South Dayton News

State Representative Andrea White has announced the enactment of four new laws in Ohio, aimed at improving student wellbeing, family health, and worker safety. The laws, which became effective on April 9, seek to address issues related to education, mental health, maternal and child health, workforce development, and healthcare safety. According to White, these measures represent a commitment to strengthening families and communities by investing in the future of Ohio's young people and workforce.

The Strong Foundations Act, known as House Bill 7, focuses on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life by expanding access to prenatal and postnatal care. It also aims to modernize Ohio’s Women, Infant, and Children nutrition program and improve child mental health services. White highlighted the importance of this legislation, noting that Ohio performs poorly in areas concerning maternal and child health. She asserted that the initiatives in the bill have the potential to generate a strong return on investment and improve long-term outcomes for families.

Addressing concerns in healthcare safety, House Bill 452 establishes protocols to prevent violence in healthcare settings. The legislation calls for hospitals to collaborate with staff to create safety plans and improve training and incident reporting. "Our goal with this legislation is to better support our frontline healthcare workers," White commented.

The Supporting Student Mental Health amendment, included in Senate Bill 234, incorporates provisions from House Bill 571. This law mandates that 988 crisis hotline information be made available on student IDs and other student materials, and encourages the use of a 'Declaration for Mental Health Treatment.' White outlined the need for these measures given the significant increase in mental health issues among students.

Lastly, Senate Bill 208, which incorporates House Bill 312, aims to expand Regional Education Partnerships across Ohio. These partnerships are collaborative efforts to enhance educational and career outcomes for students. "Continuing to expand and sustain Regional Education Partnerships throughout Ohio is a key strategy that works," White emphasized.

Together, these four laws underscore Ohio’s commitment to fostering community-based solutions that emphasize health, education, safety, and opportunity for all residents, White concluded.