Senator Michele Reynolds — Sponsor Testimony for SB 112, The Ohio Childhood Safety Act

Summary

Sponsor testimony for SB 112, The Ohio Childhood Safety Act, by Senator Michele Reynolds, 3rd District, to the Commerce and Labor Committee. The testimony says the bill received a unanimous committee vote of 7-0 and passed the Senate floor vote with a 32-1 margin. It says the bill mandates annual inspections of all protective door assemblies in school buildings, ensuring compliance with NFPA standards, and that each school governing authority must maintain records of these inspections. It says any non-compliant doors must be repaired and re-inspected.

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           Senator Michele Reynolds - 3rd District
  Sponsor Testimony for SB 112 The Ohio Childhood Safety Act
Chairman Johnson, Vice Chair Manchester, Ranking Member McNally,
and members of the Commerce and Labor Committee thank you for the
opportunity to testify today on SB 112, The Ohio Childhood Safety Act.
As a member of Ohio’s Senate Education Committee, I have had the
privilege of hearing this bill in testimony five times before it was put to
a committee vote. The committee voted to support SB 112 with a
unanimous vote of 7-0, and it passed on the Senate floor vote with a
32-1 margin.

I want to extend my appreciation to Congressman Elect Michael Rulli
for introducing SB 112. His dual experience as a school board member
and a business owner has been invaluable in helping us understand the
importance of this legislation.

Senate Bill 112 mandates annual inspections of all protective door
assemblies in school buildings, ensuring compliance with NFPA 101
standards. Each school governing authority must maintain records of
these inspections, and any non-compliant doors must be repaired and
re-inspected. This bill aims to enhance safety by ensuring all egress and
emergency exit doors are functional, thereby providing crucial
information to first responders during emergencies.
I do not claim to be an expert in building codes or life safety, but here is
what I do know: an annual inspection will ensure that in the case of a
medical emergency, fire, or an unwanted intruder, our egress doors and
emergency exits are functioning as intended. Annual inspections will
also provide our first responders and police with a live plan prior to their
arrival. If any door is found to be faulty, the proper authorities will be
informed in advance, which is crucial because every second counts in
emergency situations.

In our current world, having prior knowledge of potential issues is of
great value. This is why SB 112 received wide support from state fire
associations and state police associations during proponent testimony
before the Senate Education Committee.

I was honestly shocked to learn that many doors within Ohio’s K-12
facilities were not inspected annually. Once a building is constructed,
aside from fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems, no state inspections
are conducted to ensure the functionality of entry and exit doors.

As an elected lawmaker, I am committed to the safety of our children
and the security of the teaching environment. The idea that someone
could enter a school through a faulty door is deeply unsettling to me as a
mother. If my child were ever harmed due to a malfunctioning door, I
would be extremely upset and unforgiving.

We must take every measure to ensure the safety and security of our
children and faculty members. They are our future. Ensuring the
inspection of entry and exit doors in all Ohio school facilities is a
necessary step.

I appreciate your consideration and support for SB 112, and I am now
available to take any questions you may have. Thank you.


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