COLUMBUS, Ohio — As we head into Mother’s Day Weekend, some state lawmakers are drawing on their personal experiences with motherhood to help shape legislation.

Caring comes naturally to State Rep. Andrea White, R-Kettering.

“I have a mom who was the kind of mom that encouraged me to look for the kid who’s sitting by themselves in the cafeteria and to try to love on them and see them,” she said. “And to be friendly and kind.”

It’s a maternal instinct to support others to be their best selves that helps guide the lawmaker from Kettering.

“So that they can support their families and thrive and grow and be active contributing members of our communities, as well as our state,” she said.

The mother and grandmother is a sponsor of House Bill 7, also known as the Strong Foundations Act. She said the measure would help Ohio moms and babies during their first years together by improving health and development outcomes and providing services to better prepare more kids for kindergarten.

The proposal is currently working its way through House committees where Concurrent Resolution 16 also sits in the Statehouse.

“The idea that a society supporting mothers and kids and babies is going to create a society that’s going to be better in the future,” said State Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin), who is a sponsor of that declaration recognizing the importance of mental health before and after a baby is born.

“If a woman or birthing person, a pregnant mom, is not dealing with mental health issues well, it can impact the fetus,” Somani said. “It can impact the baby in that first year of life.”

The mom of two said she hopes it leads to more legislation affecting motherhood and the building blocks of life for the youngest Ohioans during a critical time in childhood development.