S.B. No. 19 Summary

• Creates the Ohio Family Stability Commission within the Department of Job and Family Services consisting of 4 general assembly members and 21 appointed individuals with expertise in areas including out-of-wedlock births, divorce, education, employment, child support, custody, abuse, domestic violence, judicial systems, criminal justice, faith-based initiatives, fatherhood programs, nonprofit management, and media.

• Commission membership includes 2 senators (one from each party) appointed by the President of the Senate and 2 representatives (one from each party) appointed by the Speaker of the House, with remaining 21 members appointed by the Governor.

• Directs the commission to conduct research and formulate recommendations during its first year addressing divorce rates, out-of-wedlock births, domestic violence, child abuse, child custody, and child support issues.

• Requires the commission to advise on implementation of recommendations in year two, continue implementation advice and begin monitoring in year three (with a status report), and ensure continued implementation in year four (with a final status report).

• The commission automatically repeals four years after the effective date of the legislation, with members serving without compensation unless serving is part of their regular employment duties.