Advocacy
Substitute House Bill 248 Urgent Call-to-Action
Substitute House Bill 248, otherwise known as the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act, was introduced by Ohio State Rep. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) last spring.
The bill would prohibit private and public entities from mandating, requiring or requesting the disclosure of an individual’s vaccination status, participation in a vaccine passport system, registry or other mechanisms for tracking and disclosing an individual’s private health information, among other stipulations intended to protect Ohioans fundamental human rights and freedoms with penalties established to prevent discrimination.
The bill has garnered a plethora of support and attention throughout the State and nation, prompting the Ohio House Health Committee to schedule an emergency hearing in the middle of summer recess for both proponent and opponent testimonies on Tuesday, June 24 at the Ohio Statehouse.
Both the Health Committee overflow room and Atrium were packed with supporters while hundreds more rallied outside the Statehouse letting their voices be heard while the hearing ensued in a room filled with the media and those who were invited to testify.
The bill is currently sitting in the Health Committee as the Speaker of the House, State Rep. Bob Cupp (R-Lima), and the House majority leadership issued a statement earlier in the week pausing any further action on the Vaccine Choice and Anti-discrimination Act. Speaker Cupp Stated:
“We appreciate the continued hard work of the members of the health committee on Sub. H.B. 248. This legislation is important to many members of this caucus. Due to the high interest in the bill, we have directed Chairman (Scott) Lipps (R-Franklin) to have one hearing, which (took) place on Tuesday, Aug. 24, with no amendments or votes. We will then pause hearings on Sub. H.B. 248 while we work with the chairman, the bill’s sponsor and all interested parties on this important issue.”
It is imperative that Ohioans contact Speaker Cupp, the House Majority Leadership team and their respective State Representatives to respectfully and adamantly urge the mobilization of the bill through the Health Committee, as well as the ultimate passage of the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act through the House before it goes through the legislative process on the Senate chamber.
Please note that most of the House leadership, for the exception of Speaker Pro Tempore Representative Ginter who supports Sub. H.B. 248, have not expressed their stance on the bill. Nevertheless, the urgency remains, which is why it’s imperative you contact them to respectful communicate your concerns and urge action to pass the Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act that is needed to protect Ohioans.
- House Speaker
Representative Bob Cupp
Phone: (614) 466-9624
Email: Rep4@ohiohouse.gov
- Speaker Pro Tempore
Representative Timothy Ginter
Supports Sub. H.B. 248. Thank him and respectfully continue to urge action on the bill.
Phone: (614) 466-8022
Email: Rep5@ohiohouse.gov
- Majority Floor Leader
Representative Bill Seitz
Phone: (614) 466-8258
Email: Rep30@ohiohouse.org
- Assistant Majority Floor Leader
Representative Rick Carfagna
Phone: (614) 466-1431
Email: Rep68@ohiohouse.org
- Majority Whip
Representative Don Jones
Phone: (614) 644-8728
Email: Rep95@ohiohouse.org
- Assistant Majority Whip
Representative Cindy Abrams
Phone: (614) 466-9091
Email: Rep29@ohiohouse.org
It is also important to note that Ohios legislative body is in summer recess but most still engage in town-hall meetings and are open to in-district meetings, so if you can schedule a meeting in person that would be beneficial to get the one-on-one engagement. You can also call and email them to let them know where you stand and how you would like them to represent you – their constituent.
Ohioans, find your state legislators by clicking on the respective links below:
- State Representatives: https://ohiohouse.gov/
- State Senators (We need their support too and they need to hear your concerns): https://www.ohiosenate.gov/senators
To read the bill language for Sub. H.B. 248 please visit the following link:
https://healthfreedomohio.wildapricot.org/…/Vaccine…
If we are to maintain our fundamental human rights and freedom, we must take full action now. Your voice matters. Your actions matter. Inaction is no longer a choice when our liberty to choose is at stake by those who stand to profit from our silence.
