Gov. Mike DeWine signs Nathan Manning, D.J. Swearingen-sponsored bills into law

Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday signed multiple bills into law, including several co-sponsored by area representatives. Senate Bill 237, sponsored by state Sens. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, enacted the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act relating to legal actions concerning protected speech, clarifying small claims court jurisdiction and prohibiting landlords from listing a minor as a defendant in a forcible entry and detainer action, according to the governor's office. House Bill 8, co-sponsored by state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Rep. Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, enacted the Parents' Bill of Rights. It requires public schools to adopt a policy on parental notification on student health and well-being and instructional materials with sexuality content and regarding school district policies for released time courses in religious instruction. An attorney with the law firm Wickens Herzer Panza with offices in Avon and Sandusky, Swearingen is in his second term representing the 89th House District, which includes eastern Ottawa County, western Erie County and most of Huron County. Further legislation signed by DeWine included: SB 58, which prohibits requiring fees or firearms liability insurance for the possession of firearms, or fees for the possession of knives, and enacting the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act. SB 95, which amended state law related to remote dispensing pharmacies, pharmacy laws and licensed certified mental health assistants. SB 208, which set open enrollment policy exceptions for military children, rules about school district and educational service center purchases of technological equipment, virtual services provided under special needs scholarship programs, public school employee in-service training in child sexual abuse, training and more. SB 211, which in part established a 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis telephone line. HB 366, which enacted the Fight Organized Retail Crime and Empower Law Enforcement or FORCE Act to create the Organized Retail Theft Advisory Council and an investigative task force, created the crime of theft of mail, and modified theft offenses and penalties related to retail property. HB 531, which enacted Braden's Law to prohibit sexual extortion and to require service providers to comply with search and interception warrants for electronic information.