COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A bipartisan bill that would eliminate fees for state IDs and birth certificates for Ohioans experiencing homelessness is headed to the House floor after clearing its committee last week.
House Bill 472, sponsored by Reps. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) and Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), passed out of the House Children and Human Services Committee on Nov. 19 after four hearings since its introduction in September.
Cockley told lawmakers during the bill’s first hearing on Oct. 21 that the legislation aims to remove a basic but consequential barrier for people experiencing homelessness. She described meeting a homeless man who was unable to get work because he lacked identification documents…