2026 Ohio General Assembly Candidate Questionnaire About the CandidateCandidate Name(Required) First Last House or Senate District (e.g. HD15 or SD12)(Required)Incumbency(Required) I am the incumbent I am the challenger The sitting official is not seeking reelection Campaign ContactPreferred Contact Person(Required) First Last Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Phone(Required)Safe Staffing and Workforce RetentionDo you support establishing enforceable nurse-to-patient staffing standards in Ohio hospitals (e.g., 1:2 in ICUs, 1:4 in med-surg units), similar to models implemented in other states?(Required) Yes No Unsure Do you support giving hospital staffing committees binding authority over staffing plans, with at least 50% representation from direct-care nurses and frontline health professionals?(Required) Yes No Unsure Would you support statutory whistleblower protections for nurses and health professionals who refuse unsafe assignments or report chronic understaffing without fear of retaliation?(Required) Yes No Unsure House Bill 521 proposes reforms related to nurse staffing committees and accountability. If elected, would you support passage of HB 521 or substantially similar legislation?(Required) Yes No Unsure Transparency and Hospital AccountabilityDo you support requiring hospitals to publicly report staffing levels, staffing plan compliance, and patient safety metrics in a clear and accessible format?(Required) Yes No Unsure Would you support financial penalties, corrective action plans, or licensure consequences for hospitals that chronically understaff or knowingly falsify staffing data?(Required) Yes No Unsure How should the Ohio General Assembly ensure accountability from hospital systems that receive public funding, tax abatements, or other state or local incentives?(Required)Workplace Safety and Violence PreventionDo you support mandatory workplace violence prevention programs in healthcare settings, including de-escalation training, reporting requirements, and employer accountability?(Required) Yes No Unsure House Bill 535 addresses workplace staffing committees and violence protections for healthcare workers. Would you support passage of HB 535 or similar legislation strengthening employee-lead staffing and safety requirements in healthcare facilities?(Required) Yes No Unsure Would you support expanding or clarifying criminal penalties for assaults against nurses and other healthcare workers, including incidents involving patients, visitors, or individuals in custody?(Required) Yes No Unsure What additional legislative or policy steps should Ohio take to protect healthcare workers from violence and retaliation after reporting an incident?(Required)Privacy, Public Records, and Protection from Targeted HarmDo you support limiting the public disclosure of home addresses of nurses and other licensed professionals in public records, except where necessary for official licensing board business and legitimate law enforcement purposes?(Required) Yes No Unsure Do you agree that unrestricted online publication of home addresses can expose healthcare workers to targeted crimes, harassment, or retaliation—particularly after a worker is the victim of a crime at work or involved in a disciplinary or legal process?(Required) Yes No Unsure Would you support legislation to modernize Ohio’s public records laws to prevent bulk data scraping of personal information about licensed professionals while maintaining transparency and due process?(Required) Yes No Unsure Workforce Investment and Economic StabilityDo you support loan forgiveness, scholarships, or tax incentives for nurses and health professionals working in direct-care roles or underserved areas?(Required) Yes No Unsure Would you support prohibiting mandatory overtime and ensuring enforceable meal and rest breaks for nurses and health professionals?(Required) Yes No Unsure Should the State of Ohio invest in workforce development partnerships with community colleges, universities, and healthcare employers to recruit and retain bedside clinicians?(Required) Yes No Unsure Public Health, Equity, and Access to CareDo you support policies that expand access to care and address social determinants of health, including in rural and underserved communities?(Required) Yes No Unsure How should the General Assembly address persistent health disparities and workforce shortages across Ohio?(Required)Labor, Professional Voice, and GovernanceDo you support the right of nurses and healthcare workers to organize and collectively bargain over wages, hours, and working conditions?(Required) Yes No Unsure Do you believe frontline healthcare workers should have a formal role in shaping state healthcare policy and regulatory decisions?(Required) Yes No Unsure How would you engage with nurses, professional associations, and labor organizations if elected?(Required)Final ReflectionsWhy are you seeking the endorsement of the Ohio Nurses Association?(Required)What specific legislation, votes, or professional experiences best demonstrate your commitment to supporting nurses, protecting patients, and strengthening Ohio’s healthcare system?(Required)Would you like to provide context or justification for any question to which you answered No or Unsure?Would you be willing to participate in a 30-minute online screening interview with the ONA endorsement committee if selected? If yes, please provide preferred contact information and dates/times you could be available Tuesdays. Δ
