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MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2019 For more information: Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate Taylor Elder (614) 464-2020 ext. 105
HEARING ON BILL TO REVISE OHIO FIREWORKS LAWS Opposition Testimony Scheduled on May 29 for Ohio Senate Bill 72 Columbus, OH – Organizations and individuals in opposition to SB 72 will testify at the Ohio Senate’s Committee on Transportation, Commerce, and Workforce on May 29 at 10:00 am in the South Hearing Room, Ohio Statehouse. Sub. Senate Bill 72 was introduced on March 5, 2019, sponsored by Ohio State Senator Dave Burke (R-Marysville) and is co-sponsored by State Senators Michael Rulli (R-Salem) and Matt Huffman (R-Lima). If passed, the new law would make Ohio one of the most liberal states that allow discharge of backyard fireworks including bottle rockets, firecrackers and missiles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with only minimal safety restrictions in place. Half of last year’s 12,900 serious injuries due to consumer use of fireworks were to innocent bystanders, many of them children. Others who suffer significant harm from these explosives include farmers, whose livestock are startled and whose crops are damaged; veterans suffering from PTSD; and pet owners, who often lose their companions when they flee in fright. A variety of citizens will share their concerns at the hearing. Jay Northup, Captain of the City of Euclid Fire Department and victim of a fireworks accident, will provide written testimony, as well as Nichole Coleman, an American Veteran who suffers from PTSD. Members of the Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition, Sherry Williams, President and CEO of The Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness and Dr. Bill Cotton, MD, of Ohio AAP will testify in person. WHO: Members of Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition WHAT: Opposition Testimony – Sub. SB 72 WHEN: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. WHERE: South Hearing Room, Ohio Statehouse
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