HB 144 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Enact Keith’s Law regarding the communication disability database

HB 144 expands Ohio's communication disability database to include all individuals with disabilities, not just those with specific communication needs. It requires county 9-1-1 systems to access this database during emergency calls, ensuring first responders can quickly identify communication support needs. The law, named "Keith's Law," directly affects people with disabilities during emergencies and 9-1-1 dispatchers who will use the database to provide appropriate assistance.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Oct 2025
Signed into Law
Jan 2026
Introduced Mar 3, 2025 Signed Jan 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate As Enrolled · 4 edits · Oct 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, adding formal legislative formatting and signatures while maintaining the core policy of expanding Ohio's communication disability database. The enrolled version includes proper House Bill numbering, act title, and signature lines for the Speaker, President, and Governor, which are required for the bill to become law.
TECHNICAL

Added formal legislative formatting including House Bill Number 144 designation, AN ACT title, and signature lines for House Speaker, Senate President, Governor, and Secretary of State.

Added repealing section that removes existing sections 3304.23 and 5502.08 before enacting new versions.

Added final section naming the act 'Keith's Law' and filing information for the Secretary of State.

Removed page numbers, line numbers, and 'As Passed by the Senate' header that were present in the Senate version but not needed in the final enrolled version.

Floor votes · Senate Oct 1, 2025 · House May 14, 2025

How they voted

320
Passed
Total votes 32
Oct 1, 2025
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican23
23 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Oct 9, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Sent To The Governor
legislature
Oct 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
May 20, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
2 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors