Testimony Before the Legislature

OPA members play a key role in communicating positions on issues of importance to the profession. Staff and lobbyists are paid to tell the story, but it makes a difference to legislators when they hear from people who are directly impacted by an issue. Legislators are particularly earnest listeners when the person giving testimony is a constituent. Testimony that highlights personal experiences and stories about clients bring home the message more forcefully than summaries of research and data. OPA members bring their passion about issues when they speak at legislative committee hearings. Some examples are:

From the 129th General Assembly
May 23, 2012 HB 496 (Psychology law-update) Testimony by David Hayes, Ph.D. for the Ohio Psychological Association
May 23, 2012 HB 496 (Psychology law-update) Testimony by Ron Ross, Ph.D. for the State Board of Psychology
March 28, 2012 – HB 487 (Mid-biennium review: health and human services budget) Testimony from Scott Britton, Coordinator of Advocates for Ohio’s Future on behalf of OPA and other coalition members
February 16, 2012 – Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 16 (To urge Congress to support mental health treatment for combat military personnel and veterans) Testimony from Nate Tomcik, Ph.D.
March 16, 2011 – HB 78 (Late term abortion-exclude mental health) Testimony from Cathy McDaniels Wilson, Ph.D.
March 31, 2011 – SB 72 (Late term abortion-exclude mental health) Testimony from Cathy McDaniels Wilson, Ph.D.
April 8, 2011 – HB 153 (State Budget) Testimony from Daniel Davis, Ph.D.
May 18, 2011 – HB 153 (State Budget) Testimony from Frank Ezzo, Ph.D.
May 25, 2011 – HB 25 (Children and Animal Abuse) Testimony from Terry Kukor, Ph.D.

From the 128th General Assembly
March 10, 2010 – HB 333 (Sexual Assault) Testimony from Katie Edwards, M.S.
May 13, 2009 – HB 55 (Children and Animal Abuse) Testimony from Daniel Davis, Ph.D.
April 22, 2009 – HB19 (Prevent Dating Violence) Testimony from Katie Edwards, M.S.

From the 127th General Assembly
December 3, 2008 – HB 503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from Ronald Ross, Ph.D.
December 3, 2008 – HB 503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from David Hayes, Ph.D.
December 3, 2008 – HB 503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from Jessica Grayson, M.S.
May 6, 2008 – SB 297 (PTSD Parity) Testimony from Kathy Platoni, Psy.D.
April 23, 2008 – HB503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from Ronald Ross, Ph.D.
April 9, 2008 – HB503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from David Hayes, Ph.D.
April 9, 2008 – HB503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from Cathy McDaniels Wilson, Ph.D.
April 9, 2008 – HB503 (Sequence of Training Bill) Testimony from Jessica Grayson, M.S.
April 8, 2008 – HB 384 (Comprehensive mental health parity bill) Testimony from Gregory Brigham, Ph.D.
May 23, 2007 – Healthcare Simplification Act Testimony from Suzanne LeSure, Ph.D.

From the 126th General Assembly
November 28, 2006 – SB 213 (Involuntary commitment law) Testimony from David Hayes, Ph.D
December 8, 2005 – SB 17 (Child Abuse Reporting) Testimony from Louise Douce, Ph.D.
May 17, 2005 – Budget/Medicaid Testimony from Gerald Strauss, Ph.D.
March 4, 2005 – Budget/Medicaid Testimony from Suzanne LeSure, Ph.D.
March 3, 2005 – Budget Testimony from Gayle Channing Tenenbaum on Children’s Mental Health Initiative (ABC)
March 2, 2005 – Budget/Medicaid Testimony before the House Finance Committee from Mary Ann Teitelbaum, Ph.D.

From the 125th General Assembly
May 11, 2004 – HB 225 Mental Health Insurance Testimony from Rep. Lynn Olman
January 21, 2004 – HB 265 (Corporal Punishment) Testimony from Beth McCreary, Ph.D.
December 3, 2003 – HB 272 (DOMA) Testimony from Vanessa Jensen, Psy.D.
December 3, 2003 – HB 272 (DOMA) Testimony from Howard Fradkin, Ph.D.
October 24, 2003 – Medicaid Testimony by Suzanne LeSure, Ph.D.
May 20, 2003 – Medicaid Testimony by Alice Randolph, Ph.D.
May 29, 2003 – Medicaid Testimony by David Hayes, Ph.D.
April 5, 2003 – Medicaid Testimony by David Hayes, Ph.D.