Schmidt’s Keep Nine Resolution Passes the Ohio House

Updates from Ohio State Representative Jean Schmidt

By Chuck Gibson  (Information for this report compiled from Press Releases from the office of Rep. Jean Schmidt)

LOVELAND, OH (June 29, 2021) – Ohio State Representative Jean Schmidt has been busy representing the 65^th District (Loveland) in the Ohio House of Representatives recently.

Last week the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 18, which asks the Congress of the United States to adopt the “Keep Nine” amendment to the United States Constitution – a resolution put forward by Rep. Jean Schmidt.

“An independent Supreme Court is an essential element of America’s system of checks and balances that protects the constitutional rights of all Americans,” said Schmidt. “I have confidence that the President and Congress should be prohibited from undermining the independence of the Supreme Court by changing the number of its justices.”

The “Keep Nine” amendment states, “The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine Justices.” The amendment now has nationwide support that includes over 160 members of Congress, state legislative chambers, Governors, Lt. Governors, and Attorneys General.

HCR 18 was supported by Mark Tekulve of the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office, the former Tennessee Attorney General Paul Summers, Roman Buhler and the Coalition to Preserve an Independent US Supreme Court, Michael Allan, Charles Downs, Attorney General Dave Yost, and finally former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich.

The resolution, (H.C.R. 18) passed with a vote of 60-34.

Additionally, Rep. Schmidt recently gave sponsor testimony on another House Bill Thursday, June 24. 

Prosecuting Trafficking Proceeds Act Receives First Hearing

Representative Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) joined State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) giving sponsor testimony Thursday, June 24, on House Bill 276, legislation that aims to better target pimps and traffickers to aid in the fight against human sex trafficking in Ohio. The bill, known as the Prosecuting Trafficking Proceeds Act, prohibits an individual from knowingly receiving money or anything of value that was exchanged for sexual activity, making it a third degree felony or a second degree felony if the victim is a minor.

“This bill will make it easier for law enforcement to tie traffickers and pimps to the illegal act, no matter how far they are from the crime,” said Schmidt.

Powell and Schmidt noted that current law makes it difficult to charge pimps and trafficking because they are not physically present at the scene where prostitution is occurring.

“This piece of legislation will give law enforcement another tool to fight the injustice of human trafficking in our communities and across Ohio,” said Powell. 

Schmidt also noted that in 2020, Ohio had over 200 investigations related to human trafficking and identified nearly 150 potential victims.

Studies show that there is an estimate of 1,032 known minor and young adult victims and 4,209 at-risk individuals. The measure has the support of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and H.B. 276 now awaits additional hearings in the House Criminal Justice Committee.

Schmidt Supports Proponent Testimony on Makenna’s Law

As part of a very busy week, Rep. Jean Schmidt on Tuesday, June 22, supported witnesses providing proponent testimony on House Bill 178, which enacts Makenna’s Law to limit water pressure at pools. The bill was heard in the House Health Committee.

“I am so proud of Makenna for being brave and sharing her story with the Health Committee,” said Schmidt. “Many parents may not recognize the dangers associated with unregulated water pressure at water parks. It is important that we continue to advance this bill so no one will have to go through what Makenna and her family did.”

H.B. 178, legislation sponsored by Schmidt, was introduced after Makenna Day, then seven-years-old, was seriously injured after she was standing over a water feature when it activated. Makenna underwent surgery and many follow up appointments after the incident.

Makenna and her mother, Kim Manion, testified during the bills second hearing. Tuesday, June 22, 2021’s Health Committee can be viewed here

State Representative Jean Schmidt is serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 65th house district, which includes northwestern Clermont County.

For more information, contact Rep. Schmidt’s office at (614) 466-8134 or rep65@ohiohouse.gov.