West Cleveland News

Ohio's House State and Local Government Committee advances House Bill 184, championed by Rep. Adam Bird, aiming to enhance transparency in charitable solicitations by introducing regulations on collection receptacles and mandating contact information disclosure. This move comes as a response to the rising need for transparency and accountability in charity organizations within the state.

Beginning with the motivations behind this legislative move, According to the press release, "The goal of this legislation is not to limit the number of charitable organizations," said Bird. "The goal is to provide transparency to those who are willing to make donations so that they know where their donations are going," said Bird.

Delving into the specifics of these proposed changes, According to the press release, the proposed changes to Ohio's Charitable Solicitations Law include: 1. Incorporating collection receptacles commonly found in random parking lots within the scope of Ohio's Charitable Solicitations Law, facilitating oversight and regulation of fundraising in these locations. 2. Mandating a label on collection receptacles with the contact information of those managing them, offering donors a direct means to inquire about the organizations conducting the collections. 3. Introducing a provision preventing charitable solicitations or sales promotions from violating the federal Telemarketing Sales Rule, prohibiting the initiation of telephone calls delivering pre-recorded messages. This provision aims to curb deceptive calls and potential fraudulent solicitations.

Moving forward with regards to how this bill has been progressing, Having successfully passed the House Committee, House Bill 184 is now poised for a vote on the House floor. This legislation, if approved, will enact significant alterations to Ohio's Charitable Solicitations Law, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability within the state's charitable sector.