Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

To amend section 4731.281 and to enact sections 4731.2911, 4731.2912, and 4731.2913 of the Revised Code to authorize the State Medical Board to issue limited licenses to certain international physicians.

HB 789 requires hospital and freestanding emergency departments to have physicians physically present and supervising medical and nursing staff during operating hours. The bill defines a freestanding emergency department as a facility that provides emergency care and is structurally separate from a hospital, and defines a physician as someone licensed in medicine or osteopathic medicine. Under this legislation, a physician must be on duty, immediately available to staff, and continuously involved in coordinating emergency care. This law directly affects hospitals and freestanding emergency facilities by mandating physician supervision of emergency care operations.

To amend sections 109.572, 4731.07, 4731.071, 4731.224, 4731.2210, 4731.24, 4731.25, 4731.251, 4776.01, and 4776.20 and to enact sections 4789.02, 4789.03, 4789.04, 4789.05, 4789.06, 4789.07, 4789.08, 4789.09, 4789.10, 4789.11, 4789.12, and 4789.99 of the Revised Code to license and regulate the practice of naturopathic medicine.

This bill allows physicians whose medical licenses were revoked to apply for reinstatement after meeting specific requirements. It creates a formal process where doctors must submit an application with a fee, demonstrate community service or professional volunteer work, complete continuing education, and pass a skills evaluation. The law also sets eligibility criteria based on the original reason for revocation, such as requiring treatment for mental or physical illness in certain cases, and mandates that reinstated physicians serve a one-year probation period with additional conditions as determined by the state medical board.

SB 354 creates the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact, allowing podiatric physicians (foot and ankle specialists) to more easily obtain licenses in multiple states. The bill establishes an "expedited license" pathway for physicians already licensed in one participating state, while requiring them to hold a license in the state where the patient is located during treatment. It does not change existing state licensing laws but adds a new process for cross-state practice, with participating states retaining full authority to discipline physicians. This directly affects podiatric physicians seeking to practice across state lines, improving their ability to serve patients in different jurisdictions without duplicating licensing steps.

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 sections 1.64, 124.32, 124.41, 124.42, 124.50, 503.45, 503.47, 505.38, 709.012, 737.15, 737.16, 737.22, 742.38, 911.11, 1337.11, 1349.05, 1561.26, 1751.01, 1785.01, 2108.61, 2133.01, 2133.211, 2135.01, 2151.3515, 2151.53, 2305.113, 2305.234, 2305.2311, 2305.41, 2305.51, 2711.22, 2743.62, 2907.01, 2907.13, 2907.29, 2909.04, 2921.22, 2925.01, 3107.12, 3111.91, 3301.531, 3313.5310, 3313.7112, 3313.7117, 3319.13, 3327.10, 3331.02, 3331.07, 3701.046, 3701.23, 3701.25, 3701.36, 3701.59, 3701.615, 3701.74, 3701.90, 3701.92, 3701.928, 3701.941, 3709.161, 3715.50, 3715.501, 3715.502, 3715.503, 3715.872, 3719.06, 3719.064, 3719.12, 3719.121, 3719.81, 3721.21, 3727.06, 3728.01, 3792.05, 3795.01, 3919.29, 3963.01, 4503.44, 4507.20, 4715.30, 4723.01, 4723.18, 4723.181, 4723.72, 4723.73, 4729.01, 4729.39, 4730.02, 4730.03, 4730.04, 4730.05, 4730.06, 4730.07, 4730.08, 4730.10, 4730.101, 4730.11, 4730.111, 4730.12, 4730.13, 4730.14, 4730.141, 4730.15, 4730.19, 4730.20, 4730.201, 4730.202, 4730.203, 4730.204, 4730.21, 4730.22, 4730.25, 4730.251, 4730.252, 4730.26, 4730.27, 4730.28, 4730.31, 4730.32, 4730.33, 4730.34, 4730.38, 4730.39, 4730.41, 4730.411, 4730.42, 4730.43, 4730.432, 4730.433, 4730.437, 4730.44, 4730.49, 4730.53, 4730.55, 4730.56, 4730.57, 4730.60, 4731.053, 4731.054, 4731.22, 4731.2210, 4731.25, 4731.297, 4731.33, 4731.37, 4743.09, 4755.48, 4755.623, 4761.01, 4761.11, 4761.17, 4765.01, 4765.35, 4765.36, 4765.37, 4765.38, 4765.39, 4765.49, 4765.51, 4769.01, 4933.122, 5101.19, 5103.0327, 5104.0110, 5104.037, 5119.185, 5119.363, 5123.47, 5164.072, 5164.301, 5164.95, and 5503.08 and to enact section 4730.011 of the Revised Code to change the professional title used by physician assistants to "physician associate."

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 sections 4723.01, 4723.43, 4723.432, 4729.01, 4731.27, 4731.35, and 4761.17; to enact new section 4723.433 and section 4731.513; and to repeal sections 4723.433, 4723.434, and 4723.435 of the Revised Code to revise the law governing the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists.

To amend sections 109.572, 4731.051, 4731.07, 4731.071, 4731.224, 4731.2210, 4731.24, 4731.25, 4731.251, 4776.01, and 4776.20 and to enact sections 3702.3013, 3727.26, 4787.01, 4787.02, 4787.03, 4787.04, 4787.05, 4787.06, 4787.07, 4787.08, 4787.09, 4787.10, 4787.11, 4787.12, 4787.13, 4787.14, 4787.15, 4787.16, 4787.17, 4787.18, 4787.19, 4787.20, 4787.21, 4787.22, and 4787.99 of the Revised Code to regulate the practice of surgical assistants and surgical technologists.