Elected officials in Ohio who are also members of the military could soon be eligible for blanket job protections if they’re ordered to active duty. That’s the goal of a new piece of joint legislation sponsored by state representatives David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Ty Mathews (R-Findlay).
“It should not take a state law change to enforce common sense, but if that is what it takes, we are committed to supporting our military service members and their public service,” said Rep. Thomas, in a statement released to Military.com. “The bill aims to provide clarity in these types of situations.”
If passed, House Bill 823 would prohibit any elected office from being declared vacant due to active-duty military deployment or reserve service obligations. It would also mandate that military service constitutes a valid absence against attendance requirements for elected officials. Finally, the bill would authorize and require public bodies to allow deployed members of the armed forces to attend and vote in meetings virtually when feasible.
“When our service members deploy, they carry the responsibility of protecting this country,” said Rep, Mathews, in the joint statement. “The least we can do is protect their place in the communities they were elected to serve.”
Current law protects county and township officers absent while on active duty deployments. H.B. 823 would expand that protection to all elected officials statewide, including elected school board members whose virtual attendance allowances from COVID-19 were revoked after the pandemic was declared over.
Additionally, Ohio public officials have not been allowed to attend meetings virtually for the past year if the meeting includes a major funding measure, vote, or tax issue. Officials must also attend meetings in person to establish a quorum.
Proposed Bill Coincides With Ohio Secretary of State Return
The timing of the proposed bill, which awaits committee assignment, coincides with the recent return of Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose from an undisclosed deployment overseas as a U.S. Army officer and former Green Beret. During his nearly one-month absence on active duty with the Army National Guard, the assistant secretary of state took on some of LaRose’s duties while LaRose did some work remotely.
LaRose’s biography on the Secretary of State’s website, shows he enlisted in the Army with the 101st Airborne after high school in 1998, and served 10 years. During his enlistment, LaRose received special forces training to become a Green Beret, and went on to earn several commendations, including the Bronze Star.
Following his initial military service, LaRose has continued serving as an Army Reservist, coinciding with his state government career. He won the secretary of state’s office in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. LaRose is term-limited and is now running as the Ohio Auditor of State in an uncontested race.
Military.com reached out to Secretary LaRose’s office for comment on H.B 823, but did not immediately hear back.
Lawmakers Send Joint Letter to Parma School Board
Representatives Thomas and Mathews said the bill was actually inspired by Parma City School Board member Ashley McTaggart, who is currently deployed on full-time military orders and could not attend school board meetings virtually under state law.
McTaggert’s official Parma City School Board biography, posted online, lists her as an air force veteran and current reservist who began her military career as a medic caring for patients in hospitals across the U.S. and in Germany.
“Transitioning to a leadership role, she taught ‘self-aid buddy care’ and CPR, ensuring military members and medical staff were equipped with vital skills,” read McTaggert’s online biography.
Representative Thomas, in a separate joint letter to the Parma School Board, obtained by Military.com, explained the proposed legislation and appealed to school board members to hold off on taking any action against McTaggert.
“As we await next steps on the bill, I, out of respect for our military men and women, ask you to refrain from any potential removal of this member,” Thomas said in the joint letter. Representative Mathews echoed the same call for school board members to table any adverse action while the bill works it way through committee. “This legislation ensures that military duty is respected, that representation continues, and that Ohio remains a state that honors those willing to step forward when called,” said Mathews in the joint letter.
Congressman Mathews has a military background himself. He’s an Army veteran who served as a battle captain in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He currently serves as the commander in the Ohio National Guard, while presiding as vice chair of the House Veterans and Military Development Committee, as well as a member of the Development, Technology and Innovation, and Natural Resources committees.
