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State Senator Bill Beagle
Keeping our
Children Safe
The back to school rush is now in full-swing in my home as I’m sure it
is in yours as well. It never ceases to surprise me at how
quickly this season comes and with how much must be done.
This August I will have two children attending universities here in the
state of Ohio and another in high school. Over the next week, my
family and I will be collecting last minute school supplies and
familiarizing ourselves with the school campuses and talking about how
to remain safe walking or taking the bus back and forth from school.
Last year, I met a family whose daughter was hit by an incoming vehicle
while walking in a school zone crosswalk. Thankfully, she has
recovered from the accident and will, like many other children, be
returning to school this month. Through this accident I learned
Ohio does not have laws specific to cases like this and often the
available punishments do not properly fit the crime making it difficult
to charge or prosecute an offender.
As a result, I have introduced Senate Bill 346, which will protect
children who are struck by cars in school zones. This legislation
places a higher level of accountability on drivers by creating harsher
penalties and an additional layer of safety for our children as they
walk to and from school.
Additionally, after courts found Ohio’s current child enticement
statute unconstitutional, I introduced a bill strengthening our laws to
clarify that a potential offender must have unlawful intent for their
actions to be considered illegal. Prior to this change, the courts
argued the law was too broad to use and treated a person with illicit
intent the same as a parent who offers a child’s friend or neighbor a
ride home.
With this new law, we can ensure that the courts have the necessary
tools to hold criminals accountable and that Ohio’s laws are strong and
enforceable against child predators attempting to lure innocent
children. Nonetheless, it is important that as parents we take
the time to talk to and teach our children to be aware and
prepared. I encourage you to visit the National Children’s
Advocacy Center to read safety tips for the whole family at:
http://www.nationalcac.org/prevention/safety-tips-for-parents.html.
It’s also at this time of the year that I am reminded again of how
vitally important our children’s education is, not only to them but
also to our families and communities around Ohio and our great
nation. As Chairman of the Workforce and Economic Development
committee and a member of the Senate Education committee, I will
continue working hard to ensure our children are college or career
ready by the time they leave home to become hardworking Ohioans.
I hope that you and your family enjoy a safe and fun back to school
season.
Senator Bill Beagle serves the people of Ohio’s 5th Senate District,
which includes Miami and Preble Counties as well as portions of
Montgomery and Darke Counties. He presides as the Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Workforce & Economic Development. Learn more at
www.OhioSenate.gov/Beagle.
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