State Sen. Jerry Cirino Announces Pro-Family, Business, Education Legislation – News-Herald

State Sen. Jerry C. Cirino, R-Kirtand, this week announced that the Ohio Legislature has passed House Bill 45 and House Bill 66.

According to a press release, the two pieces of legislation make appropriations using unspent American Rescue Plans Act and General Revenue funds for various projects around the 18th Senate districts.

Included in SB Bill 45 is funding for storm damage repair assistance at the Mentor Harbor Lagoons. The measure also establishes the Ohio Adoption Grant Program, which provides one-time grant payments to a parent of an eligible adopted child.

The grants, administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, range from $10,000 to $20,000, based on the child’s needs.

In addition, the legislature made appropriations to address certain health care workforce needs in areas such as nursing homes, hospitals and mental health.

Funding is also included to support the Parenting and Pregnancy Program.

The Legislature also approved House Bill 66, which includes funding for improvements to the Lake County Captains, the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Rangers.

Cirino said the bills represent the Legislature’s commitment to providing Ohio businesses with long-term relief at a time of ongoing labor constraints and ever-increasing inflation.

“I am proud to have been able to join my county colleague in the House (Rep. Jamie Callendar, R-Concord Township) to secure funding for these important projects for Lake County.”

In addition, the legislature also passed amended House Bill 569, which created Ohio’s Hidden Hero Scholarship Programs, and amended House Bill 353, which created the Test Your Faith Act, the release said .

House Bill 569 and Ohio’s Hidden Hero Scholarship Programs require state institutions of higher education to establish a program that allows an individual caring for a family member with a service-connected disability to receive their education after secondary.

The Test Your Faith Act requires institutions of higher education to allow up to three days per semester for a student to miss academic activities due to a holiday or religious activity.

“Our higher education system is an important path to achieving the American Dream,” Cirino said, “and House bills 353 and 569 ensure that those who care about our nation’s best heroes and those who want to practice freely their religions may have a little more freedom to do so.”

Cirino represents the 18th District in the Ohio Senate, which includes all or parts of Geauga, Lake and Portage counties.