HB 59 requires all occupational licensing boards (like those for nurses, electricians, or contractors) to undergo regular reviews to determine if they still serve a public need. Each board must submit detailed reports on their purpose, costs, staffing, and effectiveness, and then prove to legislative committees that their regulation is necessary for public safety, not duplicative, and not unduly restrictive. Committees must evaluate boards using 23 specific criteria, including whether less restrictive alternatives exist or if the board serves private interests. This law directly affects every state occupational licensing board by shifting the burden to demonstrate continued necessity, rather than assuming boards should remain in place. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary regulations that could increase costs or hinder economic activity.
To amend section 5163.093 of the Revised Code regarding eligibility for the Medicaid Buy-In For Workers With Disabilities Program and the Ohio WorkAbility Program.
HB 8 requires health insurance plans and Ohio Medicaid to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing disease monitoring when ordered by a provider as medically necessary. The bill mandates coverage only for tests supported by specific evidence, such as FDA-approved uses, clinical guidelines, or peer-reviewed studies showing improved health outcomes, and explicitly excludes screening purposes. It also requires plans to minimize disruptions in care (like multiple biopsies) and ensures an accessible appeal process for coverage denials. This affects patients with conditions requiring these tests and healthcare providers ordering them, but does not change existing coverage for screening.
HB 99 removes specific nonprofit agricultural membership organizations from Ohio's insurance regulations. It defines these organizations as state-incorporated entities serving farmers' interests and providing healthcare coverage exclusively to members and their families. The bill clarifies that such healthcare coverage is not considered "insurance" under state law, exempting these organizations from Title XXXIX regulations and the superintendent of insurance's jurisdiction. This allows the organizations to provide healthcare benefits without insurance licensing while permitting reinsuring of related risks through authorized insurers.
To amend section 109.02 and to enact sections 3920.01, 3920.02, 3920.03, 3920.04, 3920.05, 3920.06, 3920.07, 3920.08, 3920.09, 3920.10, 3920.11, 3920.12, 3920.13, 3920.14, 3920.15, 3920.21, 3920.22, 3920.23, 3920.24, 3920.25, 3920.26, 3920.27, 3920.28, 3920.31, 3920.32, and 3920.33 of the Revised Code to establish and operate the Ohio Health Care Plan to provide universal health care coverage to all Ohio residents.
To amend section 4713.08 and to enact section 4713.47 of the Revised Code to establish a natural hair stylist education grant program and to make an appropriation.
HB 388 requires state health plans to reimburse state employees and elected officials for costs associated with GLP-1 medications (used for conditions like diabetes or obesity). It adds these specific drugs to the list of covered expenses under existing reimbursement policies. The bill establishes a clear process for employees to seek reimbursement for these medications through their state health plan. This directly affects state workers who use GLP-1 drugs and ensures their costs are covered under state health benefits.
House Resolution 87 designates May 6-12, 2025, as Nurses and Health Professionals Week in the State of Ohio. This resolution aims to commemorate the contributions of nurses and other health professionals.
HB 209 would remove income taxes on tips earned by workers at restaurants, bars, and similar service businesses. Currently, tips are counted as taxable income for state, city, and school district taxes. The bill changes the law so tips are excluded from taxable income calculations under these tax systems. This means tipped employees would pay less tax on their tip earnings.
House Bill 2 establishes the Child Care Cred Program by enacting a new section of the Revised Code. The bill also includes an appropriation to fund this program. The provided abstract does not detail the specific mechanisms of the program or who it directly affects beyond the general scope of child care.
