State Senator Jerry Cirino Announces Pro-Family, Business and Education Legislation – News-Herald

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

The two pieces of legislation use unspent America’s Rescue Package Act and General Revenue Fund appropriations for various projects around the 18th Senate District, according to the release.

SB Bill 45 includes financial assistance to repair storm damage to the Mentor Harbor Lagoons. The measure also establishes the Ohio Adoption Grant Program, which provides a one-time grant to parents of eligible adoptive children.

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

In addition, the Legislature appropriates funds to meet some healthcare workforce needs in areas such as nursing homes, hospitals, and mental health.

Grants are also included to support parenting and pregnancy programs.

The legislature also passed House Bill 66, which includes funding for improvements to the Lake County Captains, the Cleveland Guardians’ High-A affiliate.

Cirino said the bills represent the Legislature’s commitment to provide long-term relief to Ohio businesses as labor barriers persist and inflation rises.

“I’m proud to join my regional colleagues in the House, State Rep. Jamie Callendar, R-Concord Township, to secure funding for these important projects in Lake County.”

Additionally, the Legislature passed revised House Bill 569, which created the Ohio Hidden Heroes Scholarship Program, and revised House Bill 353, which created the Test Your Faith Act, the release said .

House Bill 569 and the Ohio Hidden Heroes Scholarship Program require state institutions of higher education to develop a program that allows individuals who care for family members with service-related disabilities to pursue higher education.

The Test Your Faith Act requires institutions of higher education to allow students to miss academic activities for up to three days per semester due to religious holidays or events.

“Our higher education system is a vital pathway to the American Dream,” Cyrino said, “House Bills 353 and 569 ensure that those who care about our nation’s best heroes and those who want to practice their religion freely To be able to have a little more freedom to do that.”

Cirino represents the Ohio Senate’s 18th district, which includes all or part of Geauga, Lake and Portage counties.

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