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HB 918

Expand HEAP summer crisis eligibility

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rachel Baker

Expands HEAP summer crisis eligibility to households with at least one child aged five or younger.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 918

Overview

HB 918, introduced in the 136th Ohio General Assembly by Representative Baker (co-sponsored by Representative Rachel Baker), would expand eligibility for the summer crisis program within the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Purpose and intent

  • To broaden the reach of summer crisis assistance by ensuring more households can access emergency energy support during summer.
  • Specifically, it adds a new eligibility criterion based on household composition, focusing on households with young children.

Key provisions

  • New provision added: Section 4928.531 of the Revised Code.
  • Eligibility criterion: For purposes of the summer crisis program administered under HEAP, a household that contains at least one member who is five years of age or younger shall be eligible for summer crisis assistance.
  • This means any household with a child aged five or younger qualifies for summer crisis aid, regardless of other existing eligibility factors (as defined by current HEAP rules).

Who/what is affected

  • Households with at least one child who is five years old or younger would become eligible for summer crisis assistance under HEAP.
  • This expansion targets families with young children, potentially increasing the number of households that can receive emergency energy help during summer months.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced on May 19, 2026.
  • No other procedural steps (e.g., hearings, amendments, or effective date) are provided in the text available.
  • If enacted, provisions would take effect as specified by the bill’s final language and any enacted effective date.

Potential impact

  • Increased accessibility to summer energy assistance for families with young children.
  • May affect program enrollment numbers, demand for HEAP summer crisis funds, and budget planning for the HEAP program.
  • Could influence outreach needs to ensure eligible households are aware of the expanded criterion.

Notes

  • The bill introduces a targeted, age-based eligibility expansion (children ≤ 5 years) without detailing other existing HEAP criteria; readers may wish to review current HEAP summer crisis eligibility to understand how this change interacts with other requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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