In an overwhelming show of bipartisan unity, the Ohio Senate on Wednesday morning unanimously passed . The Ohio House then joined in a few hours later, approving the bill 91-0, though legislators stress the changes are only temporary.
The bill now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature.
Today, the House voted to pass House Bill 197, a package bill with law changes that Ohioans need to fight the COVID-19 crisis. We're proud of the and Republicans for working together during this time of need for our great state
— Ohio House GOP (@OHRGOPCaucus)
One much-discussed measure would extend absentee voting for the March 17 primary to April 28. However, that's less time than recommended by the Ohio Secretary of State and Gov. Mike DeWine. It also doesn鈥檛 revive voter registration or reopen polls for a day of in-person voting, as some Democrats and voting rights advocates wanted.
The League of Women Voters, ACLU of Ohio and other groups issued a statement . They're calling for the state to fund an entirely vote-by-mail system with pre-paid postage, with more time to request and submit ballots.
"April 28 is an unacceptable, unworkable date for the primary," the statement reads. "At the earliest, we suggest mid May."
In addition to election measures, the bill stops public water disconnections, suspends child-staff ratios at daycares, allows schools to provide student meals and local governments to conduct meetings electronically.
It waives school testing requirements this academic year, something DeWine suggested could happen after closing schools earlier this month.
The bill also , the number available this school year. Unlike previous deals considered by the legislature, this bill would not school buildings , and .
State Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) said the legislation also waives the one-week waiting period for unemployment compensation and allows people to get jobless benefits if they are sick or quarantined. These are changes that were as the order came down to close bars and make restaurants carryout only.
鈥淲hen this crisis is over, the temporary law that we are putting in today will suspend and we will return to permanent law," Dolan said.
The state tax deadline would move to July 15, , giving people more time to file taxes without penalties.
The bill also allows recently retired state employees to be rehired at certain state agencies, including for prisons. It allows for distance learning for schools, and allows special education providers to use telehealth and electronic communication with students on the state鈥檚 special needs vouchers.
It allows the state to continue to pay publicly-funded daycare providers so they can quickly return to full operation.
The bill would allows delays in criminal and civil trials through July 30, and requires county offices that deal with certain property and title issues that can鈥檛 be done online to stay open. The bill also allows for recent nursing graduates to get temporary licenses so they can practice before the licensure examination.
And it starts the process of allowing transfer of money from Ohio's Rainy Day Fund, which DeWine has said is under consideration.
