This bill strengthens protections against fraudulent business filings and deceptive mailings by requiring third-party service providers to clearly label their communications as advertisements and provide specific contact information. It prohibits these entities from including names or addresses on official documents without the explicit consent of the individuals involved and bans any language that makes filings appear to be issued by a government agency. The legislation also establishes a formal complaint process where affected individuals can report violations to the secretary of state, who is then authorized to investigate and refer potential criminal cases to prosecutors.
SB 175 amends insurance regulations and taxes by requiring state agencies to conduct a comprehensive inventory of their existing rules that impose mandatory restrictions, such as those using terms like "must" or "shall." This inventory must detail the origin of each restriction, whether it is required by law or adopted under general authority, and be posted online while being transmitted to legislative leaders. The bill also mandates that beginning in October 2025, state agencies cannot adopt any new regulatory restriction unless they simultaneously eliminate at least two existing ones, with specific exceptions for emergency rules and internal management policies. Additionally, the legislation strengthens consumer protections for health insurance by requiring clear, concise evidence of coverage documents that list benefits, exclusions, costs, and contact information for assistance. These documents must be filed with the superintendent of insurance and cannot be used if they contain misleading statements or fail to meet the new transparency standards.
SB 29 amends state laws to clarify which educational records and student data are considered confidential and protected from public disclosure. The bill directly affects school districts, alternative education providers, and other public entities that maintain student information by expanding the list of exempt records to include details about probation, adoption, DNA data, and specific health information. Key provisions explicitly shield records related to juvenile traffic accidents, military service orders, and certain photographic depictions of crime victims from being released as public records. By updating the Revised Code, the legislation ensures that sensitive personal data held by schools and related agencies remains private unless specific legal exceptions apply.
SB 94 updates the laws governing how county recorders handle real estate documents, fees, and public access to records. The bill clarifies that recorders must log the precise time instruments are received and gives them the authority to refuse recording documents they reasonably believe are fraudulent or unauthorized, while also allowing individuals to seek court orders if their documents are wrongly rejected. It mandates that counties provide electronic methods for recording property deeds and other instruments by June 2025, requiring free public access to electronic indexes and document copies with optional password protection. Additionally, the legislation establishes specific fee structures for recording and certifying documents, including a surcharge intended to fund the preservation and digitization of public records.
This bill allows Ohio to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, enabling licensed dental professionals to practice in other member states without obtaining a separate local license. Under this agreement, qualified dentists and hygienists can work across state lines through a streamlined Compact Privilege, which reduces redundant paperwork and examination requirements. The legislation also establishes a commission to share disciplinary information between states and includes specific provisions to assist military members and their spouses who relocate. While this facilitates easier interstate work, each participating state retains the authority to regulate practice within its own borders and protect public health and safety.
HB 251 designates a portion of State Route 120 as the "Patrolman James R. Wert Memorial Highway" to honor Deputy Sheriff James Wert. The bill also updates the distribution rules for the "ALS Awareness" specialty license plate fund, directing contributions to the ALS Association of Ohio. Additionally, it clarifies how funds from various other specialty license plates are allocated to specific organizations for purposes such as cancer research, education scholarships, and community support programs. These changes affect the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which collects the fees, and the designated nonprofit organizations that receive the funds. The legislation became effective on October 24, 2024.
HB 466 requires licensed real estate brokers in Ohio to have a written agreement with clients before representing them in residential transactions involving one to four units or vacant land. This written contract must include specific details such as an expiration date, compensation terms, and mandatory statements about fair housing laws and illegal practices like blockbusting. The bill also mandates that brokers provide clients with a written policy explaining their agency duties, potential dual agency situations, and how the brokerage handles cooperation with other firms. Brokers must obtain a signed acknowledgment from the client receiving this policy, ensuring both parties clearly understand their rights and the nature of the representation.
HB 226 allows water utility companies to include the costs of replacing customer-owned water service lines in their rate filings, shifting the financial responsibility for these replacements from individual homeowners to the utilities. The bill requires the Public Utilities Commission to create a specific valuation report that tracks these replacement costs and any reimbursements previously given to customers, ensuring these expenses are accounted for separately. By including these costs in the official property valuation, the legislation enables utilities to recover the expenses through future customer rates rather than requiring customers to pay directly for the work. This change applies to water-works companies operating in the state and aims to clarify how infrastructure replacement costs are calculated and billed.
This bill designates a specific section of U.S. Route 62 in Canton, Ohio, as the "Specialist Dennis Alan Combs Memorial Highway" to honor a service member. The law officially names the eastbound and westbound lanes between Harmont Avenue and Rebar Avenue and authorizes transportation officials to install markers displaying this new title. It is a commemorative measure that changes the official name of the road but does not alter traffic rules or funding.
HB 214 establishes detailed requirements for community schools in Ohio by mandating that their contracts with sponsors include specific provisions regarding student attendance, financial auditing, and nonsectarian operations. The bill requires these schools to maintain licensed classroom teachers while allowing limited exceptions for noncertificated staff and mandates that they provide at least 920 hours of learning annually to a minimum of 25 students. Additionally, the legislation outlines strict rules for facility usage, insurance coverage, and compliance with state education standards, ensuring that community schools operate with the same accountability measures as traditional school districts.
HB 147 requires law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities to collect and submit fingerprints, photographs, and other identifying information for specific individuals, including adults convicted of felonies or certain misdemeanors and minors adjudicated delinquent for serious offenses. The bill mandates that court clerks provide weekly reports detailing the status of these cases to the state bureau, ensuring that records include arrest dates, charges, and final dispositions. Additionally, the law directs the state superintendent to assist law enforcement in establishing a comprehensive criminal identification system and filing records for those confined in various facilities. These measures aim to improve the accuracy and accessibility of criminal records for adults and youth involved in serious legal matters.
This bill requires public and private schools, as well as public recreational facilities, to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and create emergency plans for their use. It mandates that staff at these locations complete training on AEDs and that student athletes receive education about sudden cardiac arrest before participating in sports. Additionally, the law prohibits students with a family history of sudden cardiac arrest or those who have fainted from playing sports until they are medically cleared, and it requires coaches to complete specific training. Local governments must also provide hospital relief payments related to these cardiac events, and the Ohio Department of Health is tasked with developing a model emergency action plan to guide schools and facilities.
