Abduction Survivors Bill Introduced in Ohio General Assembly

Earlier this month, Representatives John E. Barnes, Jr. (D, Dist. 12) and Cheryl L. Grossman (R, Dist. 23) introduced H.B. 197, an abduction survivors bill in the Ohio General Assembly. The bill would award at least $25,000 per year from the court of claims victims of crime fund to any survivor of abduction who was abducted for a period of eight years or more, would award free tuition at any state university or college to any such survivor of abduction, and would seek a waiver from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services for medical assistance to be provided for any such survivor of abduction for the duration of the survivor’s lifetime. The bill is named the Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus Survivors of Abduction Act in honor of the three Cleveland abduction survivors. A hearing is scheduled on the bill for this week.

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