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State Senator Beagle
Helps Public Libraries
COLUMBUS – On April 13, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 120,
legislation that makes it clear that county prosecutors may represent
taxpayer-funded public libraries.
State Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) introduced the bill in response
to a federal court ruling which made it unclear if the long-standing
practice of county prosecutors representing public libraries in legal
matters could continue. Without assistance from their county
prosecutor, some public libraries would be forced to pay for private
legal counsel. These extra costs would be a tremendous burden to public
libraries that are already struggling to keep the doors open and
provide quality service to their communities in tough economic times.
“Senator Beagle’s legislation makes life a little easier for Ohio’s
public libraries. It will allow them to continue receiving excellent
legal services from their county prosecutors with no extra cost to the
libraries or taxpayers, said Lynda Murray, Director of Government and
Legal Services for the Ohio Library Council.
“Senator Beagle is a former library trustee who understands the
challenges our libraries are facing. We are pleased that his first
piece of legislation to pass the Senate helps our public libraries,”
said Tim Kambitsch, Executive Director of the Dayton Metro Library.
Senate Bill 120 was approved by a unanimous vote. It will move to the
Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration.
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