Rep. Beth Lear Supports Key Legislation to Expand Health Care Freedom, Protect Children, and Advance Innovation

COLUMBUS, OHIO - State Representative Beth Lear (R-Galena) this week announced her support for the passage of three significant pieces of legislation aimed at expanding Ohioans' personal freedoms, protecting vulnerable children, and modernizing state law to reflect advances in technology and air mobility.

Rep. Lear joined her colleagues in voting for:

House Bill 21 - Health Care Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act: Clarifies that health care sharing ministries are not insurance businesses and are exempt from state insurance laws. The bill also allows participation in a sharing ministry to satisfy college health coverage requirements and creates a personal income tax deduction for membership dues.
House Bill 359 - "Joshua Alert" System: Establishes a statewide emergency alert to help locate children with autism and other developmental disabilities who go missing, ensuring law enforcement and the public can respond quickly in critical situations.
House Bill 251 - Air Mobility and Drone Modernization Act: Modernizes Ohio's aviation laws and sets clear guidelines for the use of drones by law enforcement, requiring a search warrant for most surveillance activities and recognizing new aviation facilities such as vertiports and spaceports.

"These bills reflect our commitment to protecting Ohioans' freedoms while strengthening community safety and embracing innovation," said Rep. Lear. "From empowering families to make their own health care choices, to protecting our most vulnerable children, to preparing for the future of air mobility, this legislation moves Ohio forward."

Each of the bills now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.