The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) advocacy team monitors healthcare related legislation, rule changes, and legislative updates for Ohio’s family physicians.
To access the OAFP Bill Tracker, visit the OAFP Public Policy webpage and click on the Bill Tracker icon.
Read on for this week’s updates and contact Advocacy Coordinator Kaela Springhetti with questions or for ways to get involved.
Ohio Redistricting Commission Cuts Deal on Map, Averts Repeal Effort
Source: Statehouse News Bureau
The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission, by a unanimous vote on October 31, took a deal on a congressional map that legislative leaders brokered behind closed doors.
Ohio will now ward off a lengthier fight over a long-mandated redraw of the boundaries for its 15 members of Congress.
The map, effective from 2026 until 2031, shifts districts in Cincinnati, OH, and Toledo, OH, further right and Akron, OH, further left, giving Democratic Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-1) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) tougher races while easing off Emilia Sykes (OH-13). Other GOP-held seats are one shade redder under the new map, too.
The two Democrats on the commission, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood, OH) and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), told reporters they took the deal to avoid a worst-case map in November.
Read the full article in the Statehouse News Bureau.
Ohio AG Joins Bipartisan Push to Close Federal Synthetic Hemp Loophole
Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 state and territory attorneys general in a letter calling on Congress to close a loophole in federal law that has allowed synthetic THC products to flood gas stations, convenience stores, and online retailers across Ohio and nationwide (Source: Ohio Joins 38 States Demanding Congress to Clarify Federal Hemp Definition, Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 28, 2025).
The letter, co-sponsored by attorneys general from Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, and Minnesota, urges lawmakers to clarify the federal definition of hemp during the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process or through Farm Bill reauthorization. The coalition argues that manufacturers have exploited ambiguity in the 2018 Farm Bill to produce and sell intoxicating hemp products.
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp for commercial use, defining it as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. The goal was to promote industrial hemp for products like textiles and rope, but producers quickly exploited the definition.
Ohio’s ‘Break the Silence Act’ Would Create Consistent Standards to Help Domestic Violence Survivors
Source: Ohio Capital Journal
Domestic violence survivors typically experience a myriad of responses from medical professionals depending on where they seek treatment, said Amber Howell, a clinical supervisor for Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Family Safety and Healing.
“The Break the Silence Act recognizes that disparity and takes meaningful steps towards building a consistent statewide standard of response,” she said.
“This legislation is grounded in the belief that safety should never depend on geography, training levels or institutional capacity.”
Maria York, policy director at Ohio Domestic Violence Network, explained how the Break the Silence Act would be implemented when a domestic violence survivor shows up at a hospital or urgent care with injuries.
“The care team takes private time with a patient, interviewing them separately from other family or household members, asking safety-focused questions, and clearly documenting injuries,” she said.
“If violence is disclosed or suspected, the health care professional offers supportive materials and makes a warm referral to a local program that can help with safety planning and resources.”
Introduced by Representative Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus, OH) and Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania, OH), the bill is waiting to be assigned a number and a committee.
Read the full article in the Ohio Capital Journal.