Prevention Action Alliance
Here’s a summary of what has happened to legislation impacting prevention and mental health in Ohio as of the new fiscal year, including Gov. Mike DeWine signing Ohio’s $74.1 billion Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Bill into law.
Senate Bill 126 (Collin’s Law)
We applaud and thank Gov. DeWine, Sen. Kunze and Sen. Gavarone for establishing Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Act. SB 126, which establishes penalties for hazing, aggravated hazing, supporting hazing and failure to report, is a needed step to prevent hazing-related death or injury at our colleges and universities. This law also requires the development of a statewide education plan for preventing hazing at institutions of higher education and the adoption of institution-based anti-hazing policies.
House Bill 9
We thank Gov. DeWine and Rep. Koehler for the establishment of law that prohibits the sale of medicine containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to anyone under the age of 18 without a prescription. HB 9 uses a simple and effective evidence-based prevention strategy by restricting the purchase of over-the-counter cough medications that contain DXM to persons over the age of 18. Establishment of this law is an impactful step towards protecting our youth from the dangers of substance abuse. This law will also serve to alert parents to the risk and dangers of inappropriate use of DXM.
House Bill 110, the State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Biennial Budget
Prevention Action Alliance appreciates the General Assembly’s commitment to mental health wellness and its support of Gov. DeWine and OhioMHAS leadership’s vision for Ohio.
It should be noted that while commenting on the governor’s line-item vetoes, OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss identified that one vetoed item limited the ability of OhioMHAS to appoint “people and family members with lived experience with behavioral health issues” to relevant boards. PAA is concerned with this limitation. We believe the appointments of clients and family members with lived experience in the system are critically important voices that should be on included on every ADAMH Board in the state.