Rep. DeGeeter - Legislation of the 126th General Assembly
 

House Bill 49 – Would change the definition of child pornography to include computer or digital images that are indistinguishable from pictures of actual children. The bill would help prosecutors, who must now prove each and every image – no matter how realistic – is an actual child. This has led to acquittals in a couple of recent high profile cases.

House Bill 49 seeks to mirror a federal law termed the Protect Act of 2003. It also gives prosecutors additional tools to work with because it amends a section of the state’stateby making it a crime to produce, possess, sell, distribute, transport or display material, including virtual child pornography, that represents or depicts a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity.



House Bill 99 – This bill was introduced to crack down on the growing problem of methamphetamine abuse in Ohio by restricting access to pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in many over-the-counter cold tablets. Medications such as Sudafed often contain these ingredients.

HB 99 also would serve as a tool for law enforcement, because it creates penalties for possession of these products. Under the bill, possession of large quantities of pseudoephedrine is a felony. In addition, law enforcement officials can charge those who expose children to meth precursors (with intent to manufacture) with felony child abuse.

Other components of the bill place stricter controls on where these products can be stored. They also require retailers to: keep all products containing meth precursors in a secure, locked area or behind the counter in licensed pharmacies; check buyers for identification; restrict sales to two packages per consumer; and report the theft of products containing meth precursors to the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy, which would be responsible for notifying local law enforcement.



HB 191 - This legislation imposes a penalty for sex offenders who live within 1,000 feet of schools (currently there are no criminal penalties). Under HB 191, offenders who violate this law could be charged with a fifth-degree felony - punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

This bill is important because sex offenders cannot currently be prosecuted for breaking the 1,000-foot law. It also protects families from those may prey on their children.

HB 191 was previously introduced in the 125th General Assembly as HB 524.



HB 192 – Would eliminate front license plates from all registered Ohio vehicles.

If passed, HB 192 would provide a cost savings to both consumers and the state – saving Ohio more than $2.5 million annually.

Twenty-one other states do not require front license plates. They include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.



HB 338 - Prohibits the use of a firearm to destroy a dog at a publicly-owned or operated animal shelter.

This bill also prohibits a person from destroying a domestic animal at a shelter in such a manner.



HB 339 - Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes and consumers need more protection from those who prey on their personal identification. HB 339enables consumers to place a "security freeze" on their credit report or score.

This bill is proactive in that it helps prevent identity theft. Once the credit freeze is in place, businesses can not issue new credit unless the consumer requests a temporary lift of the credit freeze. This also prevents businesses from issuing new credit to a potential thief.

Under HB 339, there is no cost to place or lift a credit freeze, andit is available to all consumers, regardless of whether or not the person is an idenitity theft victim.

Twelve other states have already passed credit freeze laws.



HB 386 - This bill designates a portion of Interstate 71 within the city of Middleburg Heights as the "Corporal Brad D. Squires Memorial Highway."

Cpl. Brad Squires died June 9, 2005, defending his country in Iraq. He was 26.

Brad was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment,4th Marine Division of the Marine Corps Reserve.

He is a hero to all who knew him, and this bill would pay tribute to Brad and serve as a memorial for the community.

Back to main Legislature page >>

For more information about DeGeeter's legislation, visit www.legislature.state.oh.us.