HB 440: Regards the Board of Nursing and criminal records check results - Ohio

As Passed by the Senate → As Enrolled · 8 edits · Dec 19, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Ohio's nursing board regulations to modernize criminal background check procedures and strengthen protections for confidential criminal records information. The changes clarify who must undergo criminal checks, expand the board's authority to impose sanctions for various violations, and add detailed provisions for handling criminal records that have been sealed or expunged. These updates aim to improve public safety while maintaining appropriate privacy protections for individuals subject to background checks.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of criminal background checks to include additional scenarios such as volunteer nursing certificates and individuals under board investigation, while also clarifying when criminal records can be accessed and used for licensing decisions.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for individuals applying for volunteer nursing certificates after retirement to submit criminal background checks

Added requirement for individuals subject to board investigation to submit criminal records checks at their own expense

Modified criminal records check procedures to include fingerprint submission and FBI information requests

Added confidentiality provisions limiting access to criminal records check results to specific authorized purposes only

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the board's authority to impose sanctions for 39 specific violations including drug offenses, patient misconduct, and scope of practice violations

Added provisions allowing board to compel mental or physical examinations when impairment is suspected

DEFINITION

Added detailed provisions explaining how sealed or expunged criminal records affect board disciplinary actions

ELIGIBILITY

Modified language regarding when criminal convictions can prevent license issuance, clarifying exceptions under existing law

As Passed by the House → As Passed by the Senate · 2 edits · Nov 19, 2025

MINOR

The bill was amended to add Senate cosponsors and reorganize the formatting of the document. The substantive policy content regarding nursing board regulations, criminal records checks, and disciplinary actions remained unchanged between the House and Senate versions.

TECHNICAL

Added Senate cosponsors (Senators Johnson, Huffman, Ingram, Cirino, Craig, Gavarone, Lang, Reineke, Timken) to the bill's sponsor list.

Reorganized the document layout and formatting, including moving the bill title and sponsor information to different positions on the page.

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 4 edits · Oct 1, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted and reorganized during its passage through the House, with significant text reordering and some minor wording adjustments. The substantive policy content regarding criminal background checks for nursing professionals and disciplinary actions remains largely unchanged, though the formatting of sections and some sentence structures were modified for clarity and consistency.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the changes are primarily formatting and organizational rather than policy modifications.

TECHNICAL

The bill's header and introductory sections were reorganized, moving from a multi-line format to a more compact layout with cosponsors listed separately.

Some section numbering and paragraph structures were reorganized, particularly in Section 4723.091 regarding criminal records check requirements.

Wording in Section 4723.28 regarding disciplinary actions was slightly rephrased for consistency, though the substantive list of violations and sanctions remains the same.

Some sentences were split or combined differently, particularly in the confidentiality provisions and appeal processes, without changing the legal effect.

Regards the Board of Nursing and criminal records check results

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