Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells

Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells Official government page of State Representative Dontavius L. Jarrells, District 01 (Columbus). State Rep. Dontavius L. Rep.

Jarrells currently serves in his first term representing Ohio’s 25th House District, including Columbus, Clinton Township, and Mifflin Township. Growing up in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, Rep. Jarrells saw firsthand the lack of affordable housing, safety, education, employment, and other essential services have on families. After nearly a decade fighting for disadvantaged and marginalized

communities across Ohio, Rep. Jarrells is committed to advancing commonsense legislation to make Ohio a better place to live, work, go to school, start a business and raise a family. During his first term in elected office, Rep. Jarrells introduced legislation to increase Ohio’s minimum wage to $15/hr., eliminate discriminatory covenants from deeds during property transfers, remove derogatory language within the state’s code, and designate Columbus’ Poindexter Village as an official Ohio Historical site. Jarrells is committed to building an Ohio we all deserve.

03/10/2026

We've heard your concerns about the data centers and highly encourage you to attend this public hearing hosted by President Hardin. Testimony is due TODAY by 12:00pm. We will continue to monitor the issue and welcome your feedback as well. Happy Tuesday!

03/06/2026

I’m excited to share that two of my bills have passed the House Floor! Check out the video to learn more about HB 58, which addresses recovery housing in Ohio, and HB 25, the Fostering School Success Act.

02/27/2026

On Wednesday, I spoke at a press conference held by the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, celebrating Black History Month and addressing the Caucus’s legislative priorities for the remainder of the 136th General Assembly.

The OLBC was founded in 1967, a time in our country's history when the voices of Black legislators were often ignored and overlooked by other legislators, even within the same political caucus.

Today, the OLBC is a well-respected, valued organization consisting of seventeen members between the Ohio House and Senate. Currently, other caucuses and key stakeholders consult with and seek the support of OLBC before moving forward with policies that may impact the marginalized communities.

One hundred years of Black history remind us how far we have come. The next hundred will be defined by what we build, right here in this body. As the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, we intend to build an Ohio where every Black child, every Black family, every Black elder can remain rooted, remain healthy, remain educated, remain safe, and remain hopeful.

Happy Black History Month, Family!

To view the full press conference, please click here: https://ohiochannel.org/programs/press-conference-2-25-2026-celebrating-black-history-month

It’s been a busy week, but today we welcomed local free clinics to the Statehouse to see the legislative process firstha...
02/04/2026

It’s been a busy week, but today we welcomed local free clinics to the Statehouse to see the legislative process firsthand and meet with city and state officials! We had a great discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing free and charitable clinics in Ohio. We are excited to continue the conversation and welcome many more health leaders to the Statehouse. To all our healthcare providers, thank you for creating a healthier Ohio.

02/03/2026

Remarks from the February 3rd Ohio Democratic Caucus press conference, discussing legislation regarding federal immigration enforcement.

Today, I spoke at the press conference held by the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, which discussed a legislative package o...
02/03/2026

Today, I spoke at the press conference held by the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, which discussed a legislative package of bills and resolutions aimed at protecting Ohio families and ensuring accountability amid the recent surge of federal immigration enforcement in Ohio.

My colleagues and I in both the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus stand ready to support Ohioans who are being denied the freedom and justice they deserve.

With these legislative measures, we are committed to building an Ohio where no family lives in fear of government violence, and no one’s humanity is ever treated as temporary.

To view the full press conference, please click here: https://ohiochannel.org/programs/press-conference-2-3-2026-discussing-legislation-regarding-federal-immigration-enforcement

Winter can be challenging, but no one should face it alone. If you or someone you know needs food, shelter, or a warm pl...
01/23/2026

Winter can be challenging, but no one should face it alone. If you or someone you know needs food, shelter, or a warm place to go, check out the resources available to you in our district. Save and share with anyone who may need it. Feel free to contact my office as well if you need additional help: [email protected] or 614-466-5343. Family, please please be safe this weekend!

Every year, millions of men, women, and children around the world fall victim to modern-day slavery, forced into labor o...
01/21/2026

Every year, millions of men, women, and children around the world fall victim to modern-day slavery, forced into labor or exploitation.

This month, let’s stand together to fight this injustice, raise our voices for those who are unable, and work towards a future where freedom and dignity are a right, not a luxury.

01/15/2026

Renee Nicole Good should still be alive.
Keith Porter should still be alive.

I stand with families across Columbus and across Ohio who are living with fear instead of freedom. In a country built by immigrants, no parent should worry that a knock at the door could tear their family apart. No child should wonder if today is the day someone they love disappears.

What we are seeing from masked ICE agents, emboldened by President Trump, is not about safety. It is about intimidation. It is about using fear as a governing tool and turning neighbors against one another. Whole communities are being harassed. People, including U.S. citizens, are being snatched off the street. That should alarm every one of us.

This is not who we are.
This is not what justice looks like.
And this is not the Ohio any of us deserves.

I will continue to stand with immigrant families and with every Ohioan who believes that freedom should never come masked, armed, and silent.

My first site visit of the year is officially in the books. Today, I toured the Eastland Prosperity Center, set to open ...
01/13/2026

My first site visit of the year is officially in the books. Today, I toured the Eastland Prosperity Center, set to open later this year, which will bring a free food market, a community health center, city services, and critical social supports together under one roof. I met with the project team for a detailed briefing and walked the active construction site to review progress and talk through what comes next.

This center is a real investment in the Eastland community and a clear example of what it looks like to lead with intention. It is about economic growth, workforce development, and creating long term opportunity for families who have too often been left out.

I want to give a special shoutout to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Elford Construction, Moody Nolan, and the entire project team for their outstanding work bringing this vision to life.

This is what it looks like when we invest in people and build community on purpose.

01/09/2026

Happy New Year, Family! As we dive into the final year of the 136th General Assembly, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the milestones that defined 2025.

In 2025, we made meaningful progress on issues that matter most, from expanding opportunities for foster youth to strengthening public health protections and safeguarding privacy in our justice system. Each step we took was shaped by your voices, your concerns, and your trust. Here are a few notable legislation:

📌 House Bill 25: Foster-to-College Scholarship Program: Establishes a scholarship program to support Ohioans transitioning out of foster care by helping cover college or career tech education expenses. It’s designed to break down barriers to higher education and create a clearer path from foster care to success in careers and the community.

📌 House Bill 33: Insurance Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screening: Requires health insurance plans to cover preventive prostate cancer screenings for men at higher risk, helping diagnose diseases earlier and improve outcomes for families across Ohio.

📌 House Bill 57: Expanding Access to Overdose-Reversal Medication in Schools: Passed into law and authorizes public and nonpublic schools to maintain a supply of overdose-reversal drugs, including naloxone, and establishes clear requirements for schools that choose to participate, such as adopting policies for proper storage, staff training, and administration.

📌 House Bill 307: Lead Line Replacement Act: Creates a statewide program to replace dangerous lead service lines, helping ensure safer water for Ohio families and protect public health in communities throughout District 1 and beyond.

📌 House Bill 565: Grand Jury Privacy and Protection Act: Would safeguard the confidentiality of grand jurors by exempting juror names and related identifying information from public records — reinforcing privacy and the integrity of our justice system.

Thank you to the constituents, advocates, community partners, and organizations who engaged with these efforts. Your participation and feedback helped shape every conversation and every vote. We’re grateful for your partnership in moving District 1 forward.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll continue to champion policies that foster opportunity, protect vulnerable communities, and strengthen the fabric of our neighborhoods. Let’s keep building, together!

The Foster-to-College Scholarship Program is on its way to the Ohio Senate.First, let me thank all the foster youth who ...
06/12/2024

The Foster-to-College Scholarship Program is on its way to the Ohio Senate.

First, let me thank all the foster youth who shared their stories and advocated for the passage of this important legislation. This is your bill.

As legislators, we must recognize the inherent injustice of a system that too often abandons these youth to the whims of fate once they age out of foster care. We cannot turn a blind eye to the staggering statistics that reveal the harsh reality faced by many former foster youths. The transition to adulthood is daunting for any young person, but for those who have experienced the instability of foster care, the challenges are compounded exponentially.

We’re one step closer to protecting Ohio's foster youth as they overcome barriers, achieve their educational aspirations, and build successful futures for generations to come.

Address

77 South High Street
Columbus, OH
43215

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