenders. A declaratory judgment tells the parties what their rights and responsibilities are, without awarding damages. This registry creates a registration and community notification program for persons who are found liable, based on childhood sexual abuse.
I voted “yes” on the House version of Substitute Senate Bill 17 because it is better than the law we have today, even though it is not as strong as the original Senate Bill. This bill passed the House. The Senate concurred with our changes to the bill. The bill was sent to the Governor for his signature. I pray this bill brings reconciliation for the victims and the Catholic Church in Ohio.
Additionally, the House favorably voted out Substitute Senate Bill 8. Substitute Senate Bill 8 prohibits anyone from operating or having physical control over a vehicle while under the influence of illegal drugs. The bill establishes limits for cocaine, cocaine metabolites, heroin, amphetamines, LSD, marijuana, methamphetamine, and PCP in the blood or urine. The bill calls this offense “drugged driving”. The bill provides an exemption for anyone who obtains the drugs by physician order and uses them according to the physician’s instructions. I voted “yes”. The bill passed.
Amended House Bill 298 establishes an autism awareness license plate. An additional fee of $35.00 is collected for this plate. The Autism Society of Ohio receives $25.00 of this additional fee. The bill passed. I voted “yes”.
House Bill 371 creates a task force of public and private sector members to look at the barriers to constructing a refinery and other fuel production in Ohio. The task force will also make recommendations on how to bring refineries to Ohio and increase fuel production in Ohio. I voted “yes”. The bill passed.
The House voted to concur with the Senate amendments on the following bills that I previously reported on and had already passed the House. These include:
House Bill 46
House Bill 23
House Bill 289
House Bill 440
House Bill 95
House Bill 96
House Bill 530
I voted “yes” to concur on these bills. All Senate Amendments to the above bills were agreed to and the bills went to the Governor for his signature.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at 740-373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her website is <a href="/a>