From the Statehouse 2007 No. 16
by Jennifer Garrison
Jul. 14, 2007
FROM THE STATEHOUSE – July 13, 2007
Schools, taxes and hospital trade secrets all received the attention of House lawmakers during the last week of June, as we wrapped up our Spring session at the Statehouse.
Three important school measures passed the House – all with my support – in an effort to help children everyday. House Bill 190 changes the calendar for spring elementary school achievement tests. Current Ohio law requires that the tests be administered not earlier than the week containing May 1st, and they must be given over five consecutive days. The House bill now under consideration in the Senate allows those tests to be administered over a two-week period, and those tests would be allowed to start the week containing April 24th. The intent of the bill is to reduce the frantic pace for the students in a marathon testing week.
Ohio schools are frantically looking to fill a growing need for speech pathologists. Few pathologists graduate each year because of the complexity of the profession and the limited spots in Ohio programs. Senate Bill 143 establishes a limited student permit category for speech pathology interns. The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board will issue two-year renewable student permits allowing graduate students to practice speech language pathology on a limited basis.
To be eligible, the intern must have completed at least one year of post-graduate training in speech-language pathology at an accredited Ohio school and obtain the student clinical experience required by the board. The intern must also be supervised by a fully licensed speech-language pathologist.
Estimates show, however, that fewer than 50 speech language pathology interns will be available for Ohio schools this fall. There is such a need for speech pathologists in our schools that the bill passed with an emergency clause. Therefore, there was no 90-day waiting period for the bill to take effect after the Governor signed it.
When children are working and learning in school, you want to make sure they are safe. House Bill 142 helps ensure their safety by increasing the penalty for inducing panic when the violation happens at a school or institution of higher education. The penalty would become a second-degree felony. The bill also allows the State Highway Patrol to give emergency aid for a potential threat to an educational institution. The bill is now in the Senate for consideration.
The Senate is also set to consider a bill I supported to help taxpayers, which passed out of the House. House Bill 157 would add a box on personal income tax returns that, if checked, allows the Ohio Department of Taxation to speak to the preparer of the tax return. The goal is to provide an avenue to resolve conflicts quickly, saving time and headaches for the client and the tax preparer.
A taxpayer who employs a tax preparer does not have to check the box. That payer can utilize the TBOP -1 form authorizing the communication between the Department of Taxation and the preparer. This bill merely simplifies the process by authorizing the communication on the tax form itself.
The House also passed legislation to allow district hospital boards in joint townships to discuss trade secrets in executive session. House Bill 194 simply provides joint townships with a level playing field to equal the rights of county and municipal hospital boards. I voted “yes”.
As we look ahead to Fall session at the Statehouse, I will continue to focus on your safety, your schools, and your pocketbook. It is a pledge for positive change so that your family can live better.
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 Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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