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The Catholic Conference of Ohio supported House Bill 393 (R-Click | D-Brewer), which requires Community Based Correctional Facilities to assist inmates in obtaining ID cards prior to release, has been signed into law by Governor DeWine. The law, which passed both the Senate and House of Representatives unanimously, is an expansion of previously enacted legislation that requires the State of Ohio's correctional facilities to do the same. This new law will help returning citizens access employment and the resources needed for their successful reintegration into Ohio communities.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in front of the Senate Health Committee in support of House Bill 324 (R-A. Mathews | R-Craig), the Patient Protection Act. The bill previously passed the House. CCO stated, "HB 324 employs reasonable safeguards on the dispensing of medications known to cause serious adverse effects by requiring that patients be assessed and fully informed as to the associated risks in order to be free to consent to a recommended course of treatment." Due regard for the dignity of human life and the integral good of each person warrants more prudent and humane measures when dispensing pharmaceuticals with a higher rate of adverse effects.
Read the full testimony >
Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent passed the Ohio House of Representatives. HB 347 requires a physician to meet with a woman at least 24 hours before an abortion and provide information on alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
Catholic Conference of Ohio-supported Senate Bill 318 (R-Cutrona), which would authorize a township law enforcement agency to provide school resource officer services to a chartered nonpublic school, passed the Ohio Senate. School safety remains a high priority for the bishops and our Catholic schools. School resource officers play an important role in protecting students and staff. The bill now moves to the Ohio House of Representatives for consideration.
During their annual assembly in St. Louis, March 17-19, the bishops of the Eastern Catholic Church in the United States issued a joint statement addressing the suffering and assaults against human dignity many Eastern Catholics have endured amid wars and related violence overseas, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. Among the 16 bishops who signed the statement are three bishops in Ohio, Most. Rev. John Michael Botean, Bishop of the Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St. George in Canton, Most Rev. Bohdan Danylo, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, and Most Rev. Robert Pipta, Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy in Parma.
Read the full statement >
A reworked version of House Bill 84, the Innocence Act, which is supported by the Catholic Conference of Ohio, has passed the House. While the original version of the bill to require age verification for pornography websites was passed in the state operating budget, the amended bill adds language to enable stronger enforcement and clarifies that certain entities hosting adult content are not exempt from age verification rules. Some large websites and hosts of obscene content had evaded enforcement of the bill on technicalities. The bill now goes to the Senate for review.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in opposition of Senate Bill 323 (R-Blessing), which would legalize the composting of human remains for use as a fertilizer-like substance. "Respect for the dignity of the human person is a foundational principle of civilized society and remains essential even after death. ... When the bodies of the deceased are treated as other disposable objects, we risk contributing to what Pope Francis has described as a “throwaway culture,” fostering a broader indifference toward human life," testified CCO. The testimony also noted, "Ohio already provides meaningful and morally sound alternatives consistent with ecological stewardship and respect for the person. Many Catholic and other cemeteries throughout the state offer natural or green burial areas that gently return the body to the earth without chemicals, burial vaults, or non-biodegradable materials."
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of House Bill 347 (R-Odioso | R-Williams) to enact the Share the Health and Empower With Informed Notices (SHE WINS) Act regarding abortion informed consent. The Catholic Church accompanies pregnant women in need through authentic friendship and ongoing support. "Community-based efforts such as Walking with Moms in Need connect women with resources and assistance, helping them to simultaneously welcome their children and achieve their goals,” testified CCO. The testimony continued, "HB 347 ensures women are informed of alternatives, the availability of medical assistance benefits that may be available for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care, and ensures that she is fully informed about the nature of the procedure, any associated risks, and receives information on the status of any risks associated with her pregnancy. … We urge the Committee to support women by ensuring that they are liberated from the freedom-limiting coercion of difficult circumstances and unsupportive or despairing voices, and instead empowered with knowledge that elicits hope for their future and that of their children."
The Catholic Conference of Ohio testified in support of House Bill 524 (D-Cockley | R-Mathews), which would hold AI models accountable that suggest harming oneself or others. CCO stated, "The State of Ohio has a responsibility to ensure that the rapid development of these technologies serves the human person and does not encourage intrinsic harm to a user or violate the dignity of another.” The testimony continued, "Recently, Pope Leo XIV, in an address to the 2025 Builders AI Forum, exhorted developers of AI to ‘cultivate moral discernment as a fundamental part of their work — to develop systems that reflect justice, solidarity, and a genuine reverence for life.' We echo his call and encourage the Committee to pass this bill in the service of protecting human life and holding accountable those who neglect their great responsibility with this technology.”
The Catholic Conference of Ohio is grateful for the February 2 ruling postponing the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, originally set for February 3. Court appeals will likely continue to allow TPS to expire. Many Haitians who fled gang violence and instability have established homes and become an integral part of our Catholic parishes in Ohio. Families who have followed procedures and laws to work and live in peace should not have to live in constant uncertainty and be forced to make excruciating decisions to abandon their homes, employment, and schools while deplorable conditions persist in their home country. Less than six months ago, Pope Leo XIV expressed sorrow over the Haitian people “overwhelmed by despair” of the widespread violence and gang assaults in their country. We continue to pray for peace in Haiti and for peace in Ohio communities.
View USCCB's Call to Extend Protections for Haitians in the United States > View recent Statements from the Bishops of Ohio & Resources on Immigration and the Catholic Church >
Catholic Conference of Ohio Informational Flyer (Updated 10/25)
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