SB 149 would allow Ohio to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, enabling Ohio-licensed respiratory therapists to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill creates a "Compact Privilege," letting therapists provide care across state lines while still adhering to each state's specific rules and scope of practice. It preserves each state's authority to regulate licensing and protect public safety, requiring therapists to maintain an active Ohio license and comply with the laws of the state where care is delivered. This affects respiratory therapists seeking to work in multiple states, particularly for telehealth or temporary assignments, without changing Ohio's existing licensing requirements.
To amend section 2903.13 of the Revised Code to enact the Courtroom Employee Protection Act to increase the penalty for assault when the victim is a judge, magistrate, prosecutor, or court official or employee.
SB 314 requires nurse aides working in Ohio long-term care facilities to complete specialized dementia care training. The bill mandates that this training cover recognizing dementia symptoms, communication strategies, and person-centered care techniques. This applies to all nurse aides employed in facilities providing dementia care services. The training requirement would be enforced under new sections added to Ohio's Revised Code.
To enact sections 3902.65, 3902.651, 3902.652, 3902.653, and 3902.654 of the Revised Code to require health insurance coverage of orthotic and prosthetic devices.
To amend sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 and to enact sections 5.2322 and 3313.475 of the Revised Code to enact the Graduation Readiness and Development (GRAD) Act regarding exit orientation programs at public high schools and to designate September as "Workforce Development Month."
To amend sections 124.11 and 124.30 and to enact section 737.061 of the Revised Code regarding training schools for prospective law enforcement officers and filling a vacant police department position without a competitive examination.
SB 128 creates Ohio's state-run ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account program, allowing individuals with disabilities to save for qualified disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for means-tested public benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The bill directs the state treasurer to establish the program, set contribution limits, and ensure funds are exempt from resource calculations for benefit eligibility under Section (H). It requires accounts to be managed separately per beneficiary, imposes administrative fees (paid by the state for account owners), and mandates quarterly statements. The program aligns with federal tax rules to maintain tax-advantaged status while protecting beneficiaries' access to public assistance.
HB 131 prohibits law enforcement agencies from setting or using numerical quotas for arrests and citations. This means police departments and other agencies would no longer be allowed to require officers to meet specific targets for the number of arrests or tickets they issue. The bill enacts a new section in the Revised Code to make this practice illegal across all law enforcement agencies in the state. By banning quotas, the law aims to ensure that enforcement actions are based on individual circumstances rather than arbitrary numerical goals.
To amend sections 1731.04, 1751.01, 1751.06, 1751.12, 1751.18, 1751.58, 1751.69, 3902.50, 3922.01, 3923.57, 3923.571, 3923.85, 3924.01, 3924.02, 3924.03, 3924.033, 3924.51, and 4125.041 and to enact sections 3902.55, 3902.56, 3902.57, and 3902.58 of the Revised Code regarding health insurance premiums and benefits and to name this act the Fair Access to Medical Insurance for Local Youth and Families (FAMILY) Act.
HB 568 would limit the amount that can be withheld from payments to contractors until a private construction project is completed. The bill, which would create section 4113.63 in Ohio's Revised Code, sets a maximum cap on the holdback amount project owners may retain. This directly affects private construction contractors and project owners by reducing the financial burden on contractors who often face delayed payments. The policy change aims to improve cash flow for contractors by ensuring they receive a larger portion of payments during project execution.
