Senator David Burke (R-Marysville, OH) unveiled Substitute House Bill (HB) 226 on November 29; a committee vote is anticipated during the week of December 3.
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians continues to oppose the legalization of fireworks discharge in Ohio as evidence shows that states that have lifted discharge prohibitions have seen dramatic increases in both the frequency and severity of fireworks-related injuries.
This substitute bill does legalize discharge with very few safeguards.
The Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition, of which the OAFP is a member, sent a letter on November 29, stating the coalition’s strong belief that discharge is the wrong policy for Ohio. The coalition, made up of safety and child health advocates, continues to push for a compromise bill that would modernize fireworks industry regulations while keeping the prohibition on discharge in place. Stakeholders believe that compromise is needed to ensure Ohio is both pro-business and pro-safety.
The letter states the coalition’s appreciation that the substitute bill extends the current fireworks permit moratorium through December 2022 and that language allowing the sale of ground sparklers outside of fireworks retail outlets was not included. The coalition continues to argue that 1.4g fireworks should only be sold in fireworks retail outlets.