Bills Pending in Ohio Legislature Seeks to Uplift Black Community

By Gregory Moore

There are a number of bills pending in the Ohio Legislature that could have a profound impact on African Americans in the state of Ohio. Many of these bills are tied to longstanding issues related to closing the education, health, and wealth equity gaps that have existed for Black communities in Ohio for decades.

Members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) led by its president, Cleveland’s own State Representative Terrance Upchurch, (D-20th) have been working at the statehouse in Columbus for years to address many of the social, economic, and political empowerment issues that impact the Black Community in Cleveland and across the state.

The OLBC has also served as the leading opponent to an array of regressive legislative proposals that have been advanced by the heavily Republican-dominated House and Senate since 2011. The OLBC focuses on several bills ranging from criminal justice reform, increasing educational opportunities in higher education, promoting equity in funding K-12 schools, access to affordable health care, and a series of bills that promote economic development in the Black Community.

One of the most powerful vehicles that assist the members of the legislature and other advocacy groups in addressing these public policy issues is the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, (OLBCF), a separate non-partisan 501 (C) (3) research and policy organization. Since taking over OLBCF in November 2023, the foundation’s new president Shayla Davis and her team have been focused on monitoring a number of key bills, and actively engaging with legislators and state officials to ensure that the concerns and interests of Black Ohioans are adequately represented.

OLBCF also provides research and public policy support for OLBC members and other stakeholders across the state who share in their mission to address critical issues related to African Americans. Davis highlighted several pending bills being tracked by the OLBCF that are often overlooked by media outlets but can have a profound impact on the lives of Black Ohioans if passed into law.

Economic Empowerment
Rep. Terrance Upchurch (D) (OH-20) helped lead a successful bi-partisan effort in the Ohio House to pass H.B. 2 the Direct State Funds for Economic Growth and Community Development Act which would redirect $2 billion of new state funds for construction and economic development projects that prioritize community investments. If passed by the Ohio Senate, H.B. 2 would help generate economic growth and increase employment opportunities in the state’s most underserved communities. H.B 2 includes restoring $700 Million from the One Time Strategic Communication Investments Fund (OTSCIF) that was set aside in the most recent state operating budget.

Health and Wellness
Rep. Latyna Humphrey (D)(OH-2) has introduced H.B. 7, the Strong Foundations Act which modernizes the enrollment and benefit distribution process for families to have their benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) added to their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card virtually. Previously transfers could only be made in person.

A report by the Health Policy Institute of Ohio for the last decade showed infant mortality has gradually gone down overall, but for Black Ohioans, the rate is still 164% higher than for white Ohioans. Black women disproportionately face discrimination in traditional birthing environments. H.B. 7 would also enable Medicaid to cover doula services for expectant moms on Medicaid.

Rep. Munira Abdullahi (D) (OH-9) has introduced HB 384, the Cap Cost Sharing for Prescription Insulin Drugs, Diabetes Devices Act. A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention study revealed Black insulin users are more likely to report rationing insulin at 23.2% higher than white diabetics. Even with health insurance coverage, monthly insulin costs can be beyond the reach of many seniors and diabetics on fixed incomes.

Criminal Justice Reform
Ohio Sen. Catherine Ingram (D) (OH-9) has introduced S.B. 37, the Regards Driver’s License Suspension Law; Financial Responsibility Act which removes several offenses as reasons to suspend driver’s licenses including a penalty of a suspension for certain drug offenses and for outstanding financial obligations. A 2022 report released by the Cleveland Legal Aid Society revealed that approximately 60% of all Ohio driver’s license suspensions are based on a person’s failure to pay money owed to a court, to the Ohio BMV, or to a private third party, including child support. S.B. 37 seeks to address the impact of a Driver’s license suspension impeding on their ability to make income and pay restitutions for their financial obligations.

Rep. Juanita Brent (D) (OH-22) has introduced H.B. 178, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, a bill similar to the federal Crown Act. Race-based hair bias and discrimination is a systemic problem that disproportionately impacts Black people, particularly Black women. A 2023 study by Dove Soap and LinkedIn revealed that Black Women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional and 25% of Black women believe they have been denied a job interview due to their hair.

Rep. Latyna Humphrey (D) (OH-2) has also introduced H.B. 44, the Require Electronic Recording of Parole Board Hearings Act to facilitate access to and transparency in parole board hearings. The bill aims to improve criminal legal systems through transparency and accountability.

Ohio Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, (D) (OH-1) has introduced House Joint Resolution H.J.R. 2 the Prohibit Slavery or Servitude as Punishment for Crime. The Resolution would eliminate the archaic exception to slavery in Ohio’s constitution by proposing to amend Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude in Ohio for the punishment of crime.

OLBCF’s Davis highlighted these bills as just a few examples of the efforts of Black lawmakers to “move the needle” in the area of public policy. “We know that systemic racism remains as the root cause for many of the barriers that exist today. Our efforts are centered around dismantling these barriers and advocating for addressing racial disparities through public policy.”