Black Caucus pairs commemoration with legislative push

Members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus marked Black History Month on Wednesday with a Statehouse press conference focused on legislation they say is aimed at addressing disparities in health care, wages and civil rights protections. State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, who serves as treasurer of the caucus, said the event was intended to connect commemoration with policy. "One hundred years of Black history remind us how far we have come," Jarrells said. "The next hundred will be defined by what we build, right here in this body." He said the caucus intends "to build an Ohio where every Black child, every Black family, every Black elder can remain rooted, remain healthy, remain educated, remain safe, and remain hopeful." Pending legislation Jarrells highlighted several measures he is sponsoring or co-sponsoring in the 136th General Assembly: • House Bill 33 would require certain health benefit plans to cover preventative prostate cancer screenings for men considered high risk and prohibit insurers from imposing cost-sharing requirements. The bill has received hearings in the House Insurance Committee. • House Bill 34 proposes increasing Ohio's minimum wage and has been referred to the House Commerce and Labor Committee. • House Bill 306, known as the Hate Crime Act, would prohibit hate crimes under state law and create a civil remedy for individuals targeted because of specific characteristics or beliefs. The measure recently received its first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. • House Joint Resolution 5, titled the End Slavery in Ohio Act, would remove the phrase "except as punishment for a crime" from the corresponding section on slavery in the Ohio Constitution. Currently Article 1 Section 6 of the Ohio Constitution reads: "There shall be no slavery in this state; nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime." If approved by lawmakers, the proposal would go before voters. "This moment is about more than remembrance, it's about responsibility," Jarrells said. "For one hundred years, we have paused to celebrate Black history. We have told the stories of brilliance and resistance. And yet, history alone does not close wealth gaps. Celebration alone does not lower maternal mortality. Reflection alone does not stabilize housing, raise wages, or fund classrooms." 'This isn't history' Founded in 1967, the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus includes 17 members serving in the House and Senate. Caucus leaders say the group advocates for policies affecting marginalized communities and works to influence legislation with broad community impact. Locally, the NAACP Sandusky Chapter, which covers an area including Erie County and Huron County, said the caucus' legislative agenda reflects issues also being addressed locally. "I'm glad to see the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus backing up Black History Month with real action," said Sondra Light, political action committee chair for the NAACP Sandusky Chapter. "Representative Jarrells said it perfectly: history alone doesn't close wealth gaps." Light said voting rights remain a central concern. "Here in Ohio, we're fighting extreme gerrymandering that's diluting Black voting power and silencing our communities," she said. "This isn't history, this is happening right now." She said honoring Black history requires continued civic engagement. "That's how you honor our ancestors, by finishing the fight they started." Light added that the Sandusky chapter's work aligns with the caucus' priorities. "We're doing the same work through the NAACP, fighting against voter suppression and gerrymandering, fighting for healthcare justice, and defending the civil rights that are under attack," she said. "We're not just celebrating history. We're making it, and we're defending what our ancestors died for."