From the Statehouse 2008 No. 13
by Jennifer Garrison
Apr. 18, 2008
From the Statehouse:
By Jennifer Garrison
The Ohio House of Representatives continues its debate on legislation to restructure energy policy. I am the ranking democrat on the Public Utilities and Energy Committee that has heard testimony and debate for nearly 6 months on the bill. I am committed to protecting residential and businesses from rate shock.
Also, during this week the House passed two bills to improve the safety of communities in Ohio.
House Bill 130 is a prisoner re-entry reform bill that retools a variety of aspects within the Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections (DRC). This package aims to address prison overcrowding, improve DRC operations and remove obstacles to re-entry for recently-released prisoners.
This comprehensive legislation includes the following provisions:
It creates a State Agency Offender Re-entry Coalition to study reentry barriers and report their findings to the Ohio General Assembly for further action.
It allows a released prisoner’s DRC identification to serve as a primary ID, which is necessary to obtain a state ID or driver’s license upon release.
It implements a process for obtaining birth certificates and replacement Social Security cards for arriving prisoners, as valid identification is often difficult for ex-offenders to obtain.
H.B. 130 also addresses prison diversion and population management. It requires courts to consider drug assessments for community control-eligible offenders when available at sentencing (emphasizing drug treatment as an alternative to prison in those cases), and the legislation expands the eligibility of pretrial diversion programs to drug dependent offenders. Additionally, it allows the DRC and local authorities to enter into agreements that permit offenders with sentences of 30 days or fewer to remain in local custody. Further, it allows local authorities to avoid transportation and processing costs incurred when pisoners are transferred into the state system.
To address DRC operations, H.B. 130 allows courts of common pleas to directly use probation fees collected in their own county. The bill clarifies that the court cannot terminate a prior period of parole supervision when an offender commits a new felony.
The legislation also establishes a fund to hold proceeds from criminal assets seized by federal authorities when the DRC is entitled to a portion as a result of local assistance provided that led to the seizure.
H.B. 130 is a significant step to mold the DRC into a more efficient system of administering justice and keeping dangerous criminals off our streets. The measure passed by an overwhelming 89-6 majority, including my “yes” vote. This bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
Amended House Bill 215 bans the use and possession of the herb Salvia divinorum. This herb contains a very potent psychoactive compound that, when it is chewed, smoked, or made into tea, produces hallucinogenic effects that the Drug Enforcement Agency likens to LSD.
Recreational use of Salvia has increased, especially among teens and adolescents. One reason may be that the substance is available legally online and in smoke shops. In response, seven states have already passed legislation regulating Salvia, and at least eleven states have pending bills addressing the substance. Ohioans deserve the same level of protection.
This bill adds Salvia divinorum as a Schedule I controlled substance. In addition, all restrictions on and penalties associated with the possession, use and sale of Schedule I controlled substances will apply to Salvia.
As both your State Representative and a parent, I take protecting children very seriously. I believe this bill offers strong protection against an increasingly popular hazard.
I voted “yes” and the bill passed. This bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at (614) 644-8728 or in the district at 373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her Web site is Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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