To amend sections 9.231, 9.239, 9.24, 101.39, 101.391, 103.144, 109.572, 109.85, 117.10, 119.01, 121.02, 121.03, 122.15, 124.30, 124.301, 124.821, 127.16, 131.23, 145.27, 145.58, 149.431, 169.02, 173.14, 173.20, 173.21, 173.26, 173.35, 173.394, 173.40, 173.42, 173.45, 173.47, 173.50, 173.71, 173.72, 173.721, 173.722, 173.723, 173.724, 173.73, 173.731, 173.732, 173.74, 173.741, 173.742, 173.75, 173.751, 173.752, 173.753, 173.76, 173.77, 173.771, 173.772, 173.773, 173.78, 173.79, 173.791, 173.80, 173.801, 173.802, 173.803, 173.81, 173.811, 173.812, 173.813, 173.814, 173.815, 173.82, 173.83, 173.831, 173.832, 173.833, 173.84, 173.85, 173.86, 173.861, 173.87, 173.88, 173.89, 173.891, 173.892, 173.90, 173.91, 173.99, 317.08, 317.36, 323.01, 329.04, 329.051, 329.06, 329.14, 340.03, 340.091, 340.16, 341.192, 505.84, 742.41, 955.201, 1337.11, 1347.08, 1731.04, 1739.061, 1751.01, 1751.04, 1751.05, 1751.11, 1751.111, 1751.12, 1751.13, 1751.15, 1751.16, 1751.17, 1751.18, 1751.20, 1751.271, 1751.31, 1751.34, 1751.53, 1751.60, 1751.88, 1751.89, 2108.01, 2113.041, 2113.06, 2117.061, 2117.25, 2133.01, 2151.3514, 2305.234, 2307.65, 2335.39, 2505.02, 2705.02, 2744.05, 2903.33, 2913.40, 2913.401, 2921.01, 2921.13, 2945.401, 3101.051, 3107.083, 3111.04, 3111.72, 3119.54, 3121.441, 3121.898, 3125.36, 3307.20, 3309.22, 3313.714, 3313.715, 3317.023, 3323.021, 3599.45, 3701.023, 3701.024, 3701.027, 3701.043, 3701.132, 3701.243, 3701.507, 3701.74, 3701.741, 3701.881, 3702.30, 3702.31, 3702.51, 3702.522, 3702.62, 3702.63, 3702.74, 3702.91, 3712.07, 3712.09, 3721.01, 3721.011, 3721.021, 3721.022, 3721.024, 3721.026, 3721.071, 3721.08, 3721.10, 3721.12, 3721.121, 3721.13, 3721.15, 3721.16, 3721.17, 3721.19, 3721.21, 3721.28, 3721.32, 3721.50, 3721.51, 3721.52, 3721.53, 3721.54, 3721.541, 3721.55, 3721.56, 3721.561, 3721.57, 3721.58, 3722.10, 3722.16, 3727.02, 3742.30, 3742.51, 3793.07, 3901.3814, 3903.14, 3916.06, 3923.122, 3923.27, 3923.281, 3923.33, 3923.38, 3923.49, 3923.50, 3923.58, 3923.601, 3923.70, 3923.79, 3923.83, 3924.41, 3924.42, 4123.27, 4141.162, 4719.01, 4723.063, 4723.17, 4723.63, 4731.151, 4731.65, 4731.71, 4752.02, 4752.09, 4753.071, 4755.481, 4758.02, 4758.04, 4761.01, 4761.03, 4769.01, 5101.07, 5101.071, 5101.11, 5101.16, 5101.162, 5101.18, 5101.181, 5101.182, 5101.184, 5101.21, 5101.212, 5101.213, 5101.214, 5101.216, 5101.22, 5101.221, 5101.23, 5101.24, 5101.243, 5101.25, 5101.26, 5101.27, 5101.31, 5101.35, 5101.36, 5101.47, 5101.50, 5101.501, 5101.502, 5101.503, 5101.51, 5101.511, 5101.512, 5101.513, 5101.514, 5101.515, 5101.516, 5101.517, 5101.518, 5101.519, 5101.5110, 5101.571, 5101.572, 5101.58, 5101.59, 5101.97, 5103.02, 5107.10, 5107.14, 5107.16, 5107.20, 5107.26, 5111.01, 5111.011, 5111.013, 5111.014, 5111.015, 5111.016, 5111.018, 5111.019, 5111.0110, 5111.0111, 5111.0112, 5111.0113, 5111.0114, 5111.0115, 5111.0116, 5111.0117, 5111.0118, 5111.02, 5111.021, 5111.022, 5111.023, 5111.024, 5111.025, 5111.03, 5111.04, 5111.042, 5111.05, 5111.06, 5111.061, 5111.062, 5111.07, 5111.071, 5111.08, 5111.081, 5111.082, 5111.083, 5111.084, 5111.09, 5111.091, 5111.10, 5111.11, 5111.111, 5111.112, 5111.113, 5111.114, 5111.12, 5111.121, 5111.13, 5111.14, 5111.15, 5111.151, 5111.16, 5111.161, 5111.162, 5111.163, 5111.17, 5111.171, 5111.172, 5111.173, 5111.174, 5111.175, 5111.176, 5111.177, 5111.178, 5111.18, 5111.181, 5111.19, 5111.191, 5111.20, 5111.201, 5111.202, 5111.203, 5111.204, 5111.21, 5111.211, 5111.22, 5111.221, 5111.222, 5111.23, 5111.231, 5111.232, 5111.235, 5111.24, 5111.241, 5111.242, 5111.243, 5111.244, 5111.25, 5111.251, 5111.254, 5111.255, 5111.258, 5111.26, 5111.261, 5111.263, 5111.264, 5111.265, 5111.266, 5111.27, 5111.28, 5111.29, 5111.291, 5111.30, 5111.31, 5111.32, 5111.33, 5111.34, 5111.35, 5111.36, 5111.37, 5111.38, 5111.39, 5111.41, 5111.411, 5111.42, 5111.43, 5111.44, 5111.45, 5111.46, 5111.47, 5111.48, 5111.49, 5111.50, 5111.51, 5111.52, 5111.53, 5111.54, 5111.55, 5111.56, 5111.57, 5111.58, 5111.59, 5111.60, 5111.61, 5111.62, 5111.63, 5111.65, 5111.651, 5111.66, 5111.67, 5111.671, 5111.672, 5111.673, 5111.674, 5111.675, 5111.676, 5111.677, 5111.68, 5111.681, 5111.682, 5111.683, 5111.684, 5111.685, 5111.686, 5111.687, 5111.688, 5111.85, 5111.851, 5111.852, 5111.853, 5111.855, 5111.856, 5111.86, 5111.87, 5111.871, 5111.872, 5111.873, 5111.88, 5111.881, 5111.882, 5111.887, 5111.888, 5111.8812, 5111.8815, 5111.8816, 5111.8817, 5111.89, 5111.891, 5111.90, 5111.91, 5111.911, 5111.912, 5111.913, 5111.914, 5111.915, 5111.92, 5111.93, 5111.94, 5111.941, 5111.942, 5111.943, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5111.97, 5111.971, 5111.98, 5111.99, 5112.01, 5112.03, 5112.04, 5112.05, 5112.06, 5112.07, 5112.08, 5112.09, 5112.10, 5112.11, 5112.17, 5112.18, 5112.19, 5112.21, 5112.30, 5112.31, 5112.311, 5112.32, 5112.33, 5112.34, 5112.341, 5112.35, 5112.37, 5112.38, 5112.39, 5112.99, 5115.02, 5115.10, 5115.11, 5115.12, 5115.13, 5115.14, 5115.20, 5115.22, 5115.23, 5117.10, 5119.04, 5119.061, 5119.16, 5119.351, 5119.61, 5120.65, 5120.652, 5121.04, 5123.01, 5123.021, 5123.0412, 5123.171, 5123.181, 5123.19, 5123.192, 5123.196, 5123.198, 5123.199, 5123.211, 5123.41, 5123.71, 5123.76, 5126.01, 5126.035, 5126.036, 5126.042, 5126.046, 5126.054, 5126.055, 5126.082, 5126.12, 5505.04, 5725.18, 5729.03, 5731.39, 5747.01, 5747.122, 5747.18, 5751.081, 5815.28, and 5907.04, to amend, for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses sections 173.35 (5160.80), 173.71 (5169.01), 173.72 (5169.02), 173.721 (5169.021), 173.722 (5169.022), 173.723 (5169.023), 173.724 (5169.024), 173.73 (5169.03), 173.731 (5169.031), 173.732 (5169.032), 173.74 (5169.04), 173.741 (5169.041), 173.742 (5169.042), 173.75 (5169.05), 173.751 (5169.051), 173.752 (5169.052), 173.753 (5169.053), 173.76 (5169.06), 173.77 (5169.07), 173.771 (5169.071), 173.772 (5169.072), 173.773 (5169.073), 173.78 (5169.08), 173.79 (5169.09), 173.791 (5169.091), 173.80 (5169.10), 173.801 (5169.101), 173.802 (5169.102), 173.803 (5169.103), 173.81 (5169.11), 173.811 (5169.111), 173.812 (5169.112), 173.813 (5169.113), 173.814 (5169.114), 173.815 (5169.115), 173.82 (5169.12), 173.83 (5169.13), 173.831 (5169.131), 173.832 (5169.132), 173.833 (5169.133), 173.84 (5169.14), 173.85 (5169.15), 173.86 (5169.16), 173.861 (5169.161), 173.87 (5169.17), 173.871 (5169.171), 173.872 (5169.172), 173.873 (5169.173), 173.874 (5169.174), 173.875 (5169.175), 173.876 (5169.176), 173.88 (5169.18), 173.89 (5169.19), 173.891 (5169.191), 173.892 (5169.192), 173.90 (5169.20), 173.91 (5169.21), 3721.50 (5166.20), 3721.51 (5166.21), 3721.52 (5166.22), 3721.53 (5166.23), 3721.54 (5166.24), 3721.541 (5166.25), 3721.55 (5166.26), 3721.56 (5166.27), 3721.561 (5166.28), 3721.57 (5166.29), 3721.58 (5166.30), 5101.31 (5160.66), 5101.50 (5167.05), 5101.501 (5167.06), 5101.502 (5167.07), 5101.503 (5167.08), 5101.51 (5167.10), 5101.511 (5167.11), 5101.512 (5167.12), 5101.513 (5167.13), 5101.514 (5167.14), 5101.515 (5167.15), 5101.516 (5167.16), 5101.517 (5167.17), 5101.518 (5167.18), 5101.519 (5167.19), 5101.5110 (5167.25), 5101.571 (5160.36), 5101.572 (5160.40), 5101.58 (5160.38), 5101.59 (5160.37), 5111.01 (5162.01), 5111.011 (5162.20), 5111.013 (5162.15), 5111.014 (5162.04), 5111.015 (5162.24), 5111.016 (5162.16), 5111.018 (5163.18), 5111.019 (5162.05), 5111.0110 (5162.08), 5111.0111 (5162.06), 5111.0112 (5162.35), 5111.0113 (5162.07), 5111.0114 (5163.261), 5111.0115 (5162.09), 5111.0116 (5162.21), 5111.0117 (5162.22), 5111.0118 (5162.23), 5111.02 (5163.15), 5111.021 (5163.16), 5111.022 (5163.08), 5111.023 (5163.20), 5111.024 (5163.19), 5111.025 (5163.17), 5111.027 (5163.242), 5111.03 (5163.03), 5111.04 (5163.21), 5111.042 (5163.28), 5111.05 (5163.02), 5111.06 (5163.01), 5111.061 (5163.07), 5111.062 (5163.09), 5111.07 (5163.25), 5111.071 (5163.251), 5111.08 (5163.241), 5111.081 (5163.26), 5111.082 (5163.24), 5111.083 (5163.243), 5111.084 (5160.04), 5111.09 (5161.32), 5111.091 (5161.33), 5111.10 (5161.30), 5111.101 (5163.12), 5111.11 (5162.40), 5111.111 (5162.41), 5111.112 (5162.42), 5111.113 (5162.37), 5111.114 (5162.36), 5111.12 (5162.45), 5111.121 (5160.39), 5111.13 (5165.30), 5111.14 (5163.22), 5111.15 (5162.25), 5111.151 (5162.26), 5111.16 (5165.03), 5111.161 (5165.19), 5111.162 (5165.14), 5111.163 (5165.15), 5111.17 (5165.05), 5111.171 (5165.07), 5111.172 (5165.09), 5111.173 (5165.10), 5111.174 (5165.12), 5111.175 (5165.13), 5111.176 (5166.60), 5111.177 (5165.11), 5111.178 (5165.16), 5111.18 (5162.43), 5111.181 (5162.30), 5111.19 (5163.23), 5111.191 (5163.231), 5111.20 (5164.01), 5111.201 (5164.011), 5111.202 (5164.45), 5111.203 (5164.46), 5111.204 (5164.47), 5111.21 (5164.02), 5111.211 (5164.14), 5111.22 (5164.03), 5111.221 (5164.40), 5111.222 (5164.18), 5111.223 (5164.031), 5111.23 (5164.05), 5111.231 (5164.19), 5111.232 (5164.191), 5111.235 (5164.06), 5111.24 (5164.20), 5111.241 (5164.07), 5111.242 (5164.21), 5111.243 (5164.22), 5111.244 (5164.23), 5111.25 (5164.24), 5111.251 (5164.08), 5111.254 (5164.32), 5111.255 (5164.12), 5111.257 (5164.27), 5111.258 (5164.34), 5111.26 (5164.37), 5111.261 (5164.10), 5111.263 (5164.26), 5111.264 (5164.372), 5111.265 (5164.28), 5111.266 (5164.371), 5111.27 (5164.38), 5111.28 (5164.39), 5111.29 (5164.41), 5111.291 (5164.13), 5111.30 (5164.032), 5111.31 (5164.033), 5111.32 (5164.034), 5111.33 (5164.35), 5111.34 (5164.30), 5111.35 (5164.50), 5111.36 (5164.51), 5111.37 (5164.52), 5111.38 (5164.53), 5111.39 (5164.54), 5111.40 (5164.55), 5111.41 (5164.56), 5111.411 (5164.57), 5111.42 (5164.58), 5111.43 (5164.59), 5111.44 (5164.60), 5111.45 (5164.61), 5111.46 (5164.62), 5111.47 (5164.63), 5111.48 (5164.64), 5111.49 (5164.65), 5111.50 (5164.66), 5111.51 (5164.67), 5111.52 (5164.68), 5111.53 (5164.69), 5111.54 (5164.70), 5111.55 (5164.71), 5111.56 (5164.72), 5111.57 (5164.73), 5111.58 (5164.74), 5111.59 (5164.75), 5111.60 (5164.76), 5111.61 (5164.77), 5111.62 (5164.78), 5111.63 (5164.79), 5111.65 (5164.82), 5111.651 (5164.821), 5111.66 (5164.83), 5111.67 (5164.84), 5111.671 (5164.841), 5111.672 (5164.842), 5111.673 (5164.843), 5111.674 (5164.844), 5111.675 (5164.845), 5111.676 (5164.846), 5111.677 (5164.847), 5111.68 (5164.85), 5111.681 (5164.851), 5111.682 (5164.852), 5111.683 (5164.853), 5111.684 (5164.854), 5111.685 (5164.855), 5111.686 (5164.856), 5111.687 (5164.857), 5111.688 (5164.858), 5111.85 (5163.50), 5111.851 (5163.51), 5111.852 (5163.52), 5111.853 (5163.53), 5111.854 (5163.54), 5111.855 (5163.55), 5111.856 (5163.56), 5111.86 (5163.60), 5111.87 (5163.65), 5111.871 (5163.651), 5111.872 (5163.652), 5111.873 (5163.653), 5111.88 (5163.66), 5111.881 (5163.661), 5111.882 (5163.662), 5111.883 (5163.663), 5111.884 (5163.664), 5111.885 (5163.665), 5111.886 (5163.666), 5111.887 (5163.667), 5111.888 (5163.668), 5111.889 (5163.669), 5111.8810 (5163.6610), 5111.8811 (5163.6611), 5111.8812 (5163.6612), 5111.8813 (5163.6613), 5111.8814 (5163.6614), 5111.8815 (5163.6615), 5111.8816 (5163.6616), 5111.8817 (5163.6617), 5111.89 (5163.68), 5111.891 (5163.681), 5111.892 (5163.682), 5111.893 (5163.683), 5111.90 (5161.10), 5111.91 (5161.05), 5111.911 (5161.06), 5111.912 (5161.07), 5111.913 (5161.08), 5111.914 (5163.06), 5111.915 (5161.25), 5111.92 (5161.12), 5111.93 (5161.13), 5111.94 (5161.15), 5111.941 (5161.16), 5111.942 (5161.17), 5111.943 (5161.18), 5111.95 (5163.75), 5111.96 (5163.76), 5111.97 (5163.73), 5111.971 (5163.69), 5111.98 (5161.02), 5111.99 (5164.99), 5112.01 (5166.01), 5112.03 (5166.02), 5112.04 (5166.03), 5112.05 (5166.04), 5112.06 (5166.05), 5112.07 (5166.06), 5112.08 (5166.07), 5112.09 (5166.08), 5112.10 (5166.09), 5112.11 (5166.10), 5112.17 (5166.11), 5112.18 (5166.12), 5112.19 (5166.13), 5112.21 (5166.14), 5112.30 (5166.40), 5112.31 (5166.41), 5112.311 (5166.42), 5112.32 (5166.43), 5112.33 (5166.44), 5112.34 (5166.45), 5112.341 (5166.46), 5112.35 (5166.47), 5112.37 (5166.48), 5112.38 (5166.49), 5112.39 (5166.50), 5112.99 (5166.99), 5115.10 (5168.01), 5115.11 (5168.02), 5115.12 (5168.05), 5115.13 (5168.07), 5115.14 (5168.06), to enact sections 117.54, 117.55, 117.56, 117.57, 329.043, 5160.01, 5160.02, 5160.03, 5160.05, 5160.06, 5160.08, 5160.10, 5160.101, 5160.12, 5160.13, 5160.15, 5160.151, 5160.152, 5160.16, 5160.17, 5160.18, 5160.19, 5160.191, 5160.192, 5160.20, 5160.21, 5160.211, 5160.22, 5160.23, 5160.24, 5160.26, 5160.261, 5160.262, 5160.28, 5160.29, 5160.30, 5160.32, 5160.34, 5160.341, 5160.41, 5160.43, 5160.44, 5160.45, 5160.46, 5160.50, 5160.51, 5160.52, 5160.53, 5160.54, 5160.55, 5160.56, 5160.57, 5160.58, 5160.59, 5160.60, 5160.61, 5160.62, 5160.63, 5160.64, 5160.65, 5160.70, 5160.71, 5160.75, 5160.99, 5161.01, 5161.03, 5162.02, 5162.03, 5162.17, 5163.04, 5163.05, 5164.051, 5165.01, 5165.02, 5165.04, 5165.06, 5165.08, 5165.17, 5165.18, 5167.01, 5168.03, 5168.04, 5168.08, 5168.09, 5168.10, and 5169.99, and to repeal section 5111.012 of the Revised Code; to amend Section 7 of Am. Sub. H.B. 468 of the 126th General Assembly; to create the Department of Health Care Administration; to transfer the Medicaid Program, Children's Health Insurance Program Parts I and II, Hospital Care Assurance Program, Disability Medical Assistance Program, Ohio's Best Rx Program, and Residential State Supplement Program to the new department; to require the new department to create a central pharmaceutical purchasing office; and to make an appropriation.

Section 1. That sections 9.231, 9.239, 9.24, 101.39, 101.391, 103.144, 109.572, 109.85, 117.10, 119.01, 121.02, 121.03, 122.15, 124.30, 124.301, 124.821, 127.16, 131.23, 145.27, 145.58, 149.431, 169.02, 173.14, 173.20, 173.21, 173.26, 173.35, 173.394, 173.40, 173.42, 173.45, 173.47, 173.50, 173.71, 173.72, 173.721, 173.722, 173.723, 173.724, 173.73, 173.731, 173.732, 173.74, 173.741, 173.742, 173.75, 173.751, 173.752, 173.753, 173.76, 173.77, 173.771, 173.772, 173.773, 173.78, 173.79, 173.791, 173.80, 173.801, 173.802, 173.803, 173.81, 173.811, 173.812, 173.813, 173.814, 173.815, 173.82, 173.83, 173.831, 173.832, 173.833, 173.84, 173.85, 173.86, 173.861, 173.87, 173.88, 173.89, 173.891, 173.892, 173.90, 173.91, 173.99, 317.08, 317.36, 323.01, 329.04, 329.051, 329.06, 329.14, 340.03, 340.091, 340.16, 341.192, 505.84, 742.41, 955.201, 1337.11, 1347.08, 1731.04, 1739.061, 1751.01, 1751.04, 1751.05, 1751.11, 1751.111, 1751.12, 1751.13, 1751.15, 1751.16, 1751.17, 1751.18, 1751.20, 1751.271, 1751.31, 1751.34, 1751.53, 1751.60, 1751.88, 1751.89, 2108.01, 2113.041, 2113.06, 2117.061, 2117.25, 2133.01, 2151.3514, 2305.234, 2307.65, 2335.39, 2505.02, 2705.02, 2744.05, 2903.33, 2913.40, 2913.401, 2921.01, 2921.13, 2945.401, 3101.051, 3107.083, 3111.04, 3111.72, 3119.54, 3121.441, 3121.898, 3125.36, 3307.20, 3309.22, 3313.714, 3313.715, 3317.023, 3323.021, 3599.45, 3701.023, 3701.024, 3701.027, 3701.043, 3701.132, 3701.243, 3701.507, 3701.74, 3701.741, 3701.881, 3702.30, 3702.31, 3702.51, 3702.522, 3702.62, 3702.63, 3702.74, 3702.91, 3712.07, 3712.09, 3721.01, 3721.011, 3721.021, 3721.022, 3721.024, 3721.026, 3721.071, 3721.08, 3721.10, 3721.12, 3721.121, 3721.13, 3721.15, 3721.16, 3721.17, 3721.19, 3721.21, 3721.28, 3721.32, 3721.50, 3721.51, 3721.52, 3721.53, 3721.54, 3721.541, 3721.55, 3721.56, 3721.561, 3721.57, 3721.58, 3722.10, 3722.16, 3727.02, 3742.30, 3742.51, 3793.07, 3901.3814, 3903.14, 3916.06, 3923.122, 3923.27, 3923.281, 3923.33, 3923.38, 3923.49, 3923.50, 3923.58, 3923.601, 3923.70, 3923.79, 3923.83, 3924.41, 3924.42, 4123.27, 4141.162, 4719.01, 4723.063, 4723.17, 4723.63, 4731.151, 4731.65, 4731.71, 4752.02, 4752.09, 4753.071, 4755.481, 4758.02, 4758.04, 4761.01, 4761.03, 4769.01, 5101.07, 5101.071, 5101.11, 5101.16, 5101.162, 5101.18, 5101.181, 5101.182, 5101.184, 5101.21, 5101.212, 5101.213, 5101.214, 5101.216, 5101.22, 5101.221, 5101.23, 5101.24, 5101.243, 5101.25, 5101.26, 5101.27, 5101.31, 5101.35, 5101.36, 5101.47, 5101.50, 5101.501, 5101.502, 5101.503, 5101.51, 5101.511, 5101.512, 5101.513, 5101.514, 5101.515, 5101.516, 5101.517, 5101.518, 5101.519, 5101.5110, 5101.571, 5101.572, 5101.58, 5101.59, 5101.97, 5103.02, 5107.10, 5107.14, 5107.16, 5107.20, 5107.26, 5111.01, 5111.011, 5111.013, 5111.014, 5111.015, 5111.016, 5111.018, 5111.019, 5111.0110, 5111.0111, 5111.0112, 5111.0113, 5111.0114, 5111.0115, 5111.0116, 5111.0117, 5111.0118, 5111.02, 5111.021, 5111.022, 5111.023, 5111.024, 5111.025, 5111.03, 5111.04, 5111.042, 5111.05, 5111.06, 5111.061, 5111.062, 5111.07, 5111.071, 5111.08, 5111.081, 5111.082, 5111.083, 5111.084, 5111.09, 5111.091, 5111.10, 5111.11, 5111.111, 5111.112, 5111.113, 5111.114, 5111.12, 5111.121, 5111.13, 5111.14, 5111.15, 5111.151, 5111.16, 5111.161, 5111.162, 5111.163, 5111.17, 5111.171, 5111.172, 5111.173, 5111.174, 5111.175, 5111.176, 5111.177, 5111.178, 5111.18, 5111.181, 5111.19, 5111.191, 5111.20, 5111.201, 5111.202, 5111.203, 5111.204, 5111.21, 5111.211, 5111.22, 5111.221, 5111.222, 5111.23, 5111.231, 5111.232, 5111.235, 5111.24, 5111.241, 5111.242, 5111.243, 5111.244, 5111.25, 5111.251, 5111.254, 5111.255, 5111.258, 5111.26, 5111.261, 5111.263, 5111.264, 5111.265, 5111.266, 5111.27, 5111.28, 5111.29, 5111.291, 5111.30, 5111.31, 5111.32, 5111.33, 5111.34, 5111.35, 5111.36, 5111.37, 5111.38, 5111.39, 5111.41, 5111.411, 5111.42, 5111.43, 5111.44, 5111.45, 5111.46, 5111.47, 5111.48, 5111.49, 5111.50, 5111.51, 5111.52, 5111.53, 5111.54, 5111.55, 5111.56, 5111.57, 5111.58, 5111.59, 5111.60, 5111.61, 5111.62, 5111.63, 5111.65, 5111.651, 5111.66, 5111.67, 5111.671, 5111.672, 5111.673, 5111.674, 5111.675, 5111.676, 5111.677, 5111.68, 5111.681, 5111.682, 5111.683, 5111.684, 5111.685, 5111.686, 5111.687, 5111.688, 5111.85, 5111.851, 5111.852, 5111.853, 5111.855, 5111.856, 5111.86, 5111.87, 5111.871, 5111.872, 5111.873, 5111.88, 5111.881, 5111.882, 5111.887, 5111.888, 5111.8812, 5111.8815, 5111.8816, 5111.8817, 5111.89, 5111.891, 5111.90, 5111.91, 5111.911, 5111.912, 5111.913, 5111.914, 5111.915, 5111.92, 5111.93, 5111.94, 5111.941, 5111.942, 5111.943, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5111.97, 5111.971, 5111.98, 5111.99, 5112.01, 5112.03, 5112.04, 5112.05, 5112.06, 5112.07, 5112.08, 5112.09, 5112.10, 5112.11, 5112.17, 5112.18, 5112.19, 5112.21, 5112.30, 5112.31, 5112.311, 5112.32, 5112.33, 5112.34, 5112.341, 5112.35, 5112.37, 5112.38, 5112.39, 5112.99, 5115.02, 5115.10, 5115.11, 5115.12, 5115.13, 5115.14, 5115.20, 5115.22, 5115.23, 5117.10, 5119.04, 5119.061, 5119.16, 5119.351, 5119.61, 5120.65, 5120.652, 5121.04, 5123.01, 5123.021, 5123.0412, 5123.171, 5123.181, 5123.19, 5123.192, 5123.196, 5123.198, 5123.199, 5123.211, 5123.41, 5123.71, 5123.76, 5126.01, 5126.035, 5126.036, 5126.042, 5126.046, 5126.054, 5126.055, 5126.082, 5126.12, 5505.04, 5725.18, 5729.03, 5731.39, 5747.01, 5747.122, 5747.18, 5751.081, 5815.28, and 5907.04 be amended, sections 173.35 (5160.80), 173.71 (5169.01), 173.72 (5169.02), 173.721 (5169.021), 173.722 (5169.022), 173.723 (5169.023), 173.724 (5169.024), 173.73 (5169.03), 173.731 (5169.031), 173.732 (5169.032), 173.74 (5169.04), 173.741 (5169.041), 173.742 (5169.042), 173.75 (5169.05), 173.751 (5169.051), 173.752 (5169.052), 173.753 (5169.053), 173.76 (5169.06), 173.77 (5169.07), 173.771 (5169.071), 173.772 (5169.072), 173.773 (5169.073), 173.78 (5169.08), 173.79 (5169.09), 173.791 (5169.091), 173.80 (5169.10), 173.801 (5169.101), 173.802 (5169.102), 173.803 (5169.103), 173.81 (5169.11), 173.811 (5169.111), 173.812 (5169.112), 173.813 (5169.113), 173.814 (5169.114), 173.815 (5169.115), 173.82 (5169.12), 173.83 (5169.13), 173.831 (5169.131), 173.832 (5169.132), 173.833 (5169.133), 173.84 (5169.14), 173.85 (5169.15), 173.86 (5169.16), 173.861 (5169.161), 173.87 (5169.17), 173.871 (5169.171), 173.872 (5169.172), 173.873 (5169.173), 173.874 (5169.174), 173.875 (5169.175), 173.876 (5169.176), 173.88 (5169.18), 173.89 (5169.19), 173.891 (5169.191), 173.892 (5169.192), 173.90 (5169.20), 173.91 (5169.21), 3721.50 (5166.20), 3721.51 (5166.21), 3721.52 (5166.22), 3721.53 (5166.23), 3721.54 (5166.24), 3721.541 (5166.25), 3721.55 (5166.26), 3721.56 (5166.27), 3721.561 (5166.28), 3721.57 (5166.29), 3721.58 (5166.30), 5101.31 (5160.66), 5101.50 (5167.05), 5101.501 (5167.06), 5101.502 (5167.07), 5101.503 (5167.08), 5101.51 (5167.10), 5101.511 (5167.11), 5101.512 (5167.12), 5101.513 (5167.13), 5101.514 (5167.14), 5101.515 (5167.15), 5101.516 (5167.16), 5101.517 (5167.17), 5101.518 (5167.18), 5101.519 (5167.19), 5101.5110 (5167.25), 5101.571 (5160.36), 5101.572 (5160.40), 5101.58 (5160.38), 5101.59 (5160.37), 5111.01 (5162.01), 5111.011 (5162.20), 5111.013 (5162.15), 5111.014 (5162.04), 5111.015 (5162.24), 5111.016 (5162.16), 5111.018 (5163.18), 5111.019 (5162.05), 5111.0110 (5162.08), 5111.0111 (5162.06), 5111.0112 (5162.35), 5111.0113 (5162.07), 5111.0114 (5163.261), 5111.0115 (5162.09), 5111.0116 (5162.21), 5111.0117 (5162.22), 5111.0118 (5162.23), 5111.02 (5163.15), 5111.021 (5163.16), 5111.022 (5163.08), 5111.023 (5163.20), 5111.024 (5163.19), 5111.025 (5163.17), 5111.027 (5163.242), 5111.03 (5163.03), 5111.04 (5163.21), 5111.042 (5163.28), 5111.05 (5163.02), 5111.06 (5163.01), 5111.061 (5163.07), 5111.062 (5163.09), 5111.07 (5163.25), 5111.071 (5163.251), 5111.08 (5163.241), 5111.081 (5163.26), 5111.082 (5163.24), 5111.083 (5163.243), 5111.084 (5160.04), 5111.09 (5161.32), 5111.091 (5161.33), 5111.10 (5161.30), 5111.101 (5163.12), 5111.11 (5162.40), 5111.111 (5162.41), 5111.112 (5162.42), 5111.113 (5162.37), 5111.114 (5162.36), 5111.12 (5162.45), 5111.121 (5160.39), 5111.13 (5165.30), 5111.14 (5163.22), 5111.15 (5162.25), 5111.151 (5162.26), 5111.16 (5165.03), 5111.161 (5165.19), 5111.162 (5165.14), 5111.163 (5165.15), 5111.17 (5165.05), 5111.171 (5165.07), 5111.172 (5165.09), 5111.173 (5165.10), 5111.174 (5165.12), 5111.175 (5165.13), 5111.176 (5166.60), 5111.177 (5165.11), 5111.178 (5165.16), 5111.18 (5162.43), 5111.181 (5162.30), 5111.19 (5163.23), 5111.191 (5163.231), 5111.20 (5164.01), 5111.201 (5164.011), 5111.202 (5164.45), 5111.203 (5164.46), 5111.204 (5164.47), 5111.21 (5164.02), 5111.211 (5164.14), 5111.22 (5164.03), 5111.221 (5164.40), 5111.222 (5164.18), 5111.223 (5164.031), 5111.23 (5164.05), 5111.231 (5164.19), 5111.232 (5164.191), 5111.235 (5164.06), 5111.24 (5164.20), 5111.241 (5164.07), 5111.242 (5164.21), 5111.243 (5164.22), 5111.244 (5164.23), 5111.25 (5164.24), 5111.251 (5164.08), 5111.254 (5164.32), 5111.255 (5164.12), 5111.257 (5164.27), 5111.258 (5164.34), 5111.26 (5164.37), 5111.261 (5164.10), 5111.263 (5164.26), 5111.264 (5164.372), 5111.265 (5164.28), 5111.266 (5164.371), 5111.27 (5164.38), 5111.28 (5164.39), 5111.29 (5164.41), 5111.291 (5164.13), 5111.30 (5164.032), 5111.31 (5164.033), 5111.32 (5164.034), 5111.33 (5164.35), 5111.34 (5164.30), 5111.35 (5164.50), 5111.36 (5164.51), 5111.37 (5164.52), 5111.38 (5164.53), 5111.39 (5164.54), 5111.40 (5164.55), 5111.41 (5164.56), 5111.411 (5164.57), 5111.42 (5164.58), 5111.43 (5164.59), 5111.44 (5164.60), 5111.45 (5164.61), 5111.46 (5164.62), 5111.47 (5164.63), 5111.48 (5164.64), 5111.49 (5164.65), 5111.50 (5164.66), 5111.51 (5164.67), 5111.52 (5164.68), 5111.53 (5164.69), 5111.54 (5164.70), 5111.55 (5164.71), 5111.56 (5164.72), 5111.57 (5164.73), 5111.58 (5164.74), 5111.59 (5164.75), 5111.60 (5164.76), 5111.61 (5164.77), 5111.62 (5164.78), 5111.63 (5164.79), 5111.65 (5164.82), 5111.651 (5164.821), 5111.66 (5164.83), 5111.67 (5164.84), 5111.671 (5164.841), 5111.672 (5164.842), 5111.673 (5164.843), 5111.674 (5164.844), 5111.675 (5164.845), 5111.676 (5164.846), 5111.677 (5164.847), 5111.68 (5164.85), 5111.681 (5164.851), 5111.682 (5164.852), 5111.683 (5164.853), 5111.684 (5164.854), 5111.685 (5164.855), 5111.686 (5164.856), 5111.687 (5164.857), 5111.688 (5164.858), 5111.85 (5163.50), 5111.851 (5163.51), 5111.852 (5163.52), 5111.853 (5163.53), 5111.854 (5163.54), 5111.855 (5163.55), 5111.856 (5163.56), 5111.86 (5163.60), 5111.87 (5163.65), 5111.871 (5163.651), 5111.872 (5163.652), 5111.873 (5163.653), 5111.88 (5163.66), 5111.881 (5163.661), 5111.882 (5163.662), 5111.883 (5163.663), 5111.884 (5163.664), 5111.885 (5163.665), 5111.886 (5163.666), 5111.887 (5163.667), 5111.888 (5163.668), 5111.889 (5163.669), 5111.8810 (5163.6610), 5111.8811 (5163.6611), 5111.8812 (5163.6612), 5111.8813 (5163.6613), 5111.8814 (5163.6614), 5111.8815 (5163.6615), 5111.8816 (5163.6616), 5111.8817 (5163.6617), 5111.89 (5163.68), 5111.891 (5163.681), 5111.892 (5163.682), 5111.893 (5163.683), 5111.90 (5161.10), 5111.91 (5161.05), 5111.911 (5161.06), 5111.912 (5161.07), 5111.913 (5161.08), 5111.914 (5163.06), 5111.915 (5161.25), 5111.92 (5161.12), 5111.93 (5161.13), 5111.94 (5161.15), 5111.941 (5161.16), 5111.942 (5161.17), 5111.943 (5161.18), 5111.95 (5163.75), 5111.96 (5163.76), 5111.97 (5163.73), 5111.971 (5163.69), 5111.98 (5161.02), 5111.99 (5164.99), 5112.01 (5166.01), 5112.03 (5166.02), 5112.04 (5166.03), 5112.05 (5166.04), 5112.06 (5166.05), 5112.07 (5166.06), 5112.08 (5166.07), 5112.09 (5166.08), 5112.10 (5166.09), 5112.11 (5166.10), 5112.17 (5166.11), 5112.18 (5166.12), 5112.19 (5166.13), 5112.21 (5166.14), 5112.30 (5166.40), 5112.31 (5166.41), 5112.311 (5166.42), 5112.32 (5166.43), 5112.33 (5166.44), 5112.34 (5166.45), 5112.341 (5166.46), 5112.35 (5166.47), 5112.37 (5166.48), 5112.38 (5166.49), 5112.39 (5166.50), 5112.99 (5166.99), 5115.10 (5168.01), 5115.11 (5168.02), 5115.12 (5168.05), 5115.13 (5168.07), 5115.14 (5168.06) be amended for the purpose of adopting a new section number as indicated in parentheses, and that sections 117.54, 117.55, 117.56, 117.57, 329.043, 5160.01, 5160.02, 5160.03, 5160.05, 5160.06, 5160.08, 5160.10, 5160.101, 5160.12, 5160.13, 5160.15, 5160.151, 5160.152, 5160.16, 5160.17, 5160.18, 5160.19, 5160.191, 5160.192, 5160.20, 5160.21, 5160.211, 5160.22, 5160.23, 5160.24, 5160.26, 5160.261, 5160.262, 5160.28, 5160.29, 5160.30, 5160.32, 5160.34, 5160.341, 5160.41, 5160.43, 5160.44, 5160.45, 5160.46, 5160.50, 5160.51, 5160.52, 5160.53, 5160.54, 5160.55, 5160.56, 5160.57, 5160.58, 5160.59, 5160.60, 5160.61, 5160.62, 5160.63, 5160.64, 5160.65, 5160.70, 5160.71, 5160.75, 5160.99, 5161.01, 5161.03, 5162.02, 5162.03, 5162.17, 5163.04, 5163.05, 5164.051, 5165.01, 5165.02, 5165.04, 5165.06, 5165.08, 5165.17, 5165.18, 5167.01, 5168.03, 5168.04, 5168.08, 5168.09, 5168.10, and 5169.99 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 9.231. (A)(1) Subject to divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section, a governmental entity shall not disburse money totaling twenty-five thousand dollars or more to any person for the provision of services for the primary benefit of individuals or the public and not for the primary benefit of a governmental entity or the employees of a governmental entity, unless the contracting authority of the governmental entity first enters into a written contract with the person that is signed by the person or by an officer or agent of the person authorized to legally bind the person and that embodies all of the requirements and conditions set forth in sections 9.23 to 9.236 of the Revised Code. If the disbursement of money occurs over the course of a governmental entity's fiscal year, rather than in a lump sum, the contracting authority of the governmental entity shall enter into the written contract with the person at the point during the governmental entity's fiscal year that at least seventy-five thousand dollars has been disbursed by the governmental entity to the person. Thereafter, the contracting authority of the governmental entity shall enter into the written contract with the person at the beginning of the governmental entity's fiscal year, if, during the immediately preceding fiscal year, the governmental entity disbursed to that person an aggregate amount totaling at least seventy-five thousand dollars.

(2) If the money referred to in division (A)(1) of this section is disbursed by or through more than one state agency to the person for the provision of services to the same population, the contracting authorities of those agencies shall determine which one of them will enter into the written contract with the person.

(3) The requirements and conditions set forth in divisions (A), (B), (C), and (F) of section 9.232, divisions (A)(1) and (2) and (B) of section 9.234, divisions (A)(2) and (B) of section 9.235, and sections 9.233 and 9.236 of the Revised Code do not apply with respect to the following:

(a) Contracts to which all of the following apply:

(i) The amount received for the services is a set fee for each time the services are provided, is determined in accordance with a fixed rate per unit of time or per service, or is a capitated rate, and the fee or rate is established by competitive bidding or by a market rate survey of similar services provided in a defined market area. The market rate survey may be one conducted by or on behalf of the governmental entity or an independent survey accepted by the governmental entity as statistically valid and reliable.

(ii) The services are provided in accordance with standards established by state or federal law, or by rules or regulations adopted thereunder, for their delivery, which standards are enforced by the federal government, a governmental entity, or an accrediting organization recognized by the federal government or a governmental entity.

(iii) Payment for the services is made after the services are delivered and upon submission to the governmental entity of an invoice or other claim for payment as required by any applicable local, state, or federal law or, if no such law applies, by the terms of the contract.

(b) Contracts under which the services are reimbursed through or in a manner consistent with a federal program that meets all of the following requirements:

(i) The program calculates the reimbursement rate on the basis of the previous year's experience or in accordance with an alternative method set forth in rules adopted by the Ohio department of job and family services.

(ii) The reimbursement rate is derived from a breakdown of direct and indirect costs.

(iii) The program's guidelines describe types of expenditures that are allowable and not allowable under the program and delineate which costs are acceptable as direct costs for purposes of calculating the reimbursement rate.

(iv) The program includes a uniform cost reporting system with specific audit requirements.

(c) Contracts under which the services are reimbursed through or in a manner consistent with a federal program that calculates the reimbursement rate on a fee for service basis in compliance with United States office of management and budget Circular A-87, as revised May 10, 2004.

(d) Contracts for services that are paid pursuant to the earmarking of an appropriation made by the general assembly for that purpose.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply if the money is disbursed to a person pursuant to a contract with the United States or a governmental entity under any of the following circumstances:

(1) The person receives the money directly or indirectly from the United States, and no governmental entity exercises any oversight or control over the use of the money.

(2) The person receives the money solely in return for the performance of one or more of the following types of services:

(a) Medical, therapeutic, or other health-related services provided by a person if the amount received is a set fee for each time the person provides the services, is determined in accordance with a fixed rate per unit of time, or is a capitated rate, and the fee or rate is reasonable and customary in the person's trade or profession;

(b) Medicaid-funded services, including administrative and management services, provided pursuant to a contract or medicaid provider agreement that meets the requirements of the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(c) Services, other than administrative or management services or any of the services described in division (B)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, that are commonly purchased by the public at an hourly rate or at a set fee for each time the services are provided, unless the services are performed for the benefit of children, persons who are eligible for the services by reason of advanced age, medical condition, or financial need, or persons who are confined in a detention facility as defined in section 2921.01 of the Revised Code, and the services are intended to help promote the health, safety, or welfare of those children or persons;

(d) Educational services provided by a school to children eligible to attend that school. For purposes of division (B)(2)(d) of this section, "school" means any school operated by a school district board of education, any community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, or any nonpublic school for which the state board of education prescribes minimum education standards under section 3301.07 of the Revised Code.

(e) Services provided by a foster home as defined in section 5103.02 of the Revised Code;

(f) "Routine business services other than administrative or management services," as that term is defined by the attorney general by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(g) Services to protect the environment or promote environmental education that are provided by a nonprofit entity or services to protect the environment that are funded with federal grants or revolving loan funds and administered in accordance with federal law.

(3) The person receives the money solely in return for the performance of services intended to help preserve public health or safety under circumstances requiring immediate action as a result of a natural or man-made emergency.

(C) With respect to a nonprofit association, corporation, or organization established for the purpose of providing educational, technical, consulting, training, financial, or other services to its members in exchange for membership dues and other fees, any of the services provided to a member that is a governmental entity shall, for purposes of this section, be considered services "for the primary benefit of a governmental entity or the employees of a governmental entity."

Sec. 9.239. (A) There is hereby created the government contracting advisory council. The attorney general and auditor of state shall consult with the council on the performance of their rule-making functions under sections 9.237 and 9.238 of the Revised Code and shall consider any recommendations of the council. The director of job and family services shall annually report to the council the cost methodology of the medicaid-funded services described in division (A)(3)(d) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code. The council shall consist of the following members or their designees:

(1) The attorney general;

(2) The auditor of state;

(3) The director of administrative services;

(4) The director of aging;

(5) The director of alcohol and drug addiction services;

(6) The director of budget and management;

(7) The director of development;

(8) The director of job and family services;

(9) The director of mental health;

(10) The director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;

(11) The director of rehabilitation and correction;

(12) The administrator of workers' compensation;

(13) The executive director of the county commissioners' association of Ohio;

(14) The president of the Ohio grantmakers forum;

(15) The president of the Ohio chamber of commerce;

(16) The president of the Ohio state bar association;

(17) The president of the Ohio society of certified public accountants;

(18) The executive director of the Ohio association of nonprofit organizations;

(19) The president of the Ohio united way;

(20) One additional member appointed by the attorney general;

(21) One additional member appointed by the auditor of state.

(B) If an agency or organization represented on the council ceases to exist in the form it has on the effective date of this section September 29, 2005, the successor agency or organization shall be represented in its place. If there is no successor agency or organization, or if it is not clear what agency or organization is the successor, the attorney general shall designate an agency or organization to be represented in place of the agency or organization originally represented on the council.

(C) The two members appointed to the council shall serve three-year terms. Original appointments shall be made not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section September 29, 2005. Vacancies on the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(D) The attorney general or the attorney general's designee shall be the chairperson of the council. The council shall meet at least once every two years to review the rules adopted under sections 9.237 and 9.238 of the Revised Code and to make recommendations to the attorney general and auditor of state regarding the adoption, amendment, or repeal of those rules. The council shall also meet at other times as requested by the attorney general or auditor of state.

(E) Members of the council shall serve without compensation or reimbursement.

(F) The office of the attorney general shall provide necessary staff, facilities, supplies, and services to the council.

(G) Sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code do not apply to the council.

Sec. 9.24. (A) Except as may be allowed under division (F) of this section, no state agency and no political subdivision shall award a contract as described in division (G)(1) of this section for goods, services, or construction, paid for in whole or in part with state funds, to a person against whom a finding for recovery has been issued by the auditor of state on and after January 1, 2001, if the finding for recovery is unresolved.

A contract is considered to be awarded when it is entered into or executed, irrespective of whether the parties to the contract have exchanged any money.

(B) For purposes of this section, a finding for recovery is unresolved unless one of the following criteria applies:

(1) The money identified in the finding for recovery is paid in full to the state agency or political subdivision to whom the money was owed;

(2) The debtor has entered into a repayment plan that is approved by the attorney general and the state agency or political subdivision to whom the money identified in the finding for recovery is owed. A repayment plan may include a provision permitting a state agency or political subdivision to withhold payment to a debtor for goods, services, or construction provided to or for the state agency or political subdivision pursuant to a contract that is entered into with the debtor after the date the finding for recovery was issued.

(3) The attorney general waives a repayment plan described in division (B)(2) of this section for good cause;

(4) The debtor and state agency or political subdivision to whom the money identified in the finding for recovery is owed have agreed to a payment plan established through an enforceable settlement agreement.

(5) The state agency or political subdivision desiring to enter into a contract with a debtor certifies, and the attorney general concurs, that all of the following are true:

(a) Essential services the state agency or political subdivision is seeking to obtain from the debtor cannot be provided by any other person besides the debtor;

(b) Awarding a contract to the debtor for the essential services described in division (B)(5)(a) of this section is in the best interest of the state;

(c) Good faith efforts have been made to collect the money identified in the finding of recovery.

(6) The debtor has commenced an action to contest the finding for recovery and a final determination on the action has not yet been reached.

(C) The attorney general shall submit an initial report to the auditor of state, not later than December 1, 2003, indicating the status of collection for all findings for recovery issued by the auditor of state for calendar years 2001, 2002, and 2003. Beginning on January 1, 2004, the attorney general shall submit to the auditor of state, on the first day of every January, April, July, and October, a list of all findings for recovery that have been resolved in accordance with division (B) of this section during the calendar quarter preceding the submission of the list and a description of the means of resolution. The attorney general shall notify the auditor of state when a judgment is issued against an entity described in division (F)(1) of this section.

(D) The auditor of state shall maintain a database, accessible to the public, listing persons against whom an unresolved finding for recovery has been issued, and the amount of the money identified in the unresolved finding for recovery. The auditor of state shall have this database operational on or before January 1, 2004. The initial database shall contain the information required under this division for calendar years 2001, 2002, and 2003.

Beginning January 15, 2004, the auditor of state shall update the database by the fifteenth day of every January, April, July, and October to reflect resolved findings for recovery that are reported to the auditor of state by the attorney general on the first day of the same month pursuant to division (C) of this section.

(E) Before awarding a contract as described in division (G)(1) of this section for goods, services, or construction, paid for in whole or in part with state funds, a state agency or political subdivision shall verify that the person to whom the state agency or political subdivision plans to award the contract has no unresolved finding for recovery issued against the person. A state agency or political subdivision shall verify that the person does not appear in the database described in division (D) of this section or shall obtain other proof that the person has no unresolved finding for recovery issued against the person.

(F) The prohibition of division (A) of this section and the requirement of division (E) of this section do not apply with respect to the companies or agreements described in divisions (F)(1) and (2) of this section, or in the circumstance described in division (F)(3) of this section.

(1) A bonding company or a company authorized to transact the business of insurance in this state, a self-insurance pool, joint self-insurance pool, risk management program, or joint risk management program, unless a court has entered a final judgment against the company and the company has not yet satisfied the final judgment.

(2) To medicaid provider agreements under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code the medicaid program or payments or provider agreements under the disability assistance medical assistance established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code program.

(3) When federal law dictates that a specified entity provide the goods, services, or construction for which a contract is being awarded, regardless of whether that entity would otherwise be prohibited from entering into the contract pursuant to this section.

(G)(1) This section applies only to contracts for goods, services, or construction that satisfy the criteria in either division (G)(1)(a) or (b) of this section. This section may apply to contracts for goods, services, or construction that satisfy the criteria in division (G)(1)(c) of this section, provided that the contracts also satisfy the criteria in either division (G)(1)(a) or (b) of this section.

(a) The cost for the goods, services, or construction provided under the contract is estimated to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.

(b) The aggregate cost for the goods, services, or construction provided under multiple contracts entered into by the particular state agency and a single person or the particular political subdivision and a single person within the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year within which a contract is being entered into by that same state agency and the same single person or the same political subdivision and the same single person, exceeded fifty thousand dollars.

(c) The contract is a renewal of a contract previously entered into and renewed pursuant to that preceding contract.

(2) This section does not apply to employment contracts.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) "State agency" has the same meaning as in section 9.66 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a political subdivision as defined in section 9.82 of the Revised Code that has received more than fifty thousand dollars of state money in the current fiscal year or the preceding fiscal year.

(3) "Finding for recovery" means a determination issued by the auditor of state, contained in a report the auditor of state gives to the attorney general pursuant to section 117.28 of the Revised Code, that public money has been illegally expended, public money has been collected but not been accounted for, public money is due but has not been collected, or public property has been converted or misappropriated.

(4) "Debtor" means a person against whom a finding for recovery has been issued.

(5) "Person" means the person named in the finding for recovery.

(6) "State money" does not include funds the state receives from another source and passes through to a political subdivision.

Sec. 101.39.  (A) There is hereby created the joint legislative committee on health care oversight. The committee may review or study any matter related to the provision of health care services that it considers of significance to the citizens of this state, including the availability of health care, the quality of health care, the effectiveness and efficiency of managed care systems, and the operation of the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or other government health programs.

The department of health care administration, department of job and family services, department of health, department of aging, department of mental health, department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, department of alcohol and drug addiction services, and other state agencies shall cooperate with the committee in its study and review of health care issues. On request, the departments shall provide the committee with reports and other information sufficient for the committee to fulfill its duties.

The committee may issue recommendations as it determines appropriate. The recommendations may be made to the general assembly, state agencies, private industry, or any other entity.

(B) The committee shall consist of the following members of the general assembly: the chairperson of the senate's standing committee with primary responsibility for health legislation, the chairperson of the house of representatives' standing committee with primary responsibility for health legislation, four members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and four members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate. Not more than two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and not more than two members appointed by the president of the senate may be of the same political party. Except in 1995, appointments shall be made not later than fifteen days after the commencement of the first regular session of each general assembly. The chairpersons of the standing committees with primary responsibility for health legislation shall serve as co-chairpersons of the committee.

Each member of the committee shall hold office during the general assembly in which the member is appointed and until a successor has been appointed, notwithstanding the adjournment sine die of the general assembly in which the member was appointed or the expiration of the member's term as a member of the general assembly. Any vacancies occurring among the members of the committee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.

The committee shall meet at least quarterly and at the call of the co-chairpersons. The co-chairpersons shall determine the time, place, and agenda for each meeting of the committee.

The committee has the same powers as other standing or select committees of the general assembly. The committee may request assistance from the legislative service commission and the legislative budget office of the legislative service commission.

Sec. 101.391.  (A) There is hereby created the joint legislative committee on medicaid technology and reform. The committee may review or study any matter that it considers relevant to the operation of the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code, with priority given to the study or review of mechanisms to enhance the program's effectiveness through improved technology systems and program reform.

(B) The committee shall consist of five members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and five members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate. Not more than three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and not more than three members appointed by the president of the senate may be of the same political party.

Each member of the committee shall hold office during the general assembly in which the member is appointed and until a successor has been appointed, notwithstanding the adjournment sine die of the general assembly in which the member was appointed or the expiration of the member's term as a member of the general assembly. Any vacancies occurring among the members of the committee shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment.

(C) The committee has the same powers as other standing or select committees of the general assembly. The committee may employ an executive director.

Sec. 103.144.  As used in sections 103.144 to 103.146 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Mandated benefit" means the following, when considered in the context of a sickness and accident insurance policy or a health insuring corporation policy, contract, or agreement:

(1) Any required coverage for a specific medical or health-related service, treatment, medication, or practice;

(2) Any required coverage for the services of specific health care providers;

(3) Any requirement that an insurer or health insuring corporation offer coverage to specific individuals or groups;

(4) Any requirement that an insurer or health insuring corporation offer specific medical or health-related services, treatments, medications, or practices to existing insureds or enrollees;

(5) Any required expansion of, or addition to, existing coverage;

(6) Any mandated reimbursement amount to specific health care providers.

(B) "Mandated benefit" does not include any required coverage or offer of coverage, any required expansion of, or addition to, existing coverage, or any mandated reimbursement amount to specific providers, as described in division (A) of this section, within the context of any public health benefits arrangement, including but not limited to, the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, pursuant to a medicare risk contract or medicare cost contract, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as recipients of the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the Ohio department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program.

Sec. 109.572. (A)(1) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to section 121.08, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 5104.012, or 5104.013 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.

(2) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 5123.081 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in any position with the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, pursuant to section 5126.28 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in any position with a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or pursuant to section 5126.281 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in a direct services position with an entity contracting with a county board for employment, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;

(b) An existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(2)(a) of this section.

(3) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 173.27, 173.394, 3712.09, 3721.121, or 3722.151 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check with respect to any person who has applied for employment in a position for which a criminal records check is required by those sections. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;

(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(3)(a) of this section.

(4) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a home health agency as a person responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;

(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(4)(a) of this section.

(5) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 5111.95 5163.75 or 5111.96 5163.76 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a waiver agency participating in a department of job and family services administered home and community-based waiver program or an independent provider participating in a department administered home and community-based waiver program in a position that involves providing home and community-based waiver services to consumers with disabilities, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.041, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.12, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date;

(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(5)(a) of this section.

(6) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a home health agency in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;

(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(6)(a) of this section.

(7) When conducting a criminal records check upon a request pursuant to section 3319.39 of the Revised Code for an applicant who is a teacher, in addition to the determination made under division (A)(1) of this section, the superintendent shall determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense specified in section 3319.31 of the Revised Code.

(8) On a request pursuant to section 2151.86 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2909.02, 2909.03, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense, or felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code;

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(8)(a) of this section.

(9) When conducting a criminal records check on a request pursuant to section 5104.013 of the Revised Code for a person who is an owner, licensee, or administrator of a child day-care center or type A family day-care home, an authorized provider of a certified type B family day-care home, or an adult residing in a type A or certified type B home, or when conducting a criminal records check or a request pursuant to section 5104.012 of the Revised Code for a person who is an applicant for employment in a center, type A home, or certified type B home, the superintendent, in addition to the determination made under division (A)(1) of this section, shall determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.041, 2913.05, 2913.06, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.32, 2913.33, 2913.34, 2913.40, 2913.41, 2913.42, 2913.43, 2913.44, 2913.441, 2913.45, 2913.46, 2913.47, 2913.48, 2913.49, 2921.11, 2921.13, or 2923.01 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2923.02 or 2923.03 of the Revised Code that relates to a crime specified in this division or division (A)(1)(a) of this section, or a second violation of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code within five years of the date of application for licensure or certification.

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses or violations described in division (A)(9)(a) of this section.

(10) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to section 5153.111 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2909.02, 2909.03, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(10)(a) of this section.

(11) On receipt of a request for a criminal records check from an individual pursuant to section 4749.03 or 4749.06 of the Revised Code, accompanied by a completed copy of the form prescribed in division (C)(1) of this section and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in a manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists indicating that the person who is the subject of the request has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony in this state or in any other state. If the individual indicates that a firearm will be carried in the course of business, the superintendent shall require information from the federal bureau of investigation as described in division (B)(2) of this section. The superintendent shall report the findings of the criminal records check and any information the federal bureau of investigation provides to the director of public safety.

(12) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 1322.03, 1322.031, or 4763.05 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check with respect to any person who has applied for a license, permit, or certification from the department of commerce or a division in the department. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following: a violation of section 2913.02, 2913.11, 2913.31, 2913.51, or 2925.03 of the Revised Code; any other criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities, as set forth in Chapters 2909., 2911., 2913., 2915., 2921., 2923., and 2925. of the Revised Code; or any existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to those offenses.

(13) Not later than thirty days after the date the superintendent receives the request, completed form, and fingerprint impressions, the superintendent shall send the person, board, or entity that made the request any information, other than information the dissemination of which is prohibited by federal law, the superintendent determines exists with respect to the person who is the subject of the request that indicates that the person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), or (12) of this section, as appropriate. The superintendent shall send the person, board, or entity that made the request a copy of the list of offenses specified in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), or (12) of this section, as appropriate. If the request was made under section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with regard to an applicant who may be both responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child and involved in providing direct care to an older adult, the superintendent shall provide a list of the offenses specified in divisions (A)(4) and (6) of this section.

(B) The superintendent shall conduct any criminal records check requested under section 121.08, 173.27, 173.394, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111, 5163.75, or 5163.76 of the Revised Code as follows:

(1) The superintendent shall review or cause to be reviewed any relevant information gathered and compiled by the bureau under division (A) of section 109.57 of the Revised Code that relates to the person who is the subject of the request, including any relevant information contained in records that have been sealed under section 2953.32 of the Revised Code;

(2) If the request received by the superintendent asks for information from the federal bureau of investigation, the superintendent shall request from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has with respect to the person who is the subject of the request and shall review or cause to be reviewed any information the superintendent receives from that bureau.

(3) The superintendent or the superintendent's designee may request criminal history records from other states or the federal government pursuant to the national crime prevention and privacy compact set forth in section 109.571 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) The superintendent shall prescribe a form to obtain the information necessary to conduct a criminal records check from any person for whom a criminal records check is required by section 121.08, 173.27, 173.394, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111, 5163.75, or 5163.76 of the Revised Code. The form that the superintendent prescribes pursuant to this division may be in a tangible format, in an electronic format, or in both tangible and electronic formats.

(2) The superintendent shall prescribe standard impression sheets to obtain the fingerprint impressions of any person for whom a criminal records check is required by section 121.08, 173.27, 173.394, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111, 5163.75, or 5163.76 of the Revised Code. Any person for whom a records check is required by any of those sections shall obtain the fingerprint impressions at a county sheriff's office, municipal police department, or any other entity with the ability to make fingerprint impressions on the standard impression sheets prescribed by the superintendent. The office, department, or entity may charge the person a reasonable fee for making the impressions. The standard impression sheets the superintendent prescribes pursuant to this division may be in a tangible format, in an electronic format, or in both tangible and electronic formats.

(3) Subject to division (D) of this section, the superintendent shall prescribe and charge a reasonable fee for providing a criminal records check requested under section 121.08, 173.27, 173.394, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111, 5163.75, or 5163.76 of the Revised Code. The person making a criminal records request under section 121.08, 173.27, 173.394, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111, 5163.75, or 5163.76 of the Revised Code shall pay the fee prescribed pursuant to this division. A person making a request under section 3701.881 of the Revised Code for a criminal records check for an applicant who may be both responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child and involved in providing direct care to an older adult shall pay one fee for the request.

(4) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation may prescribe methods of forwarding fingerprint impressions and information necessary to conduct a criminal records check, which methods shall include, but not be limited to, an electronic method.

(D) A determination whether any information exists that indicates that a person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (A)(1)(a) or (b), (A)(2)(a) or (b), (A)(3)(a) or (b), (A)(4)(a) or (b), (A)(5)(a) or (b), (A)(6)(a) or (b), (A)(7), (A)(8)(a) or (b), (A)(9)(a) or (b), (A)(10)(a) or (b), or (A)(12) of this section that is made by the superintendent with respect to information considered in a criminal records check in accordance with this section is valid for the person who is the subject of the criminal records check for a period of one year from the date upon which the superintendent makes the determination. During the period in which the determination in regard to a person is valid, if another request under this section is made for a criminal records check for that person, the superintendent shall provide the information that is the basis for the superintendent's initial determination at a lower fee than the fee prescribed for the initial criminal records check.

(E) As used in this section:

(1) "Criminal records check" means any criminal records check conducted by the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with division (B) of this section.

(2) "Home and community-based waiver services" and "waiver agency" have the same meanings as in section 5111.95 5163.75 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Independent provider" has the same meaning as in section 5111.96 5163.76 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Minor drug possession offense" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Older adult" means a person age sixty or older.

Sec. 109.85.  (A) Upon the written request of the governor, the general assembly, the auditor of state, the director of job and family services health care administration, the director of health, or the director of budget and management, or upon the attorney general's becoming aware of criminal or improper activity related to Chapter 3721. and the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall investigate any criminal or civil violation of law related to Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code or the medical assistance medicaid program.

(B) When it appears to the attorney general, as a result of an investigation under division (A) of this section, that there is cause to prosecute for the commission of a crime or to pursue a civil remedy, the attorney general may refer the evidence to the prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction of the matter, or to a regular grand jury drawn and impaneled pursuant to sections 2939.01 to 2939.24 of the Revised Code, or to a special grand jury drawn and impaneled pursuant to section 2939.17 of the Revised Code, or the attorney general may initiate and prosecute any necessary criminal or civil actions in any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction in this state. When proceeding under this section, the attorney general, and any assistant or special counsel designated by the attorney general for that purpose, have all rights, privileges, and powers of prosecuting attorneys. The attorney general shall have exclusive supervision and control of all investigations and prosecutions initiated by the attorney general under this section. The forfeiture provisions of Chapter 2981. of the Revised Code apply in relation to any such criminal action initiated and prosecuted by the attorney general.

(C) Nothing in this section shall prevent a county prosecuting attorney from investigating and prosecuting criminal activity related to Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code and the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code. The forfeiture provisions of Chapter 2981. of the Revised Code apply in relation to any prosecution of criminal activity related to the medical assistance medicaid program undertaken by the prosecuting attorney.

Sec. 117.10.  The auditor of state shall audit all public offices as provided in this chapter. The auditor of state also may audit the accounts of private institutions, associations, boards, and corporations receiving public money for their use and may require of them annual reports in such form as the auditor of state prescribes.

If the auditor of state performs or contracts for the performance of an audit, including a special audit, of the public employees retirement system, school employees retirement system, state teachers retirement system, state highway patrol retirement system, or Ohio police and fire pension fund, the auditor of state shall make a timely report of the results of the audit to the Ohio retirement study council.

The auditor of state may audit the accounts of any provider as defined in section 5111.06 5163.01 of the Revised Code.

If a public office has been audited by an agency of the United States government, the auditor of state may, if satisfied that the federal audit has been conducted according to principles and procedures not contrary to those of the auditor of state, use and adopt the federal audit and report in lieu of an audit by the auditor of state's own office.

Within thirty days after the creation or dissolution or the winding up of the affairs of any public office, that public office shall notify the auditor of state in writing that this action has occurred.

Sec. 117.54.  The auditor of state may enter into agreements with the director of health care administration, director of job and family services, and comparable officers of other states for the exchange of names, current or most recent addresses, and social security numbers of medicaid recipients and participants and recipients of Title IV-A programs as defined in section 5101.80 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 117.55.  The auditor of state shall retain, for not less than two years, at least one copy of all materials containing information received under sections 117.54, 117.56, 145.27, 742.41, 3307.21, 3309.22, 4123.27, 5101.181, 5101.182, 5160.43, 5160.44, and 5505.04 of the Revised Code. The auditor of state shall review the information to determine whether overpayments were made to participants and recipients of public assistance under Chapters 5107., 5108., and 5115. of the Revised Code and whether benefits were incorrectly paid on behalf of medicaid recipients and disability medical assistance recipients. The auditor of state shall initiate action leading to prosecution, where warranted, of participants and recipients who received overpayments or had benefits incorrectly paid on their behalf by forwarding the name of each such participant or recipient, together with other pertinent information, to the following:

(A) The attorney general;

(B) The director of job and family services or director of health care administration, as appropriate;

(C) In the case of public assistance under Chapters 5107., 5108., and 5115. of the Revised Code, the district director of job and family services of the district through which the public assistance was received;

(D) The county director of job and family services and county prosecutor of the county through which the public assistance, medicaid, or disability medical assistance was received.

Sec. 117.56.  The auditor of state and the attorney general and persons acting at their direction may examine any records, whether in computer or printed format, in the possession of the department of health care administration, the department of job and family services, or a county department of job and family services. The auditor of state and attorney general shall provide safeguards that restrict access to the records to purposes directly connected with an audit or investigation, prosecution, or criminal or civil proceeding conducted in connection with the administration of the medicaid program, the disability medical assistance program, or a public assistance program under Chapter 5107., 5108., or 5115. of the Revised Code. Persons acting under this section shall comply with the rules of the director of job and family services restricting the disclosure of information regarding participants and recipients of public assistance and rules of the director of health care administration restricting the disclosure of information regarding medicaid and disability medical assistance recipients. A person determined to have failed to comply with these rules shall thereafter be disqualified from acting as an agent or employee or in any other capacity under appointment or employment of any state board, commission, or agency.

Sec. 117.57. The auditor of state is responsible for the costs incurred by the auditor of state in carrying out the auditor of state's duties under sections 117.55 and 117.56 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 119.01.  As used in sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code:

(A)(1) "Agency" means, except as limited by this division, any official, board, or commission having authority to promulgate rules or make adjudications in the civil service commission, the division of liquor control, the department of taxation, the industrial commission, the bureau of workers' compensation, the functions of any administrative or executive officer, department, division, bureau, board, or commission of the government of the state specifically made subject to sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code, and the licensing functions of any administrative or executive officer, department, division, bureau, board, or commission of the government of the state having the authority or responsibility of issuing, suspending, revoking, or canceling licenses.

Except as otherwise provided in division (I) of this section, sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code do not apply to the public utilities commission. Sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code do not apply to the utility radiological safety board; to the controlling board; to actions of the superintendent of financial institutions and the superintendent of insurance in the taking possession of, and rehabilitation or liquidation of, the business and property of banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks, credit unions, insurance companies, associations, reciprocal fraternal benefit societies, and bond investment companies; to any action taken by the division of securities under section 1707.201 of the Revised Code; or to any action that may be taken by the superintendent of financial institutions under section 1113.03, 1121.06, 1121.10, 1125.09, 1125.12, 1125.18, 1157.01, 1157.02, 1157.10, 1165.01, 1165.02, 1165.10, 1349.33, 1733.35, 1733.361, 1733.37, or 1761.03 of the Revised Code.

Sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code do not apply to actions of the industrial commission or the bureau of workers' compensation under sections 4123.01 to 4123.94 of the Revised Code with respect to all matters of adjudication, and to the actions of the industrial commission and bureau of workers' compensation under division (D) of section 4121.32, sections 4123.29, 4123.34, 4123.341, 4123.342, 4123.40, 4123.411, 4123.44, and 4123.442, and divisions (B), (C), and (E) of section 4131.14 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Agency" also means any official or work unit having authority to promulgate rules or make adjudications in the department of job and family services, but only with respect to both of the following:

(a) The adoption, amendment, or rescission of rules that section 5101.09 of the Revised Code requires be adopted in accordance with this chapter;

(b) The issuance, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of licenses.

(B) "License" means any license, permit, certificate, commission, or charter issued by any agency. "License" does not include any arrangement whereby a person, institution, or entity furnishes medicaid services under a provider agreement with the department of job and family services pursuant to Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended health care administration.

(C) "Rule" means any rule, regulation, or standard, having a general and uniform operation, adopted, promulgated, and enforced by any agency under the authority of the laws governing such agency, and includes any appendix to a rule. "Rule" does not include any internal management rule of an agency unless the internal management rule affects private rights and does not include any guideline adopted pursuant to section 3301.0714 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Adjudication" means the determination by the highest or ultimate authority of an agency of the rights, duties, privileges, benefits, or legal relationships of a specified person, but does not include the issuance of a license in response to an application with respect to which no question is raised, nor other acts of a ministerial nature.

(E) "Hearing" means a public hearing by any agency in compliance with procedural safeguards afforded by sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Person" means a person, firm, corporation, association, or partnership.

(G) "Party" means the person whose interests are the subject of an adjudication by an agency.

(H) "Appeal" means the procedure by which a person, aggrieved by a finding, decision, order, or adjudication of any agency, invokes the jurisdiction of a court.

(I) "Rule-making agency" means any board, commission, department, division, or bureau of the government of the state that is required to file proposed rules, amendments, or rescissions under division (D) of section 111.15 of the Revised Code and any agency that is required to file proposed rules, amendments, or rescissions under divisions (B) and (H) of section 119.03 of the Revised Code. "Rule-making agency" includes the public utilities commission. "Rule-making agency" does not include any state-supported college or university.

(J) "Substantive revision" means any addition to, elimination from, or other change in a rule, an amendment of a rule, or a rescission of a rule, whether of a substantive or procedural nature, that changes any of the following:

(1) That which the rule, amendment, or rescission permits, authorizes, regulates, requires, prohibits, penalizes, rewards, or otherwise affects;

(2) The scope or application of the rule, amendment, or rescission.

(K) "Internal management rule" means any rule, regulation, or standard governing the day-to-day staff procedures and operations within an agency.

Sec. 121.02.  The following administrative departments and their respective directors are hereby created:

(A) The office of budget and management, which shall be administered by the director of budget and management;

(B) The department of commerce, which shall be administered by the director of commerce;

(C) The department of administrative services, which shall be administered by the director of administrative services;

(D) The department of transportation, which shall be administered by the director of transportation;

(E) The department of agriculture, which shall be administered by the director of agriculture;

(F) The department of natural resources, which shall be administered by the director of natural resources;

(G) The department of health, which shall be administered by the director of health;

(H) The department of job and family services, which shall be administered by the director of job and family services;

(I) Until July 1, 1997, the department of liquor control, which shall be administered by the director of liquor control;

(J) The department of public safety, which shall be administered by the director of public safety;

(K) The department of mental health, which shall be administered by the director of mental health;

(L) The department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, which shall be administered by the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;

(M) The department of insurance, which shall be administered by the superintendent of insurance as director thereof;

(N) The department of development, which shall be administered by the director of development;

(O) The department of youth services, which shall be administered by the director of youth services;

(P) The department of rehabilitation and correction, which shall be administered by the director of rehabilitation and correction;

(Q) The environmental protection agency, which shall be administered by the director of environmental protection;

(R) The department of aging, which shall be administered by the director of aging;

(S) The department of alcohol and drug addiction services, which shall be administered by the director of alcohol and drug addiction services.

(T) The department of health care administration, which shall be administered by the director of health care administration.

The director of each department shall exercise the powers and perform the duties vested by law in such department.

Sec. 121.03.  The following administrative department heads shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, and shall hold their offices during the term of the appointing governor, and are subject to removal at the pleasure of the governor.

(A) The director of budget and management;

(B) The director of commerce;

(C) The director of transportation;

(D) The director of agriculture;

(E) The director of job and family services;

(F) Until July 1, 1997, the director of liquor control;

(G) The director of public safety;

(H) The superintendent of insurance;

(I) The director of development;

(J) The tax commissioner;

(K) The director of administrative services;

(L) The director of natural resources;

(M) The director of mental health;

(N) The director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;

(O) The director of health;

(P) The director of youth services;

(Q) The director of rehabilitation and correction;

(R) The director of environmental protection;

(S) The director of aging;

(T) The director of alcohol and drug addiction services;

(U) The administrator of workers' compensation who meets the qualifications required under division (A) of section 4121.121 of the Revised Code.

(V) The director of health care administration.

Sec. 122.15.  As used in sections 122.15 to 122.154 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Edison center" means a cooperative research and development facility that receives funding through the Thomas Alva Edison grant program under division (C) of section 122.33 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Ohio entity" means any corporation, limited liability company, or unincorporated business organization, including a general or limited partnership, that has its principal place of business located in this state and has at least fifty per cent of its gross assets and fifty per cent of its employees located in this state. If a corporation, limited liability company, or unincorporated business organization is a member of an affiliated group, the gross assets and the number of employees of all of the members of that affiliated group, wherever those assets and employees are located, shall be included for the purpose of determining the percentage of the corporation's, company's, or organization's gross assets and employees that are located in this state.

(C) "Qualified trade or business" means any trade or business that primarily involves research and development, technology transfer, bio-technology, information technology, or the application of new technology developed through research and development or acquired through technology transfer. "Qualified trade or business" does not include any of the following:

(1) Any trade or business involving the performance of services in the field of law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, financial services, or brokerage services, or any trade or business where the principal asset of the trade or business is the reputation or skill of one or more of its employees;

(2) Any banking, insurance, financing, leasing, rental, investing, or similar business;

(3) Any farming business, including the business of raising or harvesting trees;

(4) Any business involving the production or extraction of products of a character with respect to which a deduction is allowable under section 611, 613, or 613A of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 611, 613, or 613A;

(5) Any business of operating a hotel, motel, restaurant, or similar business;

(6) Any trade or business involving a hospital, a private office of a licensed health care professional, a group practice of licensed health care professionals, or a nursing home. As used in division (C)(6) of this section:

(a) "Nursing home" has the same meaning as in section 3721.50 5166.20 of the Revised Code.

(b) "Hospital" has the same meaning as in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Information technology" means the branch of technology devoted to the study and application of data and the processing thereof; the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation or transformation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission or reception of data, and the development or use of hardware, software, firmware, and procedures associated with this processing. Information technology includes matters concerned with the furtherance of computer science and technology, design, development, installation and implementation of information systems and applications that in turn will be licensed or sold to a specific target market. Information technology does not include the creation of a distribution method for existing products and services.

(E) "Insider" means an individual who owns, controls, or holds power to vote five per cent or more of the outstanding securities of a business. For purposes of determining whether an investor is an insider, the percentage of voting power in the Ohio entity held by a person related to the investor shall be added to the investor's percentage of voting power in the same Ohio entity, if the investor claimed the person related to the investor as a dependent or a spouse on the investor's federal income tax return for the previous tax year.

(F) "Related to" means being the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of an individual.

(G) "Research and development" means designing, creating, or formulating new or enhanced products, equipment, or processes, and conducting scientific or technological inquiry and experimentation in the physical sciences with the goal of increasing scientific knowledge that may reveal the bases for new or enhanced products, equipment, or processes.

(H) "State tax liability" means any tax liability incurred under division (D) of section 5707.03, section 5727.24, 5727.38, or 5747.02, or Chapter 5733. of the Revised Code.

(I) "Technology transfer" means the transfer of technology from one sector of the economy to another, including the transfer of military technology to civilian applications, civilian technology to military applications, or technology from public or private research laboratories to military or civilian applications.

(J) "Affiliated group" means two or more persons related in such a way that one of the persons owns or controls the business operations of another of those persons. In the case of a corporation issuing capital stock, one corporation owns or controls the business operations of another corporation if it owns more than fifty per cent of the other corporation's capital stock with voting rights. In the case of a limited liability company, one person owns or controls the business operations of the company if that person's membership interest, as defined in section 1705.01 of the Revised Code, is greater than fifty per cent of combined membership interest of all persons owning such interests in the company. In the case of an unincorporated business organization, one person owns or controls the business operations of the organization if, under the articles of organization or other instrument governing the affairs of the organization, that person has a beneficial interest in the organization's profits, surpluses, losses, or other distributions greater than fifty per cent of the combined beneficial interests of all persons having such an interest in the organization.

(K) "Money" means United States currency, or a check, draft, or cashier's check for United States currency, payable on demand and drawn on a bank.

(L) "EDGE business enterprise" means an Ohio entity certified by the director of administrative services as a participant in the encouraging diversity, growth, and equity program established by the governor's executive order 2002-17T.

(M) "Distressed area" has the same meaning as in section 122.23 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 124.30.  (A) Positions in the classified service may be filled without competition as follows:

(1) Whenever there are urgent reasons for filling a vacancy in any position in the classified service and the director of administrative services is unable to certify to the appointing authority, upon its request, a list of persons eligible for appointment to the position after a competitive examination, the appointing authority may fill the position by noncompetitive examination.

A temporary appointment may be made without regard to the rules of sections 124.01 to 124.64 of the Revised Code. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the temporary appointment may not continue longer than one hundred twenty days, and in no case shall successive temporary appointments be made. A temporary appointment longer than one hundred twenty days may be made if necessary by reason of sickness, disability, or other approved leave of absence of regular officers or employees, in which case it may continue during the period of sickness, disability, or other approved leave of absence, subject to the rules of the director.

(2) In case of a vacancy in a position in the classified service where peculiar and exceptional qualifications of a scientific, managerial, professional, or educational character are required, and upon satisfactory evidence that for specified reasons competition in this special case is impracticable and that the position can best be filled by a selection of some designated person of high and recognized attainments in those qualities, the director may suspend the provisions of sections 124.01 to 124.64 of the Revised Code that require competition in this special case, but no suspension shall be general in its application. All such cases of suspension shall be reported in the annual report of the director with the reasons for each suspension. The director shall suspend the provisions when the director of job and family services or director of health care administration provides the certification under section 5101.051 or 5160.05 of the Revised Code that a position with the department of job and family services or department of health care administration can best be filled if the provisions are suspended.

(3) The acceptance or refusal by an eligible person of a temporary appointment shall not affect the person's standing on the eligible list for permanent appointment, nor shall the period of temporary service be counted as a part of the probationary service in case of subsequent appointment to a permanent position.

(B) Persons who receive temporary or intermittent appointments are in the unclassified civil service and serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.

Sec. 124.301.  The director of administrative services shall waive any residency requirement for the civil service established by a rule adopted under division (A) of section 124.09 of the Revised Code if the director of job and family services or director of health care administration provides the director certification under section 5101.051 or 5160.05 of the Revised Code that a position with the department of job and family services or department of health care administration can best be filled if the residency requirement is waived.

Sec. 124.821.  Each state agency shall pay the monthly enrollee premium for medical insurance coverage under Part B of "The Social Security Amendments of 1965," 79 Stat. 301, 42 U.S.C. 1395j, as amended, the medicare program for state employees and elected state officials who are employed by or serve in the agency, are paid directly by warrant of the director of budget and management, are sixty-five years of age or older, and are participating in the medicare program of health insurance for the aged under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286, 42 U.S.C. 1395, as amended. The cost of the premiums shall not be deducted from any employee's or official's wage or salary.

The director of administrative services shall uniformly administer this section and shall, by rule, establish procedures for carrying out such administration.

Sec. 127.16.  (A) Upon the request of either a state agency or the director of budget and management and after the controlling board determines that an emergency or a sufficient economic reason exists, the controlling board may approve the making of a purchase without competitive selection as provided in division (B) of this section.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no state agency, using money that has been appropriated to it directly, shall:

(1) Make any purchase from a particular supplier, that would amount to fifty thousand dollars or more when combined with both the amount of all disbursements to the supplier during the fiscal year for purchases made by the agency and the amount of all outstanding encumbrances for purchases made by the agency from the supplier, unless the purchase is made by competitive selection or with the approval of the controlling board;

(2) Lease real estate from a particular supplier, if the lease would amount to seventy-five thousand dollars or more when combined with both the amount of all disbursements to the supplier during the fiscal year for real estate leases made by the agency and the amount of all outstanding encumbrances for real estate leases made by the agency from the supplier, unless the lease is made by competitive selection or with the approval of the controlling board.

(C) Any person who authorizes a purchase in violation of division (B) of this section shall be liable to the state for any state funds spent on the purchase, and the attorney general shall collect the amount from the person.

(D) Nothing in division (B) of this section shall be construed as:

(1) A limitation upon the authority of the director of transportation as granted in sections 5501.17, 5517.02, and 5525.14 of the Revised Code;

(2) Applying to medicaid provider agreements under Chapter 5111. 5163. or 5164. of the Revised Code or payments or provider agreements under the disability medical assistance program established under Chapter 5115. 5168. of the Revised Code;

(3) Applying to the purchase of examinations from a sole supplier by a state licensing board under Title XLVII of the Revised Code;

(4) Applying to entertainment contracts for the Ohio state fair entered into by the Ohio expositions commission, provided that the controlling board has given its approval to the commission to enter into such contracts and has approved a total budget amount for such contracts as agreed upon by commission action, and that the commission causes to be kept itemized records of the amounts of money spent under each contract and annually files those records with the clerk of the house of representatives and the clerk of the senate following the close of the fair;

(5) Limiting the authority of the chief of the division of mineral resources management to contract for reclamation work with an operator mining adjacent land as provided in section 1513.27 of the Revised Code;

(6) Applying to investment transactions and procedures of any state agency, except that the agency shall file with the board the name of any person with whom the agency contracts to make, broker, service, or otherwise manage its investments, as well as the commission, rate, or schedule of charges of such person with respect to any investment transactions to be undertaken on behalf of the agency. The filing shall be in a form and at such times as the board considers appropriate.

(7) Applying to purchases made with money for the per cent for arts program established by section 3379.10 of the Revised Code;

(8) Applying to purchases made by the rehabilitation services commission of services, or supplies, that are provided to persons with disabilities, or to purchases made by the commission in connection with the eligibility determinations it makes for applicants of programs administered by the social security administration;

(9) Applying to payments by the department of job and family services health care administration under section 5111.13 5165.30 of the Revised Code for group health plan premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing expenses;

(10) Applying to any agency of the legislative branch of the state government;

(11) Applying to agreements or contracts entered into under section 5101.11, 5101.20, 5101.201, 5101.21, or 5101.214, 5160.13, 5160.15, or 5160.17 of the Revised Code;

(12) Applying to purchases of services by the adult parole authority under section 2967.14 of the Revised Code or by the department of youth services under section 5139.08 of the Revised Code;

(13) Applying to dues or fees paid for membership in an organization or association;

(14) Applying to purchases of utility services pursuant to section 9.30 of the Revised Code;

(15) Applying to purchases made in accordance with rules adopted by the department of administrative services of motor vehicle, aviation, or watercraft fuel, or emergency repairs of such vehicles;

(16) Applying to purchases of tickets for passenger air transportation;

(17) Applying to purchases necessary to provide public notifications required by law or to provide notifications of job openings;

(18) Applying to the judicial branch of state government;

(19) Applying to purchases of liquor for resale by the division of liquor control;

(20) Applying to purchases of motor courier and freight services made in accordance with department of administrative services rules;

(21) Applying to purchases from the United States postal service and purchases of stamps and postal meter replenishment from vendors at rates established by the United States postal service;

(22) Applying to purchases of books, periodicals, pamphlets, newspapers, maintenance subscriptions, and other published materials;

(23) Applying to purchases from other state agencies, including state-assisted institutions of higher education;

(24) Limiting the authority of the director of environmental protection to enter into contracts under division (D) of section 3745.14 of the Revised Code to conduct compliance reviews, as defined in division (A) of that section;

(25) Applying to purchases from a qualified nonprofit agency pursuant to sections 125.60 to 125.6012 or 4115.31 to 4115.35 of the Revised Code;

(26) Applying to payments by the department of job and family services to the United States department of health and human services for printing and mailing notices pertaining to the tax refund offset program of the internal revenue service of the United States department of the treasury;

(27) Applying to contracts entered into by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities under sections 5123.18, 5123.182, and 5123.199 of the Revised Code;

(28) Applying to payments made by the department of mental health under a physician recruitment program authorized by section 5119.101 of the Revised Code;

(29) Applying to contracts entered into with persons by the director of commerce for unclaimed funds collection and remittance efforts as provided in division (F) of section 169.03 of the Revised Code. The director shall keep an itemized accounting of unclaimed funds collected by those persons and amounts paid to them for their services.

(30) Applying to purchases made by a state institution of higher education in accordance with the terms of a contract between the vendor and an inter-university purchasing group comprised of purchasing officers of state institutions of higher education;

(31) Applying to the department of job and family services' health care administration's purchases of health assistance services under the children's health insurance program part I provided for under section 5101.50 of the Revised Code or the children's health insurance program part II provided for under section 5101.51 of the Revised Code;

(32) Applying to payments by the attorney general from the reparations fund to hospitals and other emergency medical facilities for performing medical examinations to collect physical evidence pursuant to section 2907.28 of the Revised Code;

(33) Applying to contracts with a contracting authority or administrative receiver under division (B) of section 5126.056 of the Revised Code;

(34) Applying to reimbursements paid to the United States department of veterans affairs for pharmaceutical and patient supply purchases made on behalf of the Ohio veterans' home agency;

(35) Applying to agreements entered into with terminal distributors of dangerous drugs under section 173.79 5169.09 of the Revised Code.

(E) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, the cumulative purchase threshold shall be seventy-five thousand dollars for the departments of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, mental health, rehabilitation and correction, and youth services.

(F) When determining whether a state agency has reached the cumulative purchase thresholds established in divisions (B)(1), (B)(2), and (E) of this section, all of the following purchases by such agency shall not be considered:

(1) Purchases made through competitive selection or with controlling board approval;

(2) Purchases listed in division (D) of this section;

(3) For the purposes of the thresholds of divisions (B)(1) and (E) of this section only, leases of real estate.

(G) As used in this section, "competitive selection," "purchase," "supplies," and "services" have the same meanings as in section 125.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 131.23.  The various political subdivisions of this state may issue bonds, and any indebtedness created by that issuance shall not be subject to the limitations or included in the calculation of indebtedness prescribed by sections 133.05, 133.06, 133.07, and 133.09 of the Revised Code, but the bonds may be issued only under the following conditions:

(A) The subdivision desiring to issue the bonds shall obtain from the county auditor a certificate showing the total amount of delinquent taxes due and unpayable to the subdivision at the last semiannual tax settlement.

(B) The fiscal officer of that subdivision shall prepare a statement, from the books of the subdivision, verified by the fiscal officer under oath, which shall contain the following facts of the subdivision:

(1) The total bonded indebtedness;

(2) The aggregate amount of notes payable or outstanding accounts of the subdivision, incurred prior to the commencement of the current fiscal year, which shall include all evidences of indebtedness issued by the subdivision except notes issued in anticipation of bond issues and the indebtedness of any nontax-supported public utility;

(3) Except in the case of school districts, the aggregate current year's requirement for disability financial assistance and disability medical assistance provided under Chapter 5115. 5168. of the Revised Code and the disability medical assistance program that the subdivision is unable to finance except by the issue of bonds;

(4) The indebtedness outstanding through the issuance of any bonds or notes pledged or obligated to be paid by any delinquent taxes;

(5) The total of any other indebtedness;

(6) The net amount of delinquent taxes unpledged to pay any bonds, notes, or certificates, including delinquent assessments on improvements on which the bonds have been paid;

(7) The budget requirements for the fiscal year for bond and note retirement;

(8) The estimated revenue for the fiscal year.

(C) The certificate and statement provided for in divisions (A) and (B) of this section shall be forwarded to the tax commissioner together with a request for authority to issue bonds of the subdivision in an amount not to exceed seventy per cent of the net unobligated delinquent taxes and assessments due and owing to the subdivision, as set forth in division (B)(6) of this section.

(D) No subdivision may issue bonds under this section in excess of a sufficient amount to pay the indebtedness of the subdivision as shown by division (B)(2) of this section and, except in the case of school districts, to provide funds for disability financial assistance and disability medical assistance, as shown by division (B)(3) of this section.

(E) The tax commissioner shall grant to the subdivision authority requested by the subdivision as restricted by divisions (C) and (D) of this section and shall make a record of the certificate, statement, and grant in a record book devoted solely to such recording and which shall be open to inspection by the public.

(F) The commissioner shall immediately upon issuing the authority provided in division (E) of this section notify the proper authority having charge of the retirement of bonds of the subdivision by forwarding a copy of the grant of authority and of the statement provided for in division (B) of this section.

(G) Upon receipt of authority, the subdivision shall proceed according to law to issue the amount of bonds authorized by the commissioner, and authorized by the taxing authority, provided the taxing authority of that subdivision may submit, by resolution, to the electors of that subdivision the question of issuing the bonds. The resolution shall make the declarations and statements required by section 133.18 of the Revised Code. The county auditor and taxing authority shall thereupon proceed as set forth in divisions (C) and (D) of that section. The election on the question of issuing the bonds shall be held under divisions (E), (F), and (G) of that section, except that publication of the notice of the election shall be made on two separate days prior to the election in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the subdivision, and, if the board of elections operates and maintains a web site, notice of the election also shall be posted on that web site for thirty days prior to the election. The bonds may be exchanged at their face value with creditors of the subdivision in liquidating the indebtedness described and enumerated in division (B)(2) of this section or may be sold as provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, and in either event shall be uncontestable.

(H) The per cent of delinquent taxes and assessments collected for and to the credit of the subdivision after the exchange or sale of bonds as certified by the commissioner shall be paid to the authority having charge of the sinking fund of the subdivision, which money shall be placed in a separate fund for the purpose of retiring the bonds so issued. The proper authority of the subdivisions shall provide for the levying of a tax sufficient in amount to pay the debt charges on all such bonds issued under this section.

(I) This section is for the sole purpose of assisting the various subdivisions in paying their unsecured indebtedness, and providing funds for disability financial assistance and the disability medical assistance program. The bonds issued under authority of this section shall not be used for any other purpose, and any exchange for other purposes, or the use of the money derived from the sale of the bonds by the subdivision for any other purpose, is misapplication of funds.

(J) The bonds authorized by this section shall be redeemable or payable in not to exceed ten years from date of issue and shall not be subject to or considered in calculating the net indebtedness of the subdivision. The budget commission of the county in which the subdivision is located shall annually allocate such portion of the then delinquent levy due the subdivision which is unpledged for other purposes to the payment of debt charges on the bonds issued under authority of this section.

(K) The issue of bonds under this section shall be governed by Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, respecting the terms used, forms, manner of sale, and redemption except as otherwise provided in this section.

The board of county commissioners of any county may issue bonds authorized by this section and distribute the proceeds of the bond issues to any or all of the cities and townships of the county, according to their relative needs for disability financial assistance and the disability medical assistance program as determined by the county.

All sections of the Revised Code inconsistent with or prohibiting the exercise of the authority conferred by this section are inoperative respecting bonds issued under this section.

Sec. 145.27.  (A)(1) As used in this division, "personal history record" means information maintained by the public employees retirement board on an individual who is a member, former member, contributor, former contributor, retirant, or beneficiary that includes the address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the public employees retirement system, or other information the board determines to be confidential.

(2) The records of the board shall be open to public inspection, except that the following shall be excluded, except with the written authorization of the individual concerned:

(a) The individual's statement of previous service and other information as provided for in section 145.16 of the Revised Code;

(b) The amount of a monthly allowance or benefit paid to the individual;

(c) The individual's personal history record.

(B) All medical reports and recommendations required by this chapter are privileged, except that copies of such medical reports or recommendations shall be made available to the personal physician, attorney, or authorized agent of the individual concerned upon written release from the individual or the individual's agent, or when necessary for the proper administration of the fund, to the board assigned physician.

(C) Any person who is a member or contributor of the system shall be furnished with a statement of the amount to the credit of the individual's account upon written request. The board is not required to answer more than one such request of a person in any one year. The board may issue annual statements of accounts to members and contributors.

(D) Notwithstanding the exceptions to public inspection in division (A)(2) of this section, the board may furnish the following information:

(1) If a member, former member, contributor, former contributor, or retirant is subject to an order issued under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, on written request of a prosecutor as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to the prosecutor the information requested from the individual's personal history record.

(2) Pursuant to a court or administrative order issued pursuant to Chapter 3119., 3121., 3123., or 3125. of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to a court or child support enforcement agency the information required under that section.

(3) At the written request of any person, the board shall provide to the person a list of the names and addresses of members, former members, contributors, former contributors, retirants, or beneficiaries. The costs of compiling, copying, and mailing the list shall be paid by such person.

(4) Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code or a list of the names and social security numbers of public medical assistance recipients pursuant to section 5160.43 of the Revised Code, the board shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent employer address, and social security number of each member whose name and social security number are the same as that of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director is included on the list. The board and its employees shall, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, preserve the confidentiality of recipients of public assistance in compliance with division (A) of section 5101.181 of the Revised Code and preserve the confidentiality of public medical assistance recipients with section 5160.43 of the Revised Code.

(5) The system shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code.

On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the system shall furnish to the alternate payee information on the amount and status of any amounts payable to the alternate payee under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) At the request of any person, the board shall make available to the person copies of all documents, including resumes, in the board's possession regarding filling a vacancy of an employee member or retirant member of the board. The person who made the request shall pay the cost of compiling, copying, and mailing the documents. The information described in this division is a public record.

(E) A statement that contains information obtained from the system's records that is signed by the executive director or an officer of the system and to which the system's official seal is affixed, or copies of the system's records to which the signature and seal are attached, shall be received as true copies of the system's records in any court or before any officer of this state.

Sec. 145.58.  (A) As used in this section, "ineligible individual" means all of the following:

(1) A former member receiving benefits pursuant to section 145.32, 145.33, 145.331, 145.34, or 145.46 of the Revised Code for whom eligibility is established more than five years after June 13, 1981, and who, at the time of establishing eligibility, has accrued less than ten years' service credit, exclusive of credit obtained pursuant to section 145.297 or 145.298 of the Revised Code, credit obtained after January 29, 1981, pursuant to section 145.293 or 145.301 of the Revised Code, and credit obtained after May 4, 1992, pursuant to section 145.28 of the Revised Code;

(2) The spouse of the former member;

(3) The beneficiary of the former member receiving benefits pursuant to section 145.46 of the Revised Code.

(B) The public employees retirement board may enter into agreements with insurance companies, health insuring corporations, or government agencies authorized to do business in the state for issuance of a policy or contract of health, medical, hospital, or surgical benefits, or any combination thereof, for those individuals receiving age and service retirement or a disability or survivor benefit subscribing to the plan, or for PERS retirants employed under section 145.38 of the Revised Code, for coverage of benefits in accordance with division (D)(2) of section 145.38 of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the policy or contract may also include coverage for any eligible individual's spouse and dependent children and for any of the individual's sponsored dependents as the board determines appropriate. If all or any portion of the policy or contract premium is to be paid by any individual receiving age and service retirement or a disability or survivor benefit, the individual shall, by written authorization, instruct the board to deduct the premium agreed to be paid by the individual to the company, corporation, or agency.

The board may contract for coverage on the basis of part or all of the cost of the coverage to be paid from appropriate funds of the public employees retirement system. The cost paid from the funds of the system shall be included in the employer's contribution rate provided by sections 145.48 and 145.51 of the Revised Code. The board may by rule provide coverage to ineligible individuals if the coverage is provided at no cost to the retirement system. The board shall not pay or reimburse the cost for coverage under this section or section 145.325 of the Revised Code for any ineligible individual.

The board may provide for self-insurance of risk or level of risk as set forth in the contract with the companies, corporations, or agencies, and may provide through the self-insurance method specific benefits as authorized by rules of the board.

(C) The board shall, beginning the month following receipt of satisfactory evidence of the payment for coverage, pay monthly to each recipient of service retirement, or a disability or survivor benefit under the public employees retirement system who is eligible for medical insurance coverage under part B of Title XVIII of "The Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 301 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395j, as amended the medicare program, an amount equal to the basic premium for such coverage, except that the board shall make no such payment to any ineligible individual.

(D) The board shall establish by rule requirements for the coordination of any coverage, payment, or benefit provided under this section or section 145.325 of the Revised Code with any similar coverage, payment, or benefit made available to the same individual by the Ohio police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state highway patrol retirement system.

(E) The board shall make all other necessary rules pursuant to the purpose and intent of this section.

Sec. 149.431.  (A) Any governmental entity or agency and any nonprofit corporation or association, except a corporation organized pursuant to Chapter 1719. of the Revised Code prior to January 1, 1980 or organized pursuant to Chapter 3941. of the Revised Code, that enters into a contract or other agreement with the federal government, a unit of state government, or a political subdivision or taxing unit of this state for the provision of services shall keep accurate and complete financial records of any moneys expended in relation to the performance of the services pursuant to such contract or agreement according to generally accepted accounting principles. Such contract or agreement and such financial records shall be deemed to be public records as defined in division (A)(1) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and are subject to the requirements of division (B) of that section, except that:

(1) Any information directly or indirectly identifying a present or former individual patient or client or his such an individual patient's or client's diagnosis, prognosis, or medical treatment, treatment for a mental or emotional disorder, treatment for mental retardation or a developmental disability, treatment for drug abuse or alcoholism, or counseling for personal or social problems is not a public record;

(2) If disclosure of the contract or agreement or financial records is requested at a time when confidential professional services are being provided to a patient or client whose confidentiality might be violated if disclosure were made at that time, disclosure may be deferred if reasonable times are established when the contract or agreement or financial records will be disclosed.

(3) Any nonprofit corporation or association that receives both public and private funds in fulfillment of any such contract or other agreement is not required to keep as public records the financial records of any private funds expended in relation to the performance of services pursuant to the contract or agreement.

(B) Any nonprofit corporation or association that receives more than fifty per cent of its gross receipts excluding moneys received pursuant to Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program, in a calendar year in fulfillment of a contract or other agreement for services with a governmental entity shall maintain information setting forth the compensation of any individual serving the nonprofit corporation or association in an executive or administrative capacity. Such information shall be deemed to be public records as defined in division (A)(1) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and is subject to the requirements of division (B) of that section.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to otherwise limit the provisions of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 169.02.  Subject to division (B) of section 169.01 of the Revised Code, the following constitute unclaimed funds:

(A) Except as provided in division (R) of this section, any demand, savings, or matured time deposit account, or matured certificate of deposit, together with any interest or dividend on it, less any lawful claims, that is held or owed by a holder which is a financial organization, unclaimed for a period of five years;

(B) Any funds paid toward the purchase of withdrawable shares or other interest in a financial organization, and any interest or dividends on them, less any lawful claims, that is held or owed by a holder which is a financial organization, unclaimed for a period of five years;

(C) Except as provided in division (A) of section 3903.45 of the Revised Code, moneys held or owed by a holder, including a fraternal association, providing life insurance, including annuity or endowment coverage, unclaimed for three years after becoming payable as established from the records of such holder under any life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract that has matured or terminated. An insurance policy, the proceeds of which are payable on the death of the insured, not matured by proof of death of the insured is deemed matured and the proceeds payable if such policy was in force when the insured attained the limiting age under the mortality table on which the reserve is based.

Moneys otherwise payable according to the records of such holder are deemed payable although the policy or contract has not been surrendered as required.

(D) Any deposit made to secure payment or any sum paid in advance for utility services of a public utility and any amount refundable from rates or charges collected by a public utility for utility services held or owed by a holder, less any lawful claims, that has remained unclaimed for one year after the termination of the services for which the deposit or advance payment was made or one year from the date the refund was payable, whichever is earlier;

(E) Except as provided in division (R) of this section, any certificates, securities as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, nonwithdrawable shares, other instruments evidencing ownership, or rights to them or funds paid toward the purchase of them, or any dividend, capital credit, profit, distribution, interest, or payment on principal or other sum, held or owed by a holder, including funds deposited with a fiscal agent or fiduciary for payment of them, and instruments representing an ownership interest, unclaimed for five years. Any underlying share or other intangible instrument representing an ownership interest in a business association, in which the issuer has recorded on its books the issuance of the share but has been unable to deliver the certificate to the shareholder, constitutes unclaimed funds if such underlying share is unclaimed for five years. In addition, an underlying share constitutes unclaimed funds if a dividend, distribution, or other sum payable as a result of the underlying share has remained unclaimed by the owner for five years.

This division shall not prejudice the rights of fiscal agents or fiduciaries for payment to return the items described in this division to their principals, according to the terms of an agency or fiduciary agreement, but such a return shall constitute the principal as the holder of the items and shall not interrupt the period for computing the time for which the items have remained unclaimed.

In the case of any such funds accruing and held or owed by a corporation under division (E) of section 1701.24 of the Revised Code, such corporation shall comply with this chapter, subject to the limitation contained in section 1701.34 of the Revised Code. The period of time for which such funds have gone unclaimed specified in section 1701.34 of the Revised Code shall be computed, with respect to dividends or distributions, commencing as of the dates when such dividends or distributions would have been payable to the shareholder had such shareholder surrendered the certificates for cancellation and exchange by the date specified in the order relating to them.

Capital credits of a cooperative which after January 1, 1972, have been allocated to members and which by agreement are expressly required to be paid if claimed after death of the owner are deemed payable, for the purpose of this chapter, fifteen years after either the termination of service by the cooperative to the owner or upon the nonactivity as provided in division (B) of section 169.01 of the Revised Code, whichever occurs later, provided that this provision does not apply if the payment is not mandatory.

(F) Any sum payable on certified checks or other written instruments certified or issued and representing funds held or owed by a holder, less any lawful claims, that are unclaimed for five years from the date payable or from the date of issuance if payable on demand; except that the unclaimed period for money orders that are not third party bank checks is seven years, and the unclaimed period for traveler's checks is fifteen years, from the date payable or from the date of issuance if payable on demand.

As used in this division, "written instruments" include, but are not limited to, certified checks, cashier's checks, bills of exchange, letters of credit, drafts, money orders, and traveler's checks.

If there is no address of record for the owner or other person entitled to the funds, such address is presumed to be the address where the instrument was certified or issued.

(G) Except as provided in division (R) of this section, all moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property, arising out of the business of engaging in the purchase or sale of securities, or otherwise dealing in intangibles, less any lawful claims, that are held or owed by a holder and are unclaimed for five years from the date of transaction.

(H) Except as provided in division (A) of section 3903.45 of the Revised Code, all moneys, rights to moneys, and other intangible property distributable in the course of dissolution or liquidation of a holder that are unclaimed for one year after the date set by the holder for distribution;

(I) All moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property removed from a safe-deposit box or other safekeeping repository located in this state or removed from a safe-deposit box or other safekeeping repository of a holder, on which the lease or rental period has expired, or any amount arising from the sale of such property, less any lawful claims, that are unclaimed for three years from the date on which the lease or rental period expired;

(J) Subject to division (M)(2) of this section, all moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property, and any income or increment on them, held or owed by a holder which is a fiduciary for the benefit of another, or a fiduciary or custodian of a qualified retirement plan or individual retirement arrangement under section 401 or 408 of the Internal Revenue Code, unclaimed for three years after the final date for distribution;

(K) All moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property held or owed in this state or held for or owed to an owner whose last known address is within this state, by the United States government or any state, as those terms are described in division (E) of section 169.01 of the Revised Code, unclaimed by the owner for three years, excluding any property in the control of any court in a proceeding in which a final adjudication has not been made;

(L) Amounts payable pursuant to the terms of any policy of insurance, other than life insurance, or any refund available under such a policy, held or owed by any holder, unclaimed for three years from the date payable or distributable;

(M)(1) Subject to division (M)(2) of this section, any funds constituting rents or lease payments due, any deposit made to secure payment of rents or leases, or any sum paid in advance for rents, leases, possible damage to property, unused services, performance requirements, or any other purpose, held or owed by a holder unclaimed for one year;

(2) Any escrow funds, security deposits, or other moneys that are received by a licensed broker in a fiduciary capacity and that, pursuant to division (A)(26) of section 4735.18 of the Revised Code, are required to be deposited into and maintained in a special or trust, noninterest-bearing bank account separate and distinct from any personal or other account of the licensed broker, held or owed by the licensed broker unclaimed for two years.

(N) Any sum greater than fifty dollars payable as wages, any sum payable as salaries or commissions, any sum payable for services rendered, funds owed or held as royalties, oil and mineral proceeds, funds held for or owed to suppliers, and moneys owed under pension and profit-sharing plans, held or owed by any holder unclaimed for one year from date payable or distributable, and all other credits held or owed, or to be refunded to a retail customer, by any holder unclaimed for three years from date payable or distributable;

(O) Amounts held in respect of or represented by lay-aways sold after January 1, 1972, less any lawful claims, when such lay-aways are unclaimed for three years after the sale of them;

(P) All moneys, rights to moneys, and other intangible property not otherwise constituted as unclaimed funds by this section, including any income or increment on them, less any lawful claims, which are held or owed by any holder, other than a holder which holds a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 3769. of the Revised Code, and which have remained unclaimed for three years after becoming payable or distributable;

(Q) All moneys that arise out of a sale held pursuant to section 5322.03 of the Revised Code, that are held by a holder for delivery on demand to the appropriate person pursuant to division (I) of that section, and that are unclaimed for two years after the date of the sale.

(R)(1) Any funds that are subject to an agreement between the holder and owner providing for automatic reinvestment and that constitute dividends, distributions, or other sums held or owed by a holder in connection with a security as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, an ownership interest in an investment company registered under the "Investment Company Act of 1940," 54 Stat. 789, 15 U.S.C. 80a-1, as amended, or a certificate of deposit, unclaimed for a period of five years.

(2) The five-year period under division (R)(1) of this section commences from the date a second shareholder notification or communication mailing to the owner of the funds is returned to the holder as undeliverable by the United States postal service or other carrier. The notification or communication mailing by the holder shall be no less frequent than quarterly.

All moneys in a personal allowance account, as defined by rules adopted by the director of job and family services health care administration, up to and including the maximum resource limitation, of a medicaid patient who has died after receiving care in a long-term care facility, and for whom there is no identifiable heir or sponsor, are not subject to this chapter.

Sec. 173.14.  As used in sections 173.14 to 173.27 of the Revised Code:

(A)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(2) of this section, "long-term care facility" includes any residential facility that provides personal care services for more than twenty-four hours for two or more unrelated adults, including all of the following:

(a) A "nursing home," "residential care facility," or "home for the aging" as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) A facility authorized to provide extended care services under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program;

(c) A county home or district home operated pursuant to Chapter 5155. of the Revised Code;

(d) An "adult care facility" as defined in section 3722.01 of the Revised Code;

(e) A facility approved by the veterans administration under section 104(a) of the "Veterans Health Care Amendments of 1983," 97 Stat. 993, 38 U.S.C. 630, as amended, and used exclusively for the placement and care of veterans;

(f) An adult foster home certified under section 173.36 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Long-term care facility" does not include a "residential facility" as defined in section 5119.22 of the Revised Code or a "residential facility" as defined in section 5123.19 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Resident" means a resident of a long-term care facility and, where appropriate, includes a prospective, previous, or deceased resident of a long-term care facility.

(C) "Community-based long-term care services" means health and social services provided to persons in their own homes or in community care settings, and includes any of the following:

(1) Case management;

(2) Home health care;

(3) Homemaker services;

(4) Chore services;

(5) Respite care;

(6) Adult day care;

(7) Home-delivered meals;

(8) Personal care;

(9) Physical, occupational, and speech therapy;

(10) Transportation;

(11) Any other health and social services provided to persons that allow them to retain their independence in their own homes or in community care settings.

(D) "Recipient" means a recipient of community-based long-term care services and, where appropriate, includes a prospective, previous, or deceased recipient of community-based long-term care services.

(E) "Sponsor" means an adult relative, friend, or guardian who has an interest in or responsibility for the welfare of a resident or a recipient.

(F) "Personal care services" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Regional long-term care ombudsperson program" means an entity, either public or private and nonprofit, designated as a regional long-term care ombudsperson program by the state long-term care ombudsperson.

(H) "Representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsperson program" means the state long-term care ombudsperson or a member of the ombudsperson's staff, or a person certified as a representative of the office under section 173.21 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Area agency on aging" means an area agency on aging established under the "Older Americans Act of 1965," 79 Stat. 219, 42 U.S.C.A. 3001, as amended.

Sec. 173.20.  (A) If consent is given and unless otherwise prohibited by law, a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program shall have access to any records, including medical records, of a resident or a recipient that are reasonably necessary for investigation of a complaint. Consent may be given in any of the following ways:

(1) In writing by the resident or recipient;

(2) Orally by the resident or recipient, witnessed in writing at the time it is given by one other person, and, if the records involved are being maintained by a long-term care provider, also by an employee of the long-term care provider designated under division (E)(1) of this section;

(3) In writing by the guardian of the resident or recipient;

(4) In writing by the attorney in fact of the resident or recipient, if the resident or recipient has authorized the attorney in fact to give such consent;

(5) In writing by the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased resident or recipient.

(B) If consent to access to records is not refused by a resident or recipient or his the resident's or recipient's legal representative but cannot be obtained and any of the following circumstances exist, a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program, on approval of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson, may inspect the records of a resident or a recipient, including medical records, that are reasonably necessary for investigation of a complaint:

(1) The resident or recipient is unable to express written or oral consent and there is no guardian or attorney in fact;

(2) There is a guardian or attorney in fact, but he the guardian or attorney in fact cannot be contacted within three working days;

(3) There is a guardianship or durable power of attorney, but its existence is unknown by the long-term care provider and the representative of the office at the time of the investigation;

(4) There is no executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased resident or recipient.

(C) If a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program has been refused access to records by a guardian or attorney in fact, but has reasonable cause to believe that the guardian or attorney in fact is not acting in the best interests of the resident or recipient, the representative may, on approval of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson, inspect the records of the resident or recipient, including medical records, that are reasonably necessary for investigation of a complaint.

(D) A representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program shall have access to any records of a long-term care provider reasonably necessary to an investigation conducted under this section, including but not limited to: incident reports, dietary records, policies and procedures of a facility required to be maintained under section 5111.21 5164.02 of the Revised Code, admission agreements, staffing schedules, any document depicting the actual staffing pattern of the provider, any financial records that are matters of public record, resident council and grievance committee minutes, and any waiting list maintained by a facility in accordance with section 5111.31 5164.033 of the Revised Code, or any similar records or lists maintained by a provider of community-based long-term care services. Pursuant to division (E)(2) of this section, a representative shall be permitted to make or obtain copies of any of these records after giving the long-term care provider twenty-four hours' notice. A long-term care provider may impose a charge for providing copies of records under this division that does not exceed the actual and necessary expense of making the copies.

The state ombudsman ombudsperson shall take whatever action is necessary to ensure that any copy of a record made or obtained under this division is returned to the long-term care provider no later than three years after the date the investigation for which the copy was made or obtained is completed.

(E)(1) Each long-term care provider shall designate one or more of its employees to be responsible for witnessing the giving of oral consent under division (A) of this section. In the event that a designated employee is not available when a resident or recipient attempts to give oral consent, the provider shall designate another employee to witness the consent.

(2) Each long-term care provider shall designate one or more of its employees to be responsible for releasing records for copying to representatives of the office of the long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program who request permission to make or obtain copies of records specified in division (D) of this section. In the event that a designated employee is not available when a representative of the office makes the request, the long-term care provider shall designate another employee to release the records for copying.

(F) A long-term care provider or any employee of such a provider is immune from civil or criminal liability or action taken pursuant to a professional disciplinary procedure for the release or disclosure of records to a representative of the office pursuant to this section.

(G) A state or local government agency or entity with records relevant to a complaint or investigation being conducted by a representative of the office shall provide the representative access to the records.

(H) The state ombudsman ombudsperson, with the approval of the director of aging, may issue a subpoena to compel any person he the ombudsperson reasonably believes may be able to provide information to appear before him the ombudsperson or his the ombudsperson's designee and give sworn testimony and to produce documents, books, records, papers, or other evidence the state ombudsman ombudsperson believes is relevant to the investigation. On the refusal of a witness to be sworn or to answer any question put to him the witness, or if a person disobeys a subpoena, the ombudsman ombudsperson shall apply to the Franklin county court of common pleas for a contempt order, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from the court, or a refusal to testify in the court.

(I) The state ombudsman ombudsperson may petition the court of common pleas in the county in which a long-term care facility is located to issue an injunction against any long-term care facility in violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.

(J) Any suspected violation of Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code discovered during the course of an investigation may be reported to the department of health. Any suspected criminal violation discovered during the course of an investigation shall be reported to the attorney general or other appropriate law enforcement authorities.

(K) The department of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for referral by the state ombudsman ombudsperson and regional long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson programs of complaints to other public agencies or entities. A public agency or entity to which a complaint is referred shall keep the state ombudsman ombudsperson or regional program handling the complaint advised and notified in writing in a timely manner of the disposition of the complaint to the extent permitted by law.

Sec. 173.21.  (A) The office of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program, through the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson and the regional long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson programs, shall require each representative of the office to complete a training and certification program in accordance with this section and to meet the continuing education requirements established under this section.

(B) The department of aging shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying the content of training programs for representatives of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program. Training for representatives other than those who are volunteers providing services through regional long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson programs shall include instruction regarding federal, state, and local laws, rules, and policies on long-term care facilities and community-based long-term care services; investigative techniques; and other topics considered relevant by the department and shall consist of the following:

(1) A minimum of forty clock hours of basic instruction, which shall be completed before the trainee is permitted to handle complaints without the supervision of a representative of the office certified under this section;

(2) An additional sixty clock hours of instruction, which shall be completed within the first fifteen months of employment;

(3) An internship of twenty clock hours, which shall be completed within the first twenty-four months of employment, including instruction in, and observation of, basic nursing care and long-term care provider operations and procedures. The internship shall be performed at a site that has been approved as an internship site by the state long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson.

(4) One of the following, which shall be completed within the first twenty-four months of employment:

(a) Observation of a survey conducted by the director of health to certify a facility to receive funds under sections 5111.20 5164.01 to 5111.32 5164.35 of the Revised Code;

(b) Observation of an inspection conducted by the director of health to license an adult care facility under section 3722.04 of the Revised Code.

(5) Any other training considered appropriate by the department.

(C) Persons who for a period of at least six months prior to June 11, 1990, served as ombudsmen through the long-term care ombudsman ombudsperson program established by the department of aging under division (M) of section 173.01 of the Revised Code shall not be required to complete a training program. These persons and persons who complete a training program shall take an examination administered by the department of aging. On attainment of a passing score, the person shall be certified by the department as a representative of the office. The department shall issue the person an identification card, which the representative shall show at the request of any person with whom he the representative deals while performing his the representative's duties and which he shall surrender be surrendered at the time he the representative separates from the office.

(D) The state ombudsman ombudsperson and each regional program shall conduct training programs for volunteers on their respective staffs in accordance with the rules of the department of aging adopted under division (B) of this section. Training programs may be conducted that train volunteers to complete some, but not all, of the duties of a representative of the office. Each regional office shall bear the cost of training its representatives who are volunteers. On completion of a training program, the representative shall take an examination administered by the department of aging. On attainment of a passing score, he a volunteer shall be certified by the department as a representative authorized to perform services specified in the certification. The department shall issue an identification card, which the representative shall show at the request of any person with whom he the representative deals while performing his the representative's duties and which he shall surrender be surrendered at the time he the representative separates from the office. Except as a supervised part of a training program, no volunteer shall perform any duty unless he is certified as a representative having received appropriate training for that duty.

(E) The state ombudsman ombudsperson shall provide technical assistance to regional programs conducting training programs for volunteers and shall monitor the training programs.

(F) Prior to scheduling an observation of a certification survey or licensing inspection for purposes of division (B)(4) of this section, the state ombudsman ombudsperson shall obtain permission to have the survey or inspection observed from both the director of health and the long-term care facility at which the survey or inspection is to take place.

(G) The department of aging shall establish continuing education requirements for representatives of the office.

Sec. 173.26.  (A) Each of the following facilities shall annually pay to the department of aging six dollars for each bed maintained by the facility for use by a resident during any part of the previous year:

(1) Nursing homes, residential care facilities, and homes for the aging as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) Facilities authorized to provide extended care services under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program;

(3) County homes and district homes operated pursuant to Chapter 5155. of the Revised Code;

(4) Adult care facilities as defined in section 3722.01 of the Revised Code;

(5) Facilities approved by the Veterans Administration under Section 104(a) of the "Veterans Health Care Amendments of 1983," 97 Stat. 993, 38 U.S.C. 630, as amended, and used exclusively for the placement and care of veterans.

The department shall, by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, establish deadlines for payments required by this section. A facility that fails, within ninety days after the established deadline, to pay a payment required by this section shall be assessed at two times the original invoiced payment.

(B) All money collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the office of the state long-term care ombudsperson program fund, which is hereby created. Money credited to the fund shall be used solely to pay the costs of operating the regional long-term care ombudsperson programs.

(C) The state long-term care ombudsperson and the regional programs may solicit and receive contributions to support the operation of the office or a regional program, except that no contribution shall be solicited or accepted that would interfere with the independence or objectivity of the office or program.

Sec. 173.394.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for employment with a community-based long-term care agency in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing direct care to an individual. "Applicant" does not include a person who provides direct care as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(2) "Criminal records check" has the same meaning as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, the chief administrator of a community-based long-term care agency shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check with respect to each applicant. If an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check of the applicant. Even if an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the chief administrator may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) A person required by division (B)(1) of this section to request a criminal records check shall do both of the following:

(a) Provide to each applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under that division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard fingerprint impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, and obtain the completed form and impression sheet from the applicant;

(b) Forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(3) An applicant provided the form and fingerprint impression sheet under division (B)(2)(a) of this section who fails to complete the form or provide fingerprint impressions shall not be employed in any position for which a criminal records check is required by this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in rules adopted by the department of aging in accordance with division (F) of this section and subject to division (C)(2) of this section, no community-based long-term care agency shall employ a person in a position that involves providing direct care to an individual if the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code.

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (C)(1)(a) of this section.

(2)(a) A community-based long-term care agency may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under division (B) of this section prior to obtaining the results of a criminal records check regarding the individual, provided that the agency shall request a criminal records check regarding the individual in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section not later than five business days after the individual begins conditional employment. In the circumstances described in division (I)(2) of this section, a community-based long-term care agency may employ conditionally an applicant who has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of individuals and for whom, pursuant to that division, a criminal records check is not required under division (B) of this section.

(b) A community-based long-term care agency that employs an individual conditionally under authority of division (C)(2)(a) of this section shall terminate the individual's employment if the results of the criminal records check request under division (B) of this section or described in division (I)(2) of this section, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending sixty days after the date the request is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the results indicate that the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, the agency shall terminate the individual's employment unless the agency chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the individual makes any attempt to deceive the agency about the individual's criminal record.

(D)(1) Each community-based long-term care agency shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under division (B) of this section.

(2) A community-based long-term care agency may charge an applicant a fee not exceeding the amount the agency pays under division (D)(1) of this section. An agency may collect a fee only if both of the following apply:

(a) The agency notifies the person at the time of initial application for employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the person will not be considered for employment;

(b) The medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code does not reimburse the agency the fee it pays under division (D)(1) of this section.

(E) The report of any criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under this section is not a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person other than the following:

(1) The individual who is the subject of the criminal records check or the individual's representative;

(2) The chief administrator of the agency requesting the criminal records check or the administrator's representative;

(3) The administrator of any other facility, agency, or program that provides direct care to individuals that is owned or operated by the same entity that owns or operates the community-based long-term care agency;

(4) The director of aging or a person authorized by the director to monitor a community-based long-term care agency's compliance with this section;

(5) A court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with a denial of employment of the applicant or dealing with employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant;

(6) Any person to whom the report is provided pursuant to, and in accordance with, division (I)(1) or (2) of this section.

(F) The department of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section. The rules shall specify circumstances under which a community-based long-term care agency may employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section but meets personal character standards set by the department.

(G) The chief administrator of a community-based long-term care agency shall inform each person, at the time of initial application for a position that involves providing direct care to an individual, that the person is required to provide a set of fingerprint impressions and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted if the person comes under final consideration for employment.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an individual who a community-based long-term care agency employs in a position that involves providing direct care to individuals, all of the following shall apply:

(1) If the agency employed the individual in good faith and reasonable reliance on the report of a criminal records check requested under this section, the agency shall not be found negligent solely because of its reliance on the report, even if the information in the report is determined later to have been incomplete or inaccurate;

(2) If the agency employed the individual in good faith on a conditional basis pursuant to division (C)(2) of this section, the agency shall not be found negligent solely because it employed the individual prior to receiving the report of a criminal records check requested under this section;

(3) If the agency in good faith employed the individual according to the personal character standards established in rules adopted under division (F) of this section, the agency shall not be found negligent solely because the individual prior to being employed had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section.

(I)(1) The chief administrator of a community-based long-term care agency is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant if the applicant has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of individuals and both of the following apply:

(a) The chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a report of the results of a criminal records check regarding the applicant that has been conducted by the superintendent within the one-year period immediately preceding the applicant's referral;

(b) The report of the criminal records check demonstrates that the person has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, or the report demonstrates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more of those offenses, but the community-based long-term care agency chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) The chief administrator of a community-based long-term care agency is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant and may employ the applicant conditionally as described in this division, if the applicant has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of individuals and if the chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a letter from the employment service that is on the letterhead of the employment service, dated, and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service and that states that the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant, that the requested criminal records check will include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, that, as of the date set forth on the letter, the employment service had not received the results of the criminal records check, and that, when the employment service receives the results of the criminal records check, it promptly will send a copy of the results to the community-based long-term care agency. If a community-based long-term care agency employs an applicant conditionally in accordance with this division, the employment service, upon its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the community-based long-term care agency, and division (C)(2)(b) of this section applies regarding the conditional employment.

Sec. 173.40.  There is hereby created a medicaid waiver component, as defined in section 5111.85 5163.50 of the Revised Code, to be known as the preadmission screening system providing options and resources today program, or PASSPORT. The PASSPORT program shall provide home and community-based services as an alternative to nursing facility placement for aged and disabled medicaid recipients. The program shall be operated pursuant to a home and community-based waiver granted by the United States secretary of health and human services under section 1915 of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 1396n, as amended. The department of aging shall administer the program through a contract entered into with the department of job and family services health care administration under section 5111.91 5161.05 of the Revised Code. The director of job and family services health care administration shall adopt rules under section 5111.85 5163.50 of the Revised Code and the director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement the program.

Sec. 173.42.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Area agency on aging" means a public or private nonprofit entity designated under section 173.011 of the Revised Code to administer programs on behalf of the department of aging.

(2) "Long-term care consultation" means the process used to provide services under the long-term care consultation program established pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, such services as the provision of information about long-term care options and costs, the assessment of an individual's functional capabilities, and the conduct of all or part of the reviews, assessments, and determinations specified in sections 5111.202, 5111.204, 5119.061, and 5123.021, 5164.45, and 5164.47 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under those sections.

(3) "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(4) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

(5)(4) "Representative" means a person acting on behalf of an individual seeking a long-term care consultation, applying for admission to a nursing facility, or residing in a nursing facility. A representative may be a family member, attorney, hospital social worker, or any other person chosen to act on behalf of the individual.

(B) The department of aging shall develop a long-term care consultation program whereby individuals or their representatives are provided with long-term care consultations and receive through these professional consultations information about options available to meet long-term care needs and information about factors to consider in making long-term care decisions. The long-term care consultations provided under the program may be provided at any appropriate time, as permitted or required under this section and the rules adopted under it, including either prior to or after the individual who is the subject of a consultation has been admitted to a nursing facility.

(C) The long-term care consultation program shall be administered by the department of aging, except that the department may enter into a contract with an area agency on aging or other entity selected by the department under which the program for a particular area is administered by the area agency on aging or other entity pursuant to the contract.

(D) The long-term care consultations provided for purposes of the program shall be provided by individuals certified by the department under section 173.43 of the Revised Code.

(E) The information provided through a long-term care consultation shall be appropriate to the individual's needs and situation and shall address all of the following:

(1) The availability of any long-term care options open to the individual;

(2) Sources and methods of both public and private payment for long-term care services;

(3) Factors to consider when choosing among the available programs, services, and benefits;

(4) Opportunities and methods for maximizing independence and self-reliance, including support services provided by the individual's family, friends, and community.

(F) An individual's long-term care consultation may include an assessment of the individual's functional capabilities. The consultation may incorporate portions of the determinations required under sections 5111.202, 5119.061, and 5123.021, and 5164.45 of the Revised Code and may be provided concurrently with the assessment required under section 5111.204 5164.47 of the Revised Code.

(G)(1) Unless an exemption specified in division (I) of this section is applicable, each individual in the following categories shall be provided with a long-term care consultation:

(a) Individuals who apply or indicate an intention to apply for admission to a nursing facility, regardless of the source of payment to be used for their care in a nursing facility;

(b) Nursing facility residents who apply or indicate an intention to apply for medicaid;

(c) Nursing facility residents who are likely to spend down their resources within six months after admission to a nursing facility to a level at which they are financially eligible for medicaid;

(d) Individuals who request a long-term care consultation.

(2) In addition to the individuals included in the categories specified in division (G)(1) of this section, long-term care consultations may be provided to nursing facility residents who have not applied and have not indicated an intention to apply for medicaid. The purpose of the consultations provided to these individuals shall be to determine continued need for nursing facility services, to provide information on alternative services, and to make referrals to alternative services.

(H)(1) When a long-term care consultation is required to be provided pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, the consultation shall be provided as follows or pursuant to division (H)(2) or (3) of this section:

(a) If the individual for whom the consultation is being provided has applied for medicaid and the consultation is being provided concurrently with the assessment required under section 5111.204 of the Revised Code, the consultation shall be completed in accordance with the applicable time frames specified in that section for providing a level of care determination based on the assessment.

(b) In all other cases, the consultation shall be provided not later than five calendar days after the department or the program administrator under contract with the department receives notice of the reason for which the consultation is required to be provided pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section.

(2) An individual or the individual's representative may request that a long-term care consultation be provided on a date that is later than the date required under division (H)(1)(a) or (b) of this section.

(3) If a long-term care consultation cannot be completed within the number of days required by division (H)(1) or (2) of this section, the department or the program administrator under contract with the department may do any of the following:

(a) Exempt the individual from the consultation pursuant to rules that may be adopted under division (L) of this section;

(b) In the case of an applicant for admission to a nursing facility, provide the consultation after the individual is admitted to the nursing facility;

(c) In the case of a resident of a nursing facility, provide the consultation as soon as practicable.

(I) An individual is not required to be provided a long-term care consultation under this section if any of the following apply:

(1) The individual or the individual's representative chooses to forego participation in the consultation pursuant to criteria specified in rules adopted under division (L) of this section;

(2) The individual is to receive care in a nursing facility under a contract for continuing care as defined in section 173.13 of the Revised Code;

(3) The individual has a contractual right to admission to a nursing facility operated as part of a system of continuing care in conjunction with one or more facilities that provide a less intensive level of services, including a residential care facility licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code, an adult care facility licensed under Chapter 3722. of the Revised Code, or an independent living arrangement;

(4) The individual is to receive continual care in a home for the aged exempt from taxation under section 5701.13 of the Revised Code;

(5) The individual is seeking admission to a facility that is not a nursing facility with a provider agreement under section 5111.22 5164.03 of the Revised Code;

(6) The individual is to be transferred from another nursing facility;

(7) The individual is to be readmitted to a nursing facility following a period of hospitalization;

(8) The individual is exempted from the long-term care consultation requirement by the department or the program administrator pursuant to rules that may be adopted under division (L) of this section.

(J) At the conclusion of an individual's long-term care consultation, the department or the program administrator under contract with the department shall provide the individual or individual's representative with a written summary of options and resources available to meet the individual's needs. Even though the summary may specify that a source of long-term care other than care in a nursing facility is appropriate and available, the individual is not required to seek an alternative source of long-term care and may be admitted to or continue to reside in a nursing facility.

(K) No nursing facility for which an operator has a provider agreement under section 5111.22 5164.03 of the Revised Code shall admit or retain any individual as a resident, unless the nursing facility has received evidence that a long-term care consultation has been completed for the individual or division (I) of this section is applicable to the individual.

(L) The director of aging may adopt any rules the director considers necessary for the implementation and administration of this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and may specify any or all of the following:

(1) Procedures for providing long-term care consultations pursuant to this section;

(2) Information to be provided through long-term care consultations regarding long-term care services that are available;

(3) Criteria under which an individual or the individual's representative may choose to forego participation in a long-term care consultation;

(4) Criteria for exempting individuals from the long-term care consultation requirement;

(5) Circumstances under which it may be appropriate to provide an individual's long-term care consultation after the individual's admission to a nursing facility rather than before admission;

(6) Criteria for identifying nursing facility residents who would benefit from the provision of a long-term care consultation.

(M) The director of aging may fine a nursing facility an amount determined by rules the director shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code if the nursing facility admits or retains an individual, without evidence that a long-term care consultation has been provided, as required by this section.

In accordance with section 5111.62 5164.78 of the Revised Code, all fines collected under this division shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the residents protection fund.

Sec. 173.45. As used in this section and in sections 173.46 to 173.49 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Long-term care facility" means a nursing home or residential care facility.

(B) "Nursing home" and "residential care facility" have the same meanings as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 173.47. (A) For purposes of publishing the Ohio long-term care consumer guide, the department of aging shall conduct or provide for the conduct of an annual customer satisfaction survey of each long-term care facility. The results of the surveys may include information obtained from long-term care facility residents, their families, or both.

(B)(1) The department may charge fees for the conduct of annual customer satisfaction surveys. The department may contract with any person or government entity to collect the fees on its behalf. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited in accordance with section 173.48 of the Revised Code.

(2) The fees charged under this section shall not exceed the following amounts:

(a) Four hundred dollars for the customer satisfaction survey of a long-term care facility that is a nursing home;

(b) Three hundred dollars for the customer satisfaction survey pertaining to a long-term care facility that is a residential care facility.

(3) Fees paid by a long-term care facility that is a nursing facility shall be reimbursed through the medicaid program operated under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(C) Each long-term care facility shall cooperate in the conduct of its annual customer satisfaction survey.

Sec. 173.50. (A) Pursuant to a contract entered into with the department of job and family services health care administration as an interagency agreement under section 5111.91 5161.05 of the Revised Code, the department of aging shall carry out the day-to-day administration of the component of the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code known as the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly or PACE. The department of aging shall carry out its PACE administrative duties in accordance with the provisions of the interagency agreement and all applicable federal laws, including the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C. 1396u-4, as amended.

(B) The department of aging may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding the PACE program, subject to both of the following:

(1) The rules shall be authorized by rules adopted by the department of job and family services.

(2) The rules shall address only those issues that are not addressed in rules adopted by the department of job and family services for the PACE program.

Sec. 173.99.  (A) A long-term care provider, person employed by a long-term care provider, other entity, or employee of such other entity that violates division (C) of section 173.24 of the Revised Code is subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation.

(B) Whoever violates division (C) of section 173.23 of the Revised Code is guilty of registering a false complaint, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(C) A long-term care provider, other entity, or person employed by a long-term care provider or other entity that violates division (E) of section 173.19 of the Revised Code by denying a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsperson program the access required by that division is subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars for each violation.

(D) Whoever violates division (C) of section 173.44 of the Revised Code is subject to a fine of one hundred dollars.

(E) Whoever violates division (B) of section 173.90 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Sec. 317.08. (A) Except as provided in divisions (C) and (D) of this section, the county recorder shall keep six separate sets of records as follows:

(1) A record of deeds, in which shall be recorded all deeds and other instruments of writing for the absolute and unconditional sale or conveyance of lands, tenements, and hereditaments; all notices as provided in sections 5301.47 to 5301.56 of the Revised Code; all judgments or decrees in actions brought under section 5303.01 of the Revised Code; all declarations and bylaws, and all amendments to declarations and bylaws, as provided in Chapter 5311. of the Revised Code; affidavits as provided in sections 5301.252 and 5301.56 of the Revised Code; all certificates as provided in section 5311.17 of the Revised Code; all articles dedicating archaeological preserves accepted by the director of the Ohio historical society under section 149.52 of the Revised Code; all articles dedicating nature preserves accepted by the director of natural resources under section 1517.05 of the Revised Code; all agreements for the registration of lands as archaeological or historic landmarks under section 149.51 or 149.55 of the Revised Code; all conveyances of conservation easements and agricultural easements under section 5301.68 of the Revised Code; all instruments extinguishing agricultural easements under section 901.21 or 5301.691 of the Revised Code or pursuant to terms of such an easement granted to a charitable organization under section 5301.68 of the Revised Code; all instruments or orders described in division (B)(2)(b) of section 5301.56 of the Revised Code; all no further action letters issued under section 122.654 or 3746.11 of the Revised Code; all covenants not to sue issued under section 3746.12 of the Revised Code, including all covenants not to sue issued pursuant to section 122.654 of the Revised Code; any restrictions on the use of property contained in a no further action letter issued under section 122.654 of the Revised Code, any restrictions on the use of property identified pursuant to division (C)(3)(a) of section 3746.10 of the Revised Code, and any restrictions on the use of property contained in a deed or other instrument as provided in division (E) or (F) of section 3737.882 of the Revised Code; any easement executed or granted under section 3734.22, 3734.24, 3734.25, or 3734.26 of the Revised Code; any environmental covenant entered into in accordance with sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code; all memoranda of trust, as described in division (A) of section 5301.255 of the Revised Code, that describe specific real property; and all agreements entered into under division (A) of section 1521.26 of the Revised Code;

(2) A record of mortgages, in which shall be recorded all of the following:

(a) All mortgages, including amendments, supplements, modifications, and extensions of mortgages, or other instruments of writing by which lands, tenements, or hereditaments are or may be mortgaged or otherwise conditionally sold, conveyed, affected, or encumbered;

(b) All executory installment contracts for the sale of land executed after September 29, 1961, that by their terms are not required to be fully performed by one or more of the parties to them within one year of the date of the contracts;

(c) All options to purchase real estate, including supplements, modifications, and amendments of the options, but no option of that nature shall be recorded if it does not state a specific day and year of expiration of its validity;

(d) Any tax certificate sold under section 5721.33 of the Revised Code, or memorandum of it, that is presented for filing of record.

(3) A record of powers of attorney, including all memoranda of trust, as described in division (A) of section 5301.255 of the Revised Code, that do not describe specific real property;

(4) A record of plats, in which shall be recorded all plats and maps of town lots, of the subdivision of town lots, and of other divisions or surveys of lands, any center line survey of a highway located within the county, the plat of which shall be furnished by the director of transportation or county engineer, and all drawings and amendments to drawings, as provided in Chapter 5311. of the Revised Code;

(5) A record of leases, in which shall be recorded all leases, memoranda of leases, and supplements, modifications, and amendments of leases and memoranda of leases;

(6) A record of declarations executed pursuant to section 2133.02 of the Revised Code and durable powers of attorney for health care executed pursuant to section 1337.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) All instruments or memoranda of instruments entitled to record shall be recorded in the proper record in the order in which they are presented for record. The recorder may index, keep, and record in one volume unemployment compensation liens, internal revenue tax liens and other liens in favor of the United States as described in division (A) of section 317.09 of the Revised Code, personal tax liens, mechanic's liens, agricultural product liens, notices of liens, certificates of satisfaction or partial release of estate tax liens, discharges of recognizances, excise and franchise tax liens on corporations, broker's liens, and liens provided for in sections 1513.33, 1513.37, 3752.13, 5111.022 5163.08, and 5311.18 of the Revised Code.

The recording of an option to purchase real estate, including any supplement, modification, and amendment of the option, under this section shall serve as notice to any purchaser of an interest in the real estate covered by the option only during the period of the validity of the option as stated in the option.

(C) In lieu of keeping the six separate sets of records required in divisions (A)(1) to (6) of this section and the records required in division (D) of this section, a county recorder may record all the instruments required to be recorded by this section in two separate sets of record books. One set shall be called the "official records" and shall contain the instruments listed in divisions (A)(1), (2), (3), (5), and (6) and (D) of this section. The second set of records shall contain the instruments listed in division (A)(4) of this section.

(D) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the county recorder shall keep a separate set of records containing all corrupt activity lien notices filed with the recorder pursuant to section 2923.36 of the Revised Code and a separate set of records containing all medicaid fraud lien notices filed with the recorder pursuant to section 2933.75 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 317.36. (A) The county recorder shall collect the low- and moderate-income housing trust fund fee as specified in sections 317.32, 1563.42, 1702.59, 2505.13, 4141.23, 4509.60, 5111.022 5163.08, 5310.15, 5719.07, 5727.56, 5733.18, 5733.22, 6101.09, and 6115.09 of the Revised Code. The amount of any housing trust fund fee the recorder is authorized to collect is equal to the amount of any base fee the recorder is authorized to collect for services. The housing trust fund fee shall be collected in addition to the base fee.

(B) The recorder shall certify the amounts collected as housing trust fund fees pursuant to division (A) of this section into the county treasury as housing trust fund fees to be paid to the treasurer of state pursuant to section 319.63 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 323.01.  Except as otherwise provided, as used in Chapter 323. of the Revised Code:

(A) "Subdivision" means any county, township, school district, or municipal corporation.

(B) "Municipal corporation" includes charter municipalities.

(C) "Taxes" means the total amount of all charges against an entry appearing on a tax list and the duplicate thereof that was prepared and certified in accordance with section 319.28 of the Revised Code, including taxes levied against real estate; taxes on property whose value is certified pursuant to section 5727.23 of the Revised Code; recoupment charges applied pursuant to section 5713.35 of the Revised Code; all assessments; penalties and interest charged pursuant to section 323.121 of the Revised Code; charges added pursuant to section 319.35 of the Revised Code; and all of such charges which remain unpaid from any previous tax year.

(D) "Current taxes" means all taxes charged against an entry on the general tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property that have not appeared on such list and duplicate for any prior tax year and any penalty thereon charged by division (A) of section 323.121 of the Revised Code. Current taxes, whether or not they have been certified delinquent, become delinquent taxes if they remain unpaid after the last day prescribed for payment of the second installment of current taxes without penalty.

(E) "Delinquent taxes" means:

(1) Any taxes charged against an entry on the general tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property that were charged against an entry on such list and duplicate for a prior tax year and any penalties and interest charged against such taxes.

(2) Any current taxes charged on the general tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property that remain unpaid after the last day prescribed for payment of the second installment of such taxes without penalty, whether or not they have been certified delinquent, and any penalties and interest charged against such taxes.

(F) "Current tax year" means, with respect to particular taxes, the calendar year in which the first installment of taxes is due prior to any extension granted under section 323.17 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Liquidated claim" means:

(1) Any sum of money due and payable, upon a written contractual obligation executed between the subdivision and the taxpayer, but excluding any amount due on general and special assessment bonds and notes;

(2) Any sum of money due and payable, for disability financial assistance or disability medical assistance provided under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code or the disability medical assistance program that is furnished to or in behalf of a subdivision, provided that such claim is recognized by a resolution or ordinance of the legislative body of such subdivision;

(3) Any sum of money advanced and paid to or received and used by a subdivision, pursuant to a resolution or ordinance of such subdivision or its predecessor in interest, and the moral obligation to repay which sum, when in funds, shall be recognized by resolution or ordinance by the subdivision.

Sec. 329.04.  (A) The county department of job and family services shall have, exercise, and perform the following powers and duties:

(1) Perform any duties assigned by the state department of job and family services regarding the provision of public family services, including the provision of the following services to prevent or reduce economic or personal dependency and to strengthen family life:

(a) Services authorized by a Title IV-A program, as defined in section 5101.80 of the Revised Code;

(b) Social services authorized by Title XX of the "Social Security Act" and provided for by section 5101.46 or 5101.461 of the Revised Code;

(c) If the county department is designated as the child support enforcement agency, services authorized by Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act" and provided for by Chapter 3125. of the Revised Code. The county department may perform the services itself or contract with other government entities, and, pursuant to division (C) of section 2301.35 and section 2301.42 of the Revised Code, private entities, to perform the Title IV-D services.

(d) Duties assigned under section 5111.98 5161.02 of the Revised Code.

(2) Administer disability financial assistance, as required by the state department of job and family services under section 5115.03 of the Revised Code;

(3) Administer disability medical assistance program, as required by the state department of job and family services under section 5115.13 of the Revised Code health care administration;

(4) Administer burials insofar as the administration of burials was, prior to September 12, 1947, imposed upon the board of county commissioners and if otherwise required by state law;

(5) Cooperate with state and federal authorities in any matter relating to family services and to act as the agent of such authorities;

(6) Submit an annual account of its work and expenses to the board of county commissioners and to the state department of job and family services at the close of each fiscal year;

(7) Exercise any powers and duties relating to family services duties or workforce development activities imposed upon the county department of job and family services by law, by resolution of the board of county commissioners, or by order of the governor, when authorized by law, to meet emergencies during war or peace;

(8) Determine the Make eligibility determinations for medical assistance of recipients of aid under Title XVI of the "Social Security Act" the medicaid program in accordance with rules adopted by the director of health care administration under section 5162.20 of the Revised Code;

(9) If assigned by the state director of job and family services health care administration under section 5101.515 5167.15 of the Revised Code, determine applicants' eligibility for health assistance under the children's health insurance program part II;

(10) Enter into a plan of cooperation with the board of county commissioners under section 307.983, consult with the board in the development of the transportation work plan developed under section 307.985, establish with the board procedures under section 307.986 for providing services to children whose families relocate frequently, and comply with the contracts the board enters into under sections 307.981 and 307.982 of the Revised Code that affect the county department;

(11) For the purpose of complying with a fiscal agreement the board of county commissioners enters into under section 307.98 of the Revised Code, exercise the powers and perform the duties the fiscal agreement assigns to the county department;

(12) If the county department is designated as the workforce development agency, provide the workforce development activities specified in the contract required by section 330.05 of the Revised Code.

(B) The powers and duties of a county department of job and family services are, and shall be exercised and performed, under the control and direction of the board of county commissioners. The board may assign to the county department any power or duty of the board regarding family services duties and workforce development activities. If the new power or duty necessitates the state department of job and family services changing its federal cost allocation plan, the county department may not implement the power or duty unless the United States department of health and human services approves the changes.

Sec. 329.043. With regard to applicants for and recipients of disability financial assistance or disability medical assistance, each county department of job and family services shall do all of the following:

(A) Identify applicants and recipients who might be eligible for benefits under the supplemental security income program;

(B) Assist applicants and recipients in securing documentation of disabling conditions or refer them for such assistance to a person or government entity with which the department of job and family services or county department has contracted under section 5115.20 of the Revised Code;

(C) Inform applicants and recipients of available sources of representation, which may include a person or government entity with which the department of job and family services or county department has contracted under section 5115.20 of the Revised Code, and of their right to represent themselves in reconsiderations and appeals of social security administration decisions that deny them supplemental security income benefits. The county department may require the applicants and recipients, as a condition of eligibility for disability financial assistance or disability medical assistance, to pursue reconsiderations and appeals of social security administration decisions that deny them supplemental security income benefits, and shall assist applicants and recipients as necessary to obtain such benefits or refer them to a person or government entity with which the department or county department has contracted under section 5115.20 of the Revised Code.

(D) Require applicants and recipients who, in the judgment of the county department, are or may be aged, blind, or disabled, to apply for the medicaid program, make determinations when appropriate as to eligibility for medicaid, and refer their applications when necessary to the disability determination unit established in accordance with section 5162.17 of the Revised Code for expedited review;

(E) Require each applicant and recipient who in the judgment of the department of job and family services or the county department might be eligible for supplemental security income benefits, as a condition of eligibility for disability financial assistance or disability medical assistance, to execute a written authorization for the secretary of health and human services to withhold benefits due that individual and pay to the director of job and family services, director of health care administration, or either director's designee an amount sufficient to reimburse the state and county shares of interim assistance furnished to the individual. For the purposes of this division, "benefits" and "interim assistance" have the meanings given in Title XVI of the "Social Security Act of 1935."

Sec. 329.051.  The county department of job and family services shall make voter registration applications as prescribed by the secretary of state under section 3503.10 of the Revised Code available to persons who are applying for, receiving assistance from, or participating in any of the following:

(A) The disability financial assistance program established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code;

(B) The disability medical assistance program established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code;

(C) The medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code;

(D) The Ohio works first program established under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code;

(E) The prevention, retention, and contingency program established under Chapter 5108. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 329.06.  (A) Except as provided in division (C) of this section and section 6301.08 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners shall establish a county family services planning committee. The board shall appoint a member to represent the county department of job and family services; an employee in the classified civil service of the county department of job and family services, if there are any such employees; and a member to represent the public. The board shall appoint other individuals to the committee in such a manner that the committee's membership is broadly representative of the groups of individuals and the public and private entities that have an interest in the family services provided in the county. The board shall make appointments in a manner that reflects the ethnic and racial composition of the county. The following groups and entities may be represented on the committee:

(1) Consumers of family services;

(2) The public children services agency;

(3) The child support enforcement agency;

(4) The county family and children first council;

(5) Public and private colleges and universities;

(6) Public entities that provide family services, including boards of health, boards of education, the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and the board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that serves the county;

(7) Private nonprofit and for-profit entities that provide family services in the county or that advocate for consumers of family services in the county, including entities that provide services to or advocate for victims of domestic violence;

(8) Labor organizations;

(9) Any other group or entity that has an interest in the family services provided in the county, including groups or entities that represent any of the county's business, urban, and rural sectors.

(B) The county family services planning committee shall do all of the following:

(1) Serve as an advisory body to the board of county commissioners with regard to the family services provided in the county, including assistance under Chapters 5107. and 5108. of the Revised Code, publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code, and social services provided under section 5101.46 of the Revised Code;

(2) At least once a year, review and analyze the county department of job and family services' implementation of the programs established under Chapters 5107. and 5108. of the Revised Code. In its review, the committee shall use information available to it to examine all of the following:

(a) Return of assistance groups to participation in either program after ceasing to participate;

(b) Teen pregnancy rates among the programs' participants;

(c) The other types of assistance the programs' participants receive, including medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code medicaid, publicly funded child care under Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code, food stamp benefits under section 5101.54 of the Revised Code, and energy assistance under Chapter 5117. of the Revised Code;

(d) Other issues the committee considers appropriate.

The committee shall make recommendations to the board of county commissioners and county department of job and family services regarding the committee's findings.

(3) Conduct public hearings on proposed county profiles for the provision of social services under section 5101.46 of the Revised Code;

(4) At the request of the board, make recommendations and provide assistance regarding the family services provided in the county;

(5) At any other time the committee considers appropriate, consult with the board and make recommendations regarding the family services provided in the county. The committee's recommendations may address the following:

(a) Implementation and administration of family service programs;

(b) Use of federal, state, and local funds available for family service programs;

(c) Establishment of goals to be achieved by family service programs;

(d) Evaluation of the outcomes of family service programs;

(e) Any other matter the board considers relevant to the provision of family services.

(C) If there is a committee in existence in a county on October 1, 1997, that the board of county commissioners determines is capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of a county family services planning committee, the board may designate the committee as the county's family services planning committee and the committee shall serve in that capacity.

Sec. 329.14.  (A) An individual whose household income does not exceed one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty line is eligible to participate in an individual development account program established by the county department of job and family services of the county in which the individual resides. An eligible individual seeking to be a participant in the program shall enter into an agreement with the fiduciary organization administering the program. The agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of uses of funds deposited, financial documentation required to be maintained by the participant, expectations and responsibilities of the participant, and services to be provided by the fiduciary organization.

(B) A participant may deposit earned income, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 911(d)(2), as amended, into the account. The fiduciary organization may deposit into the account an amount not exceeding twice the amount deposited by the participant except that a fiduciary organization may not, pursuant to an agreement with an employer, deposit an amount into an account held by a participant who is employed by the employer. An account may have no more than ten thousand dollars in it at any time.

(C) Notwithstanding eligibility requirements established in or pursuant to Chapter 5107., or 5108., or 5111. of the Revised Code or for the medicaid program, to the extent permitted by federal statutes and regulations, money in an individual development account, including interest, is exempt from consideration in determining whether the participant or a member of the participant's assistance group is eligible for assistance under Chapter 5107., or 5108., or 5111. of the Revised Code or the medicaid program and the amount of assistance the participant or assistance group is eligible to receive.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, an individual development account program participant may use money in the account only for the following purposes:

(a) Postsecondary educational expenses paid directly from the account to an eligible education institution or vendor;

(b) Qualified acquisition expenses of a principal residence, as defined in 26 U.S.C. 1034, as amended, paid directly from the account to the person or government entity to which the expenses are due;

(c) Qualified business capitalization expenses made in accordance with a qualified business plan that has been approved by a financial institution or by a nonprofit microenterprise program having demonstrated business expertise and paid directly from the account to the person to whom the expenses are due.

(2) A fiduciary organization shall permit a participant to withdraw money deposited by the participant if it is needed to deal with a personal emergency of the participant or a member of the participant's family or household. Withdrawal shall result in the loss of any matching funds in an amount equal to the amount of the withdrawal.

(3) Regardless of the reason for the withdrawal, a withdrawal from an individual development account may be made only with the approval of the fiduciary organization.

Sec. 340.03.  (A) Subject to rules issued by the director of mental health after consultation with relevant constituencies as required by division (A)(11) of section 5119.06 of the Revised Code, with regard to mental health services, the board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services shall:

(1) Serve as the community mental health planning agency for the county or counties under its jurisdiction, and in so doing it shall:

(a) Evaluate the need for facilities and community mental health services;

(b) In cooperation with other local and regional planning and funding bodies and with relevant ethnic organizations, assess the community mental health needs, set priorities, and develop plans for the operation of facilities and community mental health services;

(c) In accordance with guidelines issued by the director of mental health after consultation with board representatives, develop and submit to the department of mental health, no later than six months prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year in which the board's current plan is scheduled to expire, a community mental health plan listing community mental health needs, including the needs of all residents of the district now residing in state mental institutions and severely mentally disabled adults, children, and adolescents; all children subject to a determination made pursuant to section 121.38 of the Revised Code; and all the facilities and community mental health services that are or will be in operation or provided during the period for which the plan will be in operation in the service district to meet such needs.

The plan shall include, but not be limited to, a statement of which of the services listed in section 340.09 of the Revised Code the board intends to make available. The board must include crisis intervention services for individuals in an emergency situation in the plan and explain how the board intends to make such services available. The plan must also include an explanation of how the board intends to make any payments that it may be required to pay under section 5119.62 of the Revised Code, a statement of the inpatient and community-based services the board proposes that the department operate, an assessment of the number and types of residential facilities needed, such other information as the department requests, and a budget for moneys the board expects to receive. The board shall also submit an allocation request for state and federal funds. Within sixty days after the department's determination that the plan and allocation request are complete, the department shall approve or disapprove the plan and request, in whole or in part, according to the criteria developed pursuant to section 5119.61 of the Revised Code. The department's statement of approval or disapproval shall specify the inpatient and the community-based services that the department will operate for the board.

Eligibility for state and federal funding shall be contingent upon an approved plan or relevant part of a plan. The department may provide state and federal funding for services included in a plan only if the services are for individuals whose focus of treatment or prevention is a mental disorder according to the edition of the American psychiatric association's diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders that is current at the time the funding is provided. This shall include such services for individuals who have a mental disorder and a co-occurring substance use disorder, substance-induced disorder, chronic dementing organic mental disorder, mental retardation, or developmental disability. The department may not provide state or federal funding under a plan for a service for individuals whose focus of treatment or prevention is solely a substance use disorder, substance-induced disorder, chronic dementing organic mental disorder, mental retardation, or developmental disability.

If the director disapproves all or part of any plan, the director shall inform the board of the reasons for the disapproval and of the criteria that must be met before the plan may be approved. The director shall provide the board an opportunity to present its case on behalf of the plan. The director shall give the board a reasonable time in which to meet the criteria, and shall offer the board technical assistance to help it meet the criteria.

If the approval of a plan remains in dispute thirty days prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year in which the board's current plan is scheduled to expire, the board or the director may request that the dispute be submitted to a mutually agreed upon third-party mediator with the cost to be shared by the board and the department. The mediator shall issue to the board and the department recommendations for resolution of the dispute. Prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year in which the current plan is scheduled to expire, the director, taking into consideration the recommendations of the mediator, shall make a final determination and approve or disapprove the plan, in whole or in part.

If a board determines that it is necessary to amend a plan or an allocation request that has been approved under division (A)(1)(c) of this section, the board shall submit a proposed amendment to the director. The director may approve or disapprove all or part of the amendment. If the director does not approve all or part of the amendment within thirty days after it is submitted, the amendment or part of it shall be considered to have been approved. The director shall inform the board of the reasons for disapproval of all or part of an amendment and of the criteria that must be met before the amendment may be approved. The director shall provide the board an opportunity to present its case on behalf of the amendment. The director shall give the board a reasonable time in which to meet the criteria, and shall offer the board technical assistance to help it meet the criteria.

The board shall implement the plan approved by the department.

(d) Receive, compile, and transmit to the department of mental health applications for state reimbursement;

(e) Promote, arrange, and implement working agreements with social agencies, both public and private, and with judicial agencies.

(2) Investigate, or request another agency to investigate, any complaint alleging abuse or neglect of any person receiving services from a community mental health agency as defined in section 5122.01 of the Revised Code, or from a residential facility licensed under section 5119.22 of the Revised Code. If the investigation substantiates the charge of abuse or neglect, the board shall take whatever action it determines is necessary to correct the situation, including notification of the appropriate authorities. Upon request, the board shall provide information about such investigations to the department.

(3) For the purpose of section 5119.611 of the Revised Code, cooperate with the director of mental health in visiting and evaluating whether the services of a community mental health agency satisfy the certification standards established by rules adopted under that section;

(4) In accordance with criteria established under division (G) of section 5119.61 of the Revised Code, review and evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of services provided through its community mental health plan and submit its findings and recommendations to the department of mental health;

(5) In accordance with section 5119.22 of the Revised Code, review applications for residential facility licenses and recommend to the department of mental health approval or disapproval of applications;

(6) Audit, in accordance with rules adopted by the auditor of state pursuant to section 117.20 of the Revised Code, at least annually all programs and services provided under contract with the board. In so doing, the board may contract for or employ the services of private auditors. A copy of the fiscal audit report shall be provided to the director of mental health, the auditor of state, and the county auditor of each county in the board's district.

(7) Recruit and promote local financial support for mental health programs from private and public sources;

(8)(a) Enter into contracts with public and private facilities for the operation of facility services included in the board's community mental health plan and enter into contracts with public and private community mental health agencies for the provision of community mental health services that are listed in section 340.09 of the Revised Code and included in the board's community mental health plan. The board may not contract with a community mental health agency to provide community mental health services included in the board's community mental health plan unless the services are certified by the director of mental health under section 5119.611 of the Revised Code. Section 307.86 of the Revised Code does not apply to contracts entered into under this division. In contracting with a community mental health agency, a board shall consider the cost effectiveness of services provided by that agency and the quality and continuity of care, and may review cost elements, including salary costs, of the services to be provided. A utilization review process shall be established as part of the contract for services entered into between a board and a community mental health agency. The board may establish this process in a way that is most effective and efficient in meeting local needs. In the case of a contract with a community mental health facility, as defined in section 5111.023 5163.20 of the Revised Code, to provide services listed in division (B) of that section, the contract shall provide for the facility to be paid in accordance with the contract entered into between the departments of job and family services health care administration and mental health under section 5111.91 5161.05 of the Revised Code and any rules adopted under division (A) of section 5119.61 of the Revised Code.

If either the board or a facility or community mental health agency with which the board contracts under division (A)(8)(a) of this section proposes not to renew the contract or proposes substantial changes in contract terms, the other party shall be given written notice at least one hundred twenty days before the expiration date of the contract. During the first sixty days of this one hundred twenty-day period, both parties shall attempt to resolve any dispute through good faith collaboration and negotiation in order to continue to provide services to persons in need. If the dispute has not been resolved sixty days before the expiration date of the contract, either party may notify the department of mental health of the unresolved dispute. The director may require both parties to submit the dispute to a third party with the cost to be shared by the board and the facility or community mental health agency. The third party shall issue to the board, the facility or agency, and the department recommendations on how the dispute may be resolved twenty days prior to the expiration date of the contract, unless both parties agree to a time extension. The director shall adopt rules establishing the procedures of this dispute resolution process.

(b) With the prior approval of the director of mental health, a board may operate a facility or provide a community mental health service as follows, if there is no other qualified private or public facility or community mental health agency that is immediately available and willing to operate such a facility or provide the service:

(i) In an emergency situation, any board may operate a facility or provide a community mental health service in order to provide essential services for the duration of the emergency;

(ii) In a service district with a population of at least one hundred thousand but less than five hundred thousand, a board may operate a facility or provide a community mental health service for no longer than one year;

(iii) In a service district with a population of less than one hundred thousand, a board may operate a facility or provide a community mental health service for no longer than one year, except that such a board may operate a facility or provide a community mental health service for more than one year with the prior approval of the director and the prior approval of the board of county commissioners, or of a majority of the boards of county commissioners if the district is a joint-county district.

The director shall not give a board approval to operate a facility or provide a community mental health service under division (A)(8)(b)(ii) or (iii) of this section unless the director determines that it is not feasible to have the department operate the facility or provide the service.

The director shall not give a board approval to operate a facility or provide a community mental health service under division (A)(8)(b)(iii) of this section unless the director determines that the board will provide greater administrative efficiency and more or better services than would be available if the board contracted with a private or public facility or community mental health agency.

The director shall not give a board approval to operate a facility previously operated by a person or other government entity unless the board has established to the director's satisfaction that the person or other government entity cannot effectively operate the facility or that the person or other government entity has requested the board to take over operation of the facility. The director shall not give a board approval to provide a community mental health service previously provided by a community mental health agency unless the board has established to the director's satisfaction that the agency cannot effectively provide the service or that the agency has requested the board take over providing the service.

The director shall review and evaluate a board's operation of a facility and provision of community mental health service under division (A)(8)(b) of this section.

Nothing in division (A)(8)(b) of this section authorizes a board to administer or direct the daily operation of any facility or community mental health agency, but a facility or agency may contract with a board to receive administrative services or staff direction from the board under the direction of the governing body of the facility or agency.

(9) Approve fee schedules and related charges or adopt a unit cost schedule or other methods of payment for contract services provided by community mental health agencies in accordance with guidelines issued by the department as necessary to comply with state and federal laws pertaining to financial assistance;

(10) Submit to the director and the county commissioners of the county or counties served by the board, and make available to the public, an annual report of the programs under the jurisdiction of the board, including a fiscal accounting;

(11) Establish, to the extent resources are available, a community support system, which provides for treatment, support, and rehabilitation services and opportunities. The essential elements of the system include, but are not limited to, the following components in accordance with section 5119.06 of the Revised Code:

(a) To locate persons in need of mental health services to inform them of available services and benefits mechanisms;

(b) Assistance for clients to obtain services necessary to meet basic human needs for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, personal safety, and income;

(c) Mental health care, including, but not limited to, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and, where appropriate, inpatient care;

(d) Emergency services and crisis intervention;

(e) Assistance for clients to obtain vocational services and opportunities for jobs;

(f) The provision of services designed to develop social, community, and personal living skills;

(g) Access to a wide range of housing and the provision of residential treatment and support;

(h) Support, assistance, consultation, and education for families, friends, consumers of mental health services, and others;

(i) Recognition and encouragement of families, friends, neighborhood networks, especially networks that include racial and ethnic minorities, churches, community organizations, and meaningful employment as natural supports for consumers of mental health services;

(j) Grievance procedures and protection of the rights of consumers of mental health services;

(k) Case management, which includes continual individualized assistance and advocacy to ensure that needed services are offered and procured.

(12) Designate the treatment program, agency, or facility for each person involuntarily committed to the board pursuant to Chapter 5122. of the Revised Code and authorize payment for such treatment. The board shall provide the least restrictive and most appropriate alternative that is available for any person involuntarily committed to it and shall assure that the services listed in section 340.09 of the Revised Code are available to severely mentally disabled persons residing within its service district. The board shall establish the procedure for authorizing payment for services, which may include prior authorization in appropriate circumstances. The board may provide for services directly to a severely mentally disabled person when life or safety is endangered and when no community mental health agency is available to provide the service.

(13) Establish a method for evaluating referrals for involuntary commitment and affidavits filed pursuant to section 5122.11 of the Revised Code in order to assist the probate division of the court of common pleas in determining whether there is probable cause that a respondent is subject to involuntary hospitalization and what alternative treatment is available and appropriate, if any;

(14) Ensure that apartments or rooms built, subsidized, renovated, rented, owned, or leased by the board or a community mental health agency have been approved as meeting minimum fire safety standards and that persons residing in the rooms or apartments are receiving appropriate and necessary services, including culturally relevant services, from a community mental health agency. This division does not apply to residential facilities licensed pursuant to section 5119.22 of the Revised Code.

(15) Establish a mechanism for involvement of consumer recommendation and advice on matters pertaining to mental health services in the alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health service district;

(16) Perform the duties under section 3722.18 of the Revised Code required by rules adopted under section 5119.61 of the Revised Code regarding referrals by the board or mental health agencies under contract with the board of individuals with mental illness or severe mental disability to adult care facilities and effective arrangements for ongoing mental health services for the individuals. The board is accountable in the manner specified in the rules for ensuring that the ongoing mental health services are effectively arranged for the individuals.

(B) The board shall establish such rules, operating procedures, standards, and bylaws, and perform such other duties as may be necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(C) A board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services may receive by gift, grant, devise, or bequest any moneys, lands, or property for the benefit of the purposes for which the board is established, and may hold and apply it according to the terms of the gift, grant, or bequest. All money received, including accrued interest, by gift, grant, or bequest shall be deposited in the treasury of the county, the treasurer of which is custodian of the alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services funds to the credit of the board and shall be available for use by the board for purposes stated by the donor or grantor.

(D) No board member or employee of a board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services shall be liable for injury or damages caused by any action or inaction taken within the scope of the board member's official duties or the employee's employment, whether or not such action or inaction is expressly authorized by this section, section 340.033, or any other section of the Revised Code, unless such action or inaction constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code applies to any action or inaction by a board member or employee of a board taken within the scope of the board member's official duties or employee's employment. For the purposes of this division, the conduct of a board member or employee shall not be considered willful or wanton misconduct if the board member or employee acted in good faith and in a manner that the board member or employee reasonably believed was in or was not opposed to the best interests of the board and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful.

(E) The meetings held by any committee established by a board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services shall be considered to be meetings of a public body subject to section 121.22 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 340.091.  Each board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services shall contract with a community mental health agency under division (A)(8)(a) of section 340.03 of the Revised Code for the agency to do all of the following in accordance with rules adopted under section 5119.61 of the Revised Code for an individual referred to the agency under division (C)(2) of section 173.35 5160.80 of the Revised Code:

(A) Assess the individual to determine whether to recommend that a PASSPORT administrative agency determine that the environment in which the individual will be living while receiving residential state supplement payments is appropriate for the individual's needs and, if it determines the environment is appropriate, issue the recommendation to the PASSPORT administrative agency;

(B) Provide ongoing monitoring to ensure that services provided under section 340.09 of the Revised Code are available to the individual;

(C) Provide discharge planning to ensure the individual's earliest possible transition to a less restrictive environment.

Sec. 340.16. Not later than ninety days after September 5, 2001, the department of mental health and the department of job and family services shall adopt rules that establish requirements and procedures for prior notification and service coordination between public children services agencies and boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services when a public children services agency refers a child in its custody to a board for services funded by the board. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

The department of mental health and department of job and family services health care administration shall collaborate in formulating a plan that delineates the funding responsibilities of public children services agencies and boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services for services provided under section 5111.023 5163.20 of the Revised Code to children in the custody of public children services agencies. The departments shall complete the plan not later than ninety days after September 5, 2001.

Sec. 341.192. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Medical assistance program" has the same meaning as in section 2913.40 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Medical provider" means a physician, hospital, laboratory, pharmacy, or other health care provider that is not employed by or under contract to a county or the department of rehabilitation and correction to provide medical services to persons confined in the county jail or a state correctional institution.

(3)(2) "Necessary care" means medical care of a nonelective nature that cannot be postponed until after the period of confinement of a person who is confined in a county jail or a state correctional institution or is in the custody of a law enforcement officer without endangering the life or health of the person.

(B) If a physician employed by or under contract to a county or the department of rehabilitation and correction to provide medical services to persons confined in the county jail or state correctional institution determines that a person who is confined in the county jail or a state correctional institution or who is in the custody of a law enforcement officer prior to the person's confinement in the county jail or a state correctional institution requires necessary care that the physician cannot provide, the necessary care shall be provided by a medical provider. The county or the department of rehabilitation and correction shall pay a medical provider for necessary care an amount not exceeding the authorized reimbursement rate for the same service established by the department of job and family services health care administration under the medical assistance medicaid program.

Sec. 505.84.  As used in this section, "authorized medicare reimbursement rate" means such rate established for the locality under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program.

A board of township trustees may establish reasonable charges for the use of fire and rescue services, ambulance services, or emergency medical services. The board may establish different charges for township residents and nonresidents, and may, in its discretion, waive all or part of the charge for any resident. The charge for ambulance transportation for nonresidents shall be an amount not less than the authorized medicare reimbursement rate, except that, if prior to September 9, 1988, the board had different charges for residents and nonresidents and the charge for nonresidents was less than the authorized medicare reimbursement rate, the board may charge nonresidents less than the authorized medicare reimbursement rate.

Charges collected under this section shall be kept in a separate fund designated as "the fire and rescue services, ambulance services, and emergency medical services fund," and shall be appropriated and administered by the board. The fund shall be used for the payment of the costs of the management, maintenance, and operation of fire and rescue services, ambulance services, and emergency medical services in the township. If the fire and rescue services, ambulance services, and emergency medical services are discontinued in the township, any balance remaining in the fund shall be paid into the general fund of the township.

Sec. 742.41.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Other system retirant" has the same meaning as in section 742.26 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Personal history record" includes a member's, former member's, or other system retirant's name, address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the Ohio police and fire pension fund, status of any application for benefits, and any other information deemed confidential by the trustees of the fund.

(B) The treasurer of state shall furnish annually to the board of trustees of the fund a sworn statement of the amount of the funds in the treasurer of state's custody belonging to the Ohio police and fire pension fund. The records of the fund shall be open for public inspection except for the following, which shall be excluded, except with the written authorization of the individual concerned:

(1) The individual's personal history record;

(2) Any information identifying, by name and address, the amount of a monthly allowance or benefit paid to the individual.

(C) All medical reports and recommendations required are privileged, except that copies of such medical reports or recommendations shall be made available to the personal physician, attorney, or authorized agent of the individual concerned upon written release received from the individual or the individual's agent or, when necessary for the proper administration of the fund, to the board-assigned physician.

(D) Any person who is a member of the fund or an other system retirant shall be furnished with a statement of the amount to the credit of the person's individual account upon the person's written request. The fund need not answer more than one such request of a person in any one year.

(E) Notwithstanding the exceptions to public inspection in division (B) of this section, the fund may furnish the following information:

(1) If a member, former member, or other system retirant is subject to an order issued under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, on written request of a prosecutor as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, the fund shall furnish to the prosecutor the information requested from the individual's personal history record.

(2) Pursuant to a court order issued pursuant to Chapter 3119., 3121., 3123., or 3125. of the Revised Code, the fund shall furnish to a court or child support enforcement agency the information required under that section.

(3) At the request of any organization or association of members of the fund, the fund shall provide a list of the names and addresses of members of the fund and other system retirants. The fund shall comply with the request of such organization or association at least once a year and may impose a reasonable charge for the list.

(4) Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code or a list of the names and social security numbers of public medical assistance program recipients pursuant to section 5160.43 of the Revised Code, the fund shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent employer address, and social security number of each member or other system retirant whose name and social security number are the same as that of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director is included on the list. The fund and its employees shall, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, preserve the confidentiality of recipients of public assistance in compliance with division (A) of section 5101.181 of the Revised Code and preserve the confidentiality of public medical assistance program recipients in compliance with section 5160.43 of the Revised Code.

(5) The fund shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code.

On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the fund shall furnish to the alternate payee information on the amount and status of any amounts payable to the alternate payee under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) At the request of any person, the fund shall make available to the person copies of all documents, including resumes, in the fund's possession regarding filling a vacancy of a police officer employee member, firefighter employee member, police retirant member, or firefighter retirant member of the board of trustees. The person who made the request shall pay the cost of compiling, copying, and mailing the documents. The information described in this division is a public record.

(F) A statement that contains information obtained from the fund's records that is signed by the secretary of the board of trustees of the Ohio police and fire pension fund and to which the board's official seal is affixed, or copies of the fund's records to which the signature and seal are attached, shall be received as true copies of the fund's records in any court or before any officer of this state.

Sec. 955.201. (A) As used in this section and in section 955.202 of the Revised Code, "Ohio pet fund" means a nonprofit corporation organized by that name under Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code that consists of humane societies, veterinarians, animal shelters, companion animal breeders, dog wardens, and similar individuals and entities.

(B) The Ohio pet fund shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish eligibility criteria for organizations that may receive financial assistance from the pets program funding board created in section 955.202 of the Revised Code. Those organizations may include any of the following:

(a) An animal shelter as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) A local nonprofit veterinary association that operates a program for the sterilization of dogs and cats;

(c) A charitable organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the primary purpose of which is to support programs for the sterilization of dogs and cats and educational programs concerning the proper veterinary care of those animals.

(2) Establish procedures for applying for financial assistance from the pets program funding board. Application procedures shall require eligible organizations to submit detailed proposals that outline the intended uses of the moneys sought.

(3) Establish eligibility criteria for sterilization and educational programs for which moneys from the pets program funding board may be used and, consistent with division (C) of this section, establish eligibility criteria for individuals who seek sterilization for their dogs and cats from eligible organizations;

(4) Establish procedures for the disbursement of moneys the pets program funding board receives from license plate contributions pursuant to division (C) of section 4503.551 of the Revised Code;

(5) Advertise or otherwise provide notification of the availability of financial assistance from the pets program funding board for eligible organizations;

(6) Design markings to be inscribed on "pets" license plates under section 4503.551 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) The owner of a dog or cat is eligible for dog or cat sterilization services from an eligible organization when those services are subsidized in whole or in part by money from the pets program funding board if any of the following applies:

(a) The income of the owner's family does not exceed one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty guideline.

(b) The owner, or any member of the owner's family who resides with the owner, is a recipient or beneficiary of one of the following government assistance programs:

(i) Low-income housing assistance under the "United States Housing Act of 1937," 42 U.S.C.A. 1437f, as amended, known as the federal section 8 housing program;

(ii) The Ohio works first program established by Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code;

(iii) Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or The medicaid, provided by the department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program;

(iv) A program or law administered by the United States department of veterans' affairs or veterans' administration for any service-connected disability;

(v) The food stamp program established under the "Food Stamp Act of 1977," 91 Stat. 958, 7 U.S.C.A. 2011, as amended, administered by the department of job and family services under section 5101.54 of the Revised Code;

(vi) The "special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children" established under the "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," 80 Stat. 885, 42 U.S.C. 1786, as amended, administered by the department of health under section 3701.132 of the Revised Code;

(vii) Supplemental security income under Title XVI of the "Social Security Act," 86 Stat. 1475 (1972), 42 U.S.C.A. 1383, as amended;

(viii) Social security disability insurance benefits provided under Title II of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 401, as amended.

(c) The owner of the dog or cat submits to the eligible organization operating the sterilization program either of the following:

(i) A certificate of adoption showing that the dog or cat was adopted from a licensed animal shelter, a municipal, county, or regional pound, or a holding and impoundment facility that contracts with a municipal corporation;

(ii) A certificate of adoption showing that the dog or cat was adopted through a nonprofit corporation operating an animal adoption referral service whose holding facility, if any, is licensed in accordance with state law or a municipal ordinance.

(2) The Ohio pet fund shall determine the type of documentary evidence that must be presented by the owner of a dog or cat to show that the income of the owner's family does not exceed one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty guideline or that the owner is eligible under division (C)(1)(b) of this section.

(D) As used in division (C) of this section, "federal poverty guideline" means the official poverty guideline as revised annually by the United States department of health and human services in accordance with section 673(2) of the "Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981," 95 Stat. 511, 42 U.S.C.A. 9902, as amended, for a family size equal to the size of the family of the person whose income is being determined.

Sec. 1337.11.  As used in sections 1337.11 to 1337.17 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Adult" means a person who is eighteen years of age or older.

(B) "Attending physician" means the physician to whom a principal or the family of a principal has assigned primary responsibility for the treatment or care of the principal or, if the responsibility has not been assigned, the physician who has accepted that responsibility.

(C) "Comfort care" means any of the following:

(1) Nutrition when administered to diminish the pain or discomfort of a principal, but not to postpone death;

(2) Hydration when administered to diminish the pain or discomfort of a principal, but not to postpone death;

(3) Any other medical or nursing procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure that is taken to diminish the pain or discomfort of a principal, but not to postpone death.

(D) "Consulting physician" means a physician who, in conjunction with the attending physician of a principal, makes one or more determinations that are required to be made by the attending physician, or to be made by the attending physician and one other physician, by an applicable provision of sections 1337.11 to 1337.17 of the Revised Code, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards.

(E) "Declaration for mental health treatment" has the same meaning as in section 2135.01 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Guardian" means a person appointed by a probate court pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code to have the care and management of the person of an incompetent.

(G) "Health care" means any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or treat an individual's physical or mental condition or physical or mental health.

(H) "Health care decision" means informed consent, refusal to give informed consent, or withdrawal of informed consent to health care.

(I) "Health care facility" means any of the following:

(1) A hospital;

(2) A hospice care program or other institution that specializes in comfort care of patients in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state;

(3) A nursing home;

(4) A home health agency;

(5) An intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded;

(6) A regulated community mental health organization.

(J) "Health care personnel" means physicians, nurses, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, emergency medical technicians-paramedic, medical technicians, dietitians, other authorized persons acting under the direction of an attending physician, and administrators of health care facilities.

(K) "Home health agency" has the same meaning as in section 5101.61 3701.881 of the Revised Code.

(L) "Hospice care program" has the same meaning as in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code.

(M) "Hospital" has the same meanings as in sections 2108.01, 3701.01, and 5122.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Hydration" means fluids that are artificially or technologically administered.

(O) "Incompetent" has the same meaning as in section 2111.01 of the Revised Code.

(P) "Intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

(Q) "Life-sustaining treatment" means any medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure that, when administered to a principal, will serve principally to prolong the process of dying.

(R) "Medical claim" has the same meaning as in section 2305.113 of the Revised Code.

(S) "Mental health treatment" has the same meaning as in section 2135.01 of the Revised Code.

(T) "Nursing home" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(U) "Nutrition" means sustenance that is artificially or technologically administered.

(V) "Permanently unconscious state" means a state of permanent unconsciousness in a principal that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty as determined in accordance with reasonable medical standards by the principal's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the principal, is characterized by both of the following:

(1) Irreversible unawareness of one's being and environment.

(2) Total loss of cerebral cortical functioning, resulting in the principal having no capacity to experience pain or suffering.

(W) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and additionally includes political subdivisions and governmental agencies, boards, commissions, departments, institutions, offices, and other instrumentalities.

(X) "Physician" means a person who is authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(Y) "Political subdivision" and "state" have the same meanings as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

(Z) "Professional disciplinary action" means action taken by the board or other entity that regulates the professional conduct of health care personnel, including the state medical board and the board of nursing.

(AA) "Regulated community mental health organization" means a residential facility as defined and licensed under section 5119.22 of the Revised Code or a community mental health agency as defined in section 5122.01 of the Revised Code.

(BB) "Terminal condition" means an irreversible, incurable, and untreatable condition caused by disease, illness, or injury from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty as determined in accordance with reasonable medical standards by a principal's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the principal, both of the following apply:

(1) There can be no recovery.

(2) Death is likely to occur within a relatively short time if life-sustaining treatment is not administered.

(CC) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property, other than a civil action for damages for a breach of contract or another agreement between persons.

Sec. 1347.08.  (A) Every state or local agency that maintains a personal information system, upon the request and the proper identification of any person who is the subject of personal information in the system, shall:

(1) Inform the person of the existence of any personal information in the system of which the person is the subject;

(2) Except as provided in divisions (C) and (E)(2) of this section, permit the person, the person's legal guardian, or an attorney who presents a signed written authorization made by the person, to inspect all personal information in the system of which the person is the subject;

(3) Inform the person about the types of uses made of the personal information, including the identity of any users usually granted access to the system.

(B) Any person who wishes to exercise a right provided by this section may be accompanied by another individual of the person's choice.

(C)(1) A state or local agency, upon request, shall disclose medical, psychiatric, or psychological information to a person who is the subject of the information or to the person's legal guardian, unless a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist determines for the agency that the disclosure of the information is likely to have an adverse effect on the person, in which case the information shall be released to a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist who is designated by the person or by the person's legal guardian.

(2) Upon the signed written request of either a licensed attorney at law or a licensed physician designated by the inmate, together with the signed written request of an inmate of a correctional institution under the administration of the department of rehabilitation and correction, the department shall disclose medical information to the designated attorney or physician as provided in division (C) of section 5120.21 of the Revised Code.

(D) If an individual who is authorized to inspect personal information that is maintained in a personal information system requests the state or local agency that maintains the system to provide a copy of any personal information that the individual is authorized to inspect, the agency shall provide a copy of the personal information to the individual. Each state and local agency may establish reasonable fees for the service of copying, upon request, personal information that is maintained by the agency.

(E)(1) This section regulates access to personal information that is maintained in a personal information system by persons who are the subject of the information, but does not limit the authority of any person, including a person who is the subject of personal information maintained in a personal information system, to inspect or have copied, pursuant to section 149.43 of the Revised Code, a public record as defined in that section.

(2) This section does not provide a person who is the subject of personal information maintained in a personal information system, the person's legal guardian, or an attorney authorized by the person, with a right to inspect or have copied, or require an agency that maintains a personal information system to permit the inspection of or to copy, a confidential law enforcement investigatory record or trial preparation record, as defined in divisions (A)(2) and (4) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(F) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) The contents of an adoption file maintained by the department of health under section 3705.12 of the Revised Code;

(2) Information contained in the putative father registry established by section 3107.062 of the Revised Code, regardless of whether the information is held by the department of job and family services or, pursuant to section 3111.69 of the Revised Code, the office of child support in the department or a child support enforcement agency;

(3) Papers, records, and books that pertain to an adoption and that are subject to inspection in accordance with section 3107.17 of the Revised Code;

(4) Records listed in division (A) of section 3107.42 of the Revised Code or specified in division (A) of section 3107.52 of the Revised Code;

(5) Records that identify an individual described in division (A)(1) of section 3721.031 of the Revised Code, or that would tend to identify such an individual;

(6) Files and records that have been expunged under division (D)(1) of section 3721.23 of the Revised Code;

(7) Records that identify an individual described in division (A)(1) of section 3721.25 of the Revised Code, or that would tend to identify such an individual;

(8) Records that identify an individual described in division (A)(1) of section 5111.61 5164.77 of the Revised Code, or that would tend to identify such an individual;

(9) Test materials, examinations, or evaluation tools used in an examination for licensure as a nursing home administrator that the board of examiners of nursing home administrators administers under section 4751.04 of the Revised Code or contracts under that section with a private or government entity to administer;

(10) Information contained in a database established and maintained pursuant to section 5101.13 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1731.04.  (A) An agreement between an alliance and an insurer referred to in division (B) of section 1731.01 of the Revised Code shall contain at least the following:

(1) A provision requiring the insurer to offer and sell to small employers served or to be served by an alliance one or more health benefit plan options for coverage of their eligible employees and the eligible dependents and members of the families of the eligible employees and, if applicable, such members' eligible retirees and the eligible dependents and members of the families of the retirees, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be set forth or incorporated into the agreement;

(2) A brief description of each type of health benefit plan option that is to be so offered and the conditions for the modification, continuation, and termination of the coverage and benefits thereunder;

(3) A statement of the eligibility requirements that an employee or retiree must meet in order for the employee or retiree to be eligible to obtain and retain coverage under any health benefit plan option so offered and, if one of such requirements is that an employee must regularly work for a minimum number of hours per week, a statement of such minimum number of hours, which minimum shall not exceed twenty-five hours per week;

(4) A description of any pre-existing condition and waiting period rules;

(5) A statement of the premium rates or other charges that apply to each health benefit plan option or a formula or method of determining the rates or charges;

(6) A provision prescribing the minimum employer contribution toward premiums or other charges required in order to permit a small employer to obtain coverage under a health benefit plan option offered under an alliance program;

(7) A provision requiring that each health benefit plan under the alliance program must provide for the continuation of coverage of participants of an enrolled small employer so long as the small employer determines that such person is a qualified beneficiary entitled to such coverage pursuant to Part 6 of Title I of the "Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974," 88 Stat. 832, 29 U.S.C.A. 1001, and the laws of this state, and regulations or rulings interpreting such provisions. Such coverage provided by the insurer under the plan to participants shall comply with the "Federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" and the relevant statutes, regulations, and rulings interpreting that act, including provisions regarding types of coverage to be provided, apportionments of limitations on coverage, apportionments of deductibles, and the rights of qualified beneficiaries to elect coverage options relating to types of coverage and otherwise.

(B) An agreement between an alliance and an insurer referred to in division (B) of section 1731.01 of the Revised Code may contain provisions relating to, but not limited to, any of the following:

(1) The application and enrollment process for a small employer and related provisions pertaining to historical experience, health statements, and underwriting standards;

(2) The minimum number of those employees eligible to be participants that are required to participate in order to permit a small employer to obtain coverage under a health benefit plan option offered under the alliance program, which may vary with the number of employees or those eligible to be participants in respect of the small employer;

(3) A procedure for allowing an enrolled small employer to change from one plan option to another under the alliance program, subject to qualifying by size or otherwise under the alliance program;

(4) The application of any risk-related pooling or grouping programs and related premiums, conditions, reviews, and alternatives offered by the insurer;

(5) The availability of a medicare supplement coverage option for eligible participants who are covered by Parts A and B of the medicare, Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301 program;

(6) Relevant experience periods, enrollment periods, and contract periods;

(7) Effective dates for coverage of eligible participants;

(8) Conditions under which denial or withdrawal of coverage of participants or small employers and their employees may occur by reason of falsification or misrepresentation of material facts or criminal conduct toward the insurer, small employer, or alliance under the program;

(9) Premium rate structures, which may be uniform or make provision for age-specific rates, differentials based on number of participants of an enrolled small employer, products and plan options selected, and other factors, rate adjustments based on consumer price indices, utilization, or other relevant factors, notification of rate adjustments, and arbitration;

(10) Any responsibilities of the alliance for billing, collection, and transmittal of premiums;

(11) Inclusion under the alliance program of small employers that are members of other organizations described in division (A)(1) of section 1731.01 of the Revised Code that contract with the alliance for this purpose, and conditions pertaining to those small employer members and to their employees and retirees, and dependents and family members of those employees or retirees, as applicable under the alliance program;

(12) The agreement of the insurer to offer and sell one or more health benefit plans to small employer members of another small employer health care alliance that contracts with the alliance for this purpose;

(13) Use of the health benefit plan options of the insurer in the alliance program and use of the names of the alliance and the insurer;

(14) Indemnification from claims and liability by reason of acts or omissions of others;

(15) Ownership, use, availability, and maintenance of confidentiality of data and records relating to the alliance program;

(16) Utilization reports to be provided to the alliance by the insurer;

(17) Such other provisions as may be agreed upon by the alliance and the insurer to better provide for the articulation, promotion, financing, and operation of the alliance program or a health benefit plan under the program in furtherance of the public purposes stated in section 1731.02 of the Revised Code.

(C) Neither an alliance program nor an agreement between an alliance and an insurer is itself a policy or contract of insurance, or a certificate, indorsement, rider, or application forming any part of a policy, contract, or certificate of insurance. Chapters 3905., 3933., and 3959. of the Revised Code do not apply to an alliance program or to an agreement between an alliance and an insurer thereunder, as such, or to the functions of the alliance under an alliance program.

Sec. 1739.061. (A)(1) This section applies to both of the following:

(a) A multiple employer welfare arrangement that issues or requires the use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims;

(b) A person or entity that a multiple employer welfare arrangement contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology described in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding division (A)(1) of this section, this section does not apply to the issuance or required use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for the submission and routing of prescription drug claims in connection with any of the following:

(a) Any program or arrangement covering only accident, credit, dental, disability income, long-term care, hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, medicare, tricare, specified disease, or vision care; coverage under a one-time-limited-duration policy of not longer than six months; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; insurance arising out of workers' compensation or similar law; automobile medical payment insurance; or insurance under which benefits are payable with or without regard to fault and which is statutorily required to be contained in any liability insurance policy or equivalent self-insurance.

(b) Coverage provided under the medicaid, as defined in section 5111.01 of the Revised Code program.

(c) Coverage provided under an employer's self-insurance plan or by any of its administrators, as defined in section 3959.01 of the Revised Code, to the extent that federal law supersedes, preempts, prohibits, or otherwise precludes the application of this section to the plan and its administrators.

(B) A standardized identification card or an electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section shall contain uniform prescription drug information in accordance with either division (B)(1) or (2) of this section.

(1) The standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall be in a format and contain information fields approved by the national council for prescription drug programs or a successor organization, as specified in the council's or successor organization's pharmacy identification card implementation guide in effect on the first day of October most immediately preceding the issuance or required use of the standardized identification card or the electronic technology.

(2) If the multiple employer welfare arrangement or person under contract with it to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology requires the information for the submission and routing of a claim, the standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall contain any of the following information:

(a) The name of the multiple employer welfare arrangement;

(b) The individual's name, group number, and identification number;

(c) A telephone number to inquire about pharmacy-related issues;

(d) The issuer's international identification number, labeled as "ANSI BIN" or "RxBIN";

(e) The processor's control number, labeled as "RxPCN";

(f) The individual's pharmacy benefits group number if different from the insured's medical group number, labeled as "RxGrp."

(C) If the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section is also used for submission and routing of nonpharmacy claims, the designation "Rx" is required to be included as part of the labels identified in divisions (B)(2)(d) and (e) of this section if the issuer's international identification number or the processor's control number is different for medical and pharmacy claims.

(D) Each multiple employer welfare arrangement described in division (A) of this section shall annually file a certificate with the superintendent of insurance certifying that it or any person it contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims complies with this section.

(E)(1) Except as provided in division (E)(2) of this section, if there is a change in the information contained in the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued to an individual, the multiple employer welfare arrangement or person under contract with it to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology shall issue a new card or electronic technology to the individual.

(2) A multiple employer welfare arrangement or person under contract with it is not required under division (E)(1) of this section to issue a new card or electronic technology to an individual more than once during a twelve-month period.

(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a multiple employer welfare arrangement to produce more than one standardized identification card or one electronic technology for use by individuals accessing health care benefits provided under a multiple employer welfare arrangement.

Sec. 1751.01.  As used in this chapter:

(A)(1) "Basic health care services" means the following services when medically necessary:

(a) Physician's services, except when such services are supplemental under division (B) of this section;

(b) Inpatient hospital services;

(c) Outpatient medical services;

(d) Emergency health services;

(e) Urgent care services;

(f) Diagnostic laboratory services and diagnostic and therapeutic radiologic services;

(g) Diagnostic and treatment services, other than prescription drug services, for biologically based mental illnesses;

(h) Preventive health care services, including, but not limited to, voluntary family planning services, infertility services, periodic physical examinations, prenatal obstetrical care, and well-child care.

"Basic health care services" does not include experimental procedures.

Except as provided by divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section in connection with the offering of coverage for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses, a health insuring corporation shall not offer coverage for a health care service, defined as a basic health care service by this division, unless it offers coverage for all listed basic health care services. However, this requirement does not apply to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, the medicare program pursuant to a medicare contract, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in the federal employee health benefits program pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. 8905, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX recipients of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program, or to the coverage of beneficiaries under any federal health care program regulated by a federal regulatory body, or to the coverage of beneficiaries under any contract covering officers or employees of the state that has been entered into by the department of administrative services.

(2) A health insuring corporation may offer coverage for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses without offering coverage for all other basic health care services. A health insuring corporation may offer coverage for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses alone or in combination with one or more supplemental health care services. However, a health insuring corporation that offers coverage for any other basic health care service shall offer coverage for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses in combination with the offer of coverage for all other listed basic health care services.

(3) A health insuring corporation that offers coverage for basic health care services is not required to offer coverage for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses in combination with the offer of coverage for all other listed basic health care services if all of the following apply:

(a) The health insuring corporation submits documentation certified by an independent member of the American academy of actuaries to the superintendent of insurance showing that incurred claims for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses for a period of at least six months independently caused the health insuring corporation's costs for claims and administrative expenses for the coverage of basic health care services to increase by more than one per cent per year.

(b) The health insuring corporation submits a signed letter from an independent member of the American academy of actuaries to the superintendent of insurance opining that the increase in costs described in division (A)(3)(a) of this section could reasonably justify an increase of more than one per cent in the annual premiums or rates charged by the health insuring corporation for the coverage of basic health care services.

(c) The superintendent of insurance makes the following determinations from the documentation and opinion submitted pursuant to divisions (A)(3)(a) and (b) of this section:

(i) Incurred claims for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses for a period of at least six months independently caused the health insuring corporation's costs for claims and administrative expenses for the coverage of basic health care services to increase by more than one per cent per year.

(ii) The increase in costs reasonably justifies an increase of more than one per cent in the annual premiums or rates charged by the health insuring corporation for the coverage of basic health care services.

Any determination made by the superintendent under this division is subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) "Supplemental health care services" means any health care services other than basic health care services that a health insuring corporation may offer, alone or in combination with either basic health care services or other supplemental health care services, and includes:

(a) Services of facilities for intermediate or long-term care, or both;

(b) Dental care services;

(c) Vision care and optometric services including lenses and frames;

(d) Podiatric care or foot care services;

(e) Mental health services, excluding diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses;

(f) Short-term outpatient evaluative and crisis-intervention mental health services;

(g) Medical or psychological treatment and referral services for alcohol and drug abuse or addiction;

(h) Home health services;

(i) Prescription drug services;

(j) Nursing services;

(k) Services of a dietitian licensed under Chapter 4759. of the Revised Code;

(l) Physical therapy services;

(m) Chiropractic services;

(n) Any other category of services approved by the superintendent of insurance.

(2) If a health insuring corporation offers prescription drug services under this division, the coverage shall include prescription drug services for the treatment of biologically based mental illnesses on the same terms and conditions as other physical diseases and disorders.

(C) "Specialty health care services" means one of the supplemental health care services listed in division (B) of this section, when provided by a health insuring corporation on an outpatient-only basis and not in combination with other supplemental health care services.

(D) "Biologically based mental illnesses" means schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder, as these terms are defined in the most recent edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders published by the American psychiatric association.

(E) "Closed panel plan" means a health care plan that requires enrollees to use participating providers.

(F) "Compensation" means remuneration for the provision of health care services, determined on other than a fee-for-service or discounted-fee-for-service basis.

(G) "Contractual periodic prepayment" means the formula for determining the premium rate for all subscribers of a health insuring corporation.

(H) "Corporation" means a corporation formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code or the similar laws of another state.

(I) "Emergency health services" means those health care services that must be available on a seven-days-per-week, twenty-four-hours-per-day basis in order to prevent jeopardy to an enrollee's health status that would occur if such services were not received as soon as possible, and includes, where appropriate, provisions for transportation and indemnity payments or service agreements for out-of-area coverage.

(J) "Enrollee" means any natural person who is entitled to receive health care benefits provided by a health insuring corporation.

(K) "Evidence of coverage" means any certificate, agreement, policy, or contract issued to a subscriber that sets out the coverage and other rights to which such person is entitled under a health care plan.

(L) "Health care facility" means any facility, except a health care practitioner's office, that provides preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, acute convalescent, rehabilitation, mental health, mental retardation, intermediate care, or skilled nursing services.

(M) "Health care services" means basic, supplemental, and specialty health care services.

(N) "Health delivery network" means any group of providers or health care facilities, or both, or any representative thereof, that have entered into an agreement to offer health care services in a panel rather than on an individual basis.

(O) "Health insuring corporation" means a corporation, as defined in division (H) of this section, that, pursuant to a policy, contract, certificate, or agreement, pays for, reimburses, or provides, delivers, arranges for, or otherwise makes available, basic health care services, supplemental health care services, or specialty health care services, or a combination of basic health care services and either supplemental health care services or specialty health care services, through either an open panel plan or a closed panel plan.

"Health insuring corporation" does not include a limited liability company formed pursuant to Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code, an insurer licensed under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code if that insurer offers only open panel plans under which all providers and health care facilities participating receive their compensation directly from the insurer, a corporation formed by or on behalf of a political subdivision or a department, office, or institution of the state, or a public entity formed by or on behalf of a board of county commissioners, a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, an alcohol and drug addiction services board, a board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services, or a community mental health board, as those terms are used in Chapters 340. and 5126. of the Revised Code. Except as provided by division (D) of section 1751.02 of the Revised Code, or as otherwise provided by law, no board, commission, agency, or other entity under the control of a political subdivision may accept insurance risk in providing for health care services. However, nothing in this division shall be construed as prohibiting such entities from purchasing the services of a health insuring corporation or a third-party administrator licensed under Chapter 3959. of the Revised Code.

(P) "Intermediary organization" means a health delivery network or other entity that contracts with licensed health insuring corporations or self-insured employers, or both, to provide health care services, and that enters into contractual arrangements with other entities for the provision of health care services for the purpose of fulfilling the terms of its contracts with the health insuring corporations and self-insured employers.

(Q) "Intermediate care" means residential care above the level of room and board for patients who require personal assistance and health-related services, but who do not require skilled nursing care.

(R) "Medical record" means the personal information that relates to an individual's physical or mental condition, medical history, or medical treatment.

(S)(1) "Open panel plan" means a health care plan that provides incentives for enrollees to use participating providers and that also allows enrollees to use providers that are not participating providers.

(2) No health insuring corporation may offer an open panel plan, unless the health insuring corporation is also licensed as an insurer under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code, the health insuring corporation, on June 4, 1997, holds a certificate of authority or license to operate under Chapter 1736. or 1740. of the Revised Code, or an insurer licensed under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code is responsible for the out-of-network risk as evidenced by both an evidence of coverage filing under section 1751.11 of the Revised Code and a policy and certificate filing under section 3923.02 of the Revised Code.

(T) "Panel" means a group of providers or health care facilities that have joined together to deliver health care services through a contractual arrangement with a health insuring corporation, employer group, or other payor.

(U) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code, and, unless the context otherwise requires, includes any insurance company holding a certificate of authority under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code, any subsidiary and affiliate of an insurance company, and any government agency.

(V) "Premium rate" means any set fee regularly paid by a subscriber to a health insuring corporation. A "premium rate" does not include a one-time membership fee, an annual administrative fee, or a nominal access fee, paid to a managed health care system under which the recipient of health care services remains solely responsible for any charges accessed for those services by the provider or health care facility.

(W) "Primary care provider" means a provider that is designated by a health insuring corporation to supervise, coordinate, or provide initial care or continuing care to an enrollee, and that may be required by the health insuring corporation to initiate a referral for specialty care and to maintain supervision of the health care services rendered to the enrollee.

(X) "Provider" means any natural person or partnership of natural persons who are licensed, certified, accredited, or otherwise authorized in this state to furnish health care services, or any professional association organized under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code, provided that nothing in this chapter or other provisions of law shall be construed to preclude a health insuring corporation, health care practitioner, or organized health care group associated with a health insuring corporation from employing certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, dietitians, physician assistants, dental assistants, dental hygienists, optometric technicians, or other allied health personnel who are licensed, certified, accredited, or otherwise authorized in this state to furnish health care services.

(Y) "Provider sponsored organization" means a corporation, as defined in division (H) of this section, that is at least eighty per cent owned or controlled by one or more hospitals, as defined in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code, or one or more physicians licensed to practice medicine or surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, or any combination of such physicians and hospitals. Such control is presumed to exist if at least eighty per cent of the voting rights or governance rights of a provider sponsored organization are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or otherwise held by any combination of the physicians and hospitals described in this division.

(Z) "Solicitation document" means the written materials provided to prospective subscribers or enrollees, or both, and used for advertising and marketing to induce enrollment in the health care plans of a health insuring corporation.

(AA) "Subscriber" means a person who is responsible for making payments to a health insuring corporation for participation in a health care plan, or an enrollee whose employment or other status is the basis of eligibility for enrollment in a health insuring corporation.

(BB) "Urgent care services" means those health care services that are appropriately provided for an unforeseen condition of a kind that usually requires medical attention without delay but that does not pose a threat to the life, limb, or permanent health of the injured or ill person, and may include such health care services provided out of the health insuring corporation's approved service area pursuant to indemnity payments or service agreements.

Sec. 1751.04.  (A) Except as provided by division (F) of this section, upon the receipt by the superintendent of insurance of a complete application for a certificate of authority to establish or operate a health insuring corporation, which application sets forth or is accompanied by the information and documents required by division (A) of section 1751.03 of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall transmit copies of the application and accompanying documents to the director of health.

(B) The director shall review the application and accompanying documents and make findings as to whether the applicant for a certificate of authority has done all of the following with respect to any basic health care services and supplemental health care services to be furnished:

(1) Demonstrated the willingness and potential ability to ensure that all basic health care services and supplemental health care services described in the evidence of coverage will be provided to all its enrollees as promptly as is appropriate and in a manner that assures continuity;

(2) Made effective arrangements to ensure that its enrollees have reliable access to qualified providers in those specialties that are generally available in the geographic area or areas to be served by the applicant and that are necessary to provide all basic health care services and supplemental health care services described in the evidence of coverage;

(3) Made appropriate arrangements for the availability of short-term health care services in emergencies within the geographic area or areas to be served by the applicant, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, and for the provision of adequate coverage whenever an out-of-area emergency arises;

(4) Made appropriate arrangements for an ongoing evaluation and assurance of the quality of health care services provided to enrollees, including, if applicable, the development of a quality assurance program complying with the requirements of sections 1751.73 to 1751.75 of the Revised Code, and the adequacy of the personnel, facilities, and equipment by or through which the services are rendered;

(5) Developed a procedure to gather and report statistics relating to the cost and effectiveness of its operations, the pattern of utilization of its services, and the quality, availability, and accessibility of its services.

(C) Within ninety days of the director's receipt of the application for issuance of a certificate of authority, the director shall certify to the superintendent whether or not the applicant meets the requirements of division (B) of this section and sections 3702.51 to 3702.62 of the Revised Code. If the director certifies that the applicant does not meet these requirements, the director shall specify in what respects it is deficient. However, the director shall not certify that the requirements of this section are not met unless the applicant has been given an opportunity for a hearing.

(D) If the applicant requests a hearing, the director shall hold a hearing before certifying that the applicant does not meet the requirements of this section. The hearing shall be held in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(E) The ninety-day review period provided for under division (C) of this section shall cease to run as of the date on which the notice of the applicant's right to request a hearing is mailed and shall remain suspended until the director issues a final certification order.

(F) Nothing in this section requires the director to review or make findings with regard to an application and accompanying documents to establish or operate a health insuring corporation to cover solely recipients of assistance under the medicaid program operated pursuant to Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code, a health insuring corporation to cover solely recipients of assistance under the federal medicare program under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 62 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, or a health insuring corporation to cover solely recipients of assistance under both the medicaid and medicare programs.

Sec. 1751.05.  (A) The superintendent of insurance shall issue or deny a certificate of authority to health insuring corporations within the deadlines specified as follows:

(1) For a health insuring corporation filing an application pursuant to section 1751.03 of the Revised Code, forty-five days from the superintendent's receipt of the certification from the director of health under division (C) of section 1751.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) For a health insuring corporation that covers solely recipients of assistance under the medicaid program operated pursuant to Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code, one hundred thirty-five days from the superintendent's receipt of a complete application and accompanying documents.

(B) A certificate of authority shall be issued upon payment of the application fee prescribed in section 1751.44 of the Revised Code if the superintendent is satisfied that the following conditions are met:

(1) The persons responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the applicant are competent, trustworthy, and possess good reputations.

(2) The director certifies, in accordance with division (C) of section 1751.04 of the Revised Code, that the organization's proposed plan of operation meets the requirements of division (B) of that section and sections 3702.51 to 3702.62 of the Revised Code. If, after the director has certified compliance, the application is amended in a manner that affects its approval under section 1751.04 of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall request the director to review and recertify the amended plan of operation. Within forty-five days of receipt of the amended plan from the superintendent, the director shall certify to the superintendent, pursuant to section 1751.04 of the Revised Code, whether or not the amended plan meets the requirements of section 1751.04 of the Revised Code. The superintendent's forty-five-day review period shall cease to run as of the date on which the amended plan is transmitted to the director and shall remain suspended until the superintendent receives a new certification from the director.

(3) The applicant constitutes an appropriate mechanism to effectively provide or arrange for the provision of the basic health care services, supplemental health care services, or specialty health care services to be provided to enrollees.

(4) The applicant is financially responsible, complies with section 1751.28 of the Revised Code, and may reasonably be expected to meet its obligations to enrollees and prospective enrollees. In making this determination, the superintendent may consider:

(a) The financial soundness of the applicant's arrangements for health care services, including the applicant's proposed contractual periodic prepayments or premiums and the use of copayments and deductibles;

(b) The adequacy of working capital;

(c) Any agreement with an insurer, a government, or any other person for insuring the payment of the cost of health care services or providing for automatic applicability of an alternative coverage in the event of discontinuance of the health insuring corporation's operations;

(d) Any agreement with providers or health care facilities for the provision of health care services;

(e) Any deposit of securities submitted in accordance with section 1751.27 of the Revised Code as a guarantee that the obligations will be performed.

(5) The applicant has submitted documentation of an arrangement to provide health care services to its enrollees until the expiration of the enrollees' contracts with the applicant if a health care plan or the operations of the health insuring corporation are discontinued prior to the expiration of the enrollees' contracts. An arrangement to provide health care services may be made by using any one, or any combination, of the following methods:

(a) The maintenance of insolvency insurance;

(b) A provision in contracts with providers and health care facilities, but no health insuring corporation shall rely solely on such a provision for more than thirty days;

(c) An agreement with other health insuring corporations or insurers, providing enrollees with automatic conversion rights upon the discontinuation of a health care plan or the health insuring corporation's operations;

(d) Such other methods as approved by the superintendent.

(6) Nothing in the applicant's proposed method of operation, as shown by the information submitted pursuant to section 1751.03 of the Revised Code or by independent investigation, will cause harm to an enrollee or to the public at large, as determined by the superintendent.

(7) Any deficiencies certified by the director have been corrected.

(8) The applicant has deposited securities as set forth in section 1751.27 of the Revised Code.

(C) If an applicant elects to fulfill the requirements of division (A)(5) of this section through an agreement with other health insuring corporations or insurers, the agreement shall require those health insuring corporations or insurers to give thirty days' notice to the superintendent prior to cancellation or discontinuation of the agreement for any reason.

(D) A certificate of authority shall be denied only after compliance with the requirements of section 1751.36 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1751.11.  (A) Every subscriber of a health insuring corporation is entitled to an evidence of coverage for the health care plan under which health care benefits are provided.

(B) Every subscriber of a health insuring corporation that offers basic health care services is entitled to an identification card or similar document that specifies the health insuring corporation's name as stated in its articles of incorporation, and any trade or fictitious names used by the health insuring corporation. The identification card or document shall list at least one toll-free telephone number that provides the subscriber with access, to information on a twenty-four-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week basis, as to how health care services may be obtained. The identification card or document shall also list at least one toll-free number that, during normal business hours, provides the subscriber with access to information on the coverage available under the subscriber's health care plan and information on the health care plan's internal and external review processes.

(C) No evidence of coverage, or amendment to the evidence of coverage, shall be delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, or used, until the form of the evidence of coverage or amendment has been filed by the health insuring corporation with the superintendent of insurance. If the superintendent does not disapprove the evidence of coverage or amendment within sixty days after it is filed it shall be deemed approved, unless the superintendent sooner gives approval for the evidence of coverage or amendment. With respect to an amendment to an approved evidence of coverage, the superintendent only may disapprove provisions amended or added to the evidence of coverage. If the superintendent determines within the sixty-day period that any evidence of coverage or amendment fails to meet the requirements of this section, the superintendent shall so notify the health insuring corporation and it shall be unlawful for the health insuring corporation to use such evidence of coverage or amendment. At any time, the superintendent, upon at least thirty days' written notice to a health insuring corporation, may withdraw an approval, deemed or actual, of any evidence of coverage or amendment on any of the grounds stated in this section. Such disapproval shall be effected by a written order, which shall state the grounds for disapproval and shall be issued in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(D) No evidence of coverage or amendment shall be delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, or used:

(1) If it contains provisions or statements that are inequitable, untrue, misleading, or deceptive;

(2) Unless it contains a clear, concise, and complete statement of the following:

(a) The health care services and insurance or other benefits, if any, to which an enrollee is entitled under the health care plan;

(b) Any exclusions or limitations on the health care services, type of health care services, benefits, or type of benefits to be provided, including copayments and deductibles;

(c) An enrollee's personal financial obligation for noncovered services;

(d) Where and in what manner general information and information as to how health care services may be obtained is available, including a toll-free telephone number;

(e) The premium rate with respect to individual and conversion contracts, and relevant copayment and deductible provisions with respect to all contracts. The statement of the premium rate, however, may be contained in a separate insert.

(f) The method utilized by the health insuring corporation for resolving enrollee complaints;

(g) The utilization review, internal review, and external review procedures established under sections 1751.77 to 1751.85 of the Revised Code.

(3) Unless it provides for the continuation of an enrollee's coverage, in the event that the enrollee's coverage under the group policy, contract, certificate, or agreement terminates while the enrollee is receiving inpatient care in a hospital. This continuation of coverage shall terminate at the earliest occurrence of any of the following:

(a) The enrollee's discharge from the hospital;

(b) The determination by the enrollee's attending physician that inpatient care is no longer medically indicated for the enrollee; however, nothing in division (D)(3)(b) of this section precludes a health insuring corporation from engaging in utilization review as described in the evidence of coverage.

(c) The enrollee's reaching the limit for contractual benefits;

(d) The effective date of any new coverage.

(4) Unless it contains a provision that states, in substance, that the health insuring corporation is not a member of any guaranty fund, and that in the event of the health insuring corporation's insolvency, an enrollee is protected only to the extent that the hold harmless provision required by section 1751.13 of the Revised Code applies to the health care services rendered;

(5) Unless it contains a provision that states, in substance, that in the event of the insolvency of the health insuring corporation, an enrollee may be financially responsible for health care services rendered by a provider or health care facility that is not under contract to the health insuring corporation, whether or not the health insuring corporation authorized the use of the provider or health care facility.

(E) Notwithstanding divisions (C) and (D) of this section, a health insuring corporation may use an evidence of coverage that provides for the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, pursuant to a medicare contract, or an evidence of coverage that provides for the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in the federal employees health benefits program pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. 8905, or an evidence of coverage that provides for the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX recipients of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the Ohio department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program, or an evidence of coverage that provides for the coverage of beneficiaries under any other federal health care program regulated by a federal regulatory body, or an evidence of coverage that provides for the coverage of beneficiaries under any contract covering officers or employees of the state that has been entered into by the department of administrative services, if both of the following apply:

(1) The evidence of coverage has been approved by the United States department of health and human services, the United States office of personnel management, the Ohio department of job and family services health care administration, or the department of administrative services.

(2) The evidence of coverage is filed with the superintendent of insurance prior to use and is accompanied by documentation of approval from the United States department of health and human services, the United States office of personnel management, the Ohio department of job and family services health care administration, or the department of administrative services.

Sec. 1751.111. (A)(1) This section applies to both of the following:

(a) A health insuring corporation that issues or requires the use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims pursuant to a policy, contract, or agreement for health care services;

(b) A person or entity that a health insuring corporation contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology described in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding division (A)(1) of this section, this section does not apply to the issuance or required use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims in connection with any of the following:

(a) Coverage provided under the medicare advantage program operated pursuant to Part C of Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 62 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program.

(b) Coverage provided under the medicaid, as defined in section 5111.01 of the Revised Code program.

(c) Coverage provided under an employer's self-insurance plan or by any of its administrators, as defined in section 3959.01 of the Revised Code, to the extent that federal law supersedes, preempts, prohibits, or otherwise precludes the application of this section to the plan and its administrators.

(B) A standardized identification card or an electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section shall contain uniform prescription drug information in accordance with either division (B)(1) or (2) of this section.

(1) The standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall be in a format and contain information fields approved by the national council for prescription drug programs or a successor organization, as specified in the council's or successor organization's pharmacy identification card implementation guide in effect on the first day of October most immediately preceding the issuance or required use of the standardized identification card or the electronic technology.

(2) If the health insuring corporation or the person under contract with the corporation to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology requires the information for the submission and routing of a claim, the standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall contain any of the following information:

(a) The health insuring corporation's name;

(b) The subscriber's name, group number, and identification number;

(c) A telephone number to inquire about pharmacy-related issues;

(d) The issuer's international identification number, labeled as "ANSI BIN" or "RxBIN";

(e) The processor's control number, labeled as "RxPCN";

(f) The subscriber's pharmacy benefits group number if different from the subscriber's medical group number, labeled as "RxGrp."

(C) If the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section is also used for submission and routing of nonpharmacy claims, the designation "Rx" is required to be included as part of the labels identified in divisions (B)(2)(d) and (e) of this section if the issuer's international identification number or the processor's control number is different for medical and pharmacy claims.

(D) Each health insuring corporation described in division (A) of this section shall annually file a certificate with the superintendent of insurance certifying that it or any person it contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims complies with this section.

(E)(1) Except as provided in division (E)(2) of this section, if there is a change in the information contained in the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued to a subscriber, the health insuring corporation or person under contract with the corporation to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology shall issue a new card or electronic technology to the subscriber.

(2) A health insuring corporation or person under contract with the corporation is not required under division (E)(1) of this section to issue a new card or electronic technology to a subscriber more than once during a twelve-month period.

(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a health insuring corporation to produce more than one standardized identification card or one electronic technology for use by subscribers accessing health care benefits provided under a policy, contract, or agreement for health care services.

Sec. 1751.12.  (A)(1) No contractual periodic prepayment and no premium rate for nongroup and conversion policies for health care services, or any amendment to them, may be used by any health insuring corporation at any time until the contractual periodic prepayment and premium rate, or amendment, have been filed with the superintendent of insurance, and shall not be effective until the expiration of sixty days after their filing unless the superintendent sooner gives approval. The filing shall be accompanied by an actuarial certification in the form prescribed by the superintendent. The superintendent shall disapprove the filing, if the superintendent determines within the sixty-day period that the contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate, or amendment, is not in accordance with sound actuarial principles or is not reasonably related to the applicable coverage and characteristics of the applicable class of enrollees. The superintendent shall notify the health insuring corporation of the disapproval, and it shall thereafter be unlawful for the health insuring corporation to use the contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate, or amendment.

(2) No contractual periodic prepayment for group policies for health care services shall be used until the contractual periodic prepayment has been filed with the superintendent. The filing shall be accompanied by an actuarial certification in the form prescribed by the superintendent. The superintendent may reject a filing made under division (A)(2) of this section at any time, with at least thirty days' written notice to a health insuring corporation, if the contractual periodic prepayment is not in accordance with sound actuarial principles or is not reasonably related to the applicable coverage and characteristics of the applicable class of enrollees.

(3) At any time, the superintendent, upon at least thirty days' written notice to a health insuring corporation, may withdraw the approval given under division (A)(1) of this section, deemed or actual, of any contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate, or amendment, based on information that either of the following applies:

(a) The contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate, or amendment, is not in accordance with sound actuarial principles.

(b) The contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate, or amendment, is not reasonably related to the applicable coverage and characteristics of the applicable class of enrollees.

(4) Any disapproval under division (A)(1) of this section, any rejection of a filing made under division (A)(2) of this section, or any withdrawal of approval under division (A)(3) of this section, shall be effected by a written notice, which shall state the specific basis for the disapproval, rejection, or withdrawal and shall be issued in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, a health insuring corporation may use a contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate for policies used for the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, the medicare program pursuant to a medicare risk contract or medicare cost contract, or for policies used for the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in the federal employees health benefits program pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. 8905, or for policies used for the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX recipients of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program, or for policies used for the coverage of beneficiaries under any other federal health care program regulated by a federal regulatory body, or for policies used for the coverage of beneficiaries under any contract covering officers or employees of the state that has been entered into by the department of administrative services, if both of the following apply:

(1) The contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate has been approved by the United States department of health and human services, the United States office of personnel management, the department of job and family services health care administration, or the department of administrative services.

(2) The contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate is filed with the superintendent prior to use and is accompanied by documentation of approval from the United States department of health and human services, the United States office of personnel management, the department of job and family services health care administration, or the department of administrative services.

(C) The administrative expense portion of all contractual periodic prepayment or premium rate filings submitted to the superintendent for review must reflect the actual cost of administering the product. The superintendent may require that the administrative expense portion of the filings be itemized and supported.

(D)(1) Copayments must be reasonable and must not be a barrier to the necessary utilization of services by enrollees.

(2) A health insuring corporation, in order to ensure that copayments are reasonable and not a barrier to the necessary utilization of basic health care services by enrollees, may do one of the following:

(a) Impose copayment charges on any single covered basic health care service that does not exceed forty per cent of the average cost to the health insuring corporation of providing the service;

(b) Impose copayment charges that annually do not exceed twenty per cent of the total annual cost to the health insuring corporation of providing all covered basic health care services, including physician office visits, urgent care services, and emergency health services, when aggregated as to all persons covered under the filed product in question. In addition, annual copayment charges as to each enrollee shall not exceed twenty per cent of the total annual cost to the health insuring corporation of providing all covered basic health care services, including physician office visits, urgent care services, and emergency health services, as to such enrollee. The total annual cost of providing a health care service is the cost to the health insuring corporation of providing the health care service to its enrollees as reduced by any applicable provider discount.

(3) To ensure that copayments are reasonable and not a barrier to the utilization of basic health care services, a health insuring corporation may not impose, in any contract year, on any subscriber or enrollee, copayments that exceed two hundred per cent of the average annual premium rate to subscribers or enrollees.

(4) For purposes of division (D) of this section, both of the following apply:

(a) Copayments imposed by health insuring corporations in connection with a high deductible health plan that is linked to a health savings account are reasonable and are not a barrier to the necessary utilization of services by enrollees.

(b) Divisions (D)(2) and (3) of this section do not apply to a high deductible health plan that is linked to a health savings account.

(E) A health insuring corporation shall not impose lifetime maximums on basic health care services. However, a health insuring corporation may establish a benefit limit for inpatient hospital services that are provided pursuant to a policy, contract, certificate, or agreement for supplemental health care services.

(F) A health insuring corporation may require that an enrollee pay an annual deductible that does not exceed one thousand dollars per enrollee or two thousand dollars per family, except that:

(1) A health insuring corporation may impose higher deductibles for high deductible health plans that are linked to health savings accounts;

(2) The superintendent may adopt rules allowing different annual deductible amounts for plans with a medical savings account, health reimbursement arrangement, flexible spending account, or similar account;

(3) A health insuring corporation may impose higher deductibles under health plans if requested by the group contract, policy, certificate, or agreement holder, or an individual seeking coverage under an individual health plan. This shall not be construed as requiring the health insuring corporation to create customized health plans for group contract holders or individuals.

(G) As used in this section, "health savings account" and "high deductible health plan" have the same meanings as in the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 223, as amended.

Sec. 1751.13.  (A)(1)(a) A health insuring corporation shall, either directly or indirectly, enter into contracts for the provision of health care services with a sufficient number and types of providers and health care facilities to ensure that all covered health care services will be accessible to enrollees from a contracted provider or health care facility.

(b) A health insuring corporation shall not refuse to contract with a physician for the provision of health care services or refuse to recognize a physician as a specialist on the basis that the physician attended an educational program or a residency program approved or certified by the American osteopathic association. A health insuring corporation shall not refuse to contract with a health care facility for the provision of health care services on the basis that the health care facility is certified or accredited by the American osteopathic association or that the health care facility is an osteopathic hospital as defined in section 3702.51 of the Revised Code.

(c) Nothing in division (A)(1)(b) of this section shall be construed to require a health insuring corporation to make a benefit payment under a closed panel plan to a physician or health care facility with which the health insuring corporation does not have a contract, provided that none of the bases set forth in that division are used as a reason for failing to make a benefit payment.

(2) When a health insuring corporation is unable to provide a covered health care service from a contracted provider or health care facility, the health insuring corporation must provide that health care service from a noncontracted provider or health care facility consistent with the terms of the enrollee's policy, contract, certificate, or agreement. The health insuring corporation shall either ensure that the health care service be provided at no greater cost to the enrollee than if the enrollee had obtained the health care service from a contracted provider or health care facility, or make other arrangements acceptable to the superintendent of insurance.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a health insuring corporation from entering into contracts with out-of-state providers or health care facilities that are licensed, certified, accredited, or otherwise authorized in that state.

(B)(1) A health insuring corporation shall, either directly or indirectly, enter into contracts with all providers and health care facilities through which health care services are provided to its enrollees.

(2) A health insuring corporation, upon written request, shall assist its contracted providers in finding stop-loss or reinsurance carriers.

(C) A health insuring corporation shall file an annual certificate with the superintendent certifying that all provider contracts and contracts with health care facilities through which health care services are being provided contain the following:

(1) A description of the method by which the provider or health care facility will be notified of the specific health care services for which the provider or health care facility will be responsible, including any limitations or conditions on such services;

(2) The specific hold harmless provision specifying protection of enrollees set forth as follows:

"[Provider/Health Care Facility] agrees that in no event, including but not limited to nonpayment by the health insuring corporation, insolvency of the health insuring corporation, or breach of this agreement, shall [Provider/Health Care Facility] bill, charge, collect a deposit from, seek remuneration or reimbursement from, or have any recourse against, a subscriber, enrollee, person to whom health care services have been provided, or person acting on behalf of the covered enrollee, for health care services provided pursuant to this agreement. This does not prohibit [Provider/Health Care Facility] from collecting co-insurance, deductibles, or copayments as specifically provided in the evidence of coverage, or fees for uncovered health care services delivered on a fee-for-service basis to persons referenced above, nor from any recourse against the health insuring corporation or its successor."

(3) Provisions requiring the provider or health care facility to continue to provide covered health care services to enrollees in the event of the health insuring corporation's insolvency or discontinuance of operations. The provisions shall require the provider or health care facility to continue to provide covered health care services to enrollees as needed to complete any medically necessary procedures commenced but unfinished at the time of the health insuring corporation's insolvency or discontinuance of operations. The completion of a medically necessary procedure shall include the rendering of all covered health care services that constitute medically necessary follow-up care for that procedure. If an enrollee is receiving necessary inpatient care at a hospital, the provisions may limit the required provision of covered health care services relating to that inpatient care in accordance with division (D)(3) of section 1751.11 of the Revised Code, and may also limit such required provision of covered health care services to the period ending thirty days after the health insuring corporation's insolvency or discontinuance of operations.

The provisions required by division (C)(3) of this section shall not require any provider or health care facility to continue to provide any covered health care service after the occurrence of any of the following:

(a) The end of the thirty-day period following the entry of a liquidation order under Chapter 3903. of the Revised Code;

(b) The end of the enrollee's period of coverage for a contractual prepayment or premium;

(c) The enrollee obtains equivalent coverage with another health insuring corporation or insurer, or the enrollee's employer obtains such coverage for the enrollee;

(d) The enrollee or the enrollee's employer terminates coverage under the contract;

(e) A liquidator effects a transfer of the health insuring corporation's obligations under the contract under division (A)(8) of section 3903.21 of the Revised Code.

(4) A provision clearly stating the rights and responsibilities of the health insuring corporation, and of the contracted providers and health care facilities, with respect to administrative policies and programs, including, but not limited to, payments systems, utilization review, quality assurance, assessment, and improvement programs, credentialing, confidentiality requirements, and any applicable federal or state programs;

(5) A provision regarding the availability and confidentiality of those health records maintained by providers and health care facilities to monitor and evaluate the quality of care, to conduct evaluations and audits, and to determine on a concurrent or retrospective basis the necessity of and appropriateness of health care services provided to enrollees. The provision shall include terms requiring the provider or health care facility to make these health records available to appropriate state and federal authorities involved in assessing the quality of care or in investigating the grievances or complaints of enrollees, and requiring the provider or health care facility to comply with applicable state and federal laws related to the confidentiality of medical or health records.

(6) A provision that states that contractual rights and responsibilities may not be assigned or delegated by the provider or health care facility without the prior written consent of the health insuring corporation;

(7) A provision requiring the provider or health care facility to maintain adequate professional liability and malpractice insurance. The provision shall also require the provider or health care facility to notify the health insuring corporation not more than ten days after the provider's or health care facility's receipt of notice of any reduction or cancellation of such coverage.

(8) A provision requiring the provider or health care facility to observe, protect, and promote the rights of enrollees as patients;

(9) A provision requiring the provider or health care facility to provide health care services without discrimination on the basis of a patient's participation in the health care plan, age, sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, health status, or disability, and without regard to the source of payments made for health care services rendered to a patient. This requirement shall not apply to circumstances when the provider or health care facility appropriately does not render services due to limitations arising from the provider's or health care facility's lack of training, experience, or skill, or due to licensing restrictions.

(10) A provision containing the specifics of any obligation on the primary care provider to provide, or to arrange for the provision of, covered health care services twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week;

(11) A provision setting forth procedures for the resolution of disputes arising out of the contract;

(12) A provision stating that the hold harmless provision required by division (C)(2) of this section shall survive the termination of the contract with respect to services covered and provided under the contract during the time the contract was in effect, regardless of the reason for the termination, including the insolvency of the health insuring corporation;

(13) A provision requiring those terms that are used in the contract and that are defined by this chapter, be used in the contract in a manner consistent with those definitions.

This division does not apply to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, pursuant to a medicare risk contract or medicare cost contract, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in the federal employee health benefits program pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. 8905, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX recipients of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program, or to the coverage of beneficiaries under any federal health care program regulated by a federal regulatory body, or to the coverage of beneficiaries under any contract covering officers or employees of the state that has been entered into by the department of administrative services.

(D)(1) No health insuring corporation contract with a provider or health care facility shall contain any of the following:

(a) A provision that directly or indirectly offers an inducement to the provider or health care facility to reduce or limit medically necessary health care services to a covered enrollee;

(b) A provision that penalizes a provider or health care facility that assists an enrollee to seek a reconsideration of the health insuring corporation's decision to deny or limit benefits to the enrollee;

(c) A provision that limits or otherwise restricts the provider's or health care facility's ethical and legal responsibility to fully advise enrollees about their medical condition and about medically appropriate treatment options;

(d) A provision that penalizes a provider or health care facility for principally advocating for medically necessary health care services;

(e) A provision that penalizes a provider or health care facility for providing information or testimony to a legislative or regulatory body or agency. This shall not be construed to prohibit a health insuring corporation from penalizing a provider or health care facility that provides information or testimony that is libelous or slanderous or that discloses trade secrets which the provider or health care facility has no privilege or permission to disclose.

(2) Nothing in this division shall be construed to prohibit a health insuring corporation from doing either of the following:

(a) Making a determination not to reimburse or pay for a particular medical treatment or other health care service;

(b) Enforcing reasonable peer review or utilization review protocols, or determining whether a particular provider or health care facility has complied with these protocols.

(E) Any contract between a health insuring corporation and an intermediary organization shall clearly specify that the health insuring corporation must approve or disapprove the participation of any provider or health care facility with which the intermediary organization contracts.

(F) If an intermediary organization that is not a health delivery network contracting solely with self-insured employers subcontracts with a provider or health care facility, the subcontract with the provider or health care facility shall do all of the following:

(1) Contain the provisions required by divisions (C) and (G) of this section, as made applicable to an intermediary organization, without the inclusion of inducements or penalties described in division (D) of this section;

(2) Acknowledge that the health insuring corporation is a third-party beneficiary to the agreement;

(3) Acknowledge the health insuring corporation's role in approving the participation of the provider or health care facility, pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(G) Any provider contract or contract with a health care facility shall clearly specify the health insuring corporation's statutory responsibility to monitor and oversee the offering of covered health care services to its enrollees.

(H)(1) A health insuring corporation shall maintain its provider contracts and its contracts with health care facilities at one or more of its places of business in this state, and shall provide copies of these contracts to facilitate regulatory review upon written notice by the superintendent of insurance.

(2) Any contract with an intermediary organization that accepts compensation shall include provisions requiring the intermediary organization to provide the superintendent with regulatory access to all books, records, financial information, and documents related to the provision of health care services to subscribers and enrollees under the contract. The contract shall require the intermediary organization to maintain such books, records, financial information, and documents at its principal place of business in this state and to preserve them for at least three years in a manner that facilitates regulatory review.

(I)(1) A health insuring corporation shall notify its affected enrollees of the termination of a contract for the provision of health care services between the health insuring corporation and a primary care physician or hospital, by mail, within thirty days after the termination of the contract.

(a) Notice shall be given to subscribers of the termination of a contract with a primary care physician if the subscriber, or a dependent covered under the subscriber's health care coverage, has received health care services from the primary care physician within the previous twelve months or if the subscriber or dependent has selected the physician as the subscriber's or dependent's primary care physician within the previous twelve months.

(b) Notice shall be given to subscribers of the termination of a contract with a hospital if the subscriber, or a dependent covered under the subscriber's health care coverage, has received health care services from that hospital within the previous twelve months.

(2) The health insuring corporation shall pay, in accordance with the terms of the contract, for all covered health care services rendered to an enrollee by a primary care physician or hospital between the date of the termination of the contract and five days after the notification of the contract termination is mailed to a subscriber at the subscriber's last known address.

(J) Divisions (A) and (B) of this section do not apply to any health insuring corporation that, on June 4, 1997, holds a certificate of authority or license to operate under Chapter 1740. of the Revised Code.

(K) Nothing in this section shall restrict the governing body of a hospital from exercising the authority granted it pursuant to section 3701.351 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1751.15.  (A) After a health insuring corporation has furnished, directly or indirectly, basic health care services for a period of twenty-four months, and if it currently meets the financial requirements set forth in section 1751.28 of the Revised Code and had net income as reported to the superintendent of insurance for at least one of the preceding four calendar quarters, it shall hold an annual open enrollment period of not less than thirty days during its month of licensure for individuals who are not federally eligible individuals at the time they apply for enrollment.

(B) During the open enrollment period described in division (A) of this section, the health insuring corporation shall accept applicants and their dependents in the order in which they apply for enrollment and in accordance with any of the following:

(1) Up to its capacity, as determined by the health insuring corporation subject to review by the superintendent;

(2) If less than its capacity, one per cent of the health insuring corporation's total number of subscribers residing in this state as of the immediately preceding thirty-first day of December.

(C) Where a health insuring corporation demonstrates to the satisfaction of the superintendent that such open enrollment would jeopardize its economic viability, the superintendent may do any of the following:

(1) Waive the requirement for open enrollment;

(2) Impose a limit on the number of applicants and their dependents that must be enrolled;

(3) Authorize such underwriting restrictions upon open enrollment as are necessary to do any of the following:

(a) Preserve its financial stability;

(b) Prevent excessive adverse selection;

(c) Avoid unreasonably high or unmarketable charges for coverage of health care services.

(D)(1) A request to the superintendent under division (C) of this section for any restriction, limit, or waiver during an open enrollment period must be accompanied by supporting documentation, including financial data. In reviewing the request, the superintendent may consider various factors, including the size of the health insuring corporation, the health insuring corporation's net worth and profitability, the health insuring corporation's delivery system structure, and the effect on profitability of prior open enrollments.

(2) Any action taken by the superintendent under division (C) of this section shall be effective for a period of not more than one year. At the expiration of such time, a new demonstration of the health insuring corporation's need for the restriction, limit, or waiver shall be made before a new restriction, limit, or waiver is granted by the superintendent.

(3) Irrespective of the granting of any restriction, limit, or waiver by the superintendent, a health insuring corporation may reject an applicant or a dependent of the applicant during its open enrollment period if the applicant or dependent:

(a) Was eligible for and was covered under any employer-sponsored health care coverage, or if employer-sponsored health care coverage was available at the time of open enrollment;

(b) Is eligible for continuation coverage under state or federal law;

(c) Is eligible for medicare, and the health insuring corporation does not have an agreement on appropriate payment mechanisms with the governmental agency administering the medicare program.

(E) A health insuring corporation shall not be required either to enroll applicants or their dependents who are confined to a health care facility because of chronic illness, permanent injury, or other infirmity that would cause economic impairment to the health insuring corporation if such applicants or their dependents were enrolled or to make the effective date of benefits for applicants or their dependents enrolled under this section earlier than ninety days after the date of enrollment.

(F) A health insuring corporation shall not be required to cover the fees or costs, or both, for any basic health care service related to a transplant of a body organ if the transplant occurs within one year after the effective date of an enrollee's coverage under this section. This limitation on coverage does not apply to a newly born child who meets the requirements for coverage under section 1751.61 of the Revised Code.

(G) Each health insuring corporation required to hold an open enrollment pursuant to division (A) of this section shall file with the superintendent, not later than sixty days prior to the commencement of the proposed open enrollment period, the following documents:

(1) The proposed public notice of open enrollment;

(2) The evidence of coverage approved pursuant to section 1751.11 of the Revised Code that will be used during open enrollment;

(3) The contractual periodic prepayment and premium rate approved pursuant to section 1751.12 of the Revised Code that will be applicable during open enrollment;

(4) Any solicitation document approved pursuant to section 1751.31 of the Revised Code to be sent to applicants, including the application form that will be used during open enrollment;

(5) A list of the proposed dates of publication of the public notice, and the names of the newspapers in which the notice will appear;

(6) Any request for a restriction, limit, or waiver with respect to the open enrollment period, along with any supporting documentation.

(H)(1) An open enrollment period shall not satisfy the requirements of this section unless the health insuring corporation provides adequate public notice in accordance with divisions (H)(2) and (3) of this section. No public notice shall be used until the form of the public notice has been filed by the health insuring corporation with the superintendent. If the superintendent does not disapprove the public notice within sixty days after it is filed, it shall be deemed approved, unless the superintendent sooner gives approval for the public notice. If the superintendent determines within this sixty-day period that the public notice fails to meet the requirements of this section, the superintendent shall so notify the health insuring corporation and it shall be unlawful for the health insuring corporation to use the public notice. Such disapproval shall be effected by a written order, which shall state the grounds for disapproval and shall be issued in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) A public notice pursuant to division (H)(1) of this section shall be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county in the health insuring corporation's service area, at least once in each of the two weeks immediately preceding the month in which the open enrollment is to occur and in each week of that month, or until the enrollment limitation is reached, whichever occurs first. The notice published during the last week of open enrollment shall appear not less than five days before the end of the open enrollment period. It shall be at least two newspaper columns wide or two and one-half inches wide, whichever is larger. The first two lines of the text shall be published in not less than twelve-point, boldface type. The remainder of the text of the notice shall be published in not less than eight-point type. The entire public notice shall be surrounded by a continuous black line not less than one-eighth of an inch wide.

(3) The following information shall be included in the public notice provided under division (H)(2) of this section:

(a) The dates that open enrollment will be held and the date coverage obtained under the open enrollment will become effective;

(b) Notice that an applicant or the applicant's dependents will not be denied coverage during open enrollment because of a preexisting health condition, but that some limitations and restrictions may apply;

(c) The address where a person may obtain an application;

(d) The telephone number that a person may call to request an application or to ask questions;

(e) The date the first payment will be due;

(f) The actual rates or range of rates that will be applicable for applicants;

(g) Any limitation granted by the superintendent on the number of applications that will be accepted by the health insuring corporation.

(4) Within thirty days after the end of an open enrollment period, the health insuring corporation shall submit to the superintendent proof of publication for the public notices, and shall report the total number of applicants and their dependents enrolled during the open enrollment period.

(I)(1) No health insuring corporation may employ any scheme, plan, or device that restricts the ability of any person to enroll during open enrollment.

(2) No health insuring corporation may require enrollment to be made in person. Every health insuring corporation shall permit application for coverage by mail. A representative of the health insuring corporation may visit an applicant who has submitted an application by mail, in order to explain the operations of the health insuring corporation and to answer any questions the applicant may have. Every health insuring corporation shall make open enrollment applications and solicitation documents readily available to any potential applicant who requests such material.

(J) An application postmarked on the last day of an open enrollment period shall qualify as a valid application, regardless of the date on which it is received by the health insuring corporation.

(K) This section does not apply to any health insuring corporation that offers only supplemental health care services or specialty health care services, or to any health insuring corporation that offers plans only through Title XVIII or Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program or medicaid program, and that has no other commercial enrollment, or to any health insuring corporation that offers plans only through other federal health care programs regulated by federal regulatory bodies and that has no other commercial enrollment, or to any health insuring corporation that offers plans only through contracts covering officers or employees of the state that have been entered into by the department of administrative services and that has no other commercial enrollment.

(L) Each health insuring corporation shall accept federally eligible individuals for open enrollment coverage as provided in section 3923.581 of the Revised Code. A health insuring corporation may reinsure coverage of any federally eligible individual acquired under that section with the open enrollment reinsurance program in accordance with division (G) of section 3924.11 of the Revised Code. Fixed periodic prepayment rates charged for coverage reinsured by the program shall be established in accordance with section 3924.12 of the Revised Code.

(M) As used in this section, "federally eligible individual" means an eligible individual as defined in 45 C.F.R. 148.103.

Sec. 1751.16.  (A) Except as provided in division (F) of this section, every group contract issued by a health insuring corporation shall provide an option for conversion to an individual contract issued on a direct-payment basis to any subscriber covered by the group contract who terminates employment or membership in the group, unless:

(1) Termination of the conversion option or contract is based upon nonpayment of premium after reasonable notice in writing has been given by the health insuring corporation to the subscriber.

(2) The subscriber is, or is eligible to be, covered for benefits at least comparable to the group contract under any of the following:

(a) Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended The medicare program;

(b) Any act of congress or law under this or any other state of the United States providing coverage at least comparable to the benefits under division (A)(2)(a) of this section;

(c) Any policy of insurance or health care plan providing coverage at least comparable to the benefits under division (A)(2)(a) of this section.

(B)(1) The direct-payment contract offered by the health insuring corporation pursuant to division (A) of this section shall provide the following:

(a) In the case of an individual who is not a federally eligible individual, benefits comparable to benefits in any of the individual contracts then being issued to individual subscribers by the health insuring corporation;

(b) In the case of a federally eligible individual, a basic and standard plan established by the board of directors of the Ohio health reinsurance program or plans substantially similar to the basic and standard plan in benefit design and scope of covered services. For purposes of division (B)(1)(b) of this section, the superintendent of insurance shall determine whether a plan is substantially similar to the basic or standard plan in benefit design and scope of covered services. The contractual periodic prepayments charged for such plans may not exceed an amount that is two times the midpoint of the standard rate charged any other individual of a group to which the organization is currently accepting new business and for which similar copayments and deductibles are applied.

(2) The direct payment contract offered pursuant to division (A) of this section may include a coordination of benefits provision as approved by the superintendent.

(3) For purposes of division (B) of this section "federally eligible individual" means an eligible individual as defined in 45 C.F.R. 148.103.

(C) The option for conversion shall be available:

(1) Upon the death of the subscriber, to the surviving spouse with respect to such of the spouse and dependents as are then covered by the group contract;

(2) To a child solely with respect to the child upon the child's attaining the limiting age of coverage under the group contract while covered as a dependent under the contract;

(3) Upon the divorce, dissolution, or annulment of the marriage of the subscriber, to the divorced spouse, or, in the event of annulment, to the former spouse of the subscriber.

(D) No health insuring corporation shall use age as the basis for refusing to renew a converted contract.

(E) Written notice of the conversion option provided by this section shall be given to the subscriber by the health insuring corporation by mail. The notice shall be sent to the subscriber's address in the records of the employer upon receipt of notice from the employer of the event giving rise to the conversion option. If the subscriber has not received notice of the conversion privilege at least fifteen days prior to the expiration of the thirty-day conversion period, then the subscriber shall have an additional period within which to exercise the privilege. This additional period shall expire fifteen days after the subscriber receives notice, but in no event shall the period extend beyond sixty days after the expiration of the thirty-day conversion period.

(F) This section does not apply to any group contract offering only supplemental health care services or specialty health care services.

Sec. 1751.17.  (A) As used in this section, "nongroup contract" means a contract issued by a health insuring corporation to an individual who makes direct application for coverage under the contract and who, if required by the health insuring corporation, submits to medical underwriting. "Nongroup contract" does not include group conversion coverage, coverage obtained through open enrollment, or coverage issued on the basis of membership in a group.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, every nongroup contract that is issued by a health insuring corporation and that makes available basic health care services shall provide an option for conversion to a contract issued on a direct-payment basis to an enrollee covered by the nongroup contract. The option for conversion shall be available:

(1) Upon the death of the subscriber, to the surviving spouse with respect to the spouse or dependents who were then covered by the nongroup contract;

(2) Upon the divorce, dissolution, or annulment of the marriage of the subscriber, to the divorced spouse, or, in the event of annulment, to the former spouse of the subscriber;

(3) To a child solely with respect to the child, upon the child's attaining the limiting age of coverage under the nongroup contract while covered as a dependent under the contract.

(C) The direct payment contract offered pursuant to division (B) of this section shall not be made available to an enrollee if any of the following applies:

(1) The enrollee is, or is eligible to be, covered for benefits at least comparable to the nongroup contract under any of the following:

(a) The medical assistance medicaid program under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code;

(b) Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended The medicare program;

(c) Any act of congress or law under this or any other state of the United States providing coverage at least comparable to the benefits offered under division (C)(1)(a) or (b) of this section.

(2) The nongroup contract under which the enrollee was covered was terminated due to nonpayment of a premium rate.

(3) The enrollee is eligible for group coverage provided by, or available through, an employer or association and the group coverage provides benefits comparable to the benefits provided under a direct payment contract.

(D) The direct payment contract offered pursuant to division (B) of this section shall provide benefits that are at least comparable to the benefits provided by the nongroup contract under which the enrollee was covered at the time of the occurrence of any of the events set forth in division (B) of this section. The coverage provided under the direct payment contract shall be continuous, provided that the enrollee makes the required premium rate payment within the thirty-day period immediately following the occurrence of the event, and may be terminated for nonpayment of any required premium rate payment.

(E) The evidence of coverage of every nongroup contract shall contain notice that an option for conversion to a contract issued on a direct-payment basis is available, in accordance with this section, to any enrollee covered by the contract.

(F) Benefits otherwise payable to an enrollee under a direct payment contract shall be reduced by the amount of any benefits available to the enrollee under any applicable group health insuring corporation contract or group sickness and accident insurance policy.

(G) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a health insuring corporation to offer nongroup contracts.

(H) This section does not apply to any nongroup contract offering only supplemental health care services or specialty health care services.

Sec. 1751.18.  (A)(1) No health insuring corporation shall cancel or fail to renew the coverage of a subscriber or enrollee because of any health status-related factor in relation to the subscriber or enrollee, the subscriber's or enrollee's requirements for health care services, or for any other reason designated under rules adopted by the superintendent of insurance.

(2) Unless otherwise required by state or federal law, no health insuring corporation, or health care facility or provider through which the health insuring corporation has made arrangements to provide health care services, shall discriminate against any individual with regard to enrollment, disenrollment, or the quality of health care services rendered, on the basis of the individual's race, color, sex, age, religion, or status as a recipient of medicare or medical assistance under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicaid, or any health status-related factor in relation to the individual. However, a health insuring corporation shall not be required to accept a recipient of medicare or medical assistance medicaid, if an agreement has not been reached on appropriate payment mechanisms between the health insuring corporation and the governmental agency administering these programs. Further, except during a period of open enrollment under section 1751.15 of the Revised Code, a health insuring corporation may reject an applicant for nongroup enrollment on the basis of any health status-related factor in relation to the applicant.

(B) A health insuring corporation may cancel or decide not to renew the coverage of an enrollee if the enrollee has performed an act or practice that constitutes fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material fact under the terms of the coverage and if the cancellation or nonrenewal is not based, either directly or indirectly, on any health status-related factor in relation to the enrollee.

(C) An enrollee may appeal any action or decision of a health insuring corporation taken pursuant to section 2742(b) to (e) of the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," Pub. L. No. 104-191, 110 Stat. 1955, 42 U.S.C.A. 300gg-42, as amended. To appeal, the enrollee may submit a written complaint to the health insuring corporation pursuant to section 1751.19 of the Revised Code. The enrollee may, within thirty days after receiving a written response from the health insuring corporation, appeal the health insuring corporation's action or decision to the superintendent.

(D) As used in this section, "health status-related factor" means any of the following:

(1) Health status;

(2) Medical condition, including both physical and mental illnesses;

(3) Claims experience;

(4) Receipt of health care;

(5) Medical history;

(6) Genetic information;

(7) Evidence of insurability, including conditions arising out of acts of domestic violence;

(8) Disability.

Sec. 1751.20.  (A) No health insuring corporation, or agent, employee, or representative of a health insuring corporation, shall use any advertisement or solicitation document, or shall engage in any activity, that is unfair, untrue, misleading, or deceptive.

(B) No health insuring corporation shall use a name that is deceptively similar to the name or description of any insurance or surety corporation doing business in this state.

(C) All solicitation documents, advertisements, evidences of coverage, and enrollee identification cards used by a health insuring corporation shall contain the health insuring corporation's name. The use of a trade name, an insurance group designation, the name of a parent company, the name of a division of an affiliated insurance company, a service mark, a slogan, a symbol, or other device, without the name of the health insuring corporation as stated in its articles of incorporation, shall not satisfy this requirement if the usage would have the capacity and tendency to mislead or deceive persons as to the true identity of the health insuring corporation.

(D) No solicitation document or advertisement used by a health insuring corporation shall contain any words, symbols, or physical materials that are so similar in content, phraseology, shape, color, or other characteristic to those used by an agency of the federal government or this state, that prospective enrollees may be led to believe that the solicitation document or advertisement is connected with an agency of the federal government or this state.

(E) A health insuring corporation that provides basic health care services may use the phrase "health maintenance organization" or the abbreviation "HMO" in its marketing name, advertising, solicitation documents, or marketing literature, or in reference to the phrase "doing business as" or the abbreviation "DBA."

(F) This section does not apply to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, pursuant to a medicare risk contract or medicare cost contract, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in the federal employee health benefits program pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. 8905, or to the coverage of beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX recipients of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the Ohio department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program, or to the coverage of beneficiaries under any federal health care program regulated by a federal regulatory body, or to the coverage of beneficiaries under any contract covering officers or employees of the state that has been entered into by the department of administrative services.

Sec. 1751.271.  (A) Each health insuring corporation that provides coverage to medicaid recipients shall post a performance bond in the amount of three million dollars as security to fulfill the obligations of the health insuring corporation to pay claims of contracted providers for covered health care services provided to medicaid recipients. The bond shall be payable to the department of insurance in the event that the health insuring corporation is placed in rehabilitation or liquidation proceedings under Chapter 3903. of the Revised Code, and shall become a special deposit subject to section 3903.14 or 3903.421 of the Revised Code, as applicable. In lieu of the performance bond, a medicaid health insuring corporation may deposit securities with the superintendent of insurance, acceptable to the superintendent, in the amount of three million dollars, to satisfy the bonding requirements of this section. Upon rehabilitation or liquidation, the securities shall become a special deposit subject to sections 3903.14 and 3903.421 of the Revised Code, as applicable. The health insuring corporation shall receive the interest on the deposited securities as long as the health insuring corporation remains solvent.

(B) The bond shall be issued by a surety company licensed with the department of insurance. The bond or deposit, or any replacement bond or deposit, shall be in a form acceptable to the superintendent, and shall remain in effect during the duration of the medicaid health insuring corporation's license and thereafter until all claims against the medicaid health insuring corporation have been paid in full.

(C) Documentation of the bond acceptable to the superintendent of insurance shall be filed with the superintendent prior to the issuance of a certificate of authority. Annually, thirty days prior to the renewal of its certificate of authority, every medicaid health insuring corporation shall furnish the superintendent of insurance with evidence that the required bond is still in effect.

(D) As used in this section:

(1) "Contracted provider" means a provider that has a contract with a medicaid health insuring corporation to provide covered health care services to medicaid recipients.

(2) "Medicaid health insuring corporation" means a health insuring corporation that provides health insurance coverage or otherwise assumes claims liabilities for medicaid recipients.

(3) "Medicaid recipient" means a person eligible for medical assistance under the medicaid program operated pursuant to Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1751.31.  (A) Any changes in a health insuring corporation's solicitation document shall be filed with the superintendent of insurance. The superintendent, within sixty days of filing, may disapprove any solicitation document or amendment to it on any of the grounds stated in this section. Such disapproval shall be effected by written notice to the health insuring corporation. The notice shall state the grounds for disapproval and shall be issued in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(B) The solicitation document shall contain all information necessary to enable a consumer to make an informed choice as to whether or not to enroll in the health insuring corporation. The information shall include a specific description of the health care services to be available and the approximate number and type of full-time equivalent medical practitioners. The information shall be presented in the solicitation document in a manner that is clear, concise, and intelligible to prospective applicants in the proposed service area.

(C) Every potential applicant whose subscription to a health care plan is solicited shall receive, at or before the time of solicitation, a solicitation document approved by the superintendent.

(D) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, a health insuring corporation may use a solicitation document that the corporation uses in connection with policies for beneficiaries of Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, pursuant to a medicare risk contract or medicare cost contract, or for policies for beneficiaries of the federal employees health benefits program pursuant to 5 U.S.C.A. 8905, or for policies for beneficiaries of Title XIX recipients of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, provided by the department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program, or for policies for beneficiaries of any other federal health care program regulated by a federal regulatory body, or for policies for beneficiaries of contracts covering officers or employees of the state entered into by the department of administrative services, if both of the following apply:

(1) The solicitation document has been approved by the United States department of health and human services, the United States office of personnel management, the department of job and family services health care administration, or the department of administrative services.

(2) The solicitation document is filed with the superintendent of insurance prior to use and is accompanied by documentation of approval from the United States department of health and human services, the United States office of personnel management, the department of job and family services health care administration, or the department of administrative services.

(E) No health insuring corporation, or its agents or representatives, shall use monetary or other valuable consideration, engage in misleading or deceptive practices, or make untrue, misleading, or deceptive representations to induce enrollment. Nothing in this division shall prohibit incentive forms of remuneration such as commission sales programs for the health insuring corporation's employees and agents.

(F) Any person obligated for any part of a premium rate in connection with an enrollment agreement, in addition to any right otherwise available to revoke an offer, may cancel such agreement within seventy-two hours after having signed the agreement or offer to enroll. Cancellation occurs when written notice of the cancellation is given to the health insuring corporation or its agents or other representatives. A notice of cancellation mailed to the health insuring corporation shall be considered to have been filed on its postmark date.

(G) Nothing in this section shall prohibit healthy lifestyle programs.

Sec. 1751.34.  (A) Each health insuring corporation and each applicant for a certificate of authority under this chapter shall be subject to examination by the superintendent of insurance in accordance with section 3901.07 of the Revised Code. Section 3901.07 of the Revised Code shall govern every aspect of the examination, including the circumstances under and frequency with which it is conducted, the authority of the superintendent and any examiner or other person appointed by the superintendent, the liability for the assessment of expenses incurred in conducting the examination, and the remittance of the assessment to the superintendent's examination fund.

(B) The director of health shall make an examination concerning the matters subject to the director's consideration in section 1751.04 of the Revised Code as often as the director considers it necessary for the protection of the interests of the people of this state, but not less frequently than once every three years. The expenses of such examinations shall be assessed against the health insuring corporation being examined in the manner in which expenses of examinations are assessed against an insurance company under section 3901.07 of the Revised Code. Nothing in this division requires the director to make an examination of a health insuring corporation that covers solely recipients of assistance under the medicaid program operated pursuant to Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code, a health insuring corporation that covers solely recipients of assistance under the federal medicare program under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 62 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, or a health insuring corporation that covers solely recipients of assistance under both the medicaid and medicare programs.

(C) An examination, pursuant to section 3901.07 of the Revised Code, of an insurance company holding a certificate of authority under this chapter to organize and operate a health insuring corporation shall include an examination of the health insuring corporation pursuant to this section and the examination shall satisfy the requirements of divisions (A) and (B) of this section.

(D) The superintendent may conduct market conduct examinations pursuant to section 3901.011 of the Revised Code of any health insuring corporation as often as the superintendent considers it necessary for the protection of the interests of subscribers and enrollees. The expenses of such market conduct examinations shall be assessed against the health insuring corporation being examined. All costs, assessments, or fines collected under this division shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the department of insurance operating fund.

Sec. 1751.53.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Group contract" means a group health insuring corporation contract covering employees that meets either of the following conditions:

(a) The contract was issued by an entity that, on the effective date of this section June 4, 1997, holds a certificate of authority or license to operate under Chapter 1738. or 1742. of the Revised Code, and covers an employee at the time the employee's employment is terminated.

(b) The contract is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state after the effective date of this section June 4, 1997, and covers an employee at the time the employee's employment is terminated.

(2) "Eligible employee" means an employee to whom all of the following apply:

(a) The employee has been continuously covered under a group contract or under the contract and any prior similar group coverage replaced by the contract, during the entire three-month period preceding the termination of the employee's employment.

(b) The employee is entitled, at the time of the termination of this employment, to unemployment compensation benefits under Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code.

(c) The employee is not, and does not become, covered by or eligible for coverage by medicare under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended.

(d) The employee is not, and does not become, covered by or eligible for coverage by any other insured or uninsured arrangement that provides hospital, surgical, or medical coverage for individuals in a group and under which the employee was not covered immediately prior to the termination of employment. A person eligible for continuation of coverage under this section, who is also eligible for coverage under section 3923.123 of the Revised Code, may elect either coverage, but not both. A person who elects continuation of coverage may elect any coverage available under section 3923.123 of the Revised Code upon the termination of the continuation of coverage.

(B) A group contract shall provide that any eligible employee may continue the coverage under the contract, for the employee and the employee's eligible dependents, for a period of six months after the date that the group coverage would otherwise terminate by reason of the termination of the employee's employment. Each certificate of coverage issued to employees under the contract shall include a notice of the employee's privilege of continuation.

(C) All of the following apply to the continuation of group coverage required under division (B) of this section:

(1) Continuation need not include any supplemental health care services benefits or specialty health care services benefits provided by the group contract.

(2) The employer shall notify the employee of the right of continuation at the time the employer notifies the employee of the termination of employment. The notice shall inform the employee of the amount of contribution required by the employer under division (C)(4) of this section.

(3) The employee shall file a written election of continuation with the employer and pay the employer the first contribution required under division (C)(4) of this section. The request and payment must be received by the employer no later than the earlier of any of the following dates:

(a) Thirty-one days after the date on which the employee's coverage would otherwise terminate;

(b) Ten days after the date on which the employee's coverage would otherwise terminate, if the employer has notified the employee of the right of continuation prior to this date;

(c) Ten days after the employer notifies the employee of the right of continuation, if the notice is given after the date on which the employee's coverage would otherwise terminate.

(4) The employee must pay to the employer, on a monthly basis, in advance, the amount of contribution required by the employer. The amount required shall not exceed the group rate for the insurance being continued under the policy on the due date of each payment.

(5) The employee's privilege to continue coverage and the coverage under any continuation ceases if any of the following occurs:

(a) The employee ceases to be an eligible employee under division (A)(2)(c) or (d) of this section;

(b) A period of six months expires after the date that the employee's coverage under the group contract would otherwise have terminated because of the termination of employment;

(c) The employee fails to make a timely payment of a required contribution, in which event the coverage shall cease at the end of the coverage for which contributions were made;

(d) The group contract is terminated, or the employer terminates participation under the contract, unless the employer replaces the coverage by similar coverage under another contract or other group health arrangement. If the employer replaces the contract with similar group health coverage, all of the following apply:

(i) The member shall be covered under the replacement coverage, for the balance of the period that the member would have remained covered under the terminated coverage if it had not been terminated.

(ii) The minimum level of benefits under the replacement coverage shall be the applicable level of benefits of the contract replaced reduced by any benefits payable under the contract replaced.

(iii) The contract replaced shall continue to provide benefits to the extent of its accrued liabilities and extensions of benefits as if the replacement had not occurred.

(D) This section does not apply to any group contract offering only supplemental health care services or specialty health care services.

Sec. 1751.60.  (A) Except as provided for in divisions (E) and (F) of this section, every provider or health care facility that contracts with a health insuring corporation to provide health care services to the health insuring corporation's enrollees or subscribers shall seek compensation for covered services solely from the health insuring corporation and not, under any circumstances, from the enrollees or subscribers, except for approved copayments and deductibles.

(B) No subscriber or enrollee of a health insuring corporation is liable to any contracting provider or health care facility for the cost of any covered health care services, if the subscriber or enrollee has acted in accordance with the evidence of coverage.

(C) Except as provided for in divisions (E) and (F) of this section, every contract between a health insuring corporation and provider or health care facility shall contain a provision approved by the superintendent of insurance requiring the provider or health care facility to seek compensation solely from the health insuring corporation and not, under any circumstances, from the subscriber or enrollee, except for approved copayments and deductibles.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a provider or health care facility from billing the enrollee or subscriber of a health insuring corporation for noncovered services.

(E) Upon application by a health insuring corporation and a provider or health care facility, the superintendent may waive the requirements of divisions (A) and (C) of this section when, in addition to the reserve requirements contained in section 1751.28 of the Revised Code, the health insuring corporation provides sufficient assurances to the superintendent that the provider or health care facility has been provided with financial guarantees. No waiver of the requirements of divisions (A) and (C) of this section is effective as to enrollees or subscribers for whom the health insuring corporation is compensated under a provider agreement or risk contract entered into pursuant to Chapter 5111. or 5115. or 5168. of the Revised Code.

(F) The requirements of divisions (A) to (C) of this section apply only to health care services provided to an enrollee or subscriber prior to the effective date of a termination of a contract between the health insuring corporation and the provider or health care facility.

Sec. 1751.88.  Consistent with the Rules of Evidence, a written decision or opinion prepared by or for an independent review organization under section 1751.84 or 1751.85 of the Revised Code shall be admissible in any civil action related to the coverage decision that was the subject of the decision or opinion. The independent review organization's decision or opinion shall be presumed to be a scientifically valid and accurate description of the state of medical knowledge at the time it was written.

Consistent with the Rules of Evidence, any party to a civil action related to a health insuring corporation's coverage decision involving an investigational or experimental drug, device, or treatment may introduce into evidence any applicable medicare reimbursement standards established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program.

Sec. 1751.89.  Sections 1751.77 to 1751.85 of the Revised Code do not apply to either of the following:

(A) Coverage provided to beneficiaries enrolled in the medicare...+choice program operated under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended the medicare program;

(B) Coverage provided to recipients of medical assistance under the medicaid program operated pursuant to Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2108.01.  As used in sections 2108.01 to 2108.12 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Anatomical gift" means a donation of all or part of a human body to take effect upon or after death.

(B) "Decedent" means a deceased individual and includes a stillborn infant or fetus.

(C) If a will or other document by which an anatomical gift is made includes a valid specification of the intended donee, "donee" means the specified person or entity; otherwise, "donee" means, in the case of organs, an organ procurement organization that serves the region of the state where the body of the donor is located or, in the case of tissue or eyes, an organization entitled by law to recover the tissue or eyes from the donor's body.

(D) "Donor" means an individual who makes an anatomical gift.

(E) "Hospital" means any hospital operated in this state that is certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program, or accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations or the American osteopathic association. "Hospital" also means a facility licensed, accredited, registered, or approved as a hospital under the laws of any state, and includes a facility operated as a hospital by a state or a subdivision of the state, although not required to be licensed under state laws.

(F) "Identification card" means an identification card issued under sections 4507.50 and 4507.51 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Part" means any portion of a human body.

(H) "Tissue" means any body part other than an organ or eye.

(I) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and also includes a government or governmental subdivision or agency.

(J) "Physician" or "surgeon" means an individual who is licensed or authorized to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery under the laws of any state.

(K) "Recovery agency" means a nonprofit organization incorporated under Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code that is one of the following:

(1) An organ procurement organization designated by the secretary of health and human services pursuant to Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, 1320b-8, as amended medicare program;

(2) An eye bank that is accredited by the eye bank association of America or that has applied for accreditation, is in substantial compliance with accreditation standards of the association, and since applying for accreditation has been in operation for not longer than one year;

(3) A tissue bank that is certified by the American association of tissue banks or that has applied for certification, is in substantial compliance with certification standards of the association, and since applying for certification has been in operation for not longer than one year.

Sec. 2113.041. (A) The administrator of the estate recovery program established pursuant to section 5111.11 5162.40 of the Revised Code may present an affidavit to a financial institution requesting that the financial institution release account proceeds to recover the cost of services correctly provided to a medicaid recipient who is subject to the estate recovery program. The affidavit shall include all of the following information:

(1) The name of the decedent;

(2) The name of any person who gave notice that the decedent was a medicaid recipient and that person's relationship to the decedent;

(3) The name of the financial institution;

(4) The account number;

(5) A description of the claim for estate recovery;

(6) The amount of funds to be recovered.

(B) A financial institution may release account proceeds to the administrator of the estate recovery program if all of the following apply:

(1) The decedent held an account at the financial institution that was in the decedent's name only.

(2) No estate has been, and it is reasonable to assume that no estate will be, opened for the decedent.

(3) The decedent has no outstanding debts known to the administrator of the estate recovery program.

(4) The financial institution has received no objections or has determined that no valid objections to release of proceeds have been received.

(C) If proceeds have been released pursuant to division (B) of this section and the department of job and family services health care administration receives notice of a valid claim to the proceeds that has a higher priority under section 2117.25 of the Revised Code than the claim of the estate recovery program, the department may refund the proceeds to the financial institution or pay them to the person or government entity with the claim.

Sec. 2113.06.  Administration of the estate of an intestate shall be granted to persons mentioned in this section, in the following order:

(A) To the surviving spouse of the deceased, if resident of the state;

(B) To one of the next of kin of the deceased, resident of the state.

If the persons entitled to administer the estate fail to take or renounce administration voluntarily, they shall be cited by the probate court for that purpose.

If there are no persons entitled to administration, or if they are for any reason unsuitable for the discharge of the trust, or if without sufficient cause they neglect to apply within a reasonable time for the administration of the estate, their right to priority shall be lost, and the court shall commit the administration to some suitable person who is a resident of the state, or to the attorney general or the attorney general's designee, if the department of job and family services health care administration is seeking to recover medical assistance medicaid costs from the deceased pursuant to section 5111.11 5162.40 or 5111.111 5162.41 of the Revised Code. Such person may be a creditor of the estate.

This section applies to the appointment of an administrator de bonis non.

Sec. 2117.061. (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Medicaid estate recovery program" means the program instituted under section 5111.11 5162.40 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Permanently institutionalized individual" has the same meaning as in section 5111.11 5162.40 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Person responsible for the estate" means the executor, administrator, commissioner, or person who filed pursuant to section 2113.03 of the Revised Code for release from administration of an estate.

(B) If a decedent, at the time of death, was fifty-five years of age or older or a permanently institutionalized individual, the person responsible for the decedent's estate shall determine whether the decedent was, at any time during the decedent's life, a medicaid recipient under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code. If the decedent was a medicaid recipient, the person responsible for the estate shall submit a properly completed medicaid estate recovery reporting form prescribed under division (D) of this section to the administrator of the medicaid estate recovery program not later than thirty days after the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) The granting of letters testamentary;

(2) The administration of the estate;

(3) The filing of an application for release from administration or summary release from administration.

(C) The person responsible for the estate shall mark the appropriate box on the appropriate probate form to indicate compliance with the requirements of division (B) of this section.

The probate court shall send a copy of the completed probate form to the administrator of the medicaid estate recovery program.

(D) The administrator of the estate recovery program shall prescribe a medicaid estate recovery reporting form for the purpose of division (B) of this section. The form shall require, at a minimum, that the person responsible for the estate list all of the decedent's real and personal property and other assets that are part of the decedent's estate as defined in section 5111.11 5162.40 of the Revised Code. The administrator shall include on the form a statement printed in bold letters informing the person responsible for the estate that knowingly making a false statement on the form is falsification under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(E) The estate recovery program administrator shall present a claim for estate recovery to the person responsible for the estate or the person's legal representative not later than ninety days after the date on which the medicaid estate recovery reporting form is received under division (B) of this section or one year after the decedent's death, whichever is later.

Sec. 2117.25. (A) Every executor or administrator shall proceed with diligence to pay the debts of the decedent and shall apply the assets in the following order:

(1) Costs and expenses of administration;

(2) An amount, not exceeding four thousand dollars, for funeral expenses that are included in the bill of a funeral director, funeral expenses other than those in the bill of a funeral director that are approved by the probate court, and an amount, not exceeding three thousand dollars, for burial and cemetery expenses, including that portion of the funeral director's bill allocated to cemetery expenses that have been paid to the cemetery by the funeral director.

For purposes of this division, burial and cemetery expenses shall be limited to the following:

(a) The purchase of a right of interment;

(b) Monuments or other markers;

(c) The outer burial container;

(d) The cost of opening and closing the place of interment;

(e) The urn.

(3) The allowance for support made to the surviving spouse, minor children, or both under section 2106.13 of the Revised Code;

(4) Debts entitled to a preference under the laws of the United States;

(5) Expenses of the last sickness of the decedent;

(6) If the total bill of a funeral director for funeral expenses exceeds four thousand dollars, then, in addition to the amount described in division (A)(2) of this section, an amount, not exceeding two thousand dollars, for funeral expenses that are included in the bill and that exceed four thousand dollars;

(7) Personal property taxes, claims made under the estate recovery program instituted pursuant to section 5111.11 5162.40 of the Revised Code, and obligations for which the decedent was personally liable to the state or any of its subdivisions;

(8) Debts for manual labor performed for the decedent within twelve months preceding the decedent's death, not exceeding three hundred dollars to any one person;

(9) Other debts for which claims have been presented and finally allowed.

(B) The part of the bill of a funeral director that exceeds the total of six thousand dollars as described in divisions (A)(2) and (6) of this section, and the part of a claim included in division (A)(8) of this section that exceeds three hundred dollars shall be included as a debt under division (A)(9) of this section, depending upon the time when the claim for the additional amount is presented.

(C) Any natural person or fiduciary who pays a claim of any creditor described in division (A) of this section shall be subrogated to the rights of that creditor proportionate to the amount of the payment and shall be entitled to reimbursement for that amount in accordance with the priority of payments set forth in that division.

(D)(1) Chapters 2113. to 2125. of the Revised Code, relating to the manner in which and the time within which claims shall be presented, shall apply to claims set forth in divisions (A)(2), (6), and (8) of this section. Claims for an expense of administration or for the allowance for support need not be presented. The executor or administrator shall pay debts included in divisions (A)(4) and (7) of this section, of which the executor or administrator has knowledge, regardless of presentation.

(2) The giving of written notice to an executor or administrator of a motion or application to revive an action pending against the decedent at the date of death shall be equivalent to the presentation of a claim to the executor or administrator for the purpose of determining the order of payment of any judgment rendered or decree entered in such an action.

(E) No payments shall be made to creditors of one class until all those of the preceding class are fully paid or provided for. If the assets are insufficient to pay all the claims of one class, the creditors of that class shall be paid ratably.

(F) If it appears at any time that the assets have been exhausted in paying prior or preferred charges, allowances, or claims, those payments shall be a bar to an action on any claim not entitled to that priority or preference.

Sec. 2133.01.  Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older.

(B) "Attending physician" means the physician to whom a declarant or other patient, or the family of a declarant or other patient, has assigned primary responsibility for the treatment or care of the declarant or other patient, or, if the responsibility has not been assigned, the physician who has accepted that responsibility.

(C) "Comfort care" means any of the following:

(1) Nutrition when administered to diminish the pain or discomfort of a declarant or other patient, but not to postpone the declarant's or other patient's death;

(2) Hydration when administered to diminish the pain or discomfort of a declarant or other patient, but not to postpone the declarant's or other patient's death;

(3) Any other medical or nursing procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure that is taken to diminish the pain or discomfort of a declarant or other patient, but not to postpone the declarant's or other patient's death.

(D) "Consulting physician" means a physician who, in conjunction with the attending physician of a declarant or other patient, makes one or more determinations that are required to be made by the attending physician, or to be made by the attending physician and one other physician, by an applicable provision of this chapter, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty and in accordance with reasonable medical standards.

(E) "Declarant" means any adult who has executed a declaration in accordance with section 2133.02 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Declaration" means a written document executed in accordance with section 2133.02 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Durable power of attorney for health care" means a document created pursuant to sections 1337.11 to 1337.17 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Guardian" means a person appointed by a probate court pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code to have the care and management of the person of an incompetent.

(I) "Health care facility" means any of the following:

(1) A hospital;

(2) A hospice care program or other institution that specializes in comfort care of patients in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state;

(3) A nursing home or residential care facility, as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(4) A home health agency and any residential facility where a person is receiving care under the direction of a home health agency;

(5) An intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded.

(J) "Health care personnel" means physicians, nurses, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, emergency medical technicians-paramedic, medical technicians, dietitians, other authorized persons acting under the direction of an attending physician, and administrators of health care facilities.

(K) "Home health agency" has the same meaning as in section 3701.881 of the Revised Code.

(L) "Hospice care program" has the same meaning as in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code.

(M) "Hospital" has the same meanings as in sections 2108.01, 3701.01, and 5122.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Hydration" means fluids that are artificially or technologically administered.

(O) "Incompetent" has the same meaning as in section 2111.01 of the Revised Code.

(P) "Intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

(Q) "Life-sustaining treatment" means any medical procedure, treatment, intervention, or other measure that, when administered to a qualified patient or other patient, will serve principally to prolong the process of dying.

(R) "Nurse" means a person who is licensed to practice nursing as a registered nurse or to practice practical nursing as a licensed practical nurse pursuant to Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(S) "Nursing home" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(T) "Nutrition" means sustenance that is artificially or technologically administered.

(U) "Permanently unconscious state" means a state of permanent unconsciousness in a declarant or other patient that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty as determined in accordance with reasonable medical standards by the declarant's or other patient's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the declarant or other patient, is characterized by both of the following:

(1) Irreversible unawareness of one's being and environment.

(2) Total loss of cerebral cortical functioning, resulting in the declarant or other patient having no capacity to experience pain or suffering.

(V) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and additionally includes political subdivisions and governmental agencies, boards, commissions, departments, institutions, offices, and other instrumentalities.

(W) "Physician" means a person who is authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(X) "Political subdivision" and "state" have the same meanings as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

(Y) "Professional disciplinary action" means action taken by the board or other entity that regulates the professional conduct of health care personnel, including the state medical board and the board of nursing.

(Z) "Qualified patient" means an adult who has executed a declaration and has been determined to be in a terminal condition or in a permanently unconscious state.

(AA) "Terminal condition" means an irreversible, incurable, and untreatable condition caused by disease, illness, or injury from which, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty as determined in accordance with reasonable medical standards by a declarant's or other patient's attending physician and one other physician who has examined the declarant or other patient, both of the following apply:

(1) There can be no recovery.

(2) Death is likely to occur within a relatively short time if life-sustaining treatment is not administered.

(BB) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property, other than a civil action for damages for breach of a contract or another agreement between persons.

Sec. 2151.3514.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Alcohol and drug addiction program" has the same meaning as in section 3793.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) "Chemical dependency" means either of the following:

(a) The chronic and habitual use of alcoholic beverages to the extent that the user no longer can control the use of alcohol or endangers the user's health, safety, or welfare or that of others;

(b) The use of a drug of abuse to the extent that the user becomes physically or psychologically dependent on the drug or endangers the user's health, safety, or welfare or that of others.

(3) "Drug of abuse" has the same meaning as in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Medicaid" means the program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(B) If the juvenile court issues an order of temporary custody or protective supervision under division (A) of section 2151.353 of the Revised Code with respect to a child adjudicated to be an abused, neglected, or dependent child and the alcohol or other drug addiction of a parent or other caregiver of the child was the basis for the adjudication of abuse, neglect, or dependency, the court shall issue an order requiring the parent or other caregiver to submit to an assessment and, if needed, treatment from an alcohol and drug addiction program certified by the department of alcohol and drug addiction services. The court may order the parent or other caregiver to submit to alcohol or other drug testing during, after, or both during and after, the treatment. The court shall send any order issued pursuant to this division to the public children services agency that serves the county in which the court is located for use as described in section 340.15 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any order requiring alcohol or other drug testing that is issued pursuant to division (B) of this section shall require one alcohol or other drug test to be conducted each month during a period of twelve consecutive months beginning the month immediately following the month in which the order for alcohol or other drug testing is issued. Arrangements for administering the alcohol or other drug tests, as well as funding the costs of the tests, shall be locally determined in accordance with sections 340.033 and 340.15 of the Revised Code. If a parent or other caregiver required to submit to alcohol or other drug tests under this section is not a recipient of medicaid, the agency that refers the parent or caregiver for the tests may require the parent or caregiver to reimburse the agency for the cost of conducting the tests.

(D) The certified alcohol and drug addiction program that conducts any alcohol or other drug tests ordered in accordance with divisions (B) and (C) of this section shall send the results of the tests, along with the program's recommendations as to the benefits of continued treatment, to the court and to the public children services agency providing services to the involved family, according to federal regulations set forth in 42 C.F.R. Part 2, and division (B) of section 340.15 of the Revised Code. The court shall consider the results and the recommendations sent to it under this division in any adjudication or review by the court, according to section 2151.353, 2151.414, or 2151.419 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2305.234.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Chiropractic claim," "medical claim," and "optometric claim" have the same meanings as in section 2305.113 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Dental claim" has the same meaning as in section 2305.113 of the Revised Code, except that it does not include any claim arising out of a dental operation or any derivative claim for relief that arises out of a dental operation.

(3) "Governmental health care program" has the same meaning as in section 4731.65 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Health care facility or location" means a hospital, clinic, ambulatory surgical facility, office of a health care professional or associated group of health care professionals, training institution for health care professionals, or any other place where medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment is provided to a person.

(5) "Health care professional" means any of the following who provide medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment:

(a) Physicians authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;

(b) Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code and individuals who hold a certificate of authority issued under that chapter that authorizes the practice of nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified nurse practitioner;

(c) Physician assistants authorized to practice under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code;

(d) Dentists and dental hygienists licensed under Chapter 4715. of the Revised Code;

(e) Physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code;

(f) Chiropractors licensed under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code;

(g) Optometrists licensed under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code;

(h) Podiatrists authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice podiatry;

(i) Dietitians licensed under Chapter 4759. of the Revised Code;

(j) Pharmacists licensed under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code;

(k) Emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic, certified under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code;

(l) Respiratory care professionals licensed under Chapter 4761. of the Revised Code;

(m) Speech-language pathologists and audiologists licensed under Chapter 4753. of the Revised Code.

(6) "Health care worker" means a person other than a health care professional who provides medical, dental, or other health-related care or treatment under the direction of a health care professional with the authority to direct that individual's activities, including medical technicians, medical assistants, dental assistants, orderlies, aides, and individuals acting in similar capacities.

(7) "Indigent and uninsured person" means a person who meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The person's income is not greater than two hundred per cent of the current poverty line as defined by the United States office of management and budget and revised in accordance with section 673(2) of the "Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981," 95 Stat. 511, 42 U.S.C. 9902, as amended.

(b) The person is not eligible to receive medical assistance under Chapter 5111. ineligible for the medicaid program, the disability medical assistance under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code or program, and assistance under any other governmental health care program.

(c) Either of the following applies:

(i) The person is not a policyholder, certificate holder, insured, contract holder, subscriber, enrollee, member, beneficiary, or other covered individual under a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan.

(ii) The person is a policyholder, certificate holder, insured, contract holder, subscriber, enrollee, member, beneficiary, or other covered individual under a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan, but the insurer, policy, contract, or plan denies coverage or is the subject of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings in any jurisdiction.

(8) "Nonprofit health care referral organization" means an entity that is not operated for profit and refers patients to, or arranges for the provision of, health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment by a health care professional or health care worker.

(9) "Operation" means any procedure that involves cutting or otherwise infiltrating human tissue by mechanical means, including surgery, laser surgery, ionizing radiation, therapeutic ultrasound, or the removal of intraocular foreign bodies. "Operation" does not include the administration of medication by injection, unless the injection is administered in conjunction with a procedure infiltrating human tissue by mechanical means other than the administration of medicine by injection. "Operation" does not include routine dental restorative procedures, the scaling of teeth, or extractions of teeth that are not impacted.

(10) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property other than a civil action for damages for a breach of contract or another agreement between persons or government entities.

(11) "Volunteer" means an individual who provides any medical, dental, or other health-care related diagnosis, care, or treatment without the expectation of receiving and without receipt of any compensation or other form of remuneration from an indigent and uninsured person, another person on behalf of an indigent and uninsured person, any health care facility or location, any nonprofit health care referral organization, or any other person or government entity.

(12) "Community control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

(13) "Deep sedation" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which a patient cannot be easily aroused but responds purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation, a patient's ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired, a patient may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate, and cardiovascular function is usually maintained.

(14) "General anesthesia" means a drug-induced loss of consciousness during which a patient is not arousable, even by painful stimulation, the ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired, a patient often requires assistance in maintaining a patent airway, positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function, and cardiovascular function may be impaired.

(B)(1) Subject to divisions (F) and (G)(3) of this section, a health care professional who is a volunteer and complies with division (B)(2) of this section is not liable in damages to any person or government entity in a tort or other civil action, including an action on a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim, for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an action or omission of the volunteer in the provision to an indigent and uninsured person of medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment, including the provision of samples of medicine and other medical products, unless the action or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(2) To qualify for the immunity described in division (B)(1) of this section, a health care professional shall do all of the following prior to providing diagnosis, care, or treatment:

(a) Determine, in good faith, that the indigent and uninsured person is mentally capable of giving informed consent to the provision of the diagnosis, care, or treatment and is not subject to duress or under undue influence;

(b) Inform the person of the provisions of this section, including notifying the person that, by giving informed consent to the provision of the diagnosis, care, or treatment, the person cannot hold the health care professional liable for damages in a tort or other civil action, including an action on a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim, unless the action or omission of the health care professional constitutes willful or wanton misconduct;

(c) Obtain the informed consent of the person and a written waiver, signed by the person or by another individual on behalf of and in the presence of the person, that states that the person is mentally competent to give informed consent and, without being subject to duress or under undue influence, gives informed consent to the provision of the diagnosis, care, or treatment subject to the provisions of this section. A written waiver under division (B)(2)(c) of this section shall state clearly and in conspicuous type that the person or other individual who signs the waiver is signing it with full knowledge that, by giving informed consent to the provision of the diagnosis, care, or treatment, the person cannot bring a tort or other civil action, including an action on a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim, against the health care professional unless the action or omission of the health care professional constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(3) A physician or podiatrist who is not covered by medical malpractice insurance, but complies with division (B)(2) of this section, is not required to comply with division (A) of section 4731.143 of the Revised Code.

(C) Subject to divisions (F) and (G)(3) of this section, health care workers who are volunteers are not liable in damages to any person or government entity in a tort or other civil action, including an action upon a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim, for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an action or omission of the health care worker in the provision to an indigent and uninsured person of medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment, unless the action or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(D) Subject to divisions (F) and (G)(3) of this section, a nonprofit health care referral organization is not liable in damages to any person or government entity in a tort or other civil action, including an action on a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim, for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an action or omission of the nonprofit health care referral organization in referring indigent and uninsured persons to, or arranging for the provision of, medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment by a health care professional described in division (B)(1) of this section or a health care worker described in division (C) of this section, unless the action or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(E) Subject to divisions (F) and (G)(3) of this section and to the extent that the registration requirements of section 3701.071 of the Revised Code apply, a health care facility or location associated with a health care professional described in division (B)(1) of this section, a health care worker described in division (C) of this section, or a nonprofit health care referral organization described in division (D) of this section is not liable in damages to any person or government entity in a tort or other civil action, including an action on a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim, for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an action or omission of the health care professional or worker or nonprofit health care referral organization relative to the medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment provided to an indigent and uninsured person on behalf of or at the health care facility or location, unless the action or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(F)(1) Except as provided in division (F)(2) of this section, the immunities provided by divisions (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this section are not available to a health care professional, health care worker, nonprofit health care referral organization, or health care facility or location if, at the time of an alleged injury, death, or loss to person or property, the health care professionals or health care workers involved are providing one of the following:

(a) Any medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment pursuant to a community service work order entered by a court under division (B) of section 2951.02 of the Revised Code or imposed by a court as a community control sanction;

(b) Performance of an operation to which any one of the following applies:

(i) The operation requires the administration of deep sedation or general anesthesia.

(ii) The operation is a procedure that is not typically performed in an office.

(iii) The individual involved is a health care professional, and the operation is beyond the scope of practice or the education, training, and competence, as applicable, of the health care professional.

(c) Delivery of a baby or any other purposeful termination of a human pregnancy.

(2) Division (F)(1) of this section does not apply when a health care professional or health care worker provides medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment that is necessary to preserve the life of a person in a medical emergency.

(G)(1) This section does not create a new cause of action or substantive legal right against a health care professional, health care worker, nonprofit health care referral organization, or health care facility or location.

(2) This section does not affect any immunities from civil liability or defenses established by another section of the Revised Code or available at common law to which a health care professional, health care worker, nonprofit health care referral organization, or health care facility or location may be entitled in connection with the provision of emergency or other medical, dental, or other health-related diagnosis, care, or treatment.

(3) This section does not grant an immunity from tort or other civil liability to a health care professional, health care worker, nonprofit health care referral organization, or health care facility or location for actions that are outside the scope of authority of health care professionals or health care workers.

(4) This section does not affect any legal responsibility of a health care professional, health care worker, or nonprofit health care referral organization to comply with any applicable law of this state or rule of an agency of this state.

(5) This section does not affect any legal responsibility of a health care facility or location to comply with any applicable law of this state, rule of an agency of this state, or local code, ordinance, or regulation that pertains to or regulates building, housing, air pollution, water pollution, sanitation, health, fire, zoning, or safety.

Sec. 2307.65. (A) The attorney general may bring a civil action in the Franklin county court of common pleas on behalf of the department of job and family services health care administration, and the prosecuting attorney of the county in which a violation of division (B) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code occurs may bring a civil action in the court of common pleas of that county on behalf of the county department of job and family services, against a person who violates division (B) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code for the recovery of the amount of benefits paid on behalf of a person that either department would not have paid but for the violation minus any amounts paid in restitution under division (C)(2) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code and for reasonable attorney's fees and all other fees and costs of litigation.

(B) In a civil action brought under division (A) of this section, if the defendant failed to disclose a transfer of property in violation of division (B)(3) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code, the court may also grant any of the following relief to the extent permitted by 42 U.S.C. 1396p:

(1) Avoidance of the transfer of property that was not disclosed in violation of division (B)(3) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code to the extent of the amount of benefits the department would not have paid but for the violation;

(2) An order of attachment or garnishment against the property in accordance with Chapter 2715. or 2716. of the Revised Code;

(3) An injunction against any further disposition by the transferor or transferee, or both, of the property the transfer of which was not disclosed in violation of division (B)(3) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code or against the disposition of other property by the transferor or transferee;

(4) Appointment of a receiver to take charge of the property transferred or of other property of the transferee;

(5) Any other relief that the court considers just and equitable.

(C) To the extent permitted by 42 U.S.C. 1396p, the department of job and family services health care administration or the county department of job and family services may enforce a judgment obtained under this section by levying on property the transfer of which was not disclosed in violation of division (B)(3) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code or on the proceeds of the transfer of that property in accordance with Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code.

(D) The remedies provided in divisions (B) and (C) of this section do not apply if the transferee of the property the transfer of which was not disclosed in violation of division (B)(3) of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code acquired the property in good faith and for fair market value.

(E) The remedies provided in this section are not exclusive and do not preclude the use of any other criminal or civil remedy for any act that is in violation of section 2913.401 of the Revised Code.

(F) Amounts of medicaid benefits paid and recovered in an action brought under this section shall be credited to the general revenue fund, and any applicable federal share shall be returned to the appropriate agency or department of the United States.

Sec. 2335.39.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Court" means any court of record.

(2) "Eligible party" means a party to an action or appeal involving the state, other than the following:

(a) The state;

(b) An individual whose net worth exceeded one million dollars at the time the action or appeal was filed;

(c) A sole owner of an unincorporated business that had, or a partnership, corporation, association, or organization that had, a net worth exceeding five million dollars at the time the action or appeal was filed, except that an organization that is described in subsection 501(c)(3) and is tax exempt under subsection 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code shall not be excluded as an eligible party under this division because of its net worth;

(d) A sole owner of an unincorporated business that employed, or a partnership, corporation, association, or organization that employed, more than five hundred persons at the time the action or appeal was filed.

(3) "Fees" means reasonable attorney's fees, in an amount not to exceed seventy-five dollars per hour or a higher hourly fee approved by the court.

(4) "Internal Revenue Code" means the "Internal Revenue Code of 1954," 68A Stat. 3, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended.

(5) "Prevailing eligible party" means an eligible party that prevails in an action or appeal involving the state.

(6) "State" has the same meaning as in section 2743.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (F) of this section, in a civil action, or appeal of a judgment in a civil action, to which the state is a party, or in an appeal of an adjudication order of an agency pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code, the prevailing eligible party is entitled, upon filing a motion in accordance with this division, to compensation for fees incurred by that party in connection with the action or appeal. Compensation, when payable to a prevailing eligible party under this section, is in addition to any other costs and expenses that may be awarded to that party by the court pursuant to law or rule.

A prevailing eligible party that desires an award of compensation for fees shall file a motion requesting the award with the court within thirty days after the court enters final judgment in the action or appeal. The motion shall do all of the following:

(a) Identify the party;

(b) Indicate that the party is the prevailing eligible party and is entitled to receive an award of compensation for fees;

(c) Include a statement that the state's position in initiating the matter in controversy was not substantially justified;

(d) Indicate the amount sought as an award;

(e) Itemize all fees sought in the requested award. The itemization shall include a statement from any attorney who represented the prevailing eligible party, that indicates the fees charged, the actual time expended, and the rate at which the fees were calculated.

(2) Upon the filing of a motion under this section, the court shall review the request for the award of compensation for fees and determine whether the position of the state in initiating the matter in controversy was substantially justified, whether special circumstances make an award unjust, and whether the prevailing eligible party engaged in conduct during the course of the action or appeal that unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. The court shall issue an order, in writing, on the motion of the prevailing eligible party, which order shall include a statement indicating whether an award has been granted, the findings and conclusions underlying it, the reasons or bases for the findings and conclusions, and, if an award has been granted, its amount. The order shall be included in the record of the action or appeal, and the clerk of the court shall mail a certified copy of it to the state and the prevailing eligible party.

With respect to a motion under this section, the state has the burden of proving that its position in initiating the matter in controversy was substantially justified, that special circumstances make an award unjust, or that the prevailing eligible party engaged in conduct during the course of the action or appeal that unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy.

A court considering a motion under this section may deny an award entirely, or reduce the amount of an award that otherwise would be payable, to a prevailing eligible party only as follows:

(a) If the court determines that the state has sustained its burden of proof that its position in initiating the matter in controversy was substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award unjust, the motion shall be denied;

(b) If the court determines that the state has sustained its burden of proof that the prevailing eligible party engaged in conduct during the course of the action or appeal that unduly and unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy, the court may reduce the amount of an award, or deny an award, to that party to the extent of that conduct.

An order of a court considering a motion under this section is appealable as in other cases, by a prevailing eligible party that is denied an award or receives a reduced award. If the case is an appeal of the adjudication order of an agency pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code, the agency may appeal an order granting an award. The order of the court may be modified by the appellate court only if it finds that the grant or the failure to grant an award, or the calculation of the amount of an award, involved an abuse of discretion.

(C) Compensation for fees awarded to a prevailing eligible party under this section may be paid by the specific branch of the state government or the state department, board, office, commission, agency, institution, or other instrumentality over which the party prevailed in the action or appeal from any funds available to it for payment of such compensation. If compensation is not paid from such funds or such funds are not available, upon the filing of the court's order in favor of the prevailing eligible party with the clerk of the court of claims, the order shall be treated as if it were a judgment under Chapter 2743. of the Revised Code and be payable in accordance with the procedures specified in section 2743.19 of the Revised Code, except that interest shall not be paid in relation to the award.

(D) If compensation for fees is awarded under this section to a prevailing eligible party that is appealing an agency adjudication order pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code, it shall include the fees incurred in the appeal and, if requested in the motion, the fees incurred by the party in the adjudication hearing conducted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. A motion containing such a request shall itemize, in the manner described in division (B)(1)(e) of section 119.092 of the Revised Code, the fees, as defined in that section, that are sought in an award.

(E) Each court that orders during any fiscal year compensation for fees to be paid to a prevailing eligible party pursuant to this section shall prepare a report for that year. The report shall be completed no later than the first day of October of the fiscal year following the fiscal year covered by the report, and copies of it shall be filed with the general assembly. It shall contain the following information:

(1) The total amount and total number of awards of compensation for fees required to be paid to prevailing eligible parties;

(2) The amount and nature of each individual award ordered;

(3) Any other information that may aid the general assembly in evaluating the scope and impact of awards of compensation for fees.

(F) The provisions of this section do not apply in any of the following:

(1) Appropriation proceedings under Chapter 163. of the Revised Code;

(2) Civil actions or appeals of civil actions that involve torts;

(3) An appeal pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code that involves any of the following:

(a) An adjudication order entered after a hearing described in division (F) of section 119.092 of the Revised Code;

(b) A prevailing eligible party represented in the appeal by an attorney who was paid pursuant to an appropriation by the federal or state government or a local government;

(c) An administrative appeal decision made under section 5101.35 or 5160.34 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2505.02.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Substantial right" means a right that the United States Constitution, the Ohio Constitution, a statute, the common law, or a rule of procedure entitles a person to enforce or protect.

(2) "Special proceeding" means an action or proceeding that is specially created by statute and that prior to 1853 was not denoted as an action at law or a suit in equity.

(3) "Provisional remedy" means a proceeding ancillary to an action, including, but not limited to, a proceeding for a preliminary injunction, attachment, discovery of privileged matter, suppression of evidence, a prima-facie showing pursuant to section 2307.85 or 2307.86 of the Revised Code, a prima-facie showing pursuant to section 2307.92 of the Revised Code, or a finding made pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 2307.93 of the Revised Code.

(B) An order is a final order that may be reviewed, affirmed, modified, or reversed, with or without retrial, when it is one of the following:

(1) An order that affects a substantial right in an action that in effect determines the action and prevents a judgment;

(2) An order that affects a substantial right made in a special proceeding or upon a summary application in an action after judgment;

(3) An order that vacates or sets aside a judgment or grants a new trial;

(4) An order that grants or denies a provisional remedy and to which both of the following apply:

(a) The order in effect determines the action with respect to the provisional remedy and prevents a judgment in the action in favor of the appealing party with respect to the provisional remedy.

(b) The appealing party would not be afforded a meaningful or effective remedy by an appeal following final judgment as to all proceedings, issues, claims, and parties in the action.

(5) An order that determines that an action may or may not be maintained as a class action;

(6) An order determining the constitutionality of any changes to the Revised Code made by Am. Sub. S.B. 281 of the 124th general assembly, including the amendment of sections 1751.67, 2117.06, 2305.11, 2305.15, 2305.234, 2317.02, 2317.54, 2323.56, 2711.21, 2711.22, 2711.23, 2711.24, 2743.02, 2743.43, 2919.16, 3923.63, 3923.64, 4705.15, and 5111.018 5163.17, and the enactment of sections 2305.113, 2323.41, 2323.43, and 2323.55 of the Revised Code or any changes made by Sub. S.B. 80 of the 125th general assembly, including the amendment of sections 2125.02, 2305.10, 2305.131, 2315.18, 2315.19, and 2315.21 of the Revised Code.

(C) When a court issues an order that vacates or sets aside a judgment or grants a new trial, the court, upon the request of either party, shall state in the order the grounds upon which the new trial is granted or the judgment vacated or set aside.

(D) This section applies to and governs any action, including an appeal, that is pending in any court on July 22, 1998, and all claims filed or actions commenced on or after July 22, 1998, notwithstanding any provision of any prior statute or rule of law of this state.

Sec. 2705.02.  A person guilty of any of the following acts may be punished as for a contempt:

(A) Disobedience of, or resistance to, a lawful writ, process, order, rule, judgment, or command of a court or officer;

(B) Misbehavior of an officer of the court in the performance of official duties, or in official transactions;

(C) A failure to obey a subpoena duly served, or a refusal to be sworn or to answer as a witness, when lawfully required;

(D) The rescue, or attempted rescue, of a person or of property in the custody of an officer by virtue of an order or process of court held by the officer;

(E) A failure upon the part of a person recognized to appear as a witness in a court to appear in compliance with the terms of the person's recognizance;

(F) A failure to comply with an order issued pursuant to section 3109.19 or 3111.81 of the Revised Code;

(G) A failure to obey a subpoena issued by the department of job and family services or a child support enforcement agency pursuant to section 5101.37 of the Revised Code;

(H) A failure to obey a subpoena issued by the department of health care administration pursuant to section 5160.28 of the Revised Code;

(I) A willful failure to submit to genetic testing, or a willful failure to submit a child to genetic testing, as required by an order for genetic testing issued under section 3111.41 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2744.05.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Revised Code or rules of a court to the contrary, in an action against a political subdivision to recover damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an act or omission in connection with a governmental or proprietary function:

(A) Punitive or exemplary damages shall not be awarded.

(B)(1) If a claimant receives or is entitled to receive benefits for injuries or loss allegedly incurred from a policy or policies of insurance or any other source, the benefits shall be disclosed to the court, and the amount of the benefits shall be deducted from any award against a political subdivision recovered by that claimant. No insurer or other person is entitled to bring an action under a subrogation provision in an insurance or other contract against a political subdivision with respect to those benefits.

The amount of the benefits shall be deducted from an award against a political subdivision under division (B)(1) of this section regardless of whether the claimant may be under an obligation to pay back the benefits upon recovery, in whole or in part, for the claim. A claimant whose benefits have been deducted from an award under division (B)(1) of this section is not considered fully compensated and shall not be required to reimburse a subrogated claim for benefits deducted from an award pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section.

(2) Nothing in division (B)(1) of this section shall be construed to do either any of the following:

(a) Limit the rights of a beneficiary under a life insurance policy or the rights of sureties under fidelity or surety bonds;

(b) Prohibit the department of job and family services health care administration from recovering from the political subdivision, pursuant to section 5101.58 5160.38 of the Revised Code, the cost of medical assistance benefits provided under Chapter 5107., 5111., or 5115. of the Revised Code the medicaid program or disability medical assistance program.

(C)(1) There shall not be any limitation on compensatory damages that represent the actual loss of the person who is awarded the damages. However, except in wrongful death actions brought pursuant to Chapter 2125. of the Revised Code, damages that arise from the same cause of action, transaction or occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and that do not represent the actual loss of the person who is awarded the damages shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars in favor of any one person. The limitation on damages that do not represent the actual loss of the person who is awarded the damages provided in this division does not apply to court costs that are awarded to a plaintiff, or to interest on a judgment rendered in favor of a plaintiff, in an action against a political subdivision.

(2) As used in this division, "the actual loss of the person who is awarded the damages" includes all of the following:

(a) All wages, salaries, or other compensation lost by the person injured as a result of the injury, including wages, salaries, or other compensation lost as of the date of a judgment and future expected lost earnings of the person injured;

(b) All expenditures of the person injured or another person on behalf of the person injured for medical care or treatment, for rehabilitation services, or for other care, treatment, services, products, or accommodations that were necessary because of the injury;

(c) All expenditures to be incurred in the future, as determined by the court, by the person injured or another person on behalf of the person injured for medical care or treatment, for rehabilitation services, or for other care, treatment, services, products, or accommodations that will be necessary because of the injury;

(d) All expenditures of a person whose property was injured or destroyed or of another person on behalf of the person whose property was injured or destroyed in order to repair or replace the property that was injured or destroyed;

(e) All expenditures of the person injured or of the person whose property was injured or destroyed or of another person on behalf of the person injured or of the person whose property was injured or destroyed in relation to the actual preparation or presentation of the claim involved;

(f) Any other expenditures of the person injured or of the person whose property was injured or destroyed or of another person on behalf of the person injured or of the person whose property was injured or destroyed that the court determines represent an actual loss experienced because of the personal or property injury or property loss.

"The actual loss of the person who is awarded the damages" does not include any fees paid or owed to an attorney for any services rendered in relation to a personal or property injury or property loss, and does not include any damages awarded for pain and suffering, for the loss of society, consortium, companionship, care, assistance, attention, protection, advice, guidance, counsel, instruction, training, or education of the person injured, for mental anguish, or for any other intangible loss.

Sec. 2903.33.  As used in sections 2903.33 to 2903.36 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Care facility" means any of the following:

(1) Any "home" as defined in section 3721.10 or 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any "residential facility" as defined in section 5123.19 of the Revised Code;

(3) Any institution or facility operated or provided by the department of mental health or by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities pursuant to sections 5119.02 and 5123.03 of the Revised Code;

(4) Any "residential facility" as defined in section 5119.22 of the Revised Code;

(5) Any unit of any hospital, as defined in section 3701.01 of the Revised Code, that provides the same services as a nursing home, as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(6) Any institution, residence, or facility that provides, for a period of more than twenty-four hours, whether for a consideration or not, accommodations to one individual or two unrelated individuals who are dependent upon the services of others;

(7) Any "adult care facility" as defined in section 3722.01 of the Revised Code;

(8) Any adult foster home certified by the department of aging or its designee under section 173.36 of the Revised Code;

(9) Any "community alternative home" as defined in section 3724.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Abuse" means knowingly causing physical harm or recklessly causing serious physical harm to a person by physical contact with the person or by the inappropriate use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation on the person.

(C)(1) "Gross neglect" means knowingly failing to provide a person with any treatment, care, goods, or service that is necessary to maintain the health or safety of the person when the failure results in physical harm or serious physical harm to the person.

(2) "Neglect" means recklessly failing to provide a person with any treatment, care, goods, or service that is necessary to maintain the health or safety of the person when the failure results in serious physical harm to the person.

(D) "Inappropriate use of a physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation" means the use of physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation as punishment, for staff convenience, excessively, as a substitute for treatment, or in quantities that preclude habilitation and treatment.

Sec. 2913.40.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Statement or representation" means any oral, written, electronic, electronic impulse, or magnetic communication that is used to identify an item of goods or a service for which reimbursement may be made under the medical assistance medicaid program or that states income and expense and is or may be used to determine a rate of reimbursement under the medical assistance medicaid program.

(2) "Medical assistance program" means the program established by the department of job and family services to provide medical assistance under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code and the medicaid program of Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended.

(3) "Provider" means any person who has signed a provider agreement with the department of job and family services health care administration to provide goods or services pursuant to the medical assistance medicaid program or any person who has signed an agreement with a party to such a provider agreement under which the person agrees to provide goods or services that are reimbursable under the medical assistance medicaid program.

(4)(3) "Provider agreement" means an oral or written agreement between the department of job and family services health care administration and a person in which the person agrees to provide goods or services under the medical assistance medicaid program.

(5)(4) "Recipient" means any individual who receives goods or services from a provider under the medical assistance medicaid program.

(6)(5) "Records" means any medical, professional, financial, or business records relating to the treatment or care of any recipient, to goods or services provided to any recipient, or to rates paid for goods or services provided to any recipient and any records that are required by the rules of the director of job and family services health care administration to be kept for the medical assistance medicaid program.

(B) No person shall knowingly make or cause to be made a false or misleading statement or representation for use in obtaining reimbursement from the medical assistance medicaid program.

(C) No person, with purpose to commit fraud or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud, shall do either of the following:

(1) Contrary to the terms of the person's provider agreement, charge, solicit, accept, or receive for goods or services that the person provides under the medical assistance medicaid program any property, money, or other consideration in addition to the amount of reimbursement under the medical assistance medicaid program and the person's provider agreement for the goods or services and any deductibles or co-payments authorized by section 5111.0112 5162.35 of the Revised Code or rules adopted pursuant to section 5111.01, 5111.011, or 5111.02 5162.20 or 5163.15 of the Revised Code.

(2) Solicit, offer, or receive any remuneration, other than any deductibles or co-payments authorized by section 5111.0112 5162.35 of the Revised Code or rules adopted under section 5111.01, 5111.011, 5162.20 or 5111.02 5163.15 of the Revised Code, in cash or in kind, including, but not limited to, a kickback or rebate, in connection with the furnishing of goods or services for which whole or partial reimbursement is or may be made under the medical assistance medicaid program.

(D) No person, having submitted a claim for or provided goods or services under the medical assistance medicaid program, shall do either of the following for a period of at least six years after a reimbursement pursuant to that claim, or a reimbursement for those goods or services, is received under the medical assistance medicaid program:

(1) Knowingly alter, falsify, destroy, conceal, or remove any records that are necessary to fully disclose the nature of all goods or services for which the claim was submitted, or for which reimbursement was received, by the person;

(2) Knowingly alter, falsify, destroy, conceal, or remove any records that are necessary to disclose fully all income and expenditures upon which rates of reimbursements were based for the person.

(E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of medicaid fraud. Except as otherwise provided in this division, medicaid fraud is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the value of property, services, or funds obtained in violation of this section is five hundred dollars or more and is less than five thousand dollars, medicaid fraud is a felony of the fifth degree. If the value of property, services, or funds obtained in violation of this section is five thousand dollars or more and is less than one hundred thousand dollars, medicaid fraud is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the property, services, or funds obtained in violation of this section is one hundred thousand dollars or more, medicaid fraud is a felony of the third degree.

(F) Upon application of the governmental agency, office, or other entity that conducted the investigation and prosecution in a case under this section, the court shall order any person who is convicted of a violation of this section for receiving any reimbursement for furnishing goods or services under the medical assistance medicaid program to which the person is not entitled to pay to the applicant its cost of investigating and prosecuting the case. The costs of investigation and prosecution that a defendant is ordered to pay pursuant to this division shall be in addition to any other penalties for the receipt of that reimbursement that are provided in this section, section 5111.03 5163.03 of the Revised Code, or any other provision of law.

(G) The provisions of this section are not intended to be exclusive remedies and do not preclude the use of any other criminal or civil remedy for any act that is in violation of this section.

Sec. 2913.401.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Medicaid benefits" means benefits under the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(2) "Property" means any real or personal property or other asset in which a person has any legal title or interest.

(B) No person shall knowingly do any of the following in an application for medicaid benefits or in a document that requires a disclosure of assets for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive medicaid benefits:

(1) Make or cause to be made a false or misleading statement;

(2) Conceal an interest in property;

(3)(a) Except as provided in division (B)(3)(b) of this section, fail to disclose a transfer of property that occurred during the period beginning thirty-six months before submission of the application or document and ending on the date the application or document was submitted;

(b) Fail to disclose a transfer of property that occurred during the period beginning sixty months before submission of the application or document and ending on the date the application or document was submitted and that was made to an irrevocable trust a portion of which is not distributable to the applicant for medicaid benefits or the recipient of medicaid benefits or to a revocable trust.

(C)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of medicaid eligibility fraud. Except as otherwise provided in this division, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the value of the medicaid benefits paid as a result of the violation is five hundred dollars or more and is less than five thousand dollars, a violation of this section is a felony of the fifth degree. If the value of the medicaid benefits paid as a result of the violation is five thousand dollars or more and is less than one hundred thousand dollars, a violation of this section is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the medicaid benefits paid as a result of the violation is one hundred thousand dollars or more, a violation of this section is a felony of the third degree.

(2) In addition to imposing a sentence under division (C)(1) of this section, the court shall order that a person who is guilty of medicaid eligibility fraud make restitution in the full amount of any medicaid benefits paid on behalf of an applicant for or recipient of medicaid benefits for which the applicant or recipient was not eligible, plus interest at the rate applicable to judgments on unreimbursed amounts from the date on which the benefits were paid to the date on which restitution is made.

(3) The remedies and penalties provided in this section are not exclusive and do not preclude the use of any other criminal or civil remedy for any act that is in violation of this section.

(D) This section does not apply to a person who fully disclosed in an application for medicaid benefits or in a document that requires a disclosure of assets for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive medicaid benefits all of the interests in property of the applicant for or recipient of medicaid benefits, all transfers of property by the applicant for or recipient of medicaid benefits, and the circumstances of all those transfers.

(E) Any amounts of medicaid benefits recovered as restitution under this section and any interest on those amounts shall be credited to the general revenue fund, and any applicable federal share shall be returned to the appropriate agency or department of the United States.

Sec. 2921.01.  As used in sections 2921.01 to 2921.45 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Public official" means any elected or appointed officer, or employee, or agent of the state or any political subdivision, whether in a temporary or permanent capacity, and includes, but is not limited to, legislators, judges, and law enforcement officers.

(B) "Public servant" means any of the following:

(1) Any public official;

(2) Any person performing ad hoc a governmental function, including, but not limited to, a juror, member of a temporary commission, master, arbitrator, advisor, or consultant;

(3) A person who is a candidate for public office, whether or not the person is elected or appointed to the office for which the person is a candidate. A person is a candidate for purposes of this division if the person has been nominated according to law for election or appointment to public office, or if the person has filed a petition or petitions as required by law to have the person's name placed on the ballot in a primary, general, or special election, or if the person campaigns as a write-in candidate in any primary, general, or special election.

(C) "Party official" means any person who holds an elective or appointive post in a political party in the United States or this state, by virtue of which the person directs, conducts, or participates in directing or conducting party affairs at any level of responsibility.

(D) "Official proceeding" means any proceeding before a legislative, judicial, administrative, or other governmental agency or official authorized to take evidence under oath, and includes any proceeding before a referee, hearing examiner, commissioner, notary, or other person taking testimony or a deposition in connection with an official proceeding.

(E) "Detention" means arrest; confinement in any vehicle subsequent to an arrest; confinement in any public or private facility for custody of persons charged with or convicted of crime in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States or alleged or found to be a delinquent child or unruly child in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States; hospitalization, institutionalization, or confinement in any public or private facility that is ordered pursuant to or under the authority of section 2945.37, 2945.371, 2945.38, 2945.39, 2945.40, 2945.401, or 2945.402 of the Revised Code; confinement in any vehicle for transportation to or from any facility of any of those natures; detention for extradition or deportation; except as provided in this division, supervision by any employee of any facility of any of those natures that is incidental to hospitalization, institutionalization, or confinement in the facility but that occurs outside the facility; supervision by an employee of the department of rehabilitation and correction of a person on any type of release from a state correctional institution; or confinement in any vehicle, airplane, or place while being returned from outside of this state into this state by a private person or entity pursuant to a contract entered into under division (E) of section 311.29 of the Revised Code or division (B) of section 5149.03 of the Revised Code. For a person confined in a county jail who participates in a county jail industry program pursuant to section 5147.30 of the Revised Code, "detention" includes time spent at an assigned work site and going to and from the work site.

(F) "Detention facility" means any public or private place used for the confinement of a person charged with or convicted of any crime in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States or alleged or found to be a delinquent child or unruly child in this state or another state or under the laws of the United States.

(G) "Valuable thing or valuable benefit" includes, but is not limited to, a contribution. This inclusion does not indicate or imply that a contribution was not included in those terms before September 17, 1986.

(H) "Campaign committee," "contribution," "political action committee," "legislative campaign fund," "political party," and "political contributing entity" have the same meanings as in section 3517.01 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Provider agreement" and "medical assistance program" have has the same meanings meaning as in section 2913.40 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2921.13.  (A) No person shall knowingly make a false statement, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false statement previously made, when any of the following applies:

(1) The statement is made in any official proceeding.

(2) The statement is made with purpose to incriminate another.

(3) The statement is made with purpose to mislead a public official in performing the public official's official function.

(4) The statement is made with purpose to secure the payment of unemployment compensation; Ohio works first; prevention, retention, and contingency benefits and services; disability financial assistance; retirement benefits; economic development assistance, as defined in section 9.66 of the Revised Code; or other benefits administered by a governmental agency or paid out of a public treasury.

(5) The statement is made with purpose to secure the issuance by a governmental agency of a license, permit, authorization, certificate, registration, release, or provider agreement.

(6) The statement is sworn or affirmed before a notary public or another person empowered to administer oaths.

(7) The statement is in writing on or in connection with a report or return that is required or authorized by law.

(8) The statement is in writing and is made with purpose to induce another to extend credit to or employ the offender, to confer any degree, diploma, certificate of attainment, award of excellence, or honor on the offender, or to extend to or bestow upon the offender any other valuable benefit or distinction, when the person to whom the statement is directed relies upon it to that person's detriment.

(9) The statement is made with purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of a theft offense.

(10) The statement is knowingly made to a probate court in connection with any action, proceeding, or other matter within its jurisdiction, either orally or in a written document, including, but not limited to, an application, petition, complaint, or other pleading, or an inventory, account, or report.

(11) The statement is made on an account, form, record, stamp, label, or other writing that is required by law.

(12) The statement is made in connection with the purchase of a firearm, as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code, and in conjunction with the furnishing to the seller of the firearm of a fictitious or altered driver's or commercial driver's license or permit, a fictitious or altered identification card, or any other document that contains false information about the purchaser's identity.

(13) The statement is made in a document or instrument of writing that purports to be a judgment, lien, or claim of indebtedness and is filed or recorded with the secretary of state, a county recorder, or the clerk of a court of record.

(14) The statement is made with purpose to obtain an Ohio's best Rx program enrollment card under section 173.773 5169.073 of the Revised Code or a payment under section 173.801 5169.101 of the Revised Code.

(15) The statement is made in an application filed with a county sheriff pursuant to section 2923.125 of the Revised Code in order to obtain or renew a license to carry a concealed handgun or is made in an affidavit submitted to a county sheriff to obtain a temporary emergency license to carry a concealed handgun under section 2923.1213 of the Revised Code.

(16) The statement is required under section 5743.72 of the Revised Code in connection with the person's purchase of cigarettes or tobacco products in a delivery sale.

(B) No person, in connection with the purchase of a firearm, as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code, shall knowingly furnish to the seller of the firearm a fictitious or altered driver's or commercial driver's license or permit, a fictitious or altered identification card, or any other document that contains false information about the purchaser's identity.

(C) No person, in an attempt to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun under section 2923.125 of the Revised Code, shall knowingly present to a sheriff a fictitious or altered document that purports to be certification of the person's competence in handling a handgun as described in division (B)(3) of section 2923.125 of the Revised Code.

(D) It is no defense to a charge under division (A)(6) of this section that the oath or affirmation was administered or taken in an irregular manner.

(E) If contradictory statements relating to the same fact are made by the offender within the period of the statute of limitations for falsification, it is not necessary for the prosecution to prove which statement was false but only that one or the other was false.

(F)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11), (13), (14), or (16) of this section is guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2) Whoever violates division (A)(9) of this section is guilty of falsification in a theft offense. Except as otherwise provided in this division, falsification in a theft offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the value of the property or services stolen is five hundred dollars or more and is less than five thousand dollars, falsification in a theft offense is a felony of the fifth degree. If the value of the property or services stolen is five thousand dollars or more and is less than one hundred thousand dollars, falsification in a theft offense is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the property or services stolen is one hundred thousand dollars or more, falsification in a theft offense is a felony of the third degree.

(3) Whoever violates division (A)(12) or (B) of this section is guilty of falsification to purchase a firearm, a felony of the fifth degree.

(4) Whoever violates division (A)(15) or (C) of this section is guilty of falsification to obtain a concealed handgun license, a felony of the fourth degree.

(G) A person who violates this section is liable in a civil action to any person harmed by the violation for injury, death, or loss to person or property incurred as a result of the commission of the offense and for reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and other expenses incurred as a result of prosecuting the civil action commenced under this division. A civil action under this division is not the exclusive remedy of a person who incurs injury, death, or loss to person or property as a result of a violation of this section.

Sec. 2945.401.  (A) A defendant found incompetent to stand trial and committed pursuant to section 2945.39 of the Revised Code or a person found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed pursuant to section 2945.40 of the Revised Code shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the trial court pursuant to that commitment, and to the provisions of this section, until the final termination of the commitment as described in division (J)(1) of this section. If the jurisdiction is terminated under this division because of the final termination of the commitment resulting from the expiration of the maximum prison term or term of imprisonment described in division (J)(1)(b) of this section, the court or prosecutor may file an affidavit for the civil commitment of the defendant or person pursuant to Chapter 5122. or 5123. of the Revised Code.

(B) A hearing conducted under any provision of sections 2945.37 to 2945.402 of the Revised Code shall not be conducted in accordance with Chapters 5122. and 5123. of the Revised Code. Any person who is committed pursuant to section 2945.39 or 2945.40 of the Revised Code shall not voluntarily admit the person or be voluntarily admitted to a hospital or institution pursuant to section 5122.02, 5122.15, 5123.69, or 5123.76 of the Revised Code. All other provisions of Chapters 5122. and 5123. of the Revised Code regarding hospitalization or institutionalization shall apply to the extent they are not in conflict with this chapter. A commitment under section 2945.39 or 2945.40 of the Revised Code shall not be terminated and the conditions of the commitment shall not be changed except as otherwise provided in division (D)(2) of this section with respect to a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order or except by order of the trial court.

(C) The hospital, facility, or program to which a defendant or person has been committed under section 2945.39 or 2945.40 of the Revised Code shall report in writing to the trial court, at the times specified in this division, as to whether the defendant or person remains a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order or a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order and, in the case of a defendant committed under section 2945.39 of the Revised Code, as to whether the defendant remains incompetent to stand trial. The hospital, facility, or program shall make the reports after the initial six months of treatment and every two years after the initial report is made. The trial court shall provide copies of the reports to the prosecutor and to the counsel for the defendant or person. Within thirty days after its receipt pursuant to this division of a report from a hospital, facility, or program, the trial court shall hold a hearing on the continued commitment of the defendant or person or on any changes in the conditions of the commitment of the defendant or person. The defendant or person may request a change in the conditions of confinement, and the trial court shall conduct a hearing on that request if six months or more have elapsed since the most recent hearing was conducted under this section.

(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(2) of this section, when a defendant or person has been committed under section 2945.39 or 2945.40 of the Revised Code, at any time after evaluating the risks to public safety and the welfare of the defendant or person, the chief clinical officer of the hospital, facility, or program to which the defendant or person is committed may recommend a termination of the defendant's or person's commitment or a change in the conditions of the defendant's or person's commitment.

Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(2) of this section, if the chief clinical officer recommends on-grounds unsupervised movement, off-grounds supervised movement, or nonsecured status for the defendant or person or termination of the defendant's or person's commitment, the following provisions apply:

(a) If the chief clinical officer recommends on-grounds unsupervised movement or off-grounds supervised movement, the chief clinical officer shall file with the trial court an application for approval of the movement and shall send a copy of the application to the prosecutor. Within fifteen days after receiving the application, the prosecutor may request a hearing on the application and, if a hearing is requested, shall so inform the chief clinical officer. If the prosecutor does not request a hearing within the fifteen-day period, the trial court shall approve the application by entering its order approving the requested movement or, within five days after the expiration of the fifteen-day period, shall set a date for a hearing on the application. If the prosecutor requests a hearing on the application within the fifteen-day period, the trial court shall hold a hearing on the application within thirty days after the hearing is requested. If the trial court, within five days after the expiration of the fifteen-day period, sets a date for a hearing on the application, the trial court shall hold the hearing within thirty days after setting the hearing date. At least fifteen days before any hearing is held under this division, the trial court shall give the prosecutor written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing. At the conclusion of each hearing conducted under this division, the trial court either shall approve or disapprove the application and shall enter its order accordingly.

(b) If the chief clinical officer recommends termination of the defendant's or person's commitment at any time or if the chief clinical officer recommends the first of any nonsecured status for the defendant or person, the chief clinical officer shall send written notice of this recommendation to the trial court and to the local forensic center. The local forensic center shall evaluate the committed defendant or person and, within thirty days after its receipt of the written notice, shall submit to the trial court and the chief clinical officer a written report of the evaluation. The trial court shall provide a copy of the chief clinical officer's written notice and of the local forensic center's written report to the prosecutor and to the counsel for the defendant or person. Upon the local forensic center's submission of the report to the trial court and the chief clinical officer, all of the following apply:

(i) If the forensic center disagrees with the recommendation of the chief clinical officer, it shall inform the chief clinical officer and the trial court of its decision and the reasons for the decision. The chief clinical officer, after consideration of the forensic center's decision, shall either withdraw, proceed with, or modify and proceed with the recommendation. If the chief clinical officer proceeds with, or modifies and proceeds with, the recommendation, the chief clinical officer shall proceed in accordance with division (D)(1)(b)(iii) of this section.

(ii) If the forensic center agrees with the recommendation of the chief clinical officer, it shall inform the chief clinical officer and the trial court of its decision and the reasons for the decision, and the chief clinical officer shall proceed in accordance with division (D)(1)(b)(iii) of this section.

(iii) If the forensic center disagrees with the recommendation of the chief clinical officer and the chief clinical officer proceeds with, or modifies and proceeds with, the recommendation or if the forensic center agrees with the recommendation of the chief clinical officer, the chief clinical officer shall work with the board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or community mental health board serving the area, as appropriate, to develop a plan to implement the recommendation. If the defendant or person is on medication, the plan shall include, but shall not be limited to, a system to monitor the defendant's or person's compliance with the prescribed medication treatment plan. The system shall include a schedule that clearly states when the defendant or person shall report for a medication compliance check. The medication compliance checks shall be based upon the effective duration of the prescribed medication, taking into account the route by which it is taken, and shall be scheduled at intervals sufficiently close together to detect a potential increase in mental illness symptoms that the medication is intended to prevent.

The chief clinical officer, after consultation with the board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or the community mental health board serving the area, shall send the recommendation and plan developed under division (D)(1)(b)(iii) of this section, in writing, to the trial court, the prosecutor and the counsel for the committed defendant or person. The trial court shall conduct a hearing on the recommendation and plan developed under division (D)(1)(b)(iii) of this section. Divisions (D)(1)(c) and (d) and (E) to (J) of this section apply regarding the hearing.

(c) If the chief clinical officer's recommendation is for nonsecured status or termination of commitment, the prosecutor may obtain an independent expert evaluation of the defendant's or person's mental condition, and the trial court may continue the hearing on the recommendation for a period of not more than thirty days to permit time for the evaluation.

The prosecutor may introduce the evaluation report or present other evidence at the hearing in accordance with the Rules of Evidence.

(d) The trial court shall schedule the hearing on a chief clinical officer's recommendation for nonsecured status or termination of commitment and shall give reasonable notice to the prosecutor and the counsel for the defendant or person. Unless continued for independent evaluation at the prosecutor's request or for other good cause, the hearing shall be held within thirty days after the trial court's receipt of the recommendation and plan.

(2)(a) Division (D)(1) of this section does not apply to on-grounds unsupervised movement of a defendant or person who has been committed under section 2945.39 or 2945.40 of the Revised Code, who is a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order, and who is being provided residential habilitation, care, and treatment in a facility operated by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

(b) If, pursuant to section 2945.39 of the Revised Code, the trial court commits a defendant who is found incompetent to stand trial and who is a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order, if the defendant is being provided residential habilitation, care, and treatment in a facility operated by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, if an individual who is conducting a survey for the department of health to determine the facility's compliance with the certification requirements of the medicaid program under chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, cites the defendant's receipt of the residential habilitation, care, and treatment in the facility as being inappropriate under the certification requirements, if the defendant's receipt of the residential habilitation, care, and treatment in the facility potentially jeopardizes the facility's continued receipt of federal medicaid moneys, and if as a result of the citation the chief clinical officer of the facility determines that the conditions of the defendant's commitment should be changed, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities may cause the defendant to be removed from the particular facility and, after evaluating the risks to public safety and the welfare of the defendant and after determining whether another type of placement is consistent with the certification requirements, may place the defendant in another facility that the department selects as an appropriate facility for the defendant's continued receipt of residential habilitation, care, and treatment and that is a no less secure setting than the facility in which the defendant had been placed at the time of the citation. Within three days after the defendant's removal and alternative placement under the circumstances described in division (D)(2)(b) of this section, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall notify the trial court and the prosecutor in writing of the removal and alternative placement.

The trial court shall set a date for a hearing on the removal and alternative placement, and the hearing shall be held within twenty-one days after the trial court's receipt of the notice from the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. At least ten-days ten days before the hearing is held, the trial court shall give the prosecutor, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and the counsel for the defendant written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing. At the hearing, the trial court shall consider the citation issued by the individual who conducted the survey for the department of health to be prima-facie evidence of the fact that the defendant's commitment to the particular facility was inappropriate under the certification requirements of the medicaid program under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, and potentially jeopardizes the particular facility's continued receipt of federal medicaid moneys. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court may approve or disapprove the defendant's removal and alternative placement. If the trial court approves the defendant's removal and alternative placement, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities may continue the defendant's alternative placement. If the trial court disapproves the defendant's removal and alternative placement, it shall enter an order modifying the defendant's removal and alternative placement, but that order shall not require the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to replace the defendant for purposes of continued residential habilitation, care, and treatment in the facility associated with the citation issued by the individual who conducted the survey for the department of health.

(E) In making a determination under this section regarding nonsecured status or termination of commitment, the trial court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1) Whether, in the trial court's view, the defendant or person currently represents a substantial risk of physical harm to the defendant or person or others;

(2) Psychiatric and medical testimony as to the current mental and physical condition of the defendant or person;

(3) Whether the defendant or person has insight into the dependant's or person's condition so that the defendant or person will continue treatment as prescribed or seek professional assistance as needed;

(4) The grounds upon which the state relies for the proposed commitment;

(5) Any past history that is relevant to establish the defendant's or person's degree of conformity to the laws, rules, regulations, and values of society;

(6) If there is evidence that the defendant's or person's mental illness is in a state of remission, the medically suggested cause and degree of the remission and the probability that the defendant or person will continue treatment to maintain the remissive state of the defendant's or person's illness should the defendant's or person's commitment conditions be altered.

(F) At any hearing held pursuant to division (C) or (D)(1) or (2) of this section, the defendant or the person shall have all the rights of a defendant or person at a commitment hearing as described in section 2945.40 of the Revised Code.

(G) In a hearing held pursuant to division (C) or (D)(1) of this section, the prosecutor has the burden of proof as follows:

(1) For a recommendation of termination of commitment, to show by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant or person remains a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order or a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order;

(2) For a recommendation for a change in the conditions of the commitment to a less restrictive status, to show by clear and convincing evidence that the proposed change represents a threat to public safety or a threat to the safety of any person.

(H) In a hearing held pursuant to division (C) or (D)(1) or (2) of this section, the prosecutor shall represent the state or the public interest.

(I) At the conclusion of a hearing conducted under division (D)(1) of this section regarding a recommendation from the chief clinical officer of a hospital, program, or facility, the trial court may approve, disapprove, or modify the recommendation and shall enter an order accordingly.

(J)(1) A defendant or person who has been committed pursuant to section 2945.39 or 2945.40 of the Revised Code continues to be under the jurisdiction of the trial court until the final termination of the commitment. For purposes of division (J) of this section, the final termination of a commitment occurs upon the earlier of one of the following:

(a) The defendant or person no longer is a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order or a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order, as determined by the trial court;

(b) The expiration of the maximum prison term or term of imprisonment that the defendant or person could have received if the defendant or person had been convicted of the most serious offense with which the defendant or person is charged or in relation to which the defendant or person was found not guilty by reason of insanity;

(c) The trial court enters an order terminating the commitment under the circumstances described in division (J)(2)(a)(ii) of this section.

(2)(a) If a defendant is found incompetent to stand trial and committed pursuant to section 2945.39 of the Revised Code, if neither of the circumstances described in divisions (J)(1)(a) and (b) of this section applies to that defendant, and if a report filed with the trial court pursuant to division (C) of this section indicates that the defendant presently is competent to stand trial or if, at any other time during the period of the defendant's commitment, the prosecutor, the counsel for the defendant, or the chief clinical officer of the hospital, facility, or program to which the defendant is committed files an application with the trial court alleging that the defendant presently is competent to stand trial and requesting a hearing on the competency issue or the trial court otherwise has reasonable cause to believe that the defendant presently is competent to stand trial and determines on its own motion to hold a hearing on the competency issue, the trial court shall schedule a hearing on the competency of the defendant to stand trial, shall give the prosecutor, the counsel for the defendant, and the chief clinical officer notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing at least fifteen days before the hearing, and shall conduct the hearing within thirty days of the filing of the application or of its own motion. If, at the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court determines that the defendant presently is capable of understanding the nature and objective of the proceedings against the defendant and of assisting in the defendant's defense, the trial court shall order that the defendant is competent to stand trial and shall be proceeded against as provided by law with respect to the applicable offenses described in division (C)(1) of section 2945.38 of the Revised Code and shall enter whichever of the following additional orders is appropriate:

(i) If the trial court determines that the defendant remains a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order or a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order, the trial court shall order that the defendant's commitment to the hospital, facility, or program be continued during the pendency of the trial on the applicable offenses described in division (C)(1) of section 2945.38 of the Revised Code.

(ii) If the trial court determines that the defendant no longer is a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order or a mentally retarded person subject to institutionalization by court order, the trial court shall order that the defendant's commitment to the hospital, facility, or program shall not be continued during the pendency of the trial on the applicable offenses described in division (C)(1) of section 2945.38 of the Revised Code. This order shall be a final termination of the commitment for purposes of division (J)(1)(c) of this section.

(b) If, at the conclusion of the hearing described in division (J)(2)(a) of this section, the trial court determines that the defendant remains incapable of understanding the nature and objective of the proceedings against the defendant or of assisting in the defendant's defense, the trial court shall order that the defendant continues to be incompetent to stand trial, that the defendant's commitment to the hospital, facility, or program shall be continued, and that the defendant remains subject to the jurisdiction of the trial court pursuant to that commitment, and to the provisions of this section, until the final termination of the commitment as described in division (J)(1) of this section.

Sec. 3101.051.  (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a probate court shall make available to any person for inspection the records pertaining to the issuance of marriage licenses as provided under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(B) Before it makes available to a person any records pertaining to the issuance of a marriage license as described in division (A) of this section, subject to division (C) of this section, a probate court shall delete or otherwise remove any social security numbers of the parties to a marriage so that they are not available to the person inspecting the records.

(C) Division (B) of this section does not apply in any of the following circumstances:

(1) If the records in question are inspected by authorized personnel of the division of child support in the department of job and family services under section 5101.31 5160.66 of the Revised Code;

(2) If the records in question are inspected by law enforcement personnel for purposes of a criminal investigation;

(3) If the records in question with the social security numbers are necessary for use in a civil or criminal trial and the release of the records with the social security numbers is ordered by a court with jurisdiction over the trial;

(4) If the records in question are inspected by either party to the marriage to which the records pertain;

(5) If the court possessed the records in question prior to the effective date of this section February 12, 2001.

Sec. 3107.083.  Not later than ninety days after June 20, 1996, the director of job and family services shall do all of the following:

(A)(1) For a parent of a child who, if adopted, will be an adopted person as defined in section 3107.45 of the Revised Code, prescribe a form that has the following six components:

(a) A component the parent signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to indicate the requirements of section 3107.082 or 5103.152 of the Revised Code have been met. The component shall be as follows:

By signing this component of this form, I acknowledge that it has been explained to me, and I understand, that, if I check the space on the next component of this form that indicates that I authorize the release, the adoption file maintained by the Ohio Department of Health, which contains identifying information about me at the time of my child's birth, will be released, on request, to the adoptive parent when the adoptee is at least age eighteen but younger than age twenty-one and to the adoptee when he or she is age twenty-one or older. It has also been explained to me, and I understand, that I may prohibit the release of identifying information about me contained in the adoption file by checking the space on the next component of this form that indicates that I do not authorize the release of the identifying information. It has additionally been explained to me, and I understand, that I may change my mind regarding the decision I make on the next component of this form at any time and as many times as I desire by signing, dating, and having filed with the Ohio Department of Health a denial of release form or authorization of release form prescribed and provided by the Department of Health and providing the Department two items of identification.

By signing this component of this form, I also acknowledge that I have been provided a copy of written materials about adoption prepared by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the adoption process and ramifications of consenting to adoption or entering into a voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement have been discussed with me, and I have been provided the opportunity to review the materials and ask questions about the materials and discussion.

(b) A component the parent signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code regarding the parent's decision whether to allow identifying information about the parent contained in an adoption file maintained by the department of health to be released to the parent's child and adoptive parent pursuant to section 3107.47 of the Revised Code. The component shall be as follows:

The purpose of this component of this form is to allow a biological parent to decide whether to allow the Ohio Department of Health to provide an adoptee and adoptive parent identifying information about the adoptee's biological parent contained in an adoption file maintained by the Department. Please check one of the following spaces:

(c) A component the parent, if the mother of the child, completes and signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to indicate, to the extent of the mother's knowledge, all of the following:

(i) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was a recipient of the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or other public health insurance program and, if so, the dates her eligibility began and ended;

(ii) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was covered by private health insurance and, if so, the dates the coverage began and ended, the name of the insurance provider, the type of coverage, and the identification number of the coverage;

(iii) The name and location of the hospital, freestanding birth center, or other place where the mother gave birth and, if different, received medical care immediately after giving birth;

(iv) The expenses of the obstetrical and neonatal care;

(v) Whether the mother has been informed that the adoptive parent or the agency or attorney arranging the adoption are to pay expenses involved in the adoption, including expenses the mother has paid and expects to receive or has received reimbursement, and, if so, what expenses are to be or have been paid and an estimate of the expenses;

(vi) Any other information related to expenses the department determines appropriate to be included in this component.

(d) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent materials, other than photographs of the parent, that the parent requests be given to the child or adoptive parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code.

(e) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent photographs of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code.

(f) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent the first name of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code.

(2) State at the bottom of the form that the parent is to receive a copy of the form the parent signed.

(3) Provide copies of the form prescribed under this division to probate and juvenile courts, public children services agencies, private child placing agencies, private noncustodial agencies, attorneys, and persons authorized to take acknowledgments.

(B)(1) For a parent of a child who, if adopted, will become an adopted person as defined in section 3107.39 of the Revised Code, prescribe a form that has the following five components:

(a) A component the parent signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to attest that the requirement of division (A) of section 3107.082 or division (A) of section 5103.152 of the Revised Code has been met;

(b) A component the parent, if the mother of the child, completes and signs under section 3107.071, 3107.081, or 5103.151 of the Revised Code to indicate, to the extent of the mother's knowledge, all of the following:

(i) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was a recipient of the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or other public health insurance program and, if so, the dates her eligibility began and ended;

(ii) Whether the mother, during her pregnancy, was covered by private health insurance and, if so, the dates the coverage began and ended, the name of the insurance provider, the type of coverage, and the identification number of the coverage;

(iii) The name and location of the hospital, freestanding birth center, or other place where the mother gave birth and, if different, received medical care immediately after giving birth;

(iv) The expenses of the obstetrical and neonatal care;

(v) Whether the mother has been informed that the adoptive parent or the agency or attorney arranging the adoption are to pay expenses involved in the adoption, including expenses the mother has paid and expects to receive or has received reimbursement for, and, if so, what expenses are to be or have been paid and an estimate of the expenses;

(vi) Any other information related to expenses the department determines appropriate to be included in the component.

(c) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent materials, other than photographs of the parent, that the parent requests be given to the child or adoptive parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code.

(d) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent photographs of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code.

(e) A component the parent may sign to authorize the agency or attorney arranging the adoption to provide to the child or adoptive parent the first name of the parent pursuant to section 3107.68 of the Revised Code.

(2) State at the bottom of the form that the parent is to receive a copy of the form the parent signed.

(3) Provide copies of the form prescribed under this division to probate and juvenile courts, public children services agencies, private child placing agencies, private noncustodial agencies, and attorneys.

(C) Prepare the written materials about adoption that are required to be given to parents under division (A) of section 3107.082 and division (A) of section 5103.152 of the Revised Code. The materials shall provide information about the adoption process, including ramifications of a parent consenting to a child's adoption or entering into a voluntary permanent custody surrender agreement. The materials also shall include referral information for professional counseling and adoption support organizations. The director shall provide the materials to assessors.

(D) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying the documents that must be filed with a probate court under divisions (B) and (D) of section 3107.081 of the Revised Code and a juvenile court under divisions (C) and (E) of section 5103.151 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3111.04.  (A) An action to determine the existence or nonexistence of the father and child relationship may be brought by the child or the child's personal representative, the child's mother or her personal representative, a man alleged or alleging himself to be the child's father, the child support enforcement agency of the county in which the child resides if the child's mother, father, or alleged father is a recipient of public assistance or of services under Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 88 Stat. 2351 (1975), 42 U.S.C.A. 651, as amended, or the alleged father's personal representative.

(B) An agreement does not bar an action under this section.

(C) If an action under this section is brought before the birth of the child and if the action is contested, all proceedings, except service of process and the taking of depositions to perpetuate testimony, may be stayed until after the birth.

(D) A recipient of public assistance or of services under Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act," 88 Stat. 2351 (1975), 42 U.S.C.A. 651, as amended, shall cooperate with the child support enforcement agency of the county in which a child resides to obtain an administrative determination pursuant to sections 3111.38 to 3111.54 of the Revised Code, or, if necessary, a court determination pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code, of the existence or nonexistence of a parent and child relationship between the father and the child. If the recipient fails to cooperate, the agency may commence an action to determine the existence or nonexistence of a parent and child relationship between the father and the child pursuant to sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code.

(E) As used in this section, "public assistance" means medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code medicaid program, assistance under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code, disability financial assistance under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code, or the disability medical assistance under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code program.

Sec. 3111.72.  The contract between the department of job and family services and a local hospital shall require all of the following:

(A) That the hospital provide a staff person to meet with each unmarried mother who gave birth in or en route to the hospital within twenty-four hours of the birth or before the mother is released from the hospital;

(B) That the staff person attempt to meet with the father of the unmarried mother's child if possible;

(C) That the staff person explain to the unmarried mother and the father, if he is present, the benefit to the child of establishing a parent and child relationship between the father and the child and the various proper procedures for establishing a parent and child relationship;

(D) That the staff person present to the unmarried mother and, if possible, the father, the pamphlet or statement regarding the rights and responsibilities of a natural parent that is prepared and provided by the department of job and family services pursuant to section 3111.32 of the Revised Code;

(E) That the staff person provide the mother and, if possible, the father, all forms and statements necessary to voluntarily establish a parent and child relationship, including, but not limited to, the acknowledgment of paternity affidavit prepared by the department of job and family services pursuant to section 3111.31 of the Revised Code;

(F) That the staff person, at the request of both the mother and father, help the mother and father complete any form or statement necessary to establish a parent and child relationship;

(G) That the hospital provide a notary public to notarize an acknowledgment of paternity affidavit signed by the mother and father;

(H) That the staff person present to an unmarried mother who is not participating in the Ohio works first program established under Chapter 5107. or receiving medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code medicaid an application for Title IV-D services;

(I) That the staff person forward any completed acknowledgment of paternity, no later than ten days after it is completed, to the office of child support in the department of job and family services;

(J) That the department of job and family services pay the hospital twenty dollars for every correctly signed and notarized acknowledgment of paternity affidavit from the hospital.

Sec. 3119.54.  If (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Eligible party" means a party to a child support order issued in accordance with section 3119.30 of the Revised Code who is eligible for a medical assistance program.

(2) "Medical assistance program" means either of the following:

(a) The medicaid program.

(b) The disability medical assistance program established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code.

(B) If either party to a child support order issued in accordance with section 3119.30 of the Revised Code is an eligible for medical assistance under Chapter 5111. or 5115. of the Revised Code party and the other party has obtained health insurance coverage, the party eligible for medical assistance party shall notify any physician, hospital, or other provider of medical services for which covered by the eligible party's medical assistance is available program of the name and address of the other party's insurer and of the number of the other party's health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan. Any physician, hospital, or other provider of medical services for which medical assistance is available under Chapter 5111. or 5115. of the Revised Code who is notified under this division section of the existence of a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan with coverage for children who are eligible for a medical assistance program shall first bill the insurer for any services provided for those children. If the insurer fails to pay all or any part of a claim filed under this section and the services for which the claim is filed are covered by Chapter 5111. or 5115. of the Revised Code the children's medical assistance program, the physician, hospital, or other medical services provider shall bill the remaining unpaid costs of the services in accordance with Chapter 5111. or 5115. of the Revised Code the law governing the children's medical assistance program.

Sec. 3121.441. (A) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, Chapters 3119., 3123., and 3125., and sections 3770.071 and 5107.20 of the Revised Code providing for the office of child support in the department of job and family services to collect, withhold, or deduct spousal support, when a court pursuant to section 3105.18 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code issues or modifies an order requiring an obligor to pay spousal support or grants or modifies a decree of dissolution of marriage incorporating a separation agreement that provides for spousal support, or at any time after the issuance, granting, or modification of an order or decree of that type, the court may permit the obligor to make the spousal support payments directly to the obligee instead of to the office if the obligee and the obligor have no minor children born as a result of their marriage and the obligee has not assigned the spousal support amounts to the department pursuant to section 5101.59 or 5107.20 or 5160.37 of the Revised Code.

(B) A court that permits an obligor to make spousal support payments directly to the obligee pursuant to division (A) of this section shall order the obligor to make the spousal support payments as a check, as a money order, or in any other form that establishes a clear record of payment.

(C) If a court permits an obligor to make spousal support payments directly to an obligee pursuant to division (A) of this section and the obligor is in default in making any spousal support payment to the obligee, the court, upon motion of the obligee or on its own motion, may rescind the permission granted under that division. After the rescission, the court shall determine the amount of arrearages in the spousal support payments and order the obligor to make to the office of child support in the department of job and family services any spousal support payments that are in arrears and any future spousal support payments. Upon the issuance of the order of the court under this division, the provisions of this chapter, Chapters 3119., 3123., and 3125., and sections 3770.071 and 5107.20 of the Revised Code apply with respect to the collection, withholding, or deduction of the obligor's spousal support payments that are the subject of that order of the court.

Sec. 3121.898.  The As used in this section, "state agency" means every department, bureau, board, commission, office, or other organized body established by the constitution or laws of this state for the exercise of state government; every entity of county government that is subject to the rules of a state agency; and every contractual agent of a state agency.

The department of job and family services shall use the new hire reports it receives for any of the following purposes set forth in 42 U.S.C. 653a, as amended, including:

(A) To locate individuals for the purposes of establishing paternity and for establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders.

(B) As used in this division, "state agency" means every department, bureau, board, commission, office, or other organized body established by the constitution or laws of this state for the exercise of state government; every entity of county government that is subject to the rules of a state agency; and every contractual agent of a state agency.

To make available to any state agency responsible for administering any of the following programs for purposes of verifying program eligibility:

(1) Any Title IV-A program as defined in section 5101.80 of the Revised Code;

(2) The medicaid program authorized by Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code;

(3) The unemployment compensation program authorized by Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code;

(4) The food stamp program authorized by section 5101.54 of the Revised Code;

(5) Any other program authorized in 42 U.S.C. 1320b-7(b), as amended.

(C) The administration of the employment security program under the director of job and family services.

Sec. 3125.36.  (A) Subject to division (B) of this section, all support orders that are administered by a child support enforcement agency designated under section 307.981 of the Revised Code or former section 2301.35 of the Revised Code and are eligible for Title IV-D services shall be Title IV-D cases under Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act." Subject to division (B) of this section, all obligees of support orders administered by the agency shall be considered to have filed a signed application for Title IV-D services.

(B) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, a court that issues or modifies a support order shall require the obligee under the order to sign, at the time of the issuance or modification of the order, an application for Title IV-D services and to file, as soon as possible, the signed application with the child support enforcement agency that will administer the order. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the department of job and family services. Except as provided in division (D) of this section, a support order that is administered by a child support enforcement agency, and that is eligible for Title IV-D services shall be a Title IV-D case under Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act" only upon the filing of the signed application for Title IV-D services.

(C) A child support enforcement agency shall make available an application for Title IV-D services to all persons requesting a child support enforcement agency's assistance in an action under sections 3111.01 to 3111.18 of the Revised Code or in an administrative proceeding brought to establish a parent and child relationship, to establish or modify an administrative support order, or to establish or modify an order to provide health insurance coverage for the children subject to a support order.

(D) An obligee under a support order who has assigned the right to the support pursuant to section 5101.59 or 5107.20 or 5160.37 of the Revised Code shall not be required to sign an application for Title IV-D services. The support order shall be considered a Title IV-D case.

Sec. 3307.20.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Personal history record" means information maintained by the state teachers retirement board on an individual who is a member, former member, contributor, former contributor, retirant, or beneficiary that includes the address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the state teachers retirement system, or other information the board determines to be confidential.

(2) "Retirant" has the same meaning as in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) The records of the board shall be open to public inspection, except for the following, which shall be excluded, except with the written authorization of the individual concerned:

(1) The individual's personal records provided for in section 3307.23 of the Revised Code;

(2) The individual's personal history record;

(3) Any information identifying, by name and address, the amount of a monthly allowance or benefit paid to the individual.

(C) All medical reports and recommendations under sections 3307.62, 3307.64, and 3307.66 of the Revised Code are privileged, except that copies of such medical reports or recommendations shall be made available to the personal physician, attorney, or authorized agent of the individual concerned upon written release received from the individual or the individual's agent, or, when necessary for the proper administration of the fund, to the board assigned physician.

(D) Any person who is a member or contributor of the system shall be furnished, on written request, with a statement of the amount to the credit of the person's account. The board need not answer more than one request of a person in any one year.

(E) Notwithstanding the exceptions to public inspection in division (B) of this section, the board may furnish the following information:

(1) If a member, former member, retirant, contributor, or former contributor is subject to an order issued under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, on written request of a prosecutor as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to the prosecutor the information requested from the individual's personal history record.

(2) Pursuant to a court or administrative order issued under section 3119.80, 3119.81, 3121.02, 3121.03, or 3123.06 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to a court or child support enforcement agency the information required under that section.

(3) At the written request of any person, the board shall provide to the person a list of the names and addresses of members, former members, retirants, contributors, former contributors, or beneficiaries. The costs of compiling, copying, and mailing the list shall be paid by such person.

(4) Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code or a list of the names and social security numbers of public medical assistance program recipients pursuant to section 5160.43 of the Revised Code, the board shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent employer address, and social security number of each member whose name and social security number are the same as that of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director is included on the list. The board and its employees shall, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, preserve the confidentiality of recipients of public assistance in compliance with division (A) of section 5101.181 of the Revised Code and preserve the confidentiality of public medical assistance program recipients in compliance with section 5160.43 of the Revised Code.

(5) The system shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code.

On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the system shall furnish to the alternate payee information on the amount and status of any amounts payable to the alternate payee under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) At the request of any person, the board shall make available to the person copies of all documents, including resumes, in the board's possession regarding filling a vacancy of a contributing member or retired teacher member of the board. The person who made the request shall pay the cost of compiling, copying, and mailing the documents. The information described in this division is a public record.

(F) A statement that contains information obtained from the system's records that is signed by an officer of the retirement system and to which the system's official seal is affixed, or copies of the system's records to which the signature and seal are attached, shall be received as true copies of the system's records in any court or before any officer of this state.

Sec. 3309.22.  (A)(1) As used in this division, "personal history record" means information maintained by the board on an individual who is a member, former member, contributor, former contributor, retirant, or beneficiary that includes the address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the system, and other information the board determines to be confidential.

(2) The records of the board shall be open to public inspection, except for the following, which shall be excluded, except with the written authorization of the individual concerned:

(a) The individual's statement of previous service and other information as provided for in section 3309.28 of the Revised Code;

(b) Any information identifying by name and address the amount of a monthly allowance or benefit paid to the individual;

(c) The individual's personal history record.

(B) All medical reports and recommendations required by the system are privileged except that copies of such medical reports or recommendations shall be made available to the personal physician, attorney, or authorized agent of the individual concerned upon written release received from the individual or the individual's agent, or when necessary for the proper administration of the fund, to the board assigned physician.

(C) Any person who is a contributor of the system shall be furnished, on written request, with a statement of the amount to the credit of the person's account. The board need not answer more than one such request of a person in any one year.

(D) Notwithstanding the exceptions to public inspection in division (A)(2) of this section, the board may furnish the following information:

(1) If a member, former member, contributor, former contributor, or retirant is subject to an order issued under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, on written request of a prosecutor as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to the prosecutor the information requested from the individual's personal history record.

(2) Pursuant to a court or administrative order issued under section 3119.80, 3119.81, 3121.02, 3121.03, or 3123.06 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to a court or child support enforcement agency the information required under that section.

(3) At the written request of any person, the board shall provide to the person a list of the names and addresses of members, former members, retirants, contributors, former contributors, or beneficiaries. The costs of compiling, copying, and mailing the list shall be paid by such person.

(4) Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code or a list of the names and social security numbers of public medical assistance program recipients pursuant to section 5160.43 of the Revised Code, the board shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent employer address, and social security number of each contributor whose name and social security number are the same as that of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director is included on the list. The board and its employees shall, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, preserve the confidentiality of recipients of public assistance in compliance with division (A) of section 5101.181 of the Revised Code and preserve the confidentiality of public medical assistance program recipients in compliance with section 5160.43 of the Revised Code.

(5) The system shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code.

On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the system shall furnish to the alternate payee information on the amount and status of any amounts payable to the alternate payee under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) At the request of any person, the board shall make available to the person copies of all documents, including resumes, in the board's possession regarding filling a vacancy of an employee member or retirant member of the board. The person who made the request shall pay the cost of compiling, copying, and mailing the documents. The information described in this division is a public record.

(E) A statement that contains information obtained from the system's records that is signed by an officer of the retirement system and to which the system's official seal is affixed, or copies of the system's records to which the signature and seal are attached, shall be received as true copies of the system's records in any court or before any officer of this state.

Sec. 3313.714.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Board of education" means the board of education of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district.

(2) "Healthcheck" means the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program, a component of the medical assistance medicaid program established under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 302, as amended, and Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(3) "Pupil" means a person under age twenty-two enrolled in the schools of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district.

(4) "Parent" means either parent with the following exceptions:

(a) If one parent has custody by court order, "parent" means the parent with custody.

(b) If neither parent has legal custody, "parent" means the person or government entity with legal custody.

(c) The child's legal guardian or a person who has accepted responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of the child.

(B) At the request of the department of job and family services health care administration, a board of education shall establish and conduct a healthcheck program for pupils enrolled in the schools of the district who are medicaid recipients of medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code. At the request of a board of education, the department may authorize the board to establish a healthcheck program. A board that establishes a healthcheck program shall enter into a medical assistance medicaid provider agreement with the department.

A healthcheck program established by a board of education shall be conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the director of job and family services health care administration under division (F) of this section. The healthcheck program shall include all of the following components:

(1) A comprehensive health and development history;

(2) A comprehensive physical examination;

(3) A developmental assessment;

(4) A nutritional assessment;

(5) A vision assessment;

(6) A hearing assessment;

(7) An immunization assessment;

(8) Lead screening and laboratory tests ordered by a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine as part of one of the other components;

(9) Such other assessment as may be required by the department of job and family services health care administration in accordance with the requirements of the healthcheck program.

All services included in a board of education's healthcheck program that the board provided under sections 3313.67, 3313.673, 3313.68, 3313.69, and 3313.71 of the Revised Code during the 1990-1991 school year shall continue to be provided to medical assistance medicaid recipients by the board pursuant to those sections. The services shall be considered part of the healthcheck program for medicaid recipients of medical assistance, and the board shall be eligible for reimbursement from the state department in accordance with this division for providing the services.

The department shall reimburse boards of education for healthcheck program services provided under this division at the rates paid under the medical assistance medicaid program to physicians, dentists, nurses, and other providers of healthcheck services.

(C) Each board of education that conducts a healthcheck program shall determine for each pupil enrolled in the schools of the district whether the pupil is a medical assistance medicaid recipient. The department of job and family services health care administration and county departments of human job and family services shall assist the board in making these determinations. Except as necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, all information received by a board under this division shall be confidential.

Before the first day of October of each year, each board that conducts a healthcheck program shall send the parent of each pupil who is under age eighteen and a medicaid recipient of medical assistance notice that the pupil will be examined under the district's healthcheck program unless the parent notifies the board that the parent denies consent for the examination. The notice shall include a form to be used by the parent to indicate that the parent denies consent. The denial shall be effective only if the form is signed by the parent and returned to the board or the school in which the pupil is enrolled. If the parent does not return a signed form indicating denial of consent within two weeks after the date the notice is sent, the school district and the department of job and family services health care administration shall deem the parent to have consented to examination of the parent's child under the healthcheck program. In the case of a pupil age eighteen or older, the notice shall be given to the pupil, and the school district and the department of job and family services shall deem the pupil to have consented to examination unless the pupil returns the signed form indicating the pupil's denial of consent.

(D)(1) As used in this division:

(a) "Nonfederal share" means the portion of expenditures for services that is required under the medical assistance medicaid program to be paid for with state or local government funds.

(b) "Federal financial participation" means the portion of expenditures for services that is reimbursed under the medical assistance medicaid program with federal funds.

(2) At the request of a board of education, the state department may enter into an agreement with board under which the board provides medical services to a medicaid recipient of medical assistance that are reimbursable under the medical assistance medicaid program but not under the healthcheck program. The agreement may be for a term specified in the agreement and renewable by mutual consent of the board and the department, or may continue in force as long as agreeable to the board and the department.

The board shall use state or local funds of the district to pay the nonfederal share of expenditures for services provided under this division. Prior to entering into or renewing an agreement and at any other time requested by the department while the agreement is in force, the board shall certify to the department in accordance with the rules adopted under division (F) of this section that it will have sufficient state or local funds to pay the nonfederal share of expenditures under this division. If the board fails to make the certification, the department shall not enter into or renew the agreement. If an agreement has been entered into, it shall be void unless the board makes the certification not later than fifteen days after receiving notice from the department that the certification is due. The board shall report to the department, in accordance with the rules, the amount of state or local funds it spends to provide services under this division.

The department shall reimburse the board the federal financial participation allowed for the board's expenditures for services under this division. The total of the nonfederal share spent by the board and the federal financial participation reimbursed by the department for a service rendered under this division shall be an amount agreed to by the board and the department, but shall not exceed the maximum reimbursable for that service under rules adopted by the director of job and family services health care administration under Chapter 5111. section 5163.15 of the Revised Code. The rules adopted under division (F) of this section shall include procedures under which the department will recover from a board overpayments and subsequent federal audit disallowances of federal financial participation reimbursed by the department.

(E) A board of education shall provide services under division (D) of this section and under its healthcheck program as provided in division (E)(1), (2), or (3) of this section:

(1) By having the services performed by physicians, dentists, and nurses employed by the board;

(2) By contracting with physicians, dentists, nurses, and other providers of services who have medical assistance medicaid provider agreements with the department of job and family services health care administration;

(3) By having some of the services performed by persons described in division (E)(1) of this section and others performed by persons described in division (E)(2) of this section.

(F) The director of job and family services health care administration shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing healthcheck programs conducted under this section and services provided under division (D) of this section.

Sec. 3313.715.  The board of education of a school district may request from the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities the appropriate identification numbers for all students residing in the district who are medical assistance medicaid recipients under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code. The director shall furnish such numbers upon receipt of lists of student names furnished by the district board, in such form as the director may require.

The director of job and family services health care administration shall provide the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities with the data necessary for compliance with this section.

Section 3319.321 of the Revised Code does not apply to the release of student names or other data to the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities for the purposes of this section. Chapter 1347. of the Revised Code does not apply to information required to be kept by a school board or the departments of job and family services health care administration or mental retardation and developmental disabilities to the extent necessary to comply with this section and section 3313.714 of the Revised Code. However, any such information or data shall be used only for the specific legal purposes of such boards and departments and shall not be released to any unauthorized person.

Sec. 3317.023.  (A) Notwithstanding section 3317.022 of the Revised Code, the amounts required to be paid to a district under this chapter shall be adjusted by the amount of the computations made under divisions (B) to (O) of this section.

As used in this section:

(1) "Classroom teacher" means a licensed employee who provides direct instruction to pupils, excluding teachers funded from money paid to the district from federal sources; educational service personnel; and vocational and special education teachers.

(2) "Educational service personnel" shall not include such specialists funded from money paid to the district from federal sources or assigned full-time to vocational or special education students and classes and may only include those persons employed in the eight specialist areas in a pattern approved by the department of education under guidelines established by the state board of education.

(3) "Annual salary" means the annual base salary stated in the state minimum salary schedule for the performance of the teacher's regular teaching duties that the teacher earns for services rendered for the first full week of October of the fiscal year for which the adjustment is made under division (C) of this section. It shall not include any salary payments for supplemental teachers contracts.

(4) "Regular student population" means the formula ADM plus the number of students reported as enrolled in the district pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 3313.981 of the Revised Code; minus the number of students reported under division (A)(2) of section 3317.03 of the Revised Code; minus the FTE of students reported under division (B)(6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), or (12) of that section who are enrolled in a vocational education class or receiving special education; and minus twenty per cent of the students enrolled concurrently in a joint vocational school district.

(5) "State share percentage" has the same meaning as in section 3317.022 of the Revised Code.

(6) "VEPD" means a school district or group of school districts designated by the department of education as being responsible for the planning for and provision of vocational education services to students within the district or group.

(7) "Lead district" means a school district, including a joint vocational school district, designated by the department as a VEPD, or designated to provide primary vocational education leadership within a VEPD composed of a group of districts.

(B) If the district employs less than one full-time equivalent classroom teacher for each twenty-five pupils in the regular student population in any school district, deduct the sum of the amounts obtained from the following computations:

(1) Divide the number of the district's full-time equivalent classroom teachers employed by one twenty-fifth;

(2) Subtract the quotient in (1) from the district's regular student population;

(3) Multiply the difference in (2) by seven hundred fifty-two dollars.

(C) If a positive amount, add one-half of the amount obtained by multiplying the number of full-time equivalent classroom teachers by:

(1) The mean annual salary of all full-time equivalent classroom teachers employed by the district at their respective training and experience levels minus;

(2) The mean annual salary of all such teachers at their respective levels in all school districts receiving payments under this section.

The number of full-time equivalent classroom teachers used in this computation shall not exceed one twenty-fifth of the district's regular student population. In calculating the district's mean salary under this division, those full-time equivalent classroom teachers with the highest training level shall be counted first, those with the next highest training level second, and so on, in descending order. Within the respective training levels, teachers with the highest years of service shall be counted first, the next highest years of service second, and so on, in descending order.

(D) This division does not apply to a school district that has entered into an agreement under division (A) of section 3313.42 of the Revised Code. Deduct the amount obtained from the following computations if the district employs fewer than five full-time equivalent educational service personnel, including elementary school art, music, and physical education teachers, counselors, librarians, visiting teachers, school social workers, and school nurses for each one thousand pupils in the regular student population:

(1) Divide the number of full-time equivalent educational service personnel employed by the district by five one-thousandths;

(2) Subtract the quotient in (1) from the district's regular student population;

(3) Multiply the difference in (2) by ninety-four dollars.

(E) If a local school district, or a city or exempted village school district to which a governing board of an educational service center provides services pursuant to section 3313.843 of the Revised Code, deduct the amount of the payment required for the reimbursement of the governing board under section 3317.11 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) If the district is required to pay to or entitled to receive tuition from another school district under division (C)(2) or (3) of section 3313.64 or section 3313.65 of the Revised Code, or if the superintendent of public instruction is required to determine the correct amount of tuition and make a deduction or credit under section 3317.08 of the Revised Code, deduct and credit such amounts as provided in division (J) of section 3313.64 or section 3317.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) For each child for whom the district is responsible for tuition or payment under division (A)(1) of section 3317.082 or section 3323.091 of the Revised Code, deduct the amount of tuition or payment for which the district is responsible.

(G) If the district has been certified by the superintendent of public instruction under section 3313.90 of the Revised Code as not in compliance with the requirements of that section, deduct an amount equal to ten per cent of the amount computed for the district under section 3317.022 of the Revised Code.

(H) If the district has received a loan from a commercial lending institution for which payments are made by the superintendent of public instruction pursuant to division (E)(3) of section 3313.483 of the Revised Code, deduct an amount equal to such payments.

(I)(1) If the district is a party to an agreement entered into under division (D), (E), or (F) of section 3311.06 or division (B) of section 3311.24 of the Revised Code and is obligated to make payments to another district under such an agreement, deduct an amount equal to such payments if the district school board notifies the department in writing that it wishes to have such payments deducted.

(2) If the district is entitled to receive payments from another district that has notified the department to deduct such payments under division (I)(1) of this section, add the amount of such payments.

(J) If the district is required to pay an amount of funds to a cooperative education district pursuant to a provision described by division (B)(4) of section 3311.52 or division (B)(8) of section 3311.521 of the Revised Code, deduct such amounts as provided under that provision and credit those amounts to the cooperative education district for payment to the district under division (B)(1) of section 3317.19 of the Revised Code.

(K)(1) If a district is educating a student entitled to attend school in another district pursuant to a shared education contract, compact, or cooperative education agreement other than an agreement entered into pursuant to section 3313.842 of the Revised Code, credit to that educating district on an FTE basis both of the following:

(a) An amount equal to the greater of the following:

(i) The fiscal year 2005 formula amount times the fiscal year 2005 cost of doing business factor of the school district where the student is entitled to attend school pursuant to section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code;

(ii) The sum of (the current formula amount times the current cost-of-doing-business factor of the school district when the student is entitled to attend school pursuant to section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code) plus the per pupil amount of the base funding supplements specified in divisions (C)(1) to (4) of section 3317.012 of the Revised Code.

(b) An amount equal to the current formula amount times the state share percentage times any multiple applicable to the student pursuant to section 3317.013 or 3317.014 of the Revised Code.

(2) Deduct any amount credited pursuant to division (K)(1) of this section from amounts paid to the school district in which the student is entitled to attend school pursuant to section 3313.64 or 3313.65 of the Revised Code.

(3) If the district is required by a shared education contract, compact, or cooperative education agreement to make payments to an educational service center, deduct the amounts from payments to the district and add them to the amounts paid to the service center pursuant to section 3317.11 of the Revised Code.

(L)(1) If a district, including a joint vocational school district, is a lead district of a VEPD, credit to that district the amounts calculated for all the school districts within that VEPD pursuant to division (E)(2) of section 3317.022 of the Revised Code.

(2) Deduct from each appropriate district that is not a lead district, the amount attributable to that district that is credited to a lead district under division (L)(1) of this section.

(M) If the department pays a joint vocational school district under division (G)(4) of section 3317.16 of the Revised Code for excess costs of providing special education and related services to a handicapped student, as calculated under division (G)(2) of that section, the department shall deduct the amount of that payment from the city, local, or exempted village school district that is responsible as specified in that section for the excess costs.

(N)(1) If the district reports an amount of excess cost for special education services for a child under division (C) of section 3323.14 of the Revised Code, the department shall pay that amount to the district.

(2) If the district reports an amount of excess cost for special education services for a child under division (C) of section 3323.14 of the Revised Code, the department shall deduct that amount from the district of residence of that child.

(O) If the department of job and family services health care administration presents to the department of education a payment request through an intrastate transfer voucher for the nonfederal share of reimbursements made to a school district for medicaid services provided by the district, the department of education shall pay the amount of that request to the department of job and family services health care administration and shall deduct the amount of that payment from the district.

Sec. 3323.021.  As used in this section, "participating county MR/DD board" means a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities electing to participate in the provision of or contracting for educational services for children under division (D) of section 5126.05 of the Revised Code.

(A) When a school district, educational service center, or participating county MR/DD board enters into an agreement or contract with another school district, educational service center, or participating county MR/DD board to provide educational services to a disabled child during a school year, both of the following shall apply:

(1) Beginning with fiscal year 1999, if the provider of the services intends to increase the amount it charges for some or all of those services during the next school year or if the provider intends to cease offering all or part of those services during the next school year, the provider shall notify the entity for which the services are provided of these intended changes no later that than the first day of March of the current fiscal year.

(2) Beginning with fiscal year 1999, if the entity for which services are provided intends to cease obtaining those services from the provider for the next school year or intends to change the type or amount of services it obtains from the provider for the next school year, the entity shall notify the service provider of these intended changes no later than the first day of March of the current fiscal year.

(B) School districts, educational service centers, participating county MR/DD boards, and other applicable governmental entities shall collaborate where possible to maximize federal sources of revenue to provide additional funds for special education related services for disabled children. Annually, each school district shall report to the department of education any amounts of money the district received through such medical assistance the medicaid program.

(C) The state board of education, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and the department of job and family services health care administration shall develop working agreements for pursuing additional funds for services for disabled children.

Sec. 3599.45.  (A) No candidate for the office of attorney general or county prosecutor or such a candidate's campaign committee shall knowingly accept any contribution from a provider of services or goods under contract with the department of job and family services health care administration pursuant to the medicaid program of Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, or from any person having an ownership interest in the provider.

As used in this section "candidate," "campaign committee," and "contribution" have the same meaning as in section 3517.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Sec. 3701.023.  (A) The department of health shall review applications for eligibility for the program for medically handicapped children that are submitted to the department by city and general health districts and physician providers approved in accordance with division (C) of this section. The department shall determine whether the applicants meet the medical and financial eligibility requirements established by the public health council pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, and by the department in the manual of operational procedures and guidelines for the program for medically handicapped children developed pursuant to division (B) of that section. Referrals of potentially eligible children for the program may be submitted to the department on behalf of the child by parents, guardians, public health nurses, or any other interested person. The department of health may designate other agencies to refer applicants to the department of health.

(B) In accordance with the procedures established in rules adopted under division (A)(4) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, the department of health shall authorize a provider or providers to provide to any Ohio resident under twenty-one years of age, without charge to the resident or the resident's family and without restriction as to the economic status of the resident or the resident's family, diagnostic services necessary to determine whether the resident has a medically handicapping or potentially medically handicapping condition.

(C) The department of health shall review the applications of health professionals, hospitals, medical equipment suppliers, and other individuals, groups, or agencies that apply to become providers. The department shall enter into a written agreement with each applicant who is determined, pursuant to the requirements set forth in rules adopted under division (A)(2) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, to be eligible to be a provider in accordance with the provider agreement required by the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code. No provider shall charge a medically handicapped child or the child's parent or guardian for services authorized by the department under division (B) or (D) of this section.

The department, in accordance with rules adopted under division (A)(3) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, may disqualify any provider from further participation in the program for violating any requirement set forth in rules adopted under division (A)(2) of that section. The disqualification shall not take effect until a written notice, specifying the requirement violated and describing the nature of the violation, has been delivered to the provider and the department has afforded the provider an opportunity to appeal the disqualification under division (H) of this section.

(D) The department of health shall evaluate applications from city and general health districts and approved physician providers for authorization to provide treatment services, service coordination, and related goods to children determined to be eligible for the program for medically handicapped children pursuant to division (A) of this section. The department shall authorize necessary treatment services, service coordination, and related goods for each eligible child in accordance with an individual plan of treatment for the child. As an alternative, the department may authorize payment of health insurance premiums on behalf of eligible children when the department determines, in accordance with criteria set forth in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, that payment of the premiums is cost-effective.

(E) The department of health shall pay, from appropriations to the department, any necessary expenses, including but not limited to, expenses for diagnosis, treatment, service coordination, supportive services, transportation, and accessories and their upkeep, provided to medically handicapped children, provided that the provision of the goods or services is authorized by the department under division (B) or (D) of this section. Money appropriated to the department of health may also be expended for reasonable administrative costs incurred by the program. The department of health also may purchase liability insurance covering the provision of services under the program for medically handicapped children by physicians and other health care professionals.

Payments made to providers by the department of health pursuant to this division for inpatient hospital care, outpatient care, and all other medical assistance furnished to eligible recipients shall be made in accordance with rules adopted by the public health council pursuant to division (A) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code.

The departments of health and job and family services health care administration shall jointly implement procedures to ensure that duplicate payments are not made under the program for medically handicapped children and the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code and to identify and recover duplicate payments.

(F) At the time of applying for participation in the program for medically handicapped children, a medically handicapped child or the child's parent or guardian shall disclose the identity of any third party against whom the child or the child's parent or guardian has or may have a right of recovery for goods and services provided under division (B) or (D) of this section. The department of health shall require a medically handicapped child who receives services from the program or the child's parent or guardian to apply for all third-party benefits for which the child may be eligible and require the child, parent, or guardian to apply all third-party benefits received to the amount determined under division (E) of this section as the amount payable for goods and services authorized under division (B) or (D) of this section. The department is the payer of last resort and shall pay for authorized goods or services, up to the amount determined under division (E) of this section for the authorized goods or services, only to the extent that payment for the authorized goods or services is not made through third-party benefits. When a third party fails to act on an application or claim for benefits by a medically handicapped child or the child's parent or guardian, the department shall pay for the goods or services only after ninety days have elapsed since the date the child, parents, or guardians made an application or claim for all third-party benefits. Third-party benefits received shall be applied to the amount determined under division (E) of this section. Third-party payments for goods and services not authorized under division (B) or (D) of this section shall not be applied to payment amounts determined under division (E) of this section. Payment made by the department shall be considered payment in full of the amount determined under division (E) of this section. Medicaid payments for persons eligible for the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code shall be considered payment in full of the amount determined under division (E) of this section.

(G) The department of health shall administer a program to provide services to Ohio residents who are twenty-one or more years of age who have cystic fibrosis and who meet the eligibility requirements established by the rules of the public health council pursuant to division (A)(7) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, subject to all provisions of this section, but not subject to section 3701.024 of the Revised Code.

(H) The department of health shall provide for appeals, in accordance with rules adopted under section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, of denials of applications for the program for medically handicapped children under division (A) or (D) of this section, disqualification of providers, or amounts paid under division (E) of this section. Appeals under this division are not subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

The department may designate ombudspersons to assist medically handicapped children or their parents or guardians, upon the request of the children, parents, or guardians, in filing appeals under this division and to serve as children's, parents', or guardians' advocates in matters pertaining to the administration of the program for medically handicapped children and eligibility for program services. The ombudspersons shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed by the department, in accordance with rules of the office of budget and management, for their actual and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(I) The department of health, and city and general health districts providing service coordination pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 3701.024 of the Revised Code, shall provide service coordination in accordance with the standards set forth in the rules adopted under section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, without charge, and without restriction as to economic status.

Sec. 3701.024.  (A)(1) Under a procedure established in rules adopted under section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, the department of health shall determine the amount each county shall provide annually for the program for medically handicapped children, based on a proportion of the county's total general property tax duplicate, not to exceed one-tenth of a mill, and charge the county for any part of expenses incurred under the program for treatment services on behalf of medically handicapped children having legal settlement in the county that is not paid from federal funds or through the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code. The department shall not charge the county for expenses exceeding the difference between the amount determined under division (A)(1) of this section and any amounts retained under divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section.

All amounts collected by the department under division (A)(1) of this section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the medically handicapped children-county assessment fund, which is hereby created. The fund shall be used by the department to comply with sections 3701.021 to 3701.028 of the Revised Code.

(2) The department, in accordance with rules adopted under section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, may allow each county to retain up to ten per cent of the amount determined under division (A)(1) of this section to provide funds to city or general health districts of the county with which the districts shall provide service coordination, public health nursing, or transportation services for medically handicapped children.

(3) In addition to any amount retained under division (A)(2) of this section, the department, in accordance with rules adopted under section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, may allow counties that it determines have significant numbers of potentially eligible medically handicapped children to retain an amount equal to the difference between:

(a) Twenty-five per cent of the amount determined under division (A)(1) of this section;

(b) Any amount retained under division (A)(2) of this section.

Counties shall use amounts retained under division (A)(3) of this section to provide funds to city or general health districts of the county with which the districts shall conduct outreach activities to increase participation in the program for medically handicapped children.

(4) Prior to any increase in the millage charged to a county, the public health council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed increase and shall give notice of the hearing to each board of county commissioners that would be affected by the increase at least thirty days prior to the date set for the hearing. Any county commissioner may appear and give testimony at the hearing. Any increase in the millage any county is required to provide for the program for medically handicapped children shall be determined, and notice of the amount of the increase shall be provided to each affected board of county commissioners, no later than the first day of June of the fiscal year next preceding the fiscal year in which the increase will take effect.

(B) Each board of county commissioners shall establish a medically handicapped children's fund and shall appropriate thereto an amount, determined in accordance with division (A)(1) of this section, for the county's share in providing medical, surgical, and other aid to medically handicapped children residing in such county and for the purposes specified in divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section. Each county shall use money retained under divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section only for the purposes specified in those divisions.

Sec. 3701.027.  The department of health shall administer funds received from the "Maternal and Child Health Block Grant," Title V of the "Social Security Act," 95 Stat. 818 (1981), 42 U.S.C.A. 701, as amended, for programs including the program for medically handicapped children, and to provide technical assistance and consultation to city and general health districts and local health planning organizations in implementing local, community-based, family-centered, coordinated systems of care for medically handicapped children. The department may make grants to persons and other entities for the provision of services with the funds. In addition, the department may use the funds to purchase liability insurance covering the provision of services under the programs by physicians and other health care professionals, and to pay health insurance premiums on behalf of medically handicapped children participating in the program for medically handicapped children when the department determines, in accordance with criteria set forth in rules adopted under division (A)(9) of section 3701.021 of the Revised Code, that payment of the premiums is cost effective.

In determining eligibility for services provided with funds received from the "Maternal and Child Health Block Grant," the department may use the application form established under section 5111.013 5162.15 of the Revised Code. The department may require applicants to furnish their social security numbers.

Sec. 3701.043.  If authorized by federal statute or regulation, the director of health may establish and collect fees for conducting the initial certification of any person or entity as a provider of health services for purposes of the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended. The fee established for conducting an initial medicare certification shall not exceed the actual and necessary costs incurred by the department of health in conducting the certification.

All fees collected under this section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the medicare initial certification fund, which is hereby created. Money credited to the fund shall be used solely to pay the costs of conducting initial medicare certifications.

Sec. 3701.132.  The department of health is hereby designated as the state agency to administer the "special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children" established under the "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," 80 Stat. 885, 42 U.S.C. 1786, as amended. The public health council may adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as necessary for administering the program. The rules may include civil money penalties for violations of the rules.

In determining eligibility for services provided under the program, the department may use the application form established under section 5111.013 5162.15 of the Revised Code for the healthy start program. The department may require applicants to furnish their social security numbers.

If the department determines that a vendor has committed an act with respect to the program that federal statutes or regulations or state statutes or rules prohibit, the department shall take action against the vendor in the manner required by 7 C.F.R. part 246, including imposition of a civil money penalty in accordance with 7 C.F.R. 246.12, or rules adopted under this section.

Sec. 3701.243.  (A) Except as provided in this section or section 3701.248 of the Revised Code, no person or agency of state or local government that acquires the information while providing any health care service or while in the employ of a health care facility or health care provider shall disclose or compel another to disclose any of the following:

(1) The identity of any individual on whom an HIV test is performed;

(2) The results of an HIV test in a form that identifies the individual tested;

(3) The identity of any individual diagnosed as having AIDS or an AIDS-related condition.

(B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (B)(2), (C), (D), and (F) of this section, the results of an HIV test or the identity of an individual on whom an HIV test is performed or who is diagnosed as having AIDS or an AIDS-related condition may be disclosed only to the following:

(a) The individual who was tested or the individual's legal guardian, and the individual's spouse or any sexual partner;

(b) A person to whom disclosure is authorized by a written release, executed by the individual tested or by the individual's legal guardian and specifying to whom disclosure of the test results or diagnosis is authorized and the time period during which the release is to be effective;

(c) The individual's physician;

(d) The department of health or a health commissioner to which reports are made under section 3701.24 of the Revised Code;

(e) A health care facility or provider that procures, processes, distributes, or uses a human body part from a deceased individual, donated for a purpose specified in Chapter 2108. of the Revised Code, and that needs medical information about the deceased individual to ensure that the body part is medically acceptable for its intended purpose;

(f) Health care facility staff committees or accreditation or oversight review organizations conducting program monitoring, program evaluation, or service reviews;

(g) A health care provider, emergency medical services worker, or peace officer who sustained a significant exposure to the body fluids of another individual, if that individual was tested pursuant to division (E)(6) of section 3701.242 of the Revised Code, except that the identity of the individual tested shall not be revealed;

(h) To law enforcement authorities pursuant to a search warrant or a subpoena issued by or at the request of a grand jury, a prosecuting attorney, a city director of law or similar chief legal officer of a municipal corporation, or a village solicitor, in connection with a criminal investigation or prosecution.

(2) The results of an HIV test or a diagnosis of AIDS or an AIDS-related condition may be disclosed to a health care provider, or an authorized agent or employee of a health care facility or a health care provider, if the provider, agent, or employee has a medical need to know the information and is participating in the diagnosis, care, or treatment of the individual on whom the test was performed or who has been diagnosed as having AIDS or an AIDS-related condition.

This division does not impose a standard of disclosure different from the standard for disclosure of all other specific information about a patient to health care providers and facilities. Disclosure may not be requested or made solely for the purpose of identifying an individual who has a positive HIV test result or has been diagnosed as having AIDS or an AIDS-related condition in order to refuse to treat the individual. Referral of an individual to another health care provider or facility based on reasonable professional judgment does not constitute refusal to treat the individual.

(3) Not later than ninety days after November 1, 1989, each health care facility in this state shall establish a protocol to be followed by employees and individuals affiliated with the facility in making disclosures authorized by division (B)(2) of this section. A person employed by or affiliated with a health care facility who determines in accordance with the protocol established by the facility that a disclosure is authorized by division (B)(2) of this section is immune from liability to any person in a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the disclosure.

(C)(1) Any person or government agency may seek access to or authority to disclose the HIV test records of an individual in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) The person or government agency shall bring an action in a court of common pleas requesting disclosure of or authority to disclose the results of an HIV test of a specific individual, who shall be identified in the complaint by a pseudonym but whose name shall be communicated to the court confidentially, pursuant to a court order restricting the use of the name. The court shall provide the individual with notice and an opportunity to participate in the proceedings if the individual is not named as a party. Proceedings shall be conducted in chambers unless the individual agrees to a hearing in open court.

(b) The court may issue an order granting the plaintiff access to or authority to disclose the test results only if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the plaintiff has demonstrated a compelling need for disclosure of the information that cannot be accommodated by other means. In assessing compelling need, the court shall weigh the need for disclosure against the privacy right of the individual tested and against any disservice to the public interest that might result from the disclosure, such as discrimination against the individual or the deterrence of others from being tested.

(c) If the court issues an order, it shall guard against unauthorized disclosure by specifying the persons who may have access to the information, the purposes for which the information shall be used, and prohibitions against future disclosure.

(2) A person or government agency that considers it necessary to disclose the results of an HIV test of a specific individual in an action in which it is a party may seek authority for the disclosure by filing an in camera motion with the court in which the action is being heard. In hearing the motion, the court shall employ procedures for confidentiality similar to those specified in division (C)(1) of this section. The court shall grant the motion only if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that a compelling need for the disclosure has been demonstrated.

(3) Except for an order issued in a criminal prosecution or an order under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section granting disclosure of the result of an HIV test of a specific individual, a court shall not compel a blood bank, hospital blood center, or blood collection facility to disclose the result of HIV tests performed on the blood of voluntary donors in a way that reveals the identity of any donor.

(4) In a civil action in which the plaintiff seeks to recover damages from an individual defendant based on an allegation that the plaintiff contracted the HIV virus as a result of actions of the defendant, the prohibitions against disclosure in this section do not bar discovery of the results of any HIV test given to the defendant or any diagnosis that the defendant suffers from AIDS or an AIDS-related condition.

(D) The results of an HIV test or the identity of an individual on whom an HIV test is performed or who is diagnosed as having AIDS or an AIDS-related condition may be disclosed to a federal, state, or local government agency, or the official representative of such an agency, for purposes of the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code, the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935) 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, or any other public assistance program.

(E) Any disclosure pursuant to this section shall be in writing and accompanied by a written statement that includes the following or substantially similar language: "This information has been disclosed to you from confidential records protected from disclosure by state law. You shall make no further disclosure of this information without the specific, written, and informed release of the individual to whom it pertains, or as otherwise permitted by state law. A general authorization for the release of medical or other information is not sufficient for the purpose of the release of HIV test results or diagnoses."

(F) An individual who knows that the individual has received a positive result on an HIV test or has been diagnosed as having AIDS or an AIDS-related condition shall disclose this information to any other person with whom the individual intends to make common use of a hypodermic needle or engage in sexual conduct as defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code. An individual's compliance with this division does not prohibit a prosecution of the individual for a violation of division (B) of section 2903.11 of the Revised Code.

(G) Nothing in this section prohibits the introduction of evidence concerning an HIV test of a specific individual in a criminal proceeding.

Sec. 3701.507.  (A) To assist in implementing sections 3701.503 to 3701.509 of the Revised Code, the medically handicapped children's medical advisory council created in section 3701.025 of the Revised Code shall appoint a permanent infant hearing screening subcommittee. The subcommittee shall consist of the following members:

(1) One otolaryngologist;

(2) One neonatologist;

(3) One pediatrician;

(4) One neurologist;

(5) One hospital administrator;

(6) Two or more audiologists who are experienced in infant hearing screening and evaluation;

(7) One speech-language pathologist licensed under section 4753.07 of the Revised Code;

(8) Two persons who are each a parent of a hearing-impaired child;

(9) One geneticist;

(10) One epidemiologist;

(11) One adult who is deaf or hearing impaired;

(12) One representative from an organization for the deaf or hearing impaired;

(13) One family advocate;

(14) One nurse from a well-baby neonatal nursery;

(15) One nurse from a special care neonatal nursery;

(16) One teacher of the deaf who works with infants and toddlers;

(17) One representative of the health insurance industry;

(18) One representative of the bureau for children with medical handicaps;

(19) One representative of the department of education;

(20) One representative of the Ohio department of job and family services who has responsibilities regarding medicaid health care administration;

(21) Any other person the advisory council appoints.

(B) The infant hearing subcommittee shall:

(1) Consult with the director of health regarding the administration of sections 3701.503 to 3701.509 of the Revised Code;

(2) Advise and make recommendations regarding proposed rules prior to their adoption by the public health council under section 3701.508 of the Revised Code;

(3) Consult with the director of health and advise and make recommendations regarding program development and implementation under sections 3701.503 to 3701.509 of the Revised Code, including all of the following:

(a) Establishment under section 3701.504 of the Revised Code of the statewide hearing screening, tracking, and early intervention program to identify newborn and infant hearing impairment;

(b) Identification of locations where hearing evaluations may be conducted;

(c) Recommendations for methods and techniques of hearing screening and hearing evaluation;

(d) Referral, data recording and compilation, and procedures to encourage follow-up hearing care;

(e) Maintenance of a register of newborns and infants who do not pass the hearing screening;

(f) Preparation of the information required by section 3701.506 of the Revised Code and any other information the public health council requires the department of health to provide.

Sec. 3701.74.  (A) As used in this section and section 3701.741 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Ambulatory care facility" means a facility that provides medical, diagnostic, or surgical treatment to patients who do not require hospitalization, including a dialysis center, ambulatory surgical facility, cardiac catheterization facility, diagnostic imaging center, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy center, home health agency, inpatient hospice, birthing center, radiation therapy center, emergency facility, and an urgent care center. "Ambulatory care facility" does not include the private office of a physician or dentist, whether the office is for an individual or group practice.

(2) "Chiropractor" means an individual licensed under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code to practice chiropractic.

(3) "Emergency facility" means a hospital emergency department or any other facility that provides emergency medical services.

(4) "Health care practitioner" means all of the following:

(a) A dentist or dental hygienist licensed under Chapter 4715. of the Revised Code;

(b) A registered or licensed practical nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;

(c) An optometrist licensed under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code;

(d) A dispensing optician, spectacle dispensing optician, contact lens dispensing optician, or spectacle-contact lens dispensing optician licensed under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code;

(e) A pharmacist licensed under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code;

(f) A physician;

(g) A physician assistant authorized under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code to practice as a physician assistant;

(h) A practitioner of a limited branch of medicine issued a certificate under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code;

(i) A psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code;

(j) A chiropractor;

(k) A hearing aid dealer or fitter licensed under Chapter 4747. of the Revised Code;

(l) A speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under Chapter 4753. of the Revised Code;

(m) An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code;

(n) A physical therapist or physical therapy assistant licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code;

(o) A professional clinical counselor, professional counselor, social worker, or independent social worker licensed, or a social work assistant registered, under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code;

(p) A dietitian licensed under Chapter 4759. of the Revised Code;

(q) A respiratory care professional licensed under Chapter 4761. of the Revised Code;

(r) An emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic certified under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code.

(5) "Health care provider" means a hospital, ambulatory care facility, long-term care facility, pharmacy, emergency facility, or health care practitioner.

(6) "Hospital" has the same meaning as in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code.

(7) "Long-term care facility" means a nursing home, residential care facility, or home for the aging, as those terms are defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code; an adult care facility, as defined in section 3722.01 of the Revised Code; a nursing facility or intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, as those terms are defined in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code; a facility or portion of a facility certified as a skilled nursing facility under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as amended medicare program.

(8) "Medical record" means data in any form that pertains to a patient's medical history, diagnosis, prognosis, or medical condition and that is generated and maintained by a health care provider in the process of the patient's health care treatment.

(9) "Medical records company" means a person who stores, locates, or copies medical records for a health care provider, or is compensated for doing so by a health care provider, and charges a fee for providing medical records to a patient or patient's representative.

(10) "Patient" means either of the following:

(a) An individual who received health care treatment from a health care provider;

(b) A guardian, as defined in section 1337.11 of the Revised Code, of an individual described in division (A)(10)(a) of this section.

(11) "Patient's personal representative" means a minor patient's parent or other person acting in loco parentis, a court-appointed guardian, or a person with durable power of attorney for health care for a patient, the executor or administrator of the patient's estate, or the person responsible for the patient's estate if it is not to be probated. "Patient's personal representative" does not include an insurer authorized under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code to do the business of sickness and accident insurance in this state, a health insuring corporation holding a certificate of authority under Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code, or any other person not named in this division.

(12) "Pharmacy" has the same meaning as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.

(13) "Physician" means a person authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery.

(14) "Authorized person" means a person to whom a patient has given written authorization to act on the patient's behalf regarding the patient's medical record.

(B) A patient, a patient's personal representative or an authorized person who wishes to examine or obtain a copy of part or all of a medical record shall submit to the health care provider a written request signed by the patient, personal representative, or authorized person dated not more than sixty days before the date on which it is submitted. The request shall indicate whether the copy is to be sent to the requestor, physician or chiropractor, , or held for the requestor at the office of the health care provider. Within a reasonable time after receiving a request that meets the requirements of this division and includes sufficient information to identify the record requested, a health care provider that has the patient's medical records shall permit the patient to examine the record during regular business hours without charge or, on request, shall provide a copy of the record in accordance with section 3701.741 of the Revised Code, except that if a physician or chiropractor who has treated the patient determines for clearly stated treatment reasons that disclosure of the requested record is likely to have an adverse effect on the patient, the health care provider shall provide the record to a physician or chiropractor designated by the patient. The health care provider shall take reasonable steps to establish the identity of the person making the request to examine or obtain a copy of the patient's record.

(C) If a health care provider fails to furnish a medical record as required by division (B) of this section, the patient, personal representative, or authorized person who requested the record may bring a civil action to enforce the patient's right of access to the record.

(D)(1) This section does not apply to medical records whose release is covered by section 173.20 or 3721.13 of the Revised Code, by Chapter 1347. or 5122. of the Revised Code, by 42 C.F.R. part 2, "Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records," or by 42 C.F.R. 483.10.

(2) Nothing in this section is intended to supersede the confidentiality provisions of sections 2305.24, 2305.25, 2305.251, and 2305.252 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3701.741.  (A) Through December 31, 2008, each health care provider and medical records company shall provide copies of medical records in accordance with this section.

(B) Except as provided in divisions (C) and (E) of this section, a health care provider or medical records company that receives a request for a copy of a patient's medical record shall charge not more than the amounts set forth in this section.

(1) If the request is made by the patient or the patient's personal representative, total costs for copies and all services related to those copies shall not exceed the sum of the following:

(a) With respect to data recorded on paper, the following amounts:

(i) Two dollars and fifty cents per page for the first ten pages;

(ii) Fifty-one cents per page for pages eleven through fifty;

(iii) Twenty cents per page for pages fifty-one and higher;

(b) With respect to data recorded other than on paper, one dollar and seventy cents per page;

(c) The actual cost of any related postage incurred by the health care provider or medical records company.

(2) If the request is made other than by the patient or the patient's personal representative, total costs for copies and all services related to those copies shall not exceed the sum of the following:

(a) An initial fee of fifteen dollars and thirty-five cents, which shall compensate for the records search;

(b) With respect to data recorded on paper, the following amounts:

(i) One dollar and two cents per page for the first ten pages;

(ii) Fifty-one cents per page for pages eleven through fifty;

(iii) Twenty cents per page for pages fifty-one and higher.

(c) With respect to data recorded other than on paper, one dollar and seventy cents per page;

(d) The actual cost of any related postage incurred by the health care provider or medical records company.

(C)(1) A health care provider or medical records company shall provide one copy without charge to the following:

(a) The bureau of workers' compensation, in accordance with Chapters 4121. and 4123. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under those chapters;

(b) The industrial commission, in accordance with Chapters 4121. and 4123. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under those chapters;

(c) The department of job and family services, in accordance with Chapter 5101. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under those chapters;

(d) The attorney general, in accordance with sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code and any rules that may be adopted under those sections;

(e) A patient or patient's personal representative if the medical record is necessary to support a claim under Title II or Title XVI of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 401 and 1381, as amended, or the supplemental security income program and the request is accompanied by documentation that a claim has been filed.

(2) Nothing in division (C)(1) of this section requires a health care provider or medical records company to provide a copy without charge to any person or entity not listed in division (C)(1) of this section.

(D) Division (C) of this section shall not be construed to supersede any rule of the bureau of workers' compensation, the industrial commission, or the department of job and family services.

(E) A health care provider or medical records company may enter into a contract with either of the following for the copying of medical records at a fee other than as provided in division (B) of this section:

(1) A patient, a patient's personal representative, or an authorized person;

(2) An insurer authorized under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code to do the business of sickness and accident insurance in this state or health insuring corporations holding a certificate of authority under Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code.

(F) This section does not apply to medical records the copying of which is covered by section 173.20 of the Revised Code or by 42 C.F.R. 483.10.

Sec. 3701.881.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means both of the following:

(a) A person who is under final consideration for appointment to or employment with a home health agency in a position as a person responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child;

(b) A person who is under final consideration for employment with a home health agency in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing direct care to an older adult. With regard to persons providing direct care to older adults, "applicant" does not include a person who provides direct care as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(2) "Criminal records check" and "older adult" have the same meanings as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Home health agency" means a person or government entity, other than a nursing home, residential care facility, or hospice care program, that has the primary function of providing any of the following services to a patient at a place of residence used as the patient's home:

(a) Skilled nursing care;

(b) Physical therapy;

(c) Speech-language pathology;

(d) Occupational therapy;

(e) Medical social services;

(f) Home health aide services.

(4) "Home health aide services" means any of the following services provided by an individual employed with or contracted for by a home health agency:

(a) Hands-on bathing or assistance with a tub bath or shower;

(b) Assistance with dressing, ambulation, and toileting;

(c) Catheter care but not insertion;

(d) Meal preparation and feeding.

(5) "Hospice care program" has the same meaning as in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Medical social services" means services provided by a social worker under the direction of a patient's attending physician.

(7) "Minor drug possession offense" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(8) "Nursing home," "residential care facility," and "skilled nursing care" have the same meanings as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(9) "Occupational therapy" has the same meaning as in section 4755.04 of the Revised Code.

(10) "Physical therapy" has the same meaning as in section 4755.40 of the Revised Code.

(11) "Social worker" means a person licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code to practice as a social worker or independent social worker.

(12) "Speech-language pathology" has the same meaning as in section 4753.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, the chief administrator of a home health agency shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to conduct a criminal records check with respect to each applicant. If the position may involve both responsibility for the care, custody, or control of a child and provision of direct care to an older adult, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent conduct a single criminal records check for the applicant. If an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date upon which the criminal records check is requested or does not provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as a part of the criminal records check for the applicant. Even if an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division presents proof that the applicant has been a resident of this state for that five-year period, the chief administrator may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) Any person required by division (B)(1) of this section to request a criminal records check shall provide to each applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under that division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, obtain the completed form and impression sheet from each applicant, and forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation at the time the chief administrator requests a criminal records check pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section.

(3) An applicant who receives pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a copy of an impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section and who is requested to complete the form and provide a set of fingerprint impressions shall complete the form or provide all the information necessary to complete the form and shall provide the impression sheets with the impressions of the applicant's fingerprints. If an applicant, upon request, fails to provide the information necessary to complete the form or fails to provide fingerprint impressions, the home health agency shall not employ that applicant for any position for which a criminal records check is required by division (B)(1) of this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in rules adopted by the department of health in accordance with division (F) of this section and subject to division (C)(3) of this section, no home health agency shall employ a person as a person responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child if the person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense, or felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code;

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (C)(1)(a) of this section.

(2) Except as provided in rules adopted by the department of health in accordance with division (F) of this section and subject to division (C)(3) of this section, no home health agency shall employ a person in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult if the person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code.

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (C)(2)(a) of this section.

(3)(a) A home health agency may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under division (B) of this section as a person responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child until the criminal records check regarding the applicant required by this section is completed and the agency receives the results of the criminal records check. If the results of the criminal records check indicate that, pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, the applicant does not qualify for employment, the agency shall release the applicant from employment unless the agency chooses to employ the applicant pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(b)(i) A home health agency may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under division (B) of this section in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult or in a position that involves both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults prior to obtaining the results of a criminal records check regarding the individual, provided that the agency shall request a criminal records check regarding the individual in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section not later than five business days after the individual begins conditional employment. In the circumstances described in division (I)(2) of this section, a home health agency may employ conditionally in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult an applicant who has been referred to the home health agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and for whom, pursuant to that division, a criminal records check is not required under division (B) of this section. In the circumstances described in division (I)(4) of this section, a home health agency may employ conditionally in a position that involves both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults an applicant who has been referred to the home health agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults and for whom, pursuant to that division, a criminal records check is not required under division (B) of this section.

(ii) A home health agency that employs an individual conditionally under authority of division (C)(3)(b)(i) of this section shall terminate the individual's employment if the results of the criminal records check requested under division (B)(1) of this section or described in division (I)(2) or (4) of this section, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending thirty days after the date the request is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the individual was employed conditionally in a position that involves the provision of direct care to older adults and the results indicate that the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (C)(2) of this section, or if the individual was employed conditionally in a position that involves both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults and the results indicate that the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (C)(1) or (2) of this section, the agency shall terminate the individual's employment unless the agency chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the individual makes any attempt to deceive the agency about the individual's criminal record.

(D)(1) Each home health agency shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check conducted in accordance with that section upon the request pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section of the chief administrator of the home health agency.

(2) A home health agency may charge an applicant a fee for the costs it incurs in obtaining a criminal records check under this section, unless the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code reimburses the agency for the costs. A fee charged under division (D)(2) of this section shall not exceed the amount of fees the agency pays under division (D)(1) of this section. If a fee is charged under division (D)(2) of this section, the agency shall notify the applicant at the time of the applicant's initial application for employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the agency will not consider the applicant for employment.

(E) The report of any criminal records check conducted by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with section 109.572 of the Revised Code and pursuant to a request made under division (B)(1) of this section is not a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person other than the following:

(1) The individual who is the subject of the criminal records check or the individual's representative;

(2) The home health agency requesting the criminal records check or its representative;

(3) The administrator of any other facility, agency, or program that provides direct care to older adults that is owned or operated by the same entity that owns or operates the home health agency;

(4) Any court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with a denial of employment of the applicant or dealing with employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant;

(5) Any person to whom the report is provided pursuant to, and in accordance with, division (I)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.

(F) The department of health shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section. The rules shall specify circumstances under which the home health agency may employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section but who meets standards in regard to rehabilitation set by the department or employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(2) of this section but meets personal character standards set by the department.

(G) Any person required by division (B)(1) of this section to request a criminal records check shall inform each person, at the time of initial application for employment that the person is required to provide a set of fingerprint impressions and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted and satisfactorily completed in accordance with section 109.572 of the Revised Code if the person comes under final consideration for appointment or employment as a precondition to employment for that position.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an individual who a home health agency employs in a position that involves providing direct care to older adults, all of the following shall apply:

(1) If the agency employed the individual in good faith and reasonable reliance on the report of a criminal records check requested under this section, the agency shall not be found negligent solely because of its reliance on the report, even if the information in the report is determined later to have been incomplete or inaccurate;

(2) If the agency employed the individual in good faith on a conditional basis pursuant to division (C)(3)(b) of this section, the agency shall not be found negligent solely because it employed the individual prior to receiving the report of a criminal records check requested under this section;

(3) If the agency in good faith employed the individual according to the personal character standards established in rules adopted under division (F) of this section, the agency shall not be found negligent solely because the individual prior to being employed had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) or (2) of this section.

(I)(1) The chief administrator of a home health agency is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant for a position that involves the provision of direct care to older adults if the applicant has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and both of the following apply:

(a) The chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a report of the results of a criminal records check regarding the applicant that has been conducted by the superintendent within the one-year period immediately preceding the applicant's referral;

(b) The report of the criminal records check demonstrates that the person has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(2) of this section, or the report demonstrates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more of those offenses, but the home health agency chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) The chief administrator of a home health agency is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant for a position that involves providing direct care to older adults and may employ the applicant conditionally in a position of that nature as described in this division, if the applicant has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and if the chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a letter from the employment service that is on the letterhead of the employment service, dated, and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service and that states that the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant, that the requested criminal records check will include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (C)(2) of this section, that, as of the date set forth on the letter, the employment service had not received the results of the criminal records check, and that, when the employment service receives the results of the criminal records check, it promptly will send a copy of the results to the home health agency. If a home health agency employs an applicant conditionally in accordance with this division, the employment service, upon its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the home health agency, and division (C)(3)(b) of this section applies regarding the conditional employment.

(3) The chief administrator of a home health agency is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant for a position that involves both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults if the applicant has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults and both of the following apply:

(a) The chief administrator receives from the employment service or applicant a report of a criminal records check of the type described in division (I)(1)(a) of this section;

(b) The report of the criminal records check demonstrates that the person has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) or (2) of this section, or the report demonstrates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more of those offenses, but the home health agency chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(4) The chief administrator of a home health agency is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant for a position that involves both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the provision of direct care to older adults and may employ the applicant conditionally in a position of that nature as described in this division, if the applicant has been referred to the agency by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving both responsibility for the care, custody, and control of a child and the direct care of older adults and if the chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a letter from the employment service that is on the letterhead of the employment service, dated, and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service and that states that the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant, that the requested criminal records check will include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (C)(1) or (2) of this section, that, as of the date set forth on the letter, the employment service had not received the results of the criminal records check, and that, when the employment service receives the results of the criminal records check, it promptly will send a copy of the results to the home health agency. If a home health agency employs an applicant conditionally in accordance with this division, the employment service, upon its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the home health agency, and division (C)(3)(b) of this section applies regarding the conditional employment.

Sec. 3702.30.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means a facility, whether or not part of the same organization as a hospital, that is located in a building distinct from another in which inpatient care is provided, and to which any of the following apply:

(a) Outpatient surgery is routinely performed in the facility, and the facility functions separately from a hospital's inpatient surgical service and from the offices of private physicians, podiatrists, and dentists.

(b) Anesthesia is administered in the facility by an anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist, and the facility functions separately from a hospital's inpatient surgical service and from the offices of private physicians, podiatrists, and dentists.

(c) The facility applies to be certified by the United States centers for medicare and medicaid services as an ambulatory surgical center for purposes of reimbursement under Part B of the medicare program, Part B of Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as amended medicare program.

(d) The facility applies to be certified by a national accrediting body approved by the centers for medicare and medicaid services for purposes of deemed compliance with the conditions for participating in the medicare program as an ambulatory surgical center.

(e) The facility bills or receives from any third-party payer, governmental health care program, or other person or government entity any ambulatory surgical facility fee that is billed or paid in addition to any fee for professional services.

(f) The facility is held out to any person or government entity as an ambulatory surgical facility or similar facility by means of signage, advertising, or other promotional efforts.

"Ambulatory surgical facility" does not include a hospital emergency department.

(2) "Ambulatory surgical facility fee" means a fee for certain overhead costs associated with providing surgical services in an outpatient setting. A fee is an ambulatory surgical facility fee only if it directly or indirectly pays for costs associated with any of the following:

(a) Use of operating and recovery rooms, preparation areas, and waiting rooms and lounges for patients and relatives;

(b) Administrative functions, record keeping, housekeeping, utilities, and rent;

(c) Services provided by nurses, orderlies, technical personnel, and others involved in patient care related to providing surgery.

"Ambulatory surgical facility fee" does not include any additional payment in excess of a professional fee that is provided to encourage physicians, podiatrists, and dentists to perform certain surgical procedures in their office or their group practice's office rather than a health care facility, if the purpose of the additional fee is to compensate for additional cost incurred in performing office-based surgery.

(3) "Governmental health care program" has the same meaning as in section 4731.65 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Health care facility" means any of the following:

(a) An ambulatory surgical facility;

(b) A freestanding dialysis center;

(c) A freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility;

(d) A freestanding birthing center;

(e) A freestanding radiation therapy center;

(f) A freestanding or mobile diagnostic imaging center.

(5) "Third-party payer" has the same meaning as in section 3901.38 of the Revised Code.

(B) By rule adopted in accordance with sections 3702.12 and 3702.13 of the Revised Code, the director of health shall establish quality standards for health care facilities. The standards may incorporate accreditation standards or other quality standards established by any entity recognized by the director.

(C) Every ambulatory surgical facility shall require that each physician who practices at the facility comply with all relevant provisions in the Revised Code that relate to the obtaining of informed consent from a patient.

(D) The director shall issue a license to each health care facility that makes application for a license and demonstrates to the director that it meets the quality standards established by the rules adopted under division (B) of this section and satisfies the informed consent compliance requirements specified in division (C) of this section.

(E)(1) Except as provided in section 3702.301 of the Revised Code, no health care facility shall operate without a license issued under this section.

(2) If the department of health finds that a physician who practices at a health care facility is not complying with any provision of the Revised Code related to the obtaining of informed consent from a patient, the department shall report its finding to the state medical board, the physician, and the health care facility.

(3) This division does not create, and shall not be construed as creating, a new cause of action or substantive legal right against a health care facility and in favor of a patient who allegedly sustains harm as a result of the failure of the patient's physician to obtain informed consent from the patient prior to performing a procedure on or otherwise caring for the patient in the health care facility.

(F) The rules adopted under division (B) of this section shall include all of the following:

(1) Provisions governing application for, renewal, suspension, and revocation of a license under this section;

(2) Provisions governing orders issued pursuant to section 3702.32 of the Revised Code for a health care facility to cease its operations or to prohibit certain types of services provided by a health care facility;

(3) Provisions governing the imposition under section 3702.32 of the Revised Code of civil penalties for violations of this section or the rules adopted under this section, including a scale for determining the amount of the penalties.

Sec. 3702.31.  (A) The quality monitoring and inspection fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The director of health shall use the fund to administer and enforce this section and sections 3702.11 to 3702.20, 3702.30, 3702.301, and 3702.32 of the Revised Code and rules adopted pursuant to those sections. The director shall deposit in the fund any moneys collected pursuant to this section or section 3702.32 of the Revised Code. All investment earnings of the fund shall be credited to the fund.

(B) The director of health shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing fees for both of the following:

(1) Initial and renewal license applications submitted under section 3702.30 of the Revised Code. The fees established under division (B)(1) of this section shall not exceed the actual and necessary costs of performing the activities described in division (A) of this section.

(2) Inspections conducted under section 3702.15 or 3702.30 of the Revised Code. The fees established under division (B)(2) of this section shall not exceed the actual and necessary costs incurred during an inspection, including any indirect costs incurred by the department for staff, salary, or other administrative costs. The director of health shall provide to each health care facility or provider inspected pursuant to section 3702.15 or 3702.30 of the Revised Code a written statement of the fee. The statement shall itemize and total the costs incurred. Within fifteen days after receiving a statement from the director, the facility or provider shall forward the total amount of the fee to the director.

(3) The fees described in divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section shall meet both of the following requirements:

(a) For each service described in section 3702.11 of the Revised Code, the fee shall not exceed one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars annually, except that the total fees charged to a health care provider under this section shall not exceed five thousand dollars annually.

(b) The fee shall exclude any costs reimbursable by the United States centers for medicare and medicaid services as part of the certification process for the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as amended, and the medicaid program established under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C. 1396.

(4) The director shall not establish a fee for any service for which a licensure or inspection fee is paid by the health care provider to a state agency for the same or similar licensure or inspection.

Sec. 3702.51.  As used in sections 3702.51 to 3702.62 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Applicant" means any person that submits an application for a certificate of need and who is designated in the application as the applicant.

(B) "Person" means any individual, corporation, business trust, estate, firm, partnership, association, joint stock company, insurance company, government unit, or other entity.

(C) "Certificate of need" means a written approval granted by the director of health to an applicant to authorize conducting a reviewable activity.

(D) "Health service area" means a geographic region designated by the director of health under section 3702.58 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Health service" means a clinically related service, such as a diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitative, or preventive service.

(F) "Health service agency" means an agency designated to serve a health service area in accordance with section 3702.58 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Health care facility" means:

(1) A hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) A nursing home licensed under section 3721.02 of the Revised Code, or by a political subdivision certified under section 3721.09 of the Revised Code;

(3) A county home or a county nursing home as defined in section 5155.31 of the Revised Code that is certified under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, or under the medicaid program;

(4) A freestanding dialysis center;

(5) A freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility;

(6) An ambulatory surgical facility;

(7) A freestanding cardiac catheterization facility;

(8) A freestanding birthing center;

(9) A freestanding or mobile diagnostic imaging center;

(10) A freestanding radiation therapy center.

A health care facility does not include the offices of private physicians and dentists whether for individual or group practice, residential facilities licensed under section 5123.19 of the Revised Code, or an institution for the sick that is operated exclusively for patients who use spiritual means for healing and for whom the acceptance of medical care is inconsistent with their religious beliefs, accredited by a national accrediting organization, exempt from federal income taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended, and providing twenty-four hour nursing care pursuant to the exemption in division (E) of section 4723.32 of the Revised Code from the licensing requirements of Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(H) "Medical equipment" means a single unit of medical equipment or a single system of components with related functions that is used to provide health services.

(I) "Third-party payer" means a health insuring corporation licensed under Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code, a health maintenance organization as defined in division (K) of this section, an insurance company that issues sickness and accident insurance in conformity with Chapter 3923. of the Revised Code, a state-financed health insurance program under Chapter 3701., or 4123., or 5111. of the Revised Code, the medicaid program, or any self-insurance plan.

(J) "Government unit" means the state and any county, municipal corporation, township, or other political subdivision of the state, or any department, division, board, or other agency of the state or a political subdivision.

(K) "Health maintenance organization" means a public or private organization organized under the law of any state that is qualified under section 1310(d) of Title XIII of the "Public Health Service Act," 87 Stat. 931 (1973), 42 U.S.C. 300e-9.

(L) "Existing health care facility" means either of the following:

(1) A health care facility that is licensed or otherwise authorized to operate in this state in accordance with applicable law, is staffed and equipped to provide health care services, and is actively providing health services;

(2) A health care facility that is licensed or has beds registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code as skilled nursing beds or long-term care beds and has provided services for at least three hundred sixty-five consecutive days within the twenty-four months immediately preceding the date a certificate of need application is filed with the director of health.

(M) "State" means the state of Ohio, including, but not limited to, the general assembly, the supreme court, the offices of all elected state officers, and all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, institutions, and other instrumentalities of the state of Ohio. "State" does not include political subdivisions.

(N) "Political subdivision" means a municipal corporation, township, county, school district, and all other bodies corporate and politic responsible for governmental activities only in geographic areas smaller than that of the state to which the sovereign immunity of the state attaches.

(O) "Affected person" means:

(1) An applicant for a certificate of need, including an applicant whose application was reviewed comparatively with the application in question;

(2) The person that requested the reviewability ruling in question;

(3) Any person that resides or regularly uses health care facilities within the geographic area served or to be served by the health care services that would be provided under the certificate of need or reviewability ruling in question;

(4) Any health care facility that is located in the health service area where the health care services would be provided under the certificate of need or reviewability ruling in question;

(5) Third-party payers that reimburse health care facilities for services in the health service area where the health care services would be provided under the certificate of need or reviewability ruling in question;

(6) Any other person who testified at a public hearing held under division (B) of section 3702.52 of the Revised Code or submitted written comments in the course of review of the certificate of need application in question.

(P) "Osteopathic hospital" means a hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code that advocates osteopathic principles and the practice and perpetuation of osteopathic medicine by doing any of the following:

(1) Maintaining a department or service of osteopathic medicine or a committee on the utilization of osteopathic principles and methods, under the supervision of an osteopathic physician;

(2) Maintaining an active medical staff, the majority of which is comprised of osteopathic physicians;

(3) Maintaining a medical staff executive committee that has osteopathic physicians as a majority of its members.

(Q) "Ambulatory surgical facility" has the same meaning as in section 3702.30 of the Revised Code.

(R) Except as otherwise provided in division (T) of this section, and until the termination date specified in section 3702.511 of the Revised Code, "reviewable activity" means any of the following:

(1) The addition by any person of any of the following health services, regardless of the amount of operating costs or capital expenditures:

(a) A heart, heart-lung, lung, liver, kidney, bowel, pancreas, or bone marrow transplantation service, a stem cell harvesting and reinfusion service, or a service for transplantation of any other organ unless transplantation of the organ is designated by public health council rule not to be a reviewable activity;

(b) A cardiac catheterization service;

(c) An open-heart surgery service;

(d) Any new, experimental medical technology that is designated by rule of the public health council.

(2) The acceptance of high-risk patients, as defined in rules adopted under section 3702.57 of the Revised Code, by any cardiac catheterization service that was initiated without a certificate of need pursuant to division (R)(3)(b) of the version of this section in effect immediately prior to April 20, 1995;

(3)(a) The establishment, development, or construction of a new health care facility other than a new long-term care facility or a new hospital;

(b) The establishment, development, or construction of a new hospital or the relocation of an existing hospital;

(c) The relocation of hospital beds, other than long-term care, perinatal, or pediatric intensive care beds, into or out of a rural area.

(4)(a) The replacement of an existing hospital;

(b) The replacement of an existing hospital obstetric or newborn care unit or freestanding birthing center.

(5)(a) The renovation of a hospital that involves a capital expenditure, obligated on or after June 30, 1995, of five million dollars or more, not including expenditures for equipment, staffing, or operational costs. For purposes of division (R)(5)(a) of this section, a capital expenditure is obligated:

(i) When a contract enforceable under Ohio law is entered into for the construction, acquisition, lease, or financing of a capital asset;

(ii) When the governing body of a hospital takes formal action to commit its own funds for a construction project undertaken by the hospital as its own contractor;

(iii) In the case of donated property, on the date the gift is completed under applicable Ohio law.

(b) The renovation of a hospital obstetric or newborn care unit or freestanding birthing center that involves a capital expenditure of five million dollars or more, not including expenditures for equipment, staffing, or operational costs.

(6) Any change in the health care services, bed capacity, or site, or any other failure to conduct the reviewable activity in substantial accordance with the approved application for which a certificate of need was granted, if the change is made prior to the date the activity for which the certificate was issued ceases to be a reviewable activity;

(7) Any of the following changes in perinatal bed capacity or pediatric intensive care bed capacity:

(a) An increase in bed capacity;

(b) A change in service or service-level designation of newborn care beds or obstetric beds in a hospital or freestanding birthing center, other than a change of service that is provided within the service-level designation of newborn care or obstetric beds as registered by the department of health;

(c) A relocation of perinatal or pediatric intensive care beds from one physical facility or site to another, excluding the relocation of beds within a hospital or freestanding birthing center or the relocation of beds among buildings of a hospital or freestanding birthing center at the same site.

(8) The expenditure of more than one hundred ten per cent of the maximum expenditure specified in a certificate of need;

(9) Any transfer of a certificate of need issued prior to April 20, 1995, from the person to whom it was issued to another person before the project that constitutes a reviewable activity is completed, any agreement that contemplates the transfer of a certificate of need issued prior to that date upon completion of the project, and any transfer of the controlling interest in an entity that holds a certificate of need issued prior to that date. However, the transfer of a certificate of need issued prior to that date or agreement to transfer such a certificate of need from the person to whom the certificate of need was issued to an affiliated or related person does not constitute a reviewable transfer of a certificate of need for the purposes of this division, unless the transfer results in a change in the person that holds the ultimate controlling interest in the certificate of need.

(10)(a) The acquisition by any person of any of the following medical equipment, regardless of the amount of operating costs or capital expenditure:

(i) A cobalt radiation therapy unit;

(ii) A linear accelerator;

(iii) A gamma knife unit.

(b) The acquisition by any person of medical equipment with a cost of two million dollars or more. The cost of acquiring medical equipment includes the sum of the following:

(i) The greater of its fair market value or the cost of its lease or purchase;

(ii) The cost of installation and any other activities essential to the acquisition of the equipment and its placement into service.

(11) The addition of another cardiac catheterization laboratory to an existing cardiac catheterization service.

(S) Except as provided in division (T) of this section, "reviewable activity" also means any of the following activities, none of which are subject to a termination date:

(1) The establishment, development, or construction of a new long-term care facility;

(2) The replacement of an existing long-term care facility;

(3) The renovation of a long-term care facility that involves a capital expenditure of two million dollars or more, not including expenditures for equipment, staffing, or operational costs;

(4) Any of the following changes in long-term care bed capacity:

(a) An increase in bed capacity;

(b) A relocation of beds from one physical facility or site to another, excluding the relocation of beds within a long-term care facility or among buildings of a long-term care facility at the same site;

(c) A recategorization of hospital beds registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code from another registration category to skilled nursing beds or long-term care beds.

(5) Any change in the health services, bed capacity, or site, or any other failure to conduct the reviewable activity in substantial accordance with the approved application for which a certificate of need concerning long-term care beds was granted, if the change is made within five years after the implementation of the reviewable activity for which the certificate was granted;

(6) The expenditure of more than one hundred ten per cent of the maximum expenditure specified in a certificate of need concerning long-term care beds;

(7) Any transfer of a certificate of need that concerns long-term care beds and was issued prior to April 20, 1995, from the person to whom it was issued to another person before the project that constitutes a reviewable activity is completed, any agreement that contemplates the transfer of such a certificate of need upon completion of the project, and any transfer of the controlling interest in an entity that holds such a certificate of need. However, the transfer of a certificate of need that concerns long-term care beds and was issued prior to April 20, 1995, or agreement to transfer such a certificate of need from the person to whom the certificate was issued to an affiliated or related person does not constitute a reviewable transfer of a certificate of need for purposes of this division, unless the transfer results in a change in the person that holds the ultimate controlling interest in the certificate of need.

(T) "Reviewable activity" does not include any of the following activities:

(1) Acquisition of computer hardware or software;

(2) Acquisition of a telephone system;

(3) Construction or acquisition of parking facilities;

(4) Correction of cited deficiencies that are in violation of federal, state, or local fire, building, or safety laws and rules and that constitute an imminent threat to public health or safety;

(5) Acquisition of an existing health care facility that does not involve a change in the number of the beds, by service, or in the number or type of health services;

(6) Correction of cited deficiencies identified by accreditation surveys of the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations or of the American osteopathic association;

(7) Acquisition of medical equipment to replace the same or similar equipment for which a certificate of need has been issued if the replaced equipment is removed from service;

(8) Mergers, consolidations, or other corporate reorganizations of health care facilities that do not involve a change in the number of beds, by service, or in the number or type of health services;

(9) Construction, repair, or renovation of bathroom facilities;

(10) Construction of laundry facilities, waste disposal facilities, dietary department projects, heating and air conditioning projects, administrative offices, and portions of medical office buildings used exclusively for physician services;

(11) Acquisition of medical equipment to conduct research required by the United States food and drug administration or clinical trials sponsored by the national institute of health. Use of medical equipment that was acquired without a certificate of need under division (T)(11) of this section and for which premarket approval has been granted by the United States food and drug administration to provide services for which patients or reimbursement entities will be charged shall be a reviewable activity.

(12) Removal of asbestos from a health care facility.

Only that portion of a project that meets the requirements of division (T) of this section is not a reviewable activity.

(U) "Small rural hospital" means a hospital that is located within a rural area, has fewer than one hundred beds, and to which fewer than four thousand persons were admitted during the most recent calendar year.

(V) "Children's hospital" means any of the following:

(1) A hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code that provides general pediatric medical and surgical care, and in which at least seventy-five per cent of annual inpatient discharges for the preceding two calendar years were individuals less than eighteen years of age;

(2) A distinct portion of a hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code that provides general pediatric medical and surgical care, has a total of at least one hundred fifty registered pediatric special care and pediatric acute care beds, and in which at least seventy-five per cent of annual inpatient discharges for the preceding two calendar years were individuals less than eighteen years of age;

(3) A distinct portion of a hospital, if the hospital is registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code as a children's hospital and the children's hospital meets all the requirements of division (V)(1) of this section.

(W) "Long-term care facility" means any of the following:

(1) A nursing home licensed under section 3721.02 of the Revised Code or by a political subdivision certified under section 3721.09 of the Revised Code;

(2) The portion of any facility, including a county home or county nursing home, that is certified as a skilled nursing facility or a nursing facility under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act";

(3) The portion of any hospital that contains beds registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code as skilled nursing beds or long-term care beds.

(X) "Long-term care bed" means a bed in a long-term care facility.

(Y) "Perinatal bed" means a bed in a hospital that is registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code as a newborn care bed or obstetric bed, or a bed in a freestanding birthing center.

(Z) "Freestanding birthing center" means any facility in which deliveries routinely occur, regardless of whether the facility is located on the campus of another health care facility, and which is not licensed under Chapter 3711. of the Revised Code as a level one, two, or three maternity unit or a limited maternity unit.

(AA)(1) "Reviewability ruling" means a ruling issued by the director of health under division (A) of section 3702.52 of the Revised Code as to whether a particular proposed project is or is not a reviewable activity.

(2) "Nonreviewability ruling" means a ruling issued under that division that a particular proposed project is not a reviewable activity.

(BB)(1) "Metropolitan statistical area" means an area of this state designated a metropolitan statistical area or primary metropolitan statistical area in United States office of management and budget bulletin No. no. 93-17, June 30, 1993, and its attachments.

(2) "Rural area" means any area of this state not located within a metropolitan statistical area.

Sec. 3702.522.  (A) Reviews of applications for certificates of need to recategorize hospital beds to skilled nursing beds shall be conducted in accordance with this division and rules adopted by the public health council.

(1) No hospital recategorizing beds shall apply for a certificate of need for more than twenty skilled nursing beds.

(2) No beds for which a certificate of need is requested under this division shall be reviewed under or counted in any formula developed under public health council rules for the purpose of determining the number of long-term care beds that may be needed within the state.

(3) No beds shall be approved under this division unless the hospital certifies and demonstrates in the application that the beds will be dedicated to patients with a length of stay of no more than thirty days.

(4) No beds shall be approved under this division unless the hospital can satisfactorily demonstrate in the application that it is routinely unable to place the patients planned for the beds in accessible skilled nursing facilities.

(5) In developing rules to implement this division, the public health council shall give special attention to the required documentation of the need for such beds, including the efforts made by the hospital to place patients in suitable skilled nursing facilities, and special attention to the appropriate size of units with such beds given the historical pattern of the applicant hospital's documented difficulty in placing skilled nursing patients.

(B) To assist the director of health in monitoring the use of hospital beds recategorized as skilled nursing beds after August 5, 1989, the public health council shall adopt rules specifying appropriate quarterly procedures for reporting to the department of health.

(C) A patient may stay in a hospital bed that, after August 5, 1989, has been recategorized as a skilled nursing bed for more than thirty days if the hospital is able to demonstrate that it made a good faith effort to place the patient in an accessible skilled nursing facility acceptable to the patient within the thirty-day period, but was unable to do so.

(D) No hospital bed recategorized after August 5, 1989, as a skilled nursing bed shall be covered by a provider agreement under the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(E) Nothing in this section requires a hospital to place a patient in any nursing home if the patient does not wish to be placed in the nursing home. Nothing in this section limits the ability of a hospital to file a certificate of need application for the addition of long-term care beds that meet the definition of "home" in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code. Nothing in this section limits the ability of the director to grant certificates of need necessary for hospitals to engage in demonstration projects authorized by the federal government for the purpose of enhancing long-term quality of care and cost containment. Nothing in this section limits the ability of hospitals to develop swing bed programs in accordance with federal regulations.

No hospital that is granted a certificate of need after August 5, 1989, to recategorize hospital beds as skilled nursing beds is subject to sections 3721.01 to 3721.09 of the Revised Code. If the portion of the hospital in which the recategorized beds are located is certified as a skilled nursing facility under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, that portion of the hospital is subject to sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 and sections 3721.21 to 3721.34 of the Revised Code. If the beds are registered pursuant to section 3701.07 of the Revised Code as long-term care beds, the beds are subject to sections 3721.50 5166.20 to 3721.58 5166.30 of the Revised Code.

(F) The public health council shall adopt rules authorizing the creation of one or more nursing home placement clearinghouses. Any public or private agency or facility may apply to the department of health to serve as a nursing home placement clearinghouse, and the rules shall provide the procedure for application and process for designation of clearinghouses.

The department may approve one or more clearinghouses, but in no event shall there be more than one nursing home placement clearinghouse in each county. Any nursing home may list with a nursing home placement clearinghouse the services it provides and the types of patients it is approved for and equipped to serve. The clearinghouse shall make reasonable efforts to update its information at least every six months.

If an appropriate clearinghouse has been designated, each hospital granted a certificate of need after August 5, 1989, to recategorize hospital beds as skilled nursing beds shall, and any other hospital may, utilize the nursing home placement clearinghouse prior to admitting a patient to a skilled nursing bed within the hospital and prior to keeping a patient in a skilled nursing bed within a hospital in excess of thirty days.

The department shall provide at least annually to all hospitals a list of the designated nursing home placement clearinghouses.

Sec. 3702.62.  (A) Any action pursuant to section 140.03, 140.04, 140.05, 307.091, 313.21, 339.01, 339.021, 339.03, 339.06, 339.08, 339.09, 339.12, 339.14, 513.05, 513.07, 513.08, 513.081, 513.12, 513.15, 513.17, 513.171, 749.02, 749.03, 749.14, 749.16, 749.20, 749.25, 749.28, 749.35, 1751.06, or 3707.29 of the Revised Code shall be taken in accordance with sections 3702.51 to 3702.61 of the Revised Code.

(B) A nursing home certified as an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicaid program, that is required to apply for licensure as a residential facility under section 5123.19 of the Revised Code is not, with respect to the portion of the home certified as an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, subject to sections 3702.51 to 3702.61 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3702.63.  As specified in former Section 11 of Am. Sub. S.B. 50 of the 121st general assembly, as amended by Am. Sub. H.B. 405 of the 124th general assembly, all of the following apply:

(A) The removal of former divisions (E) and (F) of section 3702.52 of the Revised Code by Sections 1 and 2 of Am. Sub. S.B. 50 of the 121st general assembly does not release the holders of certificates of need issued under those divisions from complying with any conditions on which the granting of the certificates of need was based, including the requirement of former division (E)(6) of that section that the holders not enter into medicaid provider agreements under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, for at least ten years following initial licensure of the long-term care facilities for which the certificates were granted.

(B) The repeal of section 3702.55 of the Revised Code by Section 2 of Am. Sub. S.B. 50 of the 121st general assembly does not release the holders of certificates of need issued under that section from complying with any conditions on which the granting of the certificates of need was based, other than the requirement of division (A)(6) of that section that the holders not seek certification under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act" medicare program for beds recategorized under the certificates. That repeal also does not eliminate the requirement that the director of health revoke the licensure of the beds under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code if a person to which their ownership is transferred fails, as required by division (A)(6) of the repealed section, to file within ten days after the transfer a sworn statement not to seek certification under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act" the medicaid program for beds recategorized under the certificates of need.

(C) The repeal of section 3702.56 of the Revised Code by Section 2 of Am. Sub. S.B. 50 of the 121st general assembly does not release the holders of certificates of need issued under that section from complying with any conditions on which the granting of the certificates of need was based.

Sec. 3702.74.  (A) A primary care physician who has signed a letter of intent under section 3702.73 of the Revised Code, the director of health, and the Ohio board of regents may enter into a contract for the physician's participation in the physician loan repayment program. A lending institution may also be a party to the contract.

(B) The contract shall include all of the following obligations:

(1) The primary care physician agrees to provide primary care services in the health resource shortage area identified in the letter of intent for at least two years or one year per twenty thousand dollars of repayment agreed to under division (B)(3) of this section, whichever is greater;

(2) When providing primary care services in the health resource shortage area, the primary care physician agrees to do all of the following:

(a) Provide primary care services for a minimum of forty hours per week;

(b) Provide primary care services without regard to a patient's ability to pay;

(c) Meet the conditions prescribed by the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, and the department of job and family services for participation in the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and enter into a contract with the department of health care administration to provide primary care services to medicaid recipients of the medical assistance program;

(d) Meet the conditions established by the department of job and family services for participation in the disability medical assistance program established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code and enter into a contract with the department to provide primary care services to recipients of disability medical assistance.

(3) The Ohio board of regents agrees, as provided in section 3702.75 of the Revised Code, to repay, so long as the primary care physician performs the service obligation agreed to under division (B)(1) of this section, all or part of the principal and interest of a government or other educational loan taken by the primary care physician for expenses described in section 3702.75 of the Revised Code;

(4) The primary care physician agrees to pay the board the following as damages if the physician fails to complete the service obligation agreed to under division (B)(1) of this section:

(a) If the failure occurs during the first two years of the service obligation, three times the total amount the board has agreed to repay under division (B)(3) of this section;

(b) If the failure occurs after the first two years of the service obligation, three times the amount the board is still obligated to repay under division (B)(3) of this section.

(C) The contract may include any other terms agreed upon by the parties, including an assignment to the Ohio board of regents of the physician's duty to pay the principal and interest of a government or other educational loan taken by the physician for expenses described in section 3702.75 of the Revised Code. If the board assumes the physician's duty to pay a loan, the contract shall set forth the total amount of principal and interest to be paid, an amortization schedule, and the amount of each payment to be made under the schedule.

Sec. 3702.91.  (A) An individual who has signed a letter of intent under section 3702.90 of the Revised Code may enter into a contract with the director of health and the Ohio board of regents for participation in the dentist loan repayment program. A lending institution may also be a party to the contract.

(B) The contract shall include all of the following obligations:

(1) The individual agrees to provide dental services in the dental health resource shortage area identified in the letter of intent for at least one year.

(2) When providing dental services in the dental health resource shortage area, the individual agrees to do all of the following:

(a) Provide dental services for a minimum of forty hours per week;

(b) Provide dental services without regard to a patient's ability to pay;

(c) Meet the conditions prescribed by the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, and the department of job and family services for participation in the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and enter into a contract with the department of health care administration to provide dental services to medicaid recipients.

(3) The Ohio board of regents agrees, as provided in section 3702.85 of the Revised Code, to repay, so long as the individual performs the service obligation agreed to under division (B)(1) of this section, all or part of the principal and interest of a government or other educational loan taken by the individual for expenses described in section 3702.85 of the Revised Code up to but not exceeding twenty thousand dollars per year of service.

(4) The individual agrees to pay the board the following as damages if the individual fails to complete the service obligation agreed to under division (B)(1) of this section:

(a) If the failure occurs during the first two years of the service obligation, three times the total amount the board has agreed to repay under division (B)(3) of this section;

(b) If the failure occurs after the first two years of the service obligation, three times the amount the board is still obligated to repay under division (B)(3) of this section.

(C) The contract may include any other terms agreed upon by the parties, including an assignment to the Ohio board of regents of the individual's duty to pay the principal and interest of a government or other educational loan taken by the individual for expenses described in section 3702.85 of the Revised Code. If the board assumes the individual's duty to pay a loan, the contract shall set forth the total amount of principal and interest to be paid, an amortization schedule, and the amount of each payment to be made under the schedule.

(D) Not later than the thirty-first day of January of each year, the Ohio board of regents shall mail to each individual to whom or on whose behalf repayment is made under the dentist loan repayment program a statement showing the amount of principal and interest repaid by the board pursuant to the contract in the preceding year. The statement shall be sent by ordinary mail with address correction and forwarding requested in the manner prescribed by the United States postal service.

Sec. 3712.07.  (A) As used in this section, "terminal care facility for the homeless" means a facility that provides accommodations to homeless individuals who are terminally ill.

(B) A person or public agency licensed under this chapter to provide a hospice care program may enter into an agreement with a terminal care facility for the homeless under which hospice care program services may be provided to individuals residing at the facility, if all of the following apply:

(1) Each resident of the facility has been diagnosed by a physician as having a terminal condition and an anticipated life expectancy of six months or less;

(2) No resident of the facility has a relative or other person willing or capable of providing the care necessary to cope with his the resident's terminal illness or is financially capable of hiring a person to provide such care;

(3) Each resident of the facility is under the direct care of a physician;

(4) No resident of the facility requires the staff of the facility to administer medication by injection;

(5) The facility does not receive any remuneration, directly or indirectly, from the residents;

(6) The facility does not receive any remuneration, directly or indirectly, from the medical assistance medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code or the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended;

(7) The facility meets all applicable state and federal health and safety standards, including standards for fire prevention, maintenance of safe and sanitary conditions, and proper preparation and storage of foods.

(C) Hospice care program services may be provided at a terminal care facility for the homeless only by the personnel of the person or public agency that has entered into an agreement with the facility under this section.

(D) A terminal care facility for the homeless that has entered into an agreement under this section may assist its residents with the self-administration of medication if the medication has been prescribed by a physician and is not administered by injection. In the event that a resident has entered the final stages of dying and is no longer mentally alert, the facility may administer medication to that resident if the medication has been prescribed by a physician and is not administered by injection. Determinations of whether an individual has entered the final stages of dying and is no longer mentally alert shall be based on directions from the personnel who provide hospice care program services at the facility.

Sec. 3712.09.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for employment with a hospice care program in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing direct care to an older adult. "Applicant" does not include a person who provides direct care as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(2) "Criminal records check" and "older adult" have the same meanings as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, the chief administrator of a hospice care program shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check with respect to each applicant. If an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check of the applicant. Even if an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the chief administrator may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) A person required by division (B)(1) of this section to request a criminal records check shall do both of the following:

(a) Provide to each applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under that division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard fingerprint impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, and obtain the completed form and impression sheet from the applicant;

(b) Forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(3) An applicant provided the form and fingerprint impression sheet under division (B)(2)(a) of this section who fails to complete the form or provide fingerprint impressions shall not be employed in any position for which a criminal records check is required by this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in rules adopted by the public health council in accordance with division (F) of this section and subject to division (C)(2) of this section, no hospice care program shall employ a person in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult if the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code.

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (C)(1)(a) of this section.

(2)(a) A hospice care program may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under division (B) of this section prior to obtaining the results of a criminal records check regarding the individual, provided that the program shall request a criminal records check regarding the individual in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section not later than five business days after the individual begins conditional employment. In the circumstances described in division (I)(2) of this section, a hospice care program may employ conditionally an applicant who has been referred to the hospice care program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and for whom, pursuant to that division, a criminal records check is not required under division (B) of this section.

(b) A hospice care program that employs an individual conditionally under authority of division (C)(2)(a) of this section shall terminate the individual's employment if the results of the criminal records check requested under division (B) of this section or described in division (I)(2) of this section, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending thirty days after the date the request is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the results indicate that the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, the program shall terminate the individual's employment unless the program chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the individual makes any attempt to deceive the program about the individual's criminal record.

(D)(1) Each hospice care program shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under division (B) of this section.

(2) A hospice care program may charge an applicant a fee not exceeding the amount the program pays under division (D)(1) of this section. A program may collect a fee only if both of the following apply:

(a) The program notifies the person at the time of initial application for employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the person will not be considered for employment;

(b) The medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code does not reimburse the program the fee it pays under division (D)(1) of this section.

(E) The report of a criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under this section is not a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person other than the following:

(1) The individual who is the subject of the criminal records check or the individual's representative;

(2) The chief administrator of the program requesting the criminal records check or the administrator's representative;

(3) The administrator of any other facility, agency, or program that provides direct care to older adults that is owned or operated by the same entity that owns or operates the hospice care program;

(4) A court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with a denial of employment of the applicant or dealing with employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant;

(5) Any person to whom the report is provided pursuant to, and in accordance with, division (I)(1) or (2) of this section.

(F) The public health council shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section. The rules shall specify circumstances under which a hospice care program may employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section but meets personal character standards set by the council.

(G) The chief administrator of a hospice care program shall inform each individual, at the time of initial application for a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult, that the individual is required to provide a set of fingerprint impressions and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted if the individual comes under final consideration for employment.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an individual who a hospice care program employs in a position that involves providing direct care to older adults, all of the following shall apply:

(1) If the program employed the individual in good faith and reasonable reliance on the report of a criminal records check requested under this section, the program shall not be found negligent solely because of its reliance on the report, even if the information in the report is determined later to have been incomplete or inaccurate;

(2) If the program employed the individual in good faith on a conditional basis pursuant to division (C)(2) of this section, the program shall not be found negligent solely because it employed the individual prior to receiving the report of a criminal records check requested under this section;

(3) If the program in good faith employed the individual according to the personal character standards established in rules adopted under division (F) of this section, the program shall not be found negligent solely because the individual prior to being employed had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section.

(I)(1) The chief administrator of a hospice care program is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant if the applicant has been referred to the program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and both of the following apply:

(a) The chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a report of the results of a criminal records check regarding the applicant that has been conducted by the superintendent within the one-year period immediately preceding the applicant's referral;

(b) The report of the criminal records check demonstrates that the person has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, or the report demonstrates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more of those offenses, but the hospice care program chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) The chief administrator of a hospice care program is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant and may employ the applicant conditionally as described in this division, if the applicant has been referred to the program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and if the chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a letter from the employment service that is on the letterhead of the employment service, dated, and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service and that states that the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant, that the requested criminal records check will include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, that, as of the date set forth on the letter, the employment service had not received the results of the criminal records check, and that, when the employment service receives the results of the criminal records check, it promptly will send a copy of the results to the hospice care program. If a hospice care program employs an applicant conditionally in accordance with this division, the employment service, upon its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the hospice care program, and division (C)(2)(b) of this section applies regarding the conditional employment.

Sec. 3721.01.  (A) As used in sections 3721.01 to 3721.09 and 3721.99 of the Revised Code:

(1)(a) "Home" means an institution, residence, or facility that provides, for a period of more than twenty-four hours, whether for a consideration or not, accommodations to three or more unrelated individuals who are dependent upon the services of others, including a nursing home, residential care facility, home for the aging, and a veterans' home operated under Chapter 5907. of the Revised Code.

(b) "Home" also means both of the following:

(i) Any facility that a person, as defined in section 3702.51 of the Revised Code, proposes for certification as a skilled nursing facility or nursing facility under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program, or as a nursing facility under the medicaid program and for which a certificate of need, other than a certificate to recategorize hospital beds as described in section 3702.522 of the Revised Code or division (R)(7)(d) of the version of section 3702.51 of the Revised Code in effect immediately prior to April 20, 1995, has been granted to the person under sections 3702.51 to 3702.62 of the Revised Code after August 5, 1989;

(ii) A county home or district home that is or has been licensed as a residential care facility.

(c) "Home" does not mean any of the following:

(i) Except as provided in division (A)(1)(b) of this section, a public hospital or hospital as defined in section 3701.01 or 5122.01 of the Revised Code;

(ii) A residential facility for mentally ill persons as defined under section 5119.22 of the Revised Code;

(iii) A residential facility as defined in section 5123.19 of the Revised Code;

(iv) A community alternative home as defined in section 3724.01 of the Revised Code;

(v) An adult care facility as defined in section 3722.01 of the Revised Code;

(vi) An alcohol or drug addiction program as defined in section 3793.01 of the Revised Code;

(vii) A facility licensed to provide methadone treatment under section 3793.11 of the Revised Code;

(viii) A facility providing services under contract with the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities under section 5123.18 of the Revised Code;

(ix) A facility operated by a hospice care program licensed under section 3712.04 of the Revised Code that is used exclusively for care of hospice patients;

(x) A facility, infirmary, or other entity that is operated by a religious order, provides care exclusively to members of religious orders who take vows of celibacy and live by virtue of their vows within the orders as if related, and does not participate in the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act" or the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," if on January 1, 1994, the facility, infirmary, or entity was providing care exclusively to members of the religious order;

(xi) A county home or district home that has never been licensed as a residential care facility.

(2) "Unrelated individual" means one who is not related to the owner or operator of a home or to the spouse of the owner or operator as a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, or as the child of an aunt or uncle.

(3) "Mental impairment" does not mean mental illness as defined in section 5122.01 of the Revised Code or mental retardation as defined in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Skilled nursing care" means procedures that require technical skills and knowledge beyond those the untrained person possesses and that are commonly employed in providing for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the ill or otherwise incapacitated. "Skilled nursing care" includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Irrigations, catheterizations, application of dressings, and supervision of special diets;

(b) Objective observation of changes in the patient's condition as a means of analyzing and determining the nursing care required and the need for further medical diagnosis and treatment;

(c) Special procedures contributing to rehabilitation;

(d) Administration of medication by any method ordered by a physician, such as hypodermically, rectally, or orally, including observation of the patient after receipt of the medication;

(e) Carrying out other treatments prescribed by the physician that involve a similar level of complexity and skill in administration.

(5)(a) "Personal care services" means services including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Assisting residents with activities of daily living;

(ii) Assisting residents with self-administration of medication, in accordance with rules adopted under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code;

(iii) Preparing special diets, other than complex therapeutic diets, for residents pursuant to the instructions of a physician or a licensed dietitian, in accordance with rules adopted under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code.

(b) "Personal care services" does not include "skilled nursing care" as defined in division (A)(4) of this section. A facility need not provide more than one of the services listed in division (A)(5)(a) of this section to be considered to be providing personal care services.

(6) "Nursing home" means a home used for the reception and care of individuals who by reason of illness or physical or mental impairment require skilled nursing care and of individuals who require personal care services but not skilled nursing care. A nursing home is licensed to provide personal care services and skilled nursing care.

(7) "Residential care facility" means a home that provides either of the following:

(a) Accommodations for seventeen or more unrelated individuals and supervision and personal care services for three or more of those individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment;

(b) Accommodations for three or more unrelated individuals, supervision and personal care services for at least three of those individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of age or physical or mental impairment, and, to at least one of those individuals, any of the skilled nursing care authorized by section 3721.011 of the Revised Code.

(8) "Home for the aging" means a home that provides services as a residential care facility and a nursing home, except that the home provides its services only to individuals who are dependent on the services of others by reason of both age and physical or mental impairment.

The part or unit of a home for the aging that provides services only as a residential care facility is licensed as a residential care facility. The part or unit that may provide skilled nursing care beyond the extent authorized by section 3721.011 of the Revised Code is licensed as a nursing home.

(9) "County home" and "district home" mean a county home or district home operated under Chapter 5155. of the Revised Code.

(B) The public health council may further classify homes. For the purposes of this chapter, any residence, institution, hotel, congregate housing project, or similar facility that meets the definition of a home under this section is such a home regardless of how the facility holds itself out to the public.

(C) For purposes of this chapter, personal care services or skilled nursing care shall be considered to be provided by a facility if they are provided by a person employed by or associated with the facility or by another person pursuant to an agreement to which neither the resident who receives the services nor the resident's sponsor is a party.

(D) Nothing in division (A)(4) of this section shall be construed to permit skilled nursing care to be imposed on an individual who does not require skilled nursing care.

Nothing in division (A)(5) of this section shall be construed to permit personal care services to be imposed on an individual who is capable of performing the activity in question without assistance.

(E) Division (A)(1)(c)(x) of this section does not prohibit a facility, infirmary, or other entity described in that division from seeking licensure under sections 3721.01 to 3721.09 of the Revised Code or certification under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act." However, such a facility, infirmary, or entity that applies for licensure or certification must meet the requirements of those sections or titles and the rules adopted under them and obtain a certificate of need from the director of health under section 3702.52 of the Revised Code.

(F) Nothing in this chapter, or rules adopted pursuant to it, shall be construed as authorizing the supervision, regulation, or control of the spiritual care or treatment of residents or patients in any home who rely upon treatment by prayer or spiritual means in accordance with the creed or tenets of any recognized church or religious denomination.

Sec. 3721.011.  (A) In addition to providing accommodations, supervision, and personal care services to its residents, a residential care facility may provide skilled nursing care to its residents as follows:

(1) Supervision of special diets;

(2) Application of dressings, in accordance with rules adopted under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code;

(3) Subject to division (B)(1) of this section, administration of medication;

(4) Subject to division (C) of this section, other skilled nursing care provided on a part-time, intermittent basis for not more than a total of one hundred twenty days in a twelve-month period;

(5) Subject to division (D) of this section, skilled nursing care provided for more than one hundred twenty days in a twelve-month period to a hospice patient, as defined in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code.

A residential care facility may not admit or retain an individual requiring skilled nursing care that is not authorized by this section. A residential care facility may not provide skilled nursing care beyond the limits established by this section.

(B)(1) A residential care facility may admit or retain an individual requiring medication, including biologicals, only if the individual's personal physician has determined in writing that the individual is capable of self-administering the medication or the facility provides for the medication to be administered to the individual by a home health agency certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 620 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as amended medicare program; a hospice care program licensed under Chapter 3712. of the Revised Code; or a member of the staff of the residential care facility who is qualified to perform medication administration. Medication may be administered in a residential care facility only by the following persons authorized by law to administer medication:

(a) A registered nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;

(b) A licensed practical nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code who holds proof of successful completion of a course in medication administration approved by the board of nursing and who administers the medication only at the direction of a registered nurse or a physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;

(c) A medication aide certified under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;

(d) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(2) In assisting a resident with self-administration of medication, any member of the staff of a residential care facility may do the following:

(a) Remind a resident when to take medication and watch to ensure that the resident follows the directions on the container;

(b) Assist a resident by taking the medication from the locked area where it is stored, in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to section 3721.04 of the Revised Code, and handing it to the resident. If the resident is physically unable to open the container, a staff member may open the container for the resident.

(c) Assist a physically impaired but mentally alert resident, such as a resident with arthritis, cerebral palsy, or Parkinson's disease, in removing oral or topical medication from containers and in consuming or applying the medication, upon request by or with the consent of the resident. If a resident is physically unable to place a dose of medicine to the resident's mouth without spilling it, a staff member may place the dose in a container and place the container to the mouth of the resident.

(C) A residential care facility may admit or retain individuals who require skilled nursing care beyond the supervision of special diets, application of dressings, or administration of medication, only if the care will be provided on a part-time, intermittent basis for not more than a total of one hundred twenty days in any twelve-month period. In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the public health council shall adopt rules specifying what constitutes the need for skilled nursing care on a part-time, intermittent basis. The council shall adopt rules that are consistent with rules pertaining to home health care adopted by the director of job and family services health care administration for the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code. Skilled nursing care provided pursuant to this division may be provided by a home health agency certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," medicare program, a hospice care program licensed under Chapter 3712. of the Revised Code, or a member of the staff of a residential care facility who is qualified to perform skilled nursing care.

A residential care facility that provides skilled nursing care pursuant to this division shall do both of the following:

(1) Evaluate each resident receiving the skilled nursing care at least once every seven days to determine whether the resident should be transferred to a nursing home;

(2) Meet the skilled nursing care needs of each resident receiving the care.

(D) A residential care facility may admit or retain a hospice patient who requires skilled nursing care for more than one hundred twenty days in any twelve-month period only if the facility has entered into a written agreement with a hospice care program licensed under Chapter 3712. of the Revised Code. The agreement between the residential care facility and hospice program shall include all of the following provisions:

(1) That the hospice patient will be provided skilled nursing care in the facility only if a determination has been made that the patient's needs can be met at the facility;

(2) That the hospice patient will be retained in the facility only if periodic redeterminations are made that the patient's needs are being met at the facility;

(3) That the redeterminations will be made according to a schedule specified in the agreement;

(4) That the hospice patient has been given an opportunity to choose the hospice care program that best meets the patient's needs.

(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a residential care facility in which residents receive skilled nursing care pursuant to this section is not a nursing home.

Sec. 3721.021.  Every person who operates a home, as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code, and each county home and district home licensed as a residential care facility shall have available in the home for review by prospective patients and residents, their guardians, or other persons assisting in their placement, each inspection report completed pursuant to section 3721.02 of the Revised Code and each statement of deficiencies and plan of correction completed and made available to the public under Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program and medicaid program, and any rules promulgated under Titles XVIII and XIX those programs, including such reports that result from life safety code and health inspections during the preceding three years, and shall post prominently within the home a notice of this requirement.

Sec. 3721.022.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Deficiency" and "survey" have the same meanings as in section 5111.35 5164.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of health is hereby designated the state agency responsible for establishing and maintaining health standards and serving as the state survey agency for the purposes of Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended the medicare and medicaid programs. The department shall carry out these functions in accordance with the regulations, guidelines, and procedures issued under Titles XVIII and XIX for the medicare and medicaid programs by the United States secretary of health and human services and with sections 5111.35 5164.50 to 5111.62 5164.78 of the Revised Code. The director of health shall enter into agreements with regard to these functions with the department of job and family services health care administration and the United States department of health and human services. The director may also enter into agreements with the department of job and family services health care administration under which the department of health is designated to perform functions under sections 5111.35 5164.50 to 5111.62 5164.78 of the Revised Code.

The director, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules necessary to implement the survey and certification requirements for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities established by the United States secretary of health and human services under Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act," for the medicare and medicaid programs and the survey requirements established under sections 5111.35 5164.50 to 5111.62 5164.78 of the Revised Code. The rules shall include an informal process by which a facility may obtain a review of deficiencies that have been cited on a statement of deficiencies made by the department of health under section 5111.42 5164.58 of the Revised Code. The review shall be conducted by an employee of the department who did not participate in and was not otherwise involved in any way with the survey. If the employee conducting the review determines that any deficiency citation is unjustified, that determination shall be reflected clearly in all records relating to the survey.

The director need not adopt as rules any of the regulations, guidelines, or procedures issued under Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act" for the medicare or medicaid programs by the United States secretary of health and human services.

Sec. 3721.024.  As used in this section, "nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

The department of health may establish a program of recognition of nursing facilities that provide the highest quality care to residents who are medicaid recipients of medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code. The program may be funded with public funds appropriated by the general assembly for the purpose of the program or any funds appropriated for nursing home licensure.

Sec. 3721.026.  (A) As used in this section and section 3721.027 of the Revised Code, "nursing facility" and "survey" have the same meanings as in section 5111.35 5164.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of health shall establish a unit within the department of health to provide advice and technical assistance and to conduct on-site visits to nursing facilities for the purpose of improving resident outcomes. The director shall assign to the unit employees who have training or experience in conducting or supervising surveys, but employees assigned to the unit shall not conduct surveys. The director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section and shall consult with interested parties in developing the rules. Technical assistance reports are not public records under section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be distributed to any person outside the unit except:

(1) The nursing facility that is provided with the technical assistance;

(2) Persons charged with inspecting nursing facilities under section 3721.02 of the Revised Code or with conducting surveys or reviews of nursing facilities under section 3721.022 of the Revised Code whenever any such person finds that there is serious harm to resident health or safety that is more than isolated at the nursing facility.

The provisions of this section and rules adopted under this section do not affect the department's authority to administer and enforce other sections of this chapter.

(C) On or before the last day of December each year, the director shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly describing the unit's activities that year and its effectiveness in improving resident outcomes.

Sec. 3721.071.  The buildings in which a home is housed shall be equipped with both an automatic fire extinguishing system and fire alarm system. Such systems shall conform to standards set forth in the regulations of the board of building standards and the state fire marshal.

The time for compliance with the requirements imposed by this section shall be January 1, 1975, except that the date for compliance with the automatic fire extinguishing requirements is extended to January 1, 1976, provided the buildings of the home are otherwise in compliance with fire safety laws and regulations and:

(A) The home within thirty days after August 4, 1975, files a written plan with the state fire marshal's office that:

(1) Outlines the interim safety procedures which shall be carried out to reduce the possibility of a fire;

(2) Provides evidence that the home has entered into an agreement for a fire safety inspection to be conducted not less than monthly by a qualified independent safety engineer consultant or a township, municipal, or other legally constituted fire department, or by a township or municipal fire prevention officer;

(3) Provides verification that the home has entered into a valid contract for the installation of an automatic fire extinguishing system or fire alarm system, or both, as required to comply with this section;

(4) Includes a statement regarding the expected date for the completion of the fire extinguishing system or fire alarm system, or both.

(B) Inspections by a qualified independent safety engineer consultant or a township, municipal, or other legally constituted fire department, or by a township or municipal fire prevention officer are initiated no later than sixty days after August 4, 1975, and are conducted no less than monthly thereafter, and reports of the consultant, fire department, or fire prevention officer identifying existing hazards and recommended corrective actions are submitted to the state fire marshal, the division of industrial compliance in the department of commerce, and the department of health.

It is the express intent of the general assembly that the department of job and family services health care administration shall terminate medicaid payments under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, to those homes which do not comply with the requirements of this section for the submission of a written fire safety plan and the deadline for entering into contracts for the installation of systems.

Sec. 3721.08.  (A) As used in this section, "real and present danger" means imminent danger of serious physical or life-threatening harm to one or more occupants of a home.

(B) The director of health may petition the court of common pleas of the county in which the home is located for an order enjoining any person from operating a home without a license or enjoining a county home or district home that has had its license revoked from continuing to operate. The court shall have jurisdiction to grant such injunctive relief upon a showing that the respondent named in the petition is operating a home without a license or that the county home or district home named in the petition is operating despite the revocation of its license. The court shall have jurisdiction to grant such injunctive relief against the operation of a home without a valid license regardless of whether the home meets essential licensing requirements.

(C) Unless the department of job and family services health care administration or contracting agency has taken action under section 5111.51 5164.67 of the Revised Code to appoint a temporary manager or seek injunctive relief, if, in the judgment of the director of health, real and present danger exists at any home, the director may petition the court of common pleas of the county in which the home is located for such injunctive relief as is necessary to close the home, transfer one or more occupants to other homes or other appropriate care settings, or otherwise eliminate the real and present danger. The court shall have the jurisdiction to grant such injunctive relief upon a showing that there is real and present danger.

(D)(1) If the director determines that real and present danger exists at a home and elects not to immediately seek injunctive relief under division (C) of this section, the director may give written notice of proposed action to the home. The notice shall specify all of the following:

(a) The nature of the conditions giving rise to the real and present danger;

(b) The measures that the director determines the home must take to respond to the conditions;

(c) The date on which the director intends to seek injunctive relief under division (C) of this section if the director determines that real and present danger exists at the home.

(2) If the home notifies the director, within the time specified pursuant to division (D)(1)(c) of this section, that it believes the conditions giving rise to the real and present danger have been substantially corrected, the director shall conduct an inspection to determine whether real and present danger exists. If the director determines on the basis of the inspection that real and present danger exists, the director may petition under division (C) of this section for injunctive relief.

(E)(1) If in the judgment of the director of health conditions exist at a home that will give rise to real and present danger if not corrected, the director shall give written notice of proposed action to the home. The notice shall specify all of the following:

(a) The nature of the conditions giving rise to the director's judgment;

(b) The measures that the director determines the home must take to respond to the conditions;

(c) The date, which shall be no less than ten days after the notice is delivered, on which the director intends to seek injunctive relief under division (C) of this section if the conditions are not substantially corrected and the director determines that a real and present danger exists.

(2) If the home notifies the director, within the period of time specified pursuant to division (E)(1)(c) of this section, that the conditions giving rise to the director's determination have been substantially corrected, the director shall conduct an inspection. If the director determines on the basis of the inspection that the conditions have not been corrected and a real and present danger exists, the director may petition under division (C) of this section for injunctive relief.

(F)(1) A court that grants injunctive relief under division (C) of this section may also appoint a special master who, subject to division (F)(2) of this section, shall have such powers and authority over the home and length of appointment as the court considers necessary. Subject to division (F)(2) of this section, the salary of a special master and any costs incurred by a special master shall be the obligation of the home.

(2) No special master shall enter into any employment contract on behalf of a home, or purchase with the home's funds any capital goods totaling more than ten thousand dollars, unless the special master has obtained approval for the contract or purchase from the home's operator or the court.

(G) If the director takes action under division (C), (D), or (E) of this section, the director may also appoint employees of the department of health to conduct on-site monitoring of the home. Appointment of monitors is not subject to appeal under Chapter 119. or any other section of the Revised Code. No employee of a home for which monitors are appointed, no person employed by the home within the previous two years, and no person who currently has a consulting contract with the department or a home, shall be appointed under this division. Every monitor shall have the professional qualifications necessary to monitor correction of the conditions that give rise to or, in the director's judgment, will give rise to real and present danger. The number of monitors present at a home at any given time shall not exceed one for every fifty residents, or fraction thereof.

(H) On finding that the real and present danger for which injunctive relief was granted under division (C) of this section has been eliminated and that the home's operator has demonstrated the capacity to prevent the real and present danger from recurring, the court shall terminate its jurisdiction over the home and return control and management of the home to the operator. If the real and present danger cannot be eliminated practicably within a reasonable time following appointment of a special master, the court may order the special master to close the home and transfer all residents to other homes or other appropriate care settings.

(I) The director of health shall give notice of proposed action under divisions (D) and (E) of this section to both of the following:

(1) The home's administrator;

(2) If the home is operated by an organization described in subsection 501(c)(3) and tax exempt under subsection 501(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended, the board of trustees of the organization; or, if the home is not operated by such an organization, the owner of the home.

Notices shall be delivered by certified mail or hand delivery. If notices are mailed, they shall be addressed to the persons specified in divisions (I)(1) and (2) of this section, as indicated in the department of health's records. If they are hand delivered, they shall be delivered to persons who would reasonably appear to the average prudent person to have authority to accept them.

(J) If ownership of a home is assigned or transferred to a different person, the new owner is responsible and liable for compliance with any notice of proposed action or order issued under this section prior to the effective date of the assignment or transfer.

Sec. 3721.10.  As used in sections 3721.10 to 3721.18 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Home" means all of the following:

(1) A home as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any facility or part of a facility not defined as a home under section 3721.01 of the Revised Code that is certified as a skilled nursing facility under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C.A. 1395 and 1396, as amended, for the medicare program or as a nursing facility as defined in section 5111.20 of the Revised Code for the medicaid program;

(3) A county home or district home operated pursuant to Chapter 5155. of the Revised Code.

(B) "Resident" means a resident or a patient of a home.

(C) "Administrator" means all of the following:

(1) With respect to a home as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code, a nursing home administrator as defined in section 4751.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) With respect to a facility or part of a facility not defined as a home in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code that is authorized to provide skilled nursing facility or nursing facility services, the administrator of the facility or part of a facility;

(3) With respect to a county home or district home, the superintendent appointed under Chapter 5155. of the Revised Code.

(D) "Sponsor" means an adult relative, friend, or guardian of a resident who has an interest or responsibility in the resident's welfare.

(E) "Residents' rights advocate" means:

(1) An employee or representative of any state or local government entity that has a responsibility regarding residents and that has registered with the department of health under division (B) of section 3701.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) An employee or representative of any private nonprofit corporation or association that qualifies for tax-exempt status under section 501(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended, and that has registered with the department of health under division (B) of section 3701.07 of the Revised Code and whose purposes include educating and counseling residents, assisting residents in resolving problems and complaints concerning their care and treatment, and assisting them in securing adequate services to meet their needs;

(3) A member of the general assembly.

(F) "Physical restraint" means, but is not limited to, any article, device, or garment that interferes with the free movement of the resident and that the resident is unable to remove easily, a geriatric chair, or a locked room door.

(G) "Chemical restraint" means any medication bearing the American hospital formulary service therapeutic class 4.00, 28:16:08, 28:24:08, or 28:24:92 that alters the functioning of the central nervous system in a manner that limits physical and cognitive functioning to the degree that the resident cannot attain the resident's highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.

(H) "Ancillary service" means, but is not limited to, podiatry, dental, hearing, vision, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological and social services.

(I) "Facility" means a facility, or part of a facility, certified as a nursing facility or skilled nursing facility under Title XVIII or Title XIX of the "Social Security Act." the medicare or medicaid programs. "Facility" does not include an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, as defined in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code.

(J) "Medicare" means the program established by Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act."

(K) "Medicaid" means the program established by Title XIX of the "Social Security Act" and Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3721.12.  (A) The administrator of a home shall:

(1) With the advice of residents, their sponsors, or both, establish and review at least annually, written policies regarding the applicability and implementation of residents' rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, the responsibilities of residents regarding the rights, and the home's grievance procedure established under division (A)(2) of this section. The administrator is responsible for the development of, and adherence to, procedures implementing the policies.

(2) Establish a grievance committee for review of complaints by residents. The grievance committee shall be comprised of the home's staff and residents, sponsors, or outside representatives in a ratio of not more than one staff member to every two residents, sponsors, or outside representatives.

(3) Furnish to each resident and sponsor prior to or at the time of admission, and to each member of the home's staff, at least one of each of the following:

(a) A copy of the rights established under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code;

(b) A written explanation of the provisions of sections 3721.16 to 3721.162 of the Revised Code;

(c) A copy of the home's policies and procedures established under this section;

(d) A copy of the home's rules;

(e) A copy of the addresses and telephone numbers of the board of health of the health district of the county in which the home is located, the county department of job and family services of the county in which the home is located, the state departments of health and job and family services, the state and local offices of the department of aging, and any Ohio nursing home ombudsperson program.

(B) Written acknowledgment of the receipt of copies of the materials listed in this section shall be made part of the resident's record and the staff member's personnel record.

(C) The administrator shall post all of the following prominently within the home:

(1) A copy of the rights of residents as listed in division (A) of section 3721.13 of the Revised Code;

(2) A copy of the home's rules and its policies and procedures regarding the rights and responsibilities of residents;

(3) A notice that a copy of this chapter, rules of the department of health applicable to the home, and federal regulations adopted under the medicare and medicaid programs, and the materials required to be available in the home under section 3721.021 of the Revised Code, are available for inspection in the home at reasonable hours;

(4) A list of residents' rights advocates;

(5) A notice that the following are available in a place readily accessible to residents:

(a) If the home is licensed under section 3721.02 of the Revised Code, a copy of the most recent licensure inspection report prepared for the home under that section;

(b) If the home is a facility, a copy of the most recent statement of deficiencies issued to the home under section 5111.42 5164.58 of the Revised Code.

(D) The administrator of a home may, with the advice of residents, their sponsors, or both, establish written policies regarding the applicability and administration of any additional residents' rights beyond those set forth in sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, and the responsibilities of residents regarding the rights. Policies established under this division shall be reviewed, and procedures developed and adhered to as in division (A)(1) of this section.

Sec. 3721.121.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Adult day-care program" means a program operated pursuant to rules adopted by the public health council under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code and provided by and on the same site as homes licensed under this chapter.

(2) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for employment with a home or adult day-care program in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing direct care to an older adult. "Applicant" does not include a person who provides direct care as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(3) "Criminal records check" and "older adult" have the same meanings as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Home" means a home as defined in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, the chief administrator of a home or adult day-care program shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check with respect to each applicant. If an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check of the applicant. Even if an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the chief administrator may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) A person required by division (B)(1) of this section to request a criminal records check shall do both of the following:

(a) Provide to each applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under that division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard fingerprint impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, and obtain the completed form and impression sheet from the applicant;

(b) Forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(3) An applicant provided the form and fingerprint impression sheet under division (B)(2)(a) of this section who fails to complete the form or provide fingerprint impressions shall not be employed in any position for which a criminal records check is required by this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in rules adopted by the director of health in accordance with division (F) of this section and subject to division (C)(2) of this section, no home or adult day-care program shall employ a person in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult if the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code.

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (C)(1)(a) of this section.

(2)(a) A home or an adult day-care program may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under division (B) of this section prior to obtaining the results of a criminal records check regarding the individual, provided that the home or program shall request a criminal records check regarding the individual in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section not later than five business days after the individual begins conditional employment. In the circumstances described in division (I)(2) of this section, a home or adult day-care program may employ conditionally an applicant who has been referred to the home or adult day-care program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and for whom, pursuant to that division, a criminal records check is not required under division (B) of this section.

(b) A home or adult day-care program that employs an individual conditionally under authority of division (C)(2)(a) of this section shall terminate the individual's employment if the results of the criminal records check requested under division (B) of this section or described in division (I)(2) of this section, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending thirty days after the date the request is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the results indicate that the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, the home or program shall terminate the individual's employment unless the home or program chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the individual makes any attempt to deceive the home or program about the individual's criminal record.

(D)(1) Each home or adult day-care program shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under division (B) of this section.

(2) A home or adult day-care program may charge an applicant a fee not exceeding the amount the home or program pays under division (D)(1) of this section. A home or program may collect a fee only if both of the following apply:

(a) The home or program notifies the person at the time of initial application for employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the person will not be considered for employment;

(b) The medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code does not reimburse the home or program the fee it pays under division (D)(1) of this section.

(E) The report of any criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under this section is not a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person other than the following:

(1) The individual who is the subject of the criminal records check or the individual's representative;

(2) The chief administrator of the home or program requesting the criminal records check or the administrator's representative;

(3) The administrator of any other facility, agency, or program that provides direct care to older adults that is owned or operated by the same entity that owns or operates the home or program;

(4) A court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with a denial of employment of the applicant or dealing with employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant;

(5) Any person to whom the report is provided pursuant to, and in accordance with, division (I)(1) or (2) of this section;

(6) The board of nursing for purposes of accepting and processing an application for a medication aide certificate issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(F) In accordance with section 3721.11 of the Revised Code, the director of health shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules shall specify circumstances under which a home or adult day-care program may employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section but meets personal character standards set by the director.

(G) The chief administrator of a home or adult day-care program shall inform each individual, at the time of initial application for a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult, that the individual is required to provide a set of fingerprint impressions and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted if the individual comes under final consideration for employment.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an individual who a home or adult day-care program employs in a position that involves providing direct care to older adults, all of the following shall apply:

(1) If the home or program employed the individual in good faith and reasonable reliance on the report of a criminal records check requested under this section, the home or program shall not be found negligent solely because of its reliance on the report, even if the information in the report is determined later to have been incomplete or inaccurate;

(2) If the home or program employed the individual in good faith on a conditional basis pursuant to division (C)(2) of this section, the home or program shall not be found negligent solely because it employed the individual prior to receiving the report of a criminal records check requested under this section;

(3) If the home or program in good faith employed the individual according to the personal character standards established in rules adopted under division (F) of this section, the home or program shall not be found negligent solely because the individual prior to being employed had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section.

(I)(1) The chief administrator of a home or adult day-care program is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant if the applicant has been referred to the home or program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and both of the following apply:

(a) The chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a report of the results of a criminal records check regarding the applicant that has been conducted by the superintendent within the one-year period immediately preceding the applicant's referral;

(b) The report of the criminal records check demonstrates that the person has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, or the report demonstrates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more of those offenses, but the home or adult day-care program chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) The chief administrator of a home or adult day-care program is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant and may employ the applicant conditionally as described in this division, if the applicant has been referred to the home or program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults and if the chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a letter from the employment service that is on the letterhead of the employment service, dated, and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service and that states that the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant, that the requested criminal records check will include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, that, as of the date set forth on the letter, the employment service had not received the results of the criminal records check, and that, when the employment service receives the results of the criminal records check, it promptly will send a copy of the results to the home or adult day-care program. If a home or adult day-care program employs an applicant conditionally in accordance with this division, the employment service, upon its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the home or adult day-care program, and division (C)(2)(b) of this section applies regarding the conditional employment.

Sec. 3721.13.  (A) The rights of residents of a home shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) The right to a safe and clean living environment pursuant to the medicare and medicaid programs and applicable state laws and regulations prescribed by the public health council;

(2) The right to be free from physical, verbal, mental, and emotional abuse and to be treated at all times with courtesy, respect, and full recognition of dignity and individuality;

(3) Upon admission and thereafter, the right to adequate and appropriate medical treatment and nursing care and to other ancillary services that comprise necessary and appropriate care consistent with the program for which the resident contracted. This care shall be provided without regard to considerations such as race, color, religion, national origin, age, or source of payment for care.

(4) The right to have all reasonable requests and inquiries responded to promptly;

(5) The right to have clothes and bed sheets changed as the need arises, to ensure the resident's comfort or sanitation;

(6) The right to obtain from the home, upon request, the name and any specialty of any physician or other person responsible for the resident's care or for the coordination of care;

(7) The right, upon request, to be assigned, within the capacity of the home to make the assignment, to the staff physician of the resident's choice, and the right, in accordance with the rules and written policies and procedures of the home, to select as the attending physician a physician who is not on the staff of the home. If the cost of a physician's services is to be met under a federally supported program, the physician shall meet the federal laws and regulations governing such services.

(8) The right to participate in decisions that affect the resident's life, including the right to communicate with the physician and employees of the home in planning the resident's treatment or care and to obtain from the attending physician complete and current information concerning medical condition, prognosis, and treatment plan, in terms the resident can reasonably be expected to understand; the right of access to all information in the resident's medical record; and the right to give or withhold informed consent for treatment after the consequences of that choice have been carefully explained. When the attending physician finds that it is not medically advisable to give the information to the resident, the information shall be made available to the resident's sponsor on the resident's behalf, if the sponsor has a legal interest or is authorized by the resident to receive the information. The home is not liable for a violation of this division if the violation is found to be the result of an act or omission on the part of a physician selected by the resident who is not otherwise affiliated with the home.

(9) The right to withhold payment for physician visitation if the physician did not visit the resident;

(10) The right to confidential treatment of personal and medical records, and the right to approve or refuse the release of these records to any individual outside the home, except in case of transfer to another home, hospital, or health care system, as required by law or rule, or as required by a third-party payment contract;

(11) The right to privacy during medical examination or treatment and in the care of personal or bodily needs;

(12) The right to refuse, without jeopardizing access to appropriate medical care, to serve as a medical research subject;

(13) The right to be free from physical or chemical restraints or prolonged isolation except to the minimum extent necessary to protect the resident from injury to self, others, or to property and except as authorized in writing by the attending physician for a specified and limited period of time and documented in the resident's medical record. Prior to authorizing the use of a physical or chemical restraint on any resident, the attending physician shall make a personal examination of the resident and an individualized determination of the need to use the restraint on that resident.

Physical or chemical restraints or isolation may be used in an emergency situation without authorization of the attending physician only to protect the resident from injury to self or others. Use of the physical or chemical restraints or isolation shall not be continued for more than twelve hours after the onset of the emergency without personal examination and authorization by the attending physician. The attending physician or a staff physician may authorize continued use of physical or chemical restraints for a period not to exceed thirty days, and at the end of this period and any subsequent period may extend the authorization for an additional period of not more than thirty days. The use of physical or chemical restraints shall not be continued without a personal examination of the resident and the written authorization of the attending physician stating the reasons for continuing the restraint.

If physical or chemical restraints are used under this division, the home shall ensure that the restrained resident receives a proper diet. In no event shall physical or chemical restraints or isolation be used for punishment, incentive, or convenience.

(14) The right to the pharmacist of the resident's choice and the right to receive pharmaceutical supplies and services at reasonable prices not exceeding applicable and normally accepted prices for comparably packaged pharmaceutical supplies and services within the community;

(15) The right to exercise all civil rights, unless the resident has been adjudicated incompetent pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code and has not been restored to legal capacity, as well as the right to the cooperation of the home's administrator in making arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote;

(16) The right of access to opportunities that enable the resident, at the resident's own expense or at the expense of a third-party payer, to achieve the resident's fullest potential, including educational, vocational, social, recreational, and habilitation programs;

(17) The right to consume a reasonable amount of alcoholic beverages at the resident's own expense, unless not medically advisable as documented in the resident's medical record by the attending physician or unless contradictory to written admission policies;

(18) The right to use tobacco at the resident's own expense under the home's safety rules and under applicable laws and rules of the state, unless not medically advisable as documented in the resident's medical record by the attending physician or unless contradictory to written admission policies;

(19) The right to retire and rise in accordance with the resident's reasonable requests, if the resident does not disturb others or the posted meal schedules and upon the home's request remains in a supervised area, unless not medically advisable as documented by the attending physician;

(20) The right to observe religious obligations and participate in religious activities; the right to maintain individual and cultural identity; and the right to meet with and participate in activities of social and community groups at the resident's or the group's initiative;

(21) The right upon reasonable request to private and unrestricted communications with the resident's family, social worker, and any other person, unless not medically advisable as documented in the resident's medical record by the attending physician, except that communications with public officials or with the resident's attorney or physician shall not be restricted. Private and unrestricted communications shall include, but are not limited to, the right to:

(a) Receive, send, and mail sealed, unopened correspondence;

(b) Reasonable access to a telephone for private communications;

(c) Private visits at any reasonable hour.

(22) The right to assured privacy for visits by the spouse, or if both are residents of the same home, the right to share a room within the capacity of the home, unless not medically advisable as documented in the resident's medical record by the attending physician;

(23) The right upon reasonable request to have room doors closed and to have them not opened without knocking, except in the case of an emergency or unless not medically advisable as documented in the resident's medical record by the attending physician;

(24) The right to retain and use personal clothing and a reasonable amount of possessions, in a reasonably secure manner, unless to do so would infringe on the rights of other residents or would not be medically advisable as documented in the resident's medical record by the attending physician;

(25) The right to be fully informed, prior to or at the time of admission and during the resident's stay, in writing, of the basic rate charged by the home, of services available in the home, and of any additional charges related to such services, including charges for services not covered under the medicare or medicaid program. The basic rate shall not be changed unless thirty days notice is given to the resident or, if the resident is unable to understand this information, to the resident's sponsor.

(26) The right of the resident and person paying for the care to examine and receive a bill at least monthly for the resident's care from the home that itemizes charges not included in the basic rates;

(27)(a) The right to be free from financial exploitation;

(b) The right to manage the resident's own personal financial affairs, or, if the resident has delegated this responsibility in writing to the home, to receive upon written request at least a quarterly accounting statement of financial transactions made on the resident's behalf. The statement shall include:

(i) A complete record of all funds, personal property, or possessions of a resident from any source whatsoever, that have been deposited for safekeeping with the home for use by the resident or the resident's sponsor;

(ii) A listing of all deposits and withdrawals transacted, which shall be substantiated by receipts which shall be available for inspection and copying by the resident or sponsor.

(28) The right of the resident to be allowed unrestricted access to the resident's property on deposit at reasonable hours, unless requests for access to property on deposit are so persistent, continuous, and unreasonable that they constitute a nuisance;

(29) The right to receive reasonable notice before the resident's room or roommate is changed, including an explanation of the reason for either change.

(30) The right not to be transferred or discharged from the home unless the transfer is necessary because of one of the following:

(a) The welfare and needs of the resident cannot be met in the home.

(b) The resident's health has improved sufficiently so that the resident no longer needs the services provided by the home.

(c) The safety of individuals in the home is endangered.

(d) The health of individuals in the home would otherwise be endangered.

(e) The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay or to have the medicare or medicaid program pay on the resident's behalf, for the care provided by the home. A resident shall not be considered to have failed to have the resident's care paid for if the resident has applied for medicaid, unless both of the following are the case:

(i) The resident's application, or a substantially similar previous application, has been denied by the county department of job and family services.

(ii) If the resident appealed the denial pursuant to division (C) of section 5101.35 5160.34 of the Revised Code, the director of job and family services has upheld the denial.

(f) The home's license has been revoked, the home is being closed pursuant to section 3721.08, sections 5111.35 5164.50 to 5111.62 5164.78, or section 5155.31 of the Revised Code, or the home otherwise ceases to operate.

(g) The resident is a recipient of medicaid, and the home's participation in the medicaid program is involuntarily terminated or denied.

(h) The resident is a beneficiary under the medicare program, and the home's participation in the medicare program is involuntarily terminated or denied.

(31) The right to voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to the home's staff, to employees of the department of health, or to other persons not associated with the operation of the home, of the resident's choice, free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal. This right includes access to a residents' rights advocate, and the right to be a member of, to be active in, and to associate with persons who are active in organizations of relatives and friends of nursing home residents and other organizations engaged in assisting residents.

(32) The right to have any significant change in the resident's health status reported to the resident's sponsor. As soon as such a change is known to the home's staff, the home shall make a reasonable effort to notify the sponsor within twelve hours.

(B) A sponsor may act on a resident's behalf to assure that the home does not deny the residents' rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any attempted waiver of the rights listed in division (A) of this section is void.

Sec. 3721.15.  (A) Authorization from a resident or a sponsor with a power of attorney for a home to manage the resident's financial affairs shall be in writing and shall be attested to by a witness who is not connected in any manner whatsoever with the home or its administrator. The home shall maintain accounts pursuant to division (A)(27) of section 3721.13 of the Revised Code. Upon the resident's transfer, discharge, or death, the account shall be closed and a final accounting made. All remaining funds shall be returned to the resident or resident's sponsor, except in the case of death, when all remaining funds shall be transferred or used in accordance with section 5111.113 5162.37 of the Revised Code.

(B) A home that manages a resident's financial affairs shall deposit the resident's funds in excess of one hundred dollars, and may deposit the resident's funds that are one hundred dollars or less, in an interest-bearing account separate from any of the home's operating accounts. Interest earned on the resident's funds shall be credited to the resident's account. A resident's funds that are one hundred dollars or less and have not been deposited in an interest-bearing account may be deposited in a noninterest-bearing account or petty cash fund.

(C) Each resident whose financial affairs are managed by a home shall be promptly notified by the home when the total of the amount of funds in the resident's accounts and the petty cash fund plus other nonexempt resources reaches two hundred dollars less than the maximum amount permitted a recipient of medicaid. The notice shall include an explanation of the potential effect on the resident's eligibility for medicaid if the amount in the resident's accounts and the petty cash fund, plus the value of other nonexempt resources, exceeds the maximum assets a medicaid recipient may retain.

(D) Each home that manages the financial affairs of residents shall purchase a surety bond or otherwise provide assurance satisfactory to the director of health, or, in the case of a home that participates in the medicaid program, to the director of job and family services health care administration, to assure the security of all residents' funds managed by the home.

Sec. 3721.16. For each resident of a home, notice of a proposed transfer or discharge shall be in accordance with this section.

(A)(1) The administrator of a home shall notify a resident in writing, and the resident's sponsor in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, in advance of any proposed transfer or discharge from the home. The administrator shall send a copy of the notice to the state department of health. The notice shall be provided at least thirty days in advance of the proposed transfer or discharge, unless any of the following applies:

(a) The resident's health has improved sufficiently to allow a more immediate discharge or transfer to a less skilled level of care;

(b) The resident has resided in the home less than thirty days;

(c) An emergency arises in which the safety of individuals in the home is endangered;

(d) An emergency arises in which the health of individuals in the home would otherwise be endangered;

(e) An emergency arises in which the resident's urgent medical needs necessitate a more immediate transfer or discharge.

In any of the circumstances described in divisions (A)(1)(a) to (e) of this section, the notice shall be provided as many days in advance of the proposed transfer or discharge as is practicable.

(2) The notice required under division (A)(1) of this section shall include all of the following:

(a) The reasons for the proposed transfer or discharge;

(b) The proposed date the resident is to be transferred or discharged;

(c) The proposed location to which the resident is to be transferred or discharged;

(d) Notice of the right of the resident and the resident's sponsor to an impartial hearing at the home on the proposed transfer or discharge, and of the manner in which and the time within which the resident or sponsor may request a hearing pursuant to section 3721.161 of the Revised Code;

(e) A statement that the resident will not be transferred or discharged before the date specified in the notice unless the home and the resident or, if the resident is not competent to make a decision, the home and the resident's sponsor, agree to an earlier date;

(f) The address of the legal services office of the department of health;

(g) The name, address, and telephone number of a representative of the state long-term care ombudsperson program and, if the resident or patient has a developmental disability or mental illness, the name, address, and telephone number of the Ohio legal rights service.

(B) No home shall transfer or discharge a resident before the date specified in the notice required by division (A) of this section unless the home and the resident or, if the resident is not competent to make a decision, the home and the resident's sponsor, agree to an earlier date.

(C) Transfer or discharge actions shall be documented in the resident's medical record by the home if there is a medical basis for the action.

(D) A resident or resident's sponsor may challenge a transfer or discharge by requesting an impartial hearing pursuant to section 3721.161 of the Revised Code, unless the transfer or discharge is required because of one of the following reasons:

(1) The home's license has been revoked under this chapter;

(2) The home is being closed pursuant to section 3721.08, sections 5111.35 to 5111.62, or section 5155.31, or sections 5164.50 to 5164.78 of the Revised Code;

(3) The resident is a recipient of medicaid and the home's participation in the medicaid program has been involuntarily terminated or denied by the federal government;

(4) The resident is a beneficiary under the medicare program and the home's certification under the medicare program has been involuntarily terminated or denied by the federal government.

(E) If a resident is transferred or discharged pursuant to this section, the home from which the resident is being transferred or discharged shall provide the resident with adequate preparation prior to the transfer or discharge to ensure a safe and orderly transfer or discharge from the home, and the home or alternative setting to which the resident is to be transferred or discharged shall have accepted the resident for transfer or discharge.

(F) At the time of a transfer or discharge of a resident who is a recipient of medicaid from a home to a hospital or for therapeutic leave, the home shall provide notice in writing to the resident and in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the resident's sponsor, specifying the number of days, if any, during which the resident will be permitted under the medicaid program to return and resume residence in the home and specifying the medicaid program's coverage of the days during which the resident is absent from the home. An individual who is absent from a home for more than the number of days specified in the notice and continues to require the services provided by the facility shall be given priority for the first available bed in a semi-private room.

Sec. 3721.17.  (A) Any resident who believes that the resident's rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code have been violated may file a grievance under procedures adopted pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 3721.12 of the Revised Code.

When the grievance committee determines a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code has occurred, it shall notify the administrator of the home. If the violation cannot be corrected within ten days, or if ten days have elapsed without correction of the violation, the grievance committee shall refer the matter to the department of health.

(B) Any person who believes that a resident's rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code have been violated may report or cause reports to be made of the information directly to the department of health. No person who files a report is liable for civil damages resulting from the report.

(C)(1) Within thirty days of receiving a complaint under this section, the department of health shall investigate any complaint referred to it by a home's grievance committee and any complaint from any source that alleges that the home provided substantially less than adequate care or treatment, or substantially unsafe conditions, or, within seven days of receiving a complaint, refer it to the attorney general, if the attorney general agrees to investigate within thirty days.

(2) Within thirty days of receiving a complaint under this section, the department of health may investigate any alleged violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or of rules, policies, or procedures adopted pursuant to those sections, not covered by division (C)(1) of this section, or it may, within seven days of receiving a complaint, refer the complaint to the grievance committee at the home where the alleged violation occurred, or to the attorney general if the attorney general agrees to investigate within thirty days.

(D) If, after an investigation, the department of health finds probable cause to believe that a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or of rules, policies, or procedures adopted pursuant to those sections, has occurred at a home that is certified under the medicare or medicaid program, it shall cite one or more findings or deficiencies under sections 5111.35 5164.50 to 5111.62 5164.78 of the Revised Code. If the home is not so certified, the department shall hold an adjudicative hearing within thirty days under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(E) Upon a finding at an adjudicative hearing under division (D) of this section that a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or of rules, policies, or procedures adopted pursuant thereto, has occurred, the department of health shall make an order for compliance, set a reasonable time for compliance, and assess a fine pursuant to division (F) of this section. The fine shall be paid to the general revenue fund only if compliance with the order is not shown to have been made within the reasonable time set in the order. The department of health may issue an order prohibiting the continuation of any violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.

Findings at the hearings conducted under this section may be appealed pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except that an appeal may be made to the court of common pleas of the county in which the home is located.

The department of health shall initiate proceedings in court to collect any fine assessed under this section that is unpaid thirty days after the violator's final appeal is exhausted.

(F) Any home found, pursuant to an adjudication hearing under division (D) of this section, to have violated sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or rules, policies, or procedures adopted pursuant to those sections may be fined not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars for a first offense. For each subsequent offense, the home may be fined not less than two hundred nor more than one thousand dollars.

A violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code is a separate offense for each day of the violation and for each resident who claims the violation.

(G) No home or employee of a home shall retaliate against any person who:

(1) Exercises any right set forth in sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, including, but not limited to, filing a complaint with the home's grievance committee or reporting an alleged violation to the department of health;

(2) Appears as a witness in any hearing conducted under this section or section 3721.162 of the Revised Code;

(3) Files a civil action alleging a violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, or notifies a county prosecuting attorney or the attorney general of a possible violation of sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code.

If, under the procedures outlined in this section, a home or its employee is found to have retaliated, the violator may be fined up to one thousand dollars.

(H) When legal action is indicated, any evidence of criminal activity found in an investigation under division (C) of this section shall be given to the prosecuting attorney in the county in which the home is located for investigation.

(I)(1)(a) Any resident whose rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code are violated has a cause of action against any person or home committing the violation.

(b) An action under division (I)(1)(a) of this section may be commenced by the resident or by the resident's legal guardian or other legally authorized representative on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate. If the resident or the resident's legal guardian or other legally authorized representative is unable to commence an action under that division on behalf of the resident, the following persons in the following order of priority have the right to and may commence an action under that division on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate:

(i) The resident's spouse;

(ii) The resident's parent or adult child;

(iii) The resident's guardian if the resident is a minor child;

(iv) The resident's brother or sister;

(v) The resident's niece, nephew, aunt, or uncle.

(c) Notwithstanding any law as to priority of persons entitled to commence an action, if more than one eligible person within the same level of priority seeks to commence an action on behalf of a resident or the resident's estate, the court shall determine, in the best interest of the resident or the resident's estate, the individual to commence the action. A court's determination under this division as to the person to commence an action on behalf of a resident or the resident's estate shall bar another person from commencing the action on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate.

(d) The result of an action commenced pursuant to division (I)(1)(a) of this section by a person authorized under division (I)(1)(b) of this section shall bind the resident or the resident's estate that is the subject of the action.

(e) A cause of action under division (I)(1)(a) of this section shall accrue, and the statute of limitations applicable to that cause of action shall begin to run, based upon the violation of a resident's rights under sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code, regardless of the party commencing the action on behalf of the resident or the resident's estate as authorized under divisions (I)(1)(b) and (c) of this section.

(2)(a) The plaintiff in an action filed under division (I)(1) of this section may obtain injunctive relief against the violation of the resident's rights. The plaintiff also may recover compensatory damages based upon a showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the violation of the resident's rights resulted from a negligent act or omission of the person or home and that the violation was the proximate cause of the resident's injury, death, or loss to person or property.

(b) If compensatory damages are awarded for a violation of the resident's rights, section 2315.21 of the Revised Code shall apply to an award of punitive or exemplary damages for the violation.

(c) The court, in a case in which only injunctive relief is granted, may award to the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees limited to the work reasonably performed.

(3) Division (I)(2) (b) of this section shall be considered to be purely remedial in operation and shall be applied in a remedial manner in any civil action in which this section is relevant, whether the action is pending in court or commenced on or after July 9, 1998.

(4) Within thirty days after the filing of a complaint in an action for damages brought against a home under division (I)(1)(a) of this section by or on behalf of a resident or former resident of the home, the plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel shall send written notice of the filing of the complaint to the department of job and family services if the department has a right of recovery under section 5101.58 5160.38 of the Revised Code against the liability of the home for the cost of medical services and care arising out of injury, disease, or disability of the resident or former resident.

Sec. 3721.19.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Home" and "residential care facility" have the same meanings as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) "Sponsor" and "residents' rights advocate" have the same meanings as in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code.

A home licensed under this chapter that is not a party to a provider agreement, as defined in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code, shall provide each prospective resident, before admission, with the following information, orally and in a separate written notice on which is printed in a conspicuous manner: "This home is not a participant in the medical assistance medicaid program administered by the Ohio department of job and family services health care administration. Consequently, you may be discharged from this home if you are unable to pay for the services provided by this home."

If the prospective resident has a sponsor whose identity is made known to the home, the home shall also inform the sponsor, before admission of the resident, of the home's status relative to the medical assistance medicaid program. Written acknowledgement acknowledgment of the receipt of the information shall be provided by the resident and, if the prospective resident has a sponsor who has been identified to the home, by the sponsor. The written acknowledgement acknowledgment shall be made part of the resident's record by the home.

No home shall terminate its status as a provider under the medicaid program unless it has complied with section 5111.66 5164.83 of the Revised Code and, at least ninety days prior to such termination, provided written notice to the residents of the home and their sponsors of such action. This requirement shall not apply in cases where the department of job and family services health care administration terminates a home's provider agreement or provider status.

(B) A home licensed under this chapter as a residential care facility shall provide notice to each prospective resident or the individual's sponsor of the services offered by the facility and the types of skilled nursing care that the facility may provide. A residential care facility that, pursuant to section 3721.012 of the Revised Code, has a policy of entering into risk agreements with residents or their sponsors shall provide each prospective resident or the individual's sponsor a written explanation of the policy and the provisions that may be contained in a risk agreement. At the time the information is provided, the facility shall obtain a statement signed by the individual receiving the information acknowledging that the individual received the information. The facility shall maintain on file the individual's signed statement.

(C) A resident has a cause of action against a home for breach of any duty imposed by this section. The action may be commenced by the resident, or on the resident's behalf by the resident's sponsor or a residents' rights advocate, by the filing of a civil action in the court of common pleas of the county in which the home is located, or in the court of common pleas of Franklin county.

If the court finds that a breach of any duty imposed by this section has occurred, the court shall enjoin the home from discharging the resident from the home until arrangements satisfactory to the court are made for the orderly transfer of the resident to another mode of health care including, but not limited to, another home, and may award the resident and a person or public agency that brings an action on behalf of a resident reasonable attorney's fees. If a home discharges a resident to whom or to whose sponsor information concerning its status relative to the medical assistance medicaid program was not provided as required under this section, the court shall grant any appropriate relief including, but not limited to, actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs.

Sec. 3721.21.  As used in sections 3721.21 to 3721.34 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Long-term care facility" means either of the following:

(1) A nursing home as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code, other than a nursing home or part of a nursing home certified as an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicaid program;

(2) A facility or part of a facility that is certified as a skilled nursing facility or a nursing facility under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act medicare program and medicaid program."

(B) "Residential care facility" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Abuse" means knowingly causing physical harm or recklessly causing serious physical harm to a resident by physical contact with the resident or by use of physical or chemical restraint, medication, or isolation as punishment, for staff convenience, excessively, as a substitute for treatment, or in amounts that preclude habilitation and treatment.

(D) "Neglect" means recklessly failing to provide a resident with any treatment, care, goods, or service necessary to maintain the health or safety of the resident when the failure results in serious physical harm to the resident. "Neglect" does not include allowing a resident, at the resident's option, to receive only treatment by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets of a recognized religious denomination.

(E) "Misappropriation" means depriving, defrauding, or otherwise obtaining the real or personal property of a resident by any means prohibited by the Revised Code, including violations of Chapter 2911. or 2913. of the Revised Code.

(F) "Resident" includes a resident, patient, former resident or patient, or deceased resident or patient of a long-term care facility or a residential care facility.

(G) "Physical restraint" has the same meaning as in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Chemical restraint" has the same meaning as in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Nursing and nursing-related services" means the personal care services and other services not constituting skilled nursing care that are specified in rules the public health council shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(J) "Personal care services" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(K)(1) Except as provided in division (K)(2) of this section, "nurse aide" means an individual who provides nursing and nursing-related services to residents in a long-term care facility, either as a member of the staff of the facility for monetary compensation or as a volunteer without monetary compensation.

(2) "Nurse aide" does not include either of the following:

(a) A licensed health professional practicing within the scope of the professional's license;

(b) An individual providing nursing and nursing-related services in a religious nonmedical health care institution, if the individual has been trained in the principles of nonmedical care and is recognized by the institution as being competent in the administration of care within the religious tenets practiced by the residents of the institution.

(L) "Licensed health professional" means all of the following:

(1) An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code;

(2) A physical therapist or physical therapy assistant licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code;

(3) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatry;

(4) A physician assistant authorized under Chapter 4730. of the Revised Code to practice as a physician assistant;

(5) A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code;

(6) A social worker or independent social worker licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code or a social work assistant registered under that chapter;

(7) A speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under Chapter 4753. of the Revised Code;

(8) A dentist or dental hygienist licensed under Chapter 4715. of the Revised Code;

(9) An optometrist licensed under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code;

(10) A pharmacist licensed under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code;

(11) A psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code;

(12) A chiropractor licensed under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code;

(13) A nursing home administrator licensed or temporarily licensed under Chapter 4751. of the Revised Code;

(14) A professional counselor or professional clinical counselor licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code.

(M) "Religious nonmedical health care institution" means an institution that meets or exceeds the conditions to receive payment under the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act" for inpatient hospital services or post-hospital extended care services furnished to an individual in a religious nonmedical health care institution, as defined in section 1861(ss)(1) of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C. 1395x(ss)(1), as amended.

(N) "Competency evaluation program" means a program through which the competency of a nurse aide to provide nursing and nursing-related services is evaluated.

(O) "Training and competency evaluation program" means a program of nurse aide training and evaluation of competency to provide nursing and nursing-related services.

Sec. 3721.28.  (A)(1) Each nurse aide used by a long-term care facility on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis on July 1, 1989, shall be provided by the facility a competency evaluation program approved by the director of health under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section. Each long-term care facility using a nurse aide on July 1, 1989, shall provide the nurse aide the preparation necessary to complete the competency evaluation program by January 1, 1990.

(2) Each nurse aide used by a long-term care facility on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis on January 1, 1990, who either was not used by the facility on July 1, 1989, or was used by the facility on July 1, 1989, but had not successfully completed a competency evaluation program by January 1, 1990, shall be provided by the facility a competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section. Each long-term care facility using a nurse aide described in division (A)(2) of this section shall provide the nurse aide the preparation necessary to complete the competency evaluation program by October 1, 1990, and shall assist the nurse aide in registering for the program.

(B) Effective June 1, 1990, no long-term care facility shall use an individual as a nurse aide for more than four months unless the individual is competent to provide the services he the individual is to provide, the facility has received from the nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code the information concerning the individual provided through the registry, and one of the following is the case:

(1) The individual was used by a facility as a nurse aide on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis at any time during the period commencing July 1, 1989, and ending January 1, 1990, and successfully completed, not later than October 1, 1990, a competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section.

(2) The individual has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section or has met the conditions specified in division (F) of this section and, in addition, if the training and competency evaluation program or the training, instruction, or education the individual completed in meeting the conditions specified in division (F) of this section was conducted by or in a long-term care facility, or if the director pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code so requires, the individual has successfully completed a competency evaluation program conducted by the director.

(3) Prior to July 1, 1989, if the long-term care facility is certified as a skilled nursing facility or a nursing facility under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program or medicaid program, or prior to January 1, 1990, if the facility is not so certified, the individual completed a program that the director determines included a competency evaluation component no less stringent than the competency evaluation programs approved by him the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section, and was otherwise comparable to the training and competency evaluation programs being approved by the director under division (A) of that section.

(4) The individual is listed in a nurse aide registry maintained by another state and that state certifies that its program for training and evaluation of competency of nurse aides complies with Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act" medicare program and medicaid program and regulations adopted thereunder.

(5) Prior to July 1, 1989, the individual was found competent to serve as a nurse aide after the completion of a course of nurse aide training of at least one hundred hours' duration.

(6) The individual is enrolled in a prelicensure program of nursing education approved by the board of nursing or by an agency of another state that regulates nursing education, has provided the long-term care facility with a certificate from the program indicating that the individual has successfully completed the courses that teach basic nursing skills including infection control, safety and emergency procedures, and personal care, and has successfully completed a competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (C) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code.

(7) The individual has the equivalent of twelve months or more of full-time employment in the preceding five years as a hospital aide or orderly and has successfully completed a competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (C) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code.

(C) Effective June 1, 1990, no long-term care facility shall continue for longer than four months to use as a nurse aide an individual who previously met the requirements of division (B) of this section but since most recently doing so has not performed nursing and nursing-related services for monetary compensation for twenty-four consecutive months, unless the individual successfully completes additional training and competency evaluation by complying with divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section:

(1) Doing one of the following:

(a) Successfully completing a training and competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section;

(b) Successfully completing a training and competency evaluation program described in division (B)(4) of this section;

(c) Meeting the requirements specified in division (B)(6) or (7) of this section.

(2) If the training and competency evaluation program completed under division (C)(1)(a) of this section was conducted by or in a long-term care facility, or if the director pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code so requires, successfully completing a competency evaluation program conducted by the director.

(D)(1) The four-month periods provided for in divisions (B) and (C) of this section include any time, on or after June 1, 1990, that an individual is used as a nurse aide on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or any other basis by the facility or any other long-term care facility.

(2) During the four-month period provided for in division (B) of this section, during which a long-term care facility may, subject to division (E) of this section, use as a nurse aide an individual who does not have the qualifications specified in divisions (B)(1) to (7) of this section, a facility shall require the individual to comply with divisions (D)(2)(a) and (b) of this section:

(a) Participate in one of the following:

(i) If the individual has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code, and the program was conducted by or in a long-term care facility, or the director pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code so requires, a competency evaluation program conducted by the director;

(ii) If the individual is enrolled in a prelicensure program of nursing education described in division (B)(6) of this section and has completed or is working toward completion of the courses described in that division, or the individual has the experience described in division (B)(7) of this section, a competency evaluation program conducted by the director;

(iii) A training and competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by him the director under division (C) of that section.

(b) If the individual participates in or has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program under division (D)(2)(a)(iii) of this section that is conducted by or in a long-term care facility, or the director pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code so requires, paticipate participate in a competency evaluation program conducted by the director.

(3) During the four-month period provided for in division (C) of this section, during which a long-term care facility may, subject to division (E) of this section, use as a nurse aide an individual who does not have the qualifications specified in divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section, a facility shall require the individual to comply with divisions (D)(3)(a) and (b) of this section:

(a) Participate in one of the following:

(i) If the individual has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program approved by the director, and the program was conducted by or in a long-term care facility, or the director pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code so requires, a competency evaluation program conducted by the director;

(ii) If the individual is enrolled in a prelicensure program of nursing education described in division (B)(6) of this section and has completed or is working toward completion of the courses described in that division, or the individual has the experience described in division (B)(7) of this section, a competency evaluation program conducted by the director;

(iii) A training and competency evaluation program approved or conducted by the director.

(b) If the individual participates in or has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program under division (D)(3)(a)(iii) of this section that is conducted by or in a long-term care facility, or the director pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code so requires, participate in a competency evaluation program conducted by the director.

(E) A long-term care facility shall not permit an individual used by the facility as a nurse aide while participating in a training and competency evaluation program to provide nursing and nursing-related services unless both of the following are the case:

(1) The individual has completed the number of hours of training that he must complete be completed prior to providing services to residents as prescribed by rules that shall be adopted by the director in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(2) The individual is under the personal supervision of a registered or licensed practical nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

(F) An individual shall be considered to have satisfied the requirement, under division (B)(2) of this section, of having successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program conducted or approved by the director, if the individual meets both of the following conditions:

(1) The individual, as of July 1, 1989, completed at least sixty hours divided between skills training and classroom instruction in the topic areas described in divisions (B)(1) to (8) of section 3721.30 of the Revised Code;

(2) The individual received, as of that date, at least the difference between seventy-five hours and the number of hours actually spent in training and competency evaluation in supervised practical nurse aide training or regular in-service nurse aide education.

(G) The public health council shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying persons, in addition to the director, who may establish competence of nurse aides under division (B)(5) of this section, and establishing criteria for determining whether an individual meets the conditions specified in division (F) of this section.

(H) The rules adopted pursuant to divisions (E)(1) and (G) of this section shall be no less stringent than the requirements, guidelines, and procedures established by the United States secretary of health and human services under sections 1819 and 1919 of the "Social Security Act."

Sec. 3721.32.  (A) The director of health shall establish a state nurse aide registry listing all individuals who have done any of the following:

(1) Were used by a long-term care facility as nurse aides on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis at any time during the period commencing July 1, 1989, and ending January 1, 1990, and successfully completed, not later than October 1, 1990, a competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or conducted by the director under division (C) of that section;

(2) Successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program approved by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code or met the conditions specified in division (F) of section 3721.28 of the Revised Code, and, if the training and competency evaluation program or the training, instruction, or education the individual completed in meeting the conditions specified in division (F) of section 3721.28 of the Revised Code was conducted in or by a long-term care facility, or if the director so required pursuant to division (E) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code, has successfully completed a competency evaluation program conducted by the director;

(3) Successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (C) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code;

(4) Successfully completed, prior to July 1, 1989, a program that the director has determined under division (B)(3) of section 3721.28 of the Revised Code included a competency evaluation component no less stringent than the competency evaluation programs approved or conducted by the director under section 3721.31 of the Revised Code, and was otherwise comparable to the training and competency evaluation program being approved by the director under section 3721.31 of the Revised Code;

(5) Are listed in a nurse aide registry maintained by another state that certifies that its program for training and evaluation of competency of nurse aides complies with Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program and medicaid program, or regulations adopted thereunder;

(6) Were found competent, as provided in division (B)(5) of section 3721.28 of the Revised Code, prior to July 1, 1989, after the completion of a course of nurse aide training of at least one hundred hours' duration;

(7) Are enrolled in a prelicensure program of nursing education approved by the board of nursing or by an agency of another state that regulates nursing education, have provided the long-term care facility with a certificate from the program indicating that the individual has successfully completed the courses that teach basic nursing skills including infection control, safety and emergency procedures, and personal care, and have successfully completed a competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (A) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code;

(8) Have the equivalent of twelve months or more of full-time employment in the five years preceding listing in the registry as a hospital aide or orderly and have successfully completed a competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (C) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code.

(B) The registry shall include both of the following:

(1) The statement required by section 3721.23 of the Revised Code detailing findings by the director under that section regarding alleged abuse or neglect of a resident or misappropriation of resident property;

(2) Any statement provided by an individual under section 3721.23 of the Revised Code disputing the director's findings.

Whenever an inquiry is received as to the information contained in the registry concerning an individual about whom a statement required by section 3721.23 of the Revised Code is included in the registry, the director shall disclose the statement or a summary of the statement together with any statement provided by the individual under section 3721.23 or a clear and accurate summary of that statement.

(C) The director may by rule specify additional information that must be provided the registry by long-term care facilities and persons or government agencies conducting approved competency evaluation programs and training and competency evaluation programs.

(D) Information contained in the registry is a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and is subject to inspection and copying under section 1347.08 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3722.10.  (A) The public health council shall have the exclusive authority to adopt and shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the licensing and operation of adult care facilities. The rules shall specify:

(1) Procedures for the issuance, renewal, and revocation of licenses and temporary licenses, for the granting and denial of waivers, and for the issuance and termination of orders of suspension of admission pursuant to section 3722.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) The qualifications required for owners, managers, and employees of adult care facilities, including character, training, education, experience, and financial resources and the number of staff members required in a facility;

(3) Adequate space, equipment, safety, and sanitation standards for the premises of adult care facilities, and fire protection standards for adult family homes as required by section 3722.041 of the Revised Code;

(4) The personal, social, dietary, and recreational services to be provided to each resident of adult care facilities;

(5) Rights of residents of adult care facilities, in addition to the rights enumerated under section 3722.12 of the Revised Code, and procedures to protect and enforce the rights of these residents;

(6) Provisions for keeping records of residents and for maintaining the confidentiality of the records as required by division (B) of section 3722.12 of the Revised Code. The provisions for maintaining the confidentiality of records shall, at the minimum, meet the requirements for maintaining the confidentiality of records under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicaid program, and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(7) Measures to be taken by adult care facilities relative to residents' medication, including policies and procedures concerning medication, storage of medication in a locked area, and disposal of medication and assistance with self-administration of medication, if the facility provides assistance;

(8) Requirements for initial and periodic health assessments of prospective and current adult care facility residents by physicians or other health professionals to ensure that they do not require a level of care beyond that which is provided by the adult care facility, including assessment of their capacity to self-administer the medications prescribed for them;

(9) Requirements relating to preparation of special diets;

(10) The amount of the fees for new and renewal license applications made pursuant to sections 3722.02 and 3722.04 of the Revised Code;

(11) Measures to be taken by any employee of the state or any political subdivision of the state authorized by this chapter to enter an adult care facility to inspect the facility or for any other purpose, to ensure that the employee respects the privacy and dignity of residents of the facility, cooperates with residents of the facility and behaves in a congenial manner toward them, and protects the rights of residents;

(12) How an owner or manager of an adult care facility is to comply with section 3722.18 of the Revised Code. The rules shall do at least both of the following:

(a) Establish the procedures an owner or manager is to follow under division (A)(2) of section 3722.18 of the Revised Code regarding referrals to the facility of prospective residents with mental illness or severe mental disability and effective arrangements for ongoing mental health services for such prospective residents. The procedures may provide for any of the following:

(i) That the owner or manager sign written agreements with the mental health agencies and boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that refer such prospective residents to the facility. Each agreement shall cover all such prospective residents referred by the agency or board with which the owner or manager enters into the agreement.

(ii) That the owner or manager and the mental health agencies and boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that refer such prospective residents to the facility develop and sign a plan for services for each such prospective resident;

(iii) Any other process regarding referrals and effective arrangements for ongoing mental health services.

(b) Specify the date an owner or manager must begin to follow the procedures established by division (A)(12)(a) of this section.

(13) Any other rules necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter.

(B) After consulting with relevant constituencies, the director of mental health shall prepare and submit to the director of health recommendations for the content of rules to be adopted under division (A)(12) of this section. The public health council shall adopt the rules required by division (A)(12) of this section no later than July 1, 2000.

(C) The director of health shall advise adult care facilities regarding compliance with the requirements of this chapter and with the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(D) Any duty or responsibility imposed upon the director of health by this chapter may be carried out by an employee of the department of health.

(E) Employees of the department of health may enter, for the purposes of investigation, any institution, residence, facility, or other structure which has been reported to the department as, or that the department has reasonable cause to believe is, operating as an adult care facility without a valid license.

Sec. 3722.16.  (A) No person shall:

(1) Operate an adult care facility unless the facility is validly licensed by the director of health under section 3722.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) Admit to an adult care facility more residents than the number authorized in the facility's license;

(3) Admit a resident to an adult care facility after the director has issued an order pursuant to section 3722.07 of the Revised Code suspending admissions to the facility. Violation of division (A)(3) of this section is cause for revocation of the facility's license.

(4) Interfere with any authorized inspection of an adult care facility conducted pursuant to section 3722.02 or 3722.04 of the Revised Code;

(5) Violate any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the rules adopted pursuant to it.

(B) No adult care facility shall provide, or admit or retain any resident in need of, skilled nursing care unless all of the following are the case:

(1) The care will be provided on a part-time, intermittent basis for not more than a total of one hundred twenty days in any twelve-month period by one or more of the following:

(a) A home health agency certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended: medicare program;

(b) A hospice care program licensed under Chapter 3712. of the Revised Code;

(c) A nursing home licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code and owned and operated by the same person and located on the same site as the adult care facility;

(d) A mental health agency or, pursuant to division (A)(8)(b) of section 340.03 of the Revised Code, a board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services.

(2) The staff of the home health agency, hospice care program, nursing home, mental health agency, or board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services does not train facility staff to provide the skilled nursing care;

(3) The individual to whom the skilled nursing care is provided is suffering from a short-term illness;

(4) If the skilled nursing care is to be provided by the nursing staff of a nursing home, all of the following are the case:

(a) The adult care facility evaluates the individual receiving the skilled nursing care at least once every seven days to determine whether the individual should be transferred to a nursing home;

(b) The adult care facility meets at all times staffing requirements established by rules adopted under section 3722.10 of the Revised Code;

(c) The nursing home does not include the cost of providing skilled nursing care to the adult care facility residents in a cost report filed under section 5111.26 5164.37 of the Revised Code;

(d) The nursing home meets at all times the nursing home licensure staffing ratios established by rules adopted under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code;

(e) The nursing home staff providing skilled nursing care to adult care facility residents are registered nurses or licensed practical nurses licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code and meet the personnel qualifications for nursing home staff established by rules adopted under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code;

(f) The skilled nursing care is provided in accordance with rules established for nursing homes under section 3721.04 of the Revised Code;

(g) The nursing home meets the skilled nursing care needs of the adult care facility residents;

(h) Using the nursing home's nursing staff does not prevent the nursing home or adult care facility from meeting the needs of the nursing home and adult care facility residents in a quality and timely manner.

Notwithstanding section 3721.01 of the Revised Code, an adult care facility in which residents receive skilled nursing care as described in division (B) of this section is not a nursing home. No adult care facility shall provide skilled nursing care.

(C) A home health agency or hospice care program that provides skilled nursing care pursuant to division (B) of this section may not be associated with the adult care facility unless the facility is part of a home for the aged as defined in section 5701.13 of the Revised Code or the adult care facility is owned and operated by the same person and located on the same site as a nursing home licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code that is associated with the home health agency or hospice care program. In addition, the following requirements shall be met:

(1) The adult care facility shall evaluate the individual receiving the skilled nursing care not less than once every seven days to determine whether the individual should be transferred to a nursing home;

(2) If the costs of providing the skilled nursing care are included in a cost report filed pursuant to section 5111.26 5164.37 of the Revised Code by the nursing home that is part of the same home for the aged, the home health agency or hospice care program shall not seek reimbursement for the care under the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) No person knowingly shall place or recommend placement of any person in an adult care facility that is operating without a license.

(2) No employee of a unit of local or state government, board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services, mental health agency, or PASSPORT administrative agency shall place or recommend placement of any person in an adult care facility if the employee knows that the facility cannot meet the needs of the potential resident.

(3) No person who has reason to believe that an adult care facility is operating without a license shall fail to report this information to the director of health.

(E) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the public health council shall adopt rules that define a short-term illness for purposes of division (B)(3) of this section and specify, consistent with rules pertaining to home health care adopted by the director of job and family services health care administration under the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code and Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, what constitutes a part-time, intermittent basis for purposes of division (B)(1) of this section.

Sec. 3727.02.  (A) No person and no political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state shall operate a hospital unless it is certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program, or is accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals or the American osteopathic association.

(B) No person and no political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of this state shall hold out as a hospital any health facility that is not certified or accredited as required in division (A) of this section.

Sec. 3742.30. Each child at risk of lead poisoning shall undergo a blood lead screening test to determine whether the child has lead poisoning. The at-risk children shall undergo the test at times determined by rules the public health council shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that are consistent with the guidelines established by the centers for disease control and prevention in the public health service of the United States department of health and human services. The rules shall specify which children are at risk of lead poisoning.

Neither this section nor the rules adopted under it affect the coverage of blood lead screening tests by any publicly funded health program, including the medicaid program established by Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code. Neither this section nor the rules adopted under it apply to a child if a parent of the child objects to the test on the grounds that the test conflicts with the parent's religious tenets and practices.

Sec. 3742.51. (A) There is hereby created in the state treasury the lead poisoning prevention fund. The fund shall include all moneys appropriated to the department of health for the administration and enforcement of sections 3742.31 to 3742.50 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under those sections. Any grants, contributions, or other moneys collected by the department for purposes of preventing lead poisoning shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the fund.

(B) Moneys in the fund shall be used solely for the purposes of the child lead poisoning prevention program established under section 3742.31 of the Revised Code, including providing financial assistance to individuals who are unable to pay for the following:

(1) Costs associated with obtaining lead tests and lead poisoning treatment for children under six years of age who are not covered by private medical insurance or are underinsured, are not eligible for the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or any other government health program, and do not have access to another source of funds to cover the cost of lead tests and any indicated treatments;

(2) Costs associated with having lead abatement performed or having the preventive treatments specified in section 3742.41 of the Revised Code performed.

Sec. 3793.07.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Medicare program" means the program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended;

(2) "Medicaid program" means the program established under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act."

(B)(A) Except as provided in division (D)(C) of this section, the department of alcohol and drug addiction services shall establish and administer a process for the certification or credentialing of chemical dependency counselors and alcohol and other drug prevention specialists for the purpose of qualifying their services for reimbursement under the medicare or medicaid program. The process shall be made available to any individual who is a member of the profession of drug abuse counseling or chemical dependency counseling or any individual who is an alcohol and other drug prevention specialist. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring such certification or credentials for services that are not reimbursed by medicare or medicaid.

The department shall cease to administer its process for the certification or credentialing of chemical dependency counselors and alcohol and other drug prevention specialists under this section at the earlier of the following:

(1) The date, which shall be specified in an agreement between the department and chemical dependency professionals board, on which the board is to assume, under Chapter 4758. of the Revised Code, the department's certification duties;

(2) Two years after the effective date of this amendment December 23, 2002.

(C)(B) The department shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing standards and procedures for the certification or credentialing process. The rules shall include the following:

(1) Eligibility requirements;

(2) Application procedures;

(3) Minimum educational and clinical training requirements that must be met for initial certification or credentialing;

(4) Continuing education and training requirements for certified or credentialed individuals;

(5) Application and renewal fees that do not exceed the cost incurred by the department in implementing and administering the process;

(6) Administration or approval of examinations;

(7) Investigation of complaints and alleged violations of this section;

(8) Maintenance of the confidentiality of the department's investigative records;

(9) Disciplinary actions, including application denial and suspension or revocation of certification or credentials;

(10) Any other rules the department considers necessary to establish or administer the certification or credentialing process.

(D)(C)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(C)(2) of this section, the department shall not issue an initial certificate or credential to practice as a chemical dependency counselor I, but may renew such a certificate or credential issued prior to the effective date of this amendment December 23, 2002, or pursuant to division (D)(C)(2) of this section until the department ceases to administer the certification and credentialing process under this section.

(2) The department may issue an initial certificate or credential to practice as a chemical dependency counselor I to an individual if the individual submitted the application for certification or credentials to the department prior to the effective date of this amendment December 23, 2002.

(E)(D) The department shall investigate alleged violations of this section or the rules adopted under it. As part of its investigation, the department may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, and administer oaths. The department shall ensure that all records it holds pertaining to an investigation remain confidential.

(F)(E) With respect to hearings conducted by the department as part of the certification or credentialing process, both of the following apply:

(1) An individual whose application for certification or credentials issued under this section has been denied by the department may request a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under this section.

(2) The department may appoint a referee or hearing examiner to conduct the proceedings and make recommendations to the department as appropriate.

(G)(F) The department shall maintain a record of all fees collected under this section. All fees collected shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the credentialing fund, which is hereby created. Money credited to the fund shall be used solely to pay the costs of establishing and administering the process for certification or credentialing of chemical dependency professionals under this section.

Money credited to the credentialing fund under this section shall be transferred to the occupational licensing and regulatory fund created under section 4743.05 of the Revised Code at the earlier of the following:

(1) The date, which shall be specified in an agreement between the department and chemical dependency professionals board, on which the board is to assume, under Chapter 4758. of the Revised Code, the department's certification duties;

(2) Two years after the effective date of this amendment December 23, 2002.

(H)(G) Certifications made and credentials issued by the Ohio credentialing board for chemical dependency professionals prior to the date the department establishes its certification or credentialing process under this section shall continue to be accepted by the department until, with respect to any particular individual, one of the following occurs:

(1) The individual's certification or credentials from the board have expired.

(2) The individual's certification or credentials from the board would be suspended or revoked by the department if the certification or credentials had been issued by the department under this section.

Sec. 3901.3814. Sections 3901.38 and 3901.381 to 3901.3813 of the Revised Code do not apply to the following:

(A) Policies offering coverage that is regulated under Chapters 3935. and 3937. of the Revised Code;

(B) An employer's self-insurance plan and any of its administrators, as defined in section 3959.01 of the Revised Code, to the extent that federal law supersedes, preempts, prohibits, or otherwise precludes the application of any provisions of those sections to the plan and its administrators;

(C) A third-party payer for coverage provided under the medicare advantage program operated under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended the medicare program;

(D) A third-party payer for coverage provided under the medicaid program operated under Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," except that if a federal waiver applied for under section 5111.178 5165.16 of the Revised Code is granted or the director of job and family services health care administration determines that this provision can be implemented without a waiver, sections 3901.38 and 3901.381 to 3901.3813 of the Revised Code apply to claims submitted electronically or non-electronically that are made with respect to coverage of medicaid recipients by health insuring corporations licensed under Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code, instead of the prompt payment requirements of 42 C.F.R. 447.46;

(E) A third-party payer for coverage provided under the tricare program offered by the United States department of defense.

Sec. 3903.14.  (A) The superintendent of insurance as rehabilitator may appoint one or more special deputies, who shall have all the powers and responsibilities of the rehabilitator granted under this section, and the superintendent may employ such clerks and assistants as considered necessary. The compensation of the special deputies, clerks, and assistants and all expenses of taking possession of the insurer and of conducting the proceedings shall be fixed by the superintendent, with the approval of the court and shall be paid out of the funds or assets of the insurer. The persons appointed under this section shall serve at the pleasure of the superintendent. In the event that the property of the insurer does not contain sufficient cash or liquid assets to defray the costs incurred, the superintendent may advance the costs so incurred out of any appropriation for the maintenance of the department of insurance. Any amounts so advanced for expenses of administration shall be repaid to the superintendent for the use of the department out of the first available money of the insurer.

(B) The rehabilitator may take such action as the rehabilitator considers necessary or appropriate to reform and revitalize the insurer. The rehabilitator shall have all the powers of the directors, officers, and managers, whose authority shall be suspended, except as they are redelegated by the rehabilitator. The rehabilitator shall have full power to direct and manage, to hire and discharge employees subject to any contract rights they may have, and to deal with the property and business of the insurer.

(C) If it appears to the rehabilitator that there has been criminal or tortious conduct, or breach of any contractual or fiduciary obligation detrimental to the insurer by any officer, manager, agent, director, trustee, broker, employee, or other person, the rehabilitator may pursue all appropriate legal remedies on behalf of the insurer.

(D) If the rehabilitator determines that reorganization, consolidation, conversion, reinsurance, merger, or other transformation of the insurer is appropriate, the rehabilitator shall prepare a plan to effect such changes. Upon application of the rehabilitator for approval of the plan, and after such notice and hearings as the court may prescribe, the court may either approve or disapprove the plan proposed, or may modify it and approve it as modified. Any plan approved under this section shall be, in the judgment of the court, fair and equitable to all parties concerned. If the plan is approved, the rehabilitator shall carry out the plan. In the case of a life insurer, the plan proposed may include the imposition of liens upon the policies of the company, if all rights of shareholders are first relinquished. A plan for a life insurer may also propose imposition of a moratorium upon loan and cash surrender rights under policies, for such period and to such an extent as may be necessary.

(E) In the case of a medicaid health insuring corporation that has posted a bond or deposited securities in accordance with section 1751.271 of the Revised Code, the plan proposed under division (D) of this section may include the use of the proceeds of the bond or securities to first pay the claims of contracted providers for covered health care services provided to medicaid recipients, then next to pay other claimants with any remaining funds, consistent with the priorities set forth in sections 3903.421 and 3903.42 of the Revised Code.

(F) The rehabilitator shall have the power under sections 3903.26 and 3903.27 of the Revised Code to avoid fraudulent transfers.

(G) As used in this section:

(1) "Contracted provider" means a provider with a contract with a medicaid health insuring corporation to provide covered health care services to medicaid recipients.

(2) "Medicaid recipient" means a person eligible for assistance under the medicaid program operated pursuant to Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3916.06.  (A)(1) With each application for a viatical settlement, a viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker shall disclose at least the following to a viator no later than the time all parties sign the application for the viatical settlement contract:

(a) That there are possible alternatives to viatical settlement contracts, including any accelerated death benefits offered under the viator's life insurance policy or certificate;

(b) That some or all of the proceeds of the viatical settlement may be subject to federal income taxation and state franchise and income taxation, and that assistance should be sought from a professional tax advisor;

(c) That the proceeds of the viatical settlement could be subject to the claims of creditors;

(d) That receipt of the proceeds of the viatical settlement may adversely affect the viator's eligibility for medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code the medicaid program or other government benefits or entitlements, and that advice should be obtained from the appropriate government agencies;

(e) That the viator has a right to rescind the viatical settlement contract for at least fifteen calendar days after the viator receives the viatical settlement proceeds, as provided in section 3916.08 of the Revised Code,. If the insured dies during the rescission period, the settlement contract shall be deemed to have been rescinded, subject to repayment of all viatical settlement proceeds to the viatical settlement company.

(f) That funds will be sent to the viator within three business days after the viatical settlement provider has received acknowledgment from the insurer or group administrator that ownership of the policy or interest in the certificate has been transferred and that the beneficiary has been designated pursuant to the viatical settlement contract;

(g) That entering into a viatical settlement contract may cause other rights or benefits, including conversion rights and waiver of premium benefits that may exist under the policy or certificate, to be forfeited by the viator and that assistance should be sought from a financial advisor.

(2) The viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker shall provide the disclosures under division (A)(1) of this section in a separate document that is signed by the viator and the viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker.

(3) Disclosure to a viator under division (A)(1) of this section shall include distribution of a brochure describing the process of viatical settlements. The viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker shall use the NAIC's form for the brochure unless one is developed by the superintendent.

(4) The disclosure document under division (A)(1) of this section shall contain the following language:

"All medical, financial, or personal information solicited or obtained by a viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker about an insured, including the insured's identity or the identity of family members, a spouse, or a significant other may be disclosed as necessary to effect the viatical settlement between the viator and the viatical settlement provider. If you are asked to provide this information, you will be asked to consent to the disclosure. The information may be provided to someone who buys the policy or provides funds for the purchase. You may be asked to renew your permission to share information every two years."

(B)(1) A viatical settlement provider shall disclose at least the following to a viator prior to the date the viatical settlement contract is signed by all the necessary parties:

(a) The affiliation, if any, between the viatical settlement provider and the issuer of the insurance policy or certificate to be viaticated;

(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the viatical settlement provider;

(c) Regarding a viatical settlement broker, the amount and method of calculating the broker's compensation. As used in this division, "compensation" includes anything of value paid or given to a viatical settlement broker for the placement of a policy or certificate.

(d) If an insurance policy or certificate to be viaticated has been issued as a joint policy or certificate or involves family riders or any coverage of a life other than the insured under the policy or certificate to be viaticated, the possible loss of coverage on the other lives under the policy or certificate and that advice should be sought from the viator's insurance producer or the company issuing the policy or certificate;

(e) The dollar amount of the current death benefit payable to the viatical settlement provider under the policy or certificate, and, if known, the availability of any additional guaranteed insurance benefits, the dollar amount of any accidental death and dismemberment benefits under the policy or certificate, and the viatical settlement provider's interest in those benefits.

(f) The name, business address, and telephone number of the independent third-party escrow agent, and the fact that the viator or owner may inspect or receive copies of the relevant escrow or trust agreements or documents.

(2) The viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker shall conspicuously display the disclosures under division (B)(1) of this section in a separate document signed by the viator and the viatical settlement provider or viatical settlement broker.

(C) If the provider transfers ownership or changes the beneficiary of the insurance policy or certificate, the provider shall communicate the change in ownership or beneficiary to the insured within twenty days after the change.

Sec. 3923.122.  (A) Every policy of group sickness and accident insurance providing hospital, surgical, or medical expense coverage for other than specific diseases or accidents only, and delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 1976, shall include a provision giving each insured the option to convert to the following:

(1) In the case of an individual who is not a federally eligible individual, any of the individual policies of hospital, surgical, or medical expense insurance then being issued by the insurer with benefit limits not to exceed those in effect under the group policy;

(2) In the case of a federally eligible individual, a basic or standard plan established by the board of directors of the Ohio health reinsurance program or plans substantially similar to the basic and standard plan in benefit design and scope of covered services. For purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, the superintendent of insurance shall determine whether a plan is substantially similar to the basic or standard plan in benefit design and scope of covered services.

(B) An option for conversion to an individual policy shall be available without evidence of insurability to every insured, including any person eligible under division (D) of this section, who terminates employment or membership in the group holding the policy after having been continuously insured thereunder for at least one year.

Upon receipt of the insured's written application and upon payment of at least the first quarterly premium not later than thirty-one days after the termination of coverage under the group policy, the insurer shall issue a converted policy on a form then available for conversion. The premium shall be in accordance with the insurer's table of premium rates in effect on the later of the following dates:

(1) The effective date of the converted policy;

(2) The date of application therefor; and shall be applicable to the class of risk to which each person covered belongs and to the form and amount of the policy at the person's then attained age. However, premiums charged federally eligible individuals may not exceed an amount that is two times the midpoint of the standard rate charged any other individual of a group to which the insurer is currently accepting new business and for which similar copayments and deductibles are applied.

At the election of the insurer, a separate converted policy may be issued to cover any dependent of an employee or member of the group.

Except as provided in division (H) of this section, any converted policy shall become effective as of the day following the date of termination of insurance under the group policy.

Any probationary or waiting period set forth in the converted policy is deemed to commence on the effective date of the insured's coverage under the group policy.

(C) No insurer shall be required to issue a converted policy to any person who is, or is eligible to be, covered for benefits at least comparable to the group policy under:

(1) Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended or superseded The medicare program;

(2) Any act of congress or law under this or any other state of the United States that duplicates coverage offered under division (C)(1) of this section;

(3) Any policy that duplicates coverage offered under division (C)(1) of this section;

(4) Any other group sickness and accident insurance providing hospital, surgical, or medical expense coverage for other than specific diseases or accidents only.

(D) The option for conversion shall be available:

(1) Upon the death of the employee or member, to the surviving spouse with respect to such of the spouse and dependents as are then covered by the group policy;

(2) To a child solely with respect to the child upon attaining the limiting age of coverage under the group policy while covered as a dependent thereunder;

(3) Upon the divorce, dissolution, or annulment of the marriage of the employee or member, to the divorced spouse, or former spouse in the event of annulment, of such employee or member, or upon the legal separation of the spouse from such employee or member, to the spouse.

Persons possessing the option for conversion pursuant to this division shall be considered members for the purposes of division (H) of this section.

(E) If coverage is continued under a group policy on an employee following retirement prior to the time the employee is, or is eligible to be, covered by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act medicare program, the employee may elect, in lieu of the continuance of group insurance, to have the same conversion rights as would apply had the employee's insurance terminated at retirement by reason of termination of employment.

(F) If the insurer and the group policyholder agree upon one or more additional plans of benefits to be available for converted policies, the applicant for the converted policy may elect such a plan in lieu of a converted policy.

(G) The converted policy may contain provisions for avoiding duplication of benefits provided pursuant to divisions (C)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section or provided under any other insured or noninsured plan or program.

(H) If an employee or member becomes entitled to obtain a converted policy pursuant to this section, and if the employee or member has not received notice of the conversion privilege at least fifteen days prior to the expiration of the thirty-one-day conversion period provided in division (B) of this section, then the employee or member has an additional period within which to exercise the privilege. This additional period shall expire fifteen days after the employee or member receives notice, but in no event shall the period extend beyond sixty days after the expiration of the thirty-one-day conversion period.

Written notice presented to the employee or member, or mailed by the policyholder to the last known address of the employee or member as indicated on its records, constitutes notice for the purpose of this division. In the case of a person who is eligible for a converted policy under division (D)(2) or (D)(3) of this section, a policyholder shall not be responsible for presenting or mailing such notice, unless such policyholder has actual knowledge of the person's eligibility for a converted policy.

If an additional period is allowed by an employee or member for the exercise of a conversion privilege, and if written application for the converted policy, accompanied by at least the first quarterly premium, is made after the expiration of the thirty-one-day conversion period, but within the additional period allowed an employee or member in accordance with this division, the effective date of the converted policy shall be the date of application.

(I) The converted policy may provide that any hospital, surgical, or medical expense benefits otherwise payable with respect to any person may be reduced by the amount of any such benefits payable under the group policy for the same loss after termination of coverage.

(J) The converted policy may contain:

(1) Any exclusion, reduction, or limitation contained in the group policy or customarily used in individual policies issued by the insurer;

(2) Any provision permitted in this section;

(3) Any other provision not prohibited by law.

Any provision required or permitted in this section may be made a part of any converted policy by means of an endorsement or rider.

(K) The time limit specified in a converted policy for certain defenses with respect to any person who was covered by a group policy shall commence on the effective date of such person's coverage under the group policy.

(L) No insurer shall use deterioration of health as the basis for refusing to renew a converted policy.

(M) No insurer shall use age as the basis for refusing to renew a converted policy.

(N) A converted policy made available pursuant to this section shall, if delivery of the policy is to be made in this state, comply with this section. If delivery of a converted policy is to be made in another state, it may be on a form offered by the insurer in the jurisdiction where the delivery is to be made and which provides benefits substantially in compliance with those required in a policy delivered in this state.

(O) As used in this section, "federally eligible individual" means an eligible individual as defined in 45 C.F.R. 148.103.

Sec. 3923.27.  No policy of sickness and accident insurance delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state after August 26, 1976, including both individual and group policies, that provides hospitalization coverage for mental illness shall exclude such coverage for the reason that the insured is hospitalized in an institution or facility receiving tax support from the state, any municipal corporation, county, or joint county board, whether such institution or facility is deemed charitable or otherwise, provided the institution or facility or portion thereof is fully accredited by the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals or certified under Titles XVIII and XIX of the "Social Security Act of 1935," 79 Stat. 291, 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as amended medicare program and medicaid program. The insurance coverage shall provide payment amounting to the lesser of either the full amount of the statutory charge for the cost of the services pursuant to section 5121.33 of the Revised Code or the benefits payable for the services under the applicable insurance policy. Insurance benefits for the coverage shall be paid so long as patients and their liable relatives retain their statutory liability pursuant to section 5121.33 of the Revised Code. Only that portion or per cent of the benefits shall be payable that has been assigned, or ordered to be paid, to the state or other appropriate provider for services rendered by the institution or facility.

Sec. 3923.281.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Biologically based mental illness" means schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder, as these terms are defined in the most recent edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders published by the American psychiatric association.

(2) "Policy of sickness and accident insurance" has the same meaning as in section 3923.01 of the Revised Code, but excludes any hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, long-term care, disability income, one-time-limited-duration policy of not longer than six months, supplemental benefit, or other policy that provides coverage for specific diseases or accidents only; any policy that provides coverage for workers' compensation claims compensable pursuant to Chapters 4121. and 4123. of the Revised Code; and any policy that provides coverage to beneficiaries enrolled in Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, known as the medical assistance program or medicaid, as provided by the Ohio department of job and family services under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code program.

(B) Notwithstanding section 3901.71 of the Revised Code, and subject to division (E) of this section, every group policy of sickness and accident insurance shall provide benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of biologically based mental illnesses on the same terms and conditions as, and shall provide benefits no less extensive than, those provided under the policy of sickness and accident insurance for the treatment and diagnosis of all other physical diseases and disorders, if both of the following apply:

(1) The biologically based mental illness is clinically diagnosed by a physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery; a psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code; a professional clinical counselor, professional counselor, or independent social worker licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code; or a clinical nurse specialist licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code whose nursing specialty is mental health.

(2) The prescribed treatment is not experimental or investigational, having proven its clinical effectiveness in accordance with generally accepted medical standards.

(C) Division (B) of this section applies to all coverages and terms and conditions of the policy of sickness and accident insurance, including, but not limited to, coverage of inpatient hospital services, outpatient services, and medication; maximum lifetime benefits; copayments; and individual and family deductibles.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a sickness and accident insurance company from taking any of the following actions:

(1) Negotiating separately with mental health care providers with regard to reimbursement rates and the delivery of health care services;

(2) Offering policies that provide benefits solely for the diagnosis and treatment of biologically based mental illnesses;

(3) Managing the provision of benefits for the diagnosis or treatment of biologically based mental illnesses through the use of pre-admission screening, by requiring beneficiaries to obtain authorization prior to treatment, or through the use of any other mechanism designed to limit coverage to that treatment determined to be necessary;

(4) Enforcing the terms and conditions of a policy of sickness and accident insurance.

(E) An insurer that offers a group policy of sickness and accident insurance is not required to provide benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of biologically based mental illnesses pursuant to division (B) of this section if all of the following apply:

(1) The insurer submits documentation certified by an independent member of the American academy of actuaries to the superintendent of insurance showing that incurred claims for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses for a period of at least six months independently caused the insurer's costs for claims and administrative expenses for the coverage of all other physical diseases and disorders to increase by more than one per cent per year.

(2) The insurer submits a signed letter from an independent member of the American academy of actuaries to the superintendent of insurance opining that the increase described in division (E)(1) of this section could reasonably justify an increase of more than one per cent in the annual premiums or rates charged by the insurer for the coverage of all other physical diseases and disorders.

(3) The superintendent of insurance makes the following determinations from the documentation and opinion submitted pursuant to divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section:

(a) Incurred claims for diagnostic and treatment services for biologically based mental illnesses for a period of at least six months independently caused the insurer's costs for claims and administrative expenses for the coverage of all other physical diseases and disorders to increase by more than one per cent per year.

(b) The increase in costs reasonably justifies an increase of more than one per cent in the annual premiums or rates charged by the insurer for the coverage of all other physical diseases and disorders.

Any determination made by the superintendent under this division is subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 3923.33.  As used in section 3923.33 and sections 3923.331 to 3923.339 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Applicant" means:

(1) In the case of an individual medicare supplement policy, the person who seeks to contract for insurance benefits; and

(2) In the case of a group medicare supplement policy, the proposed certificate holder.

(B) "Certificate" means, for purposes of section 3923.33 and sections 3923.331 to 3923.339 of the Revised Code, any certificate delivered or issued for delivery in this state under a group medicare supplement policy.

(C) "Certificate form" means the form on which the certificate is delivered or issued for delivery by the issuer.

(D) "Direct response insurance policy" means a medicare supplement policy or certificate marketed without the direct involvement of an insurance agent.

(E) "Issuer" includes insurance companies, fraternal benefit societies, health insuring corporations, and any other entities delivering or issuing for delivery in this state medicare supplement policies or certificates.

(F) "Medicare" means the "Health Insurance for the Aged Act," Title XVIII of the Social Security Amendments of 1965, 79 Stat. 291, 42 U.S.C.A. 1395, as then constituted or later amended.

(G) "Medicare supplement policy" means a group or individual policy of sickness and accident insurance or a subscriber contract of health insuring corporations or any other issuers, other than a policy issued pursuant to a contract under section 1876 of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A., 1395mm, as amended, or an issued policy under any demonstration project specified in 42 U.S.C.A. 1395ss(g)(1), which is advertised, marketed, or designed primarily as a supplement to reimbursements under medicare for the hospital, medical, or surgical expenses of persons eligible for medicare.

(H)(G) "Policy form" means the form on which the policy is delivered or issued for delivery by the issuer.

Sec. 3923.38.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Group policy" includes any group sickness and accident policy or contract delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state on or after June 28, 1984, and any private or public employer self-insurance plan or other plan that provides, or provides payment for, health care benefits for employees resident in this state other than through an insurer or health insuring corporation, to which both of the following apply:

(a) The policy insures employees for hospital, surgical, or major medical insurance on an expense incurred or service basis, other than for specified diseases or for accidental injuries only.

(b) The policy is in effect and covers an eligible employee at the time the employee's employment is terminated.

(2) "Eligible employee" includes only an employee to whom all of the following apply:

(a) The employee has been continuously insured under a group policy or under the policy and any prior similar group coverage replaced by the policy, during the entire three-month period preceding the termination of the employee's employment.

(b) The employee is entitled, at the time of the termination of the employee's employment, to unemployment compensation benefits under Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code.

(c) The employee is not, and does not become, covered by or eligible for coverage by medicare under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended.

(d) The employee is not, and does not become, covered by or eligible for coverage by any other insured or uninsured arrangement that provides hospital, surgical, or medical coverage for individuals in a group and under which the person was not covered immediately prior to such termination. A person eligible for continuation of coverage under this section, who is also eligible for coverage under section 3923.123 of the Revised Code, may elect either coverage, but not both. A person who elects continuation of coverage may elect any coverage available under section 3923.123 of the Revised Code upon the termination of the continuation of coverage.

(3) "Group rate" means, in the case of an employer self-insurance or other health benefits plan, the average monthly cost per employee, over a period of at least twelve months, of the operation of the plan that would represent a group insurance rate if the same coverage had been provided under a group sickness and accident insurance policy.

(B) A group policy shall provide that any eligible employee may continue the employee's hospital, surgical, and medical insurance under the policy, for the employee and the employee's eligible dependents, for a period of six months after the date that the insurance coverage would otherwise terminate by reason of the termination of the employee's employment. Each certificate of coverage, or other notice of coverage, issued to employees under the policy shall include a notice of the employee's privilege of continuation.

(C) All of the following apply to the continuation of coverage required under division (B) of this section:

(1) Continuation need not include dental, vision care, prescription drug benefits, or any other benefits provided under the policy in addition to its hospital, surgical, or major medical benefits.

(2) The employer shall notify the employee of the right of continuation at the time the employer notifies the employee of the termination of employment. The notice shall inform the employee of the amount of contribution required by the employer under division (C)(4) of this section.

(3) The employee shall file a written election of continuation with the employer and pay the employer the first contribution required under division (C)(4) of this section. The request and payment must be received by the employer no later than the earlier of any of the following dates:

(a) Thirty-one days after the date on which the employee's coverage would otherwise terminate;

(b) Ten days after the date on which the employee's coverage would otherwise terminate, if the employer has notified the employee of the right of continuation prior to such date;

(c) Ten days after the employer notifies the employee of the right of continuation, if the notice is given after the date on which the employee's coverage would otherwise terminate.

(4) The employee must pay to the employer, on a monthly basis, in advance, the amount of contribution required by the employer. The amount required shall not exceed the group rate for the insurance being continued under the policy on the due date of each payment.

(5) The employee's privilege to continue coverage and the coverage under any continuation ceases if any of the following occurs:

(a) The employee ceases to be an eligible employee under division (A)(2)(c) or (d) of this section;

(b) A period of six months expires after the date that the employee's insurance under the policy would otherwise have terminated because of the termination of employment;

(c) The employee fails to make a timely payment of a required contribution, in which event the coverage shall cease at the end of the coverage for which contributions were made;

(d) The policy is terminated, or the employer terminates participation under the policy, unless the employer replaces the coverage by similar coverage under another group policy or other group health arrangement.

If the employer replaces the policy with similar group health coverage, all of the following apply:

(i) The member shall be covered under the replacement coverage, for the balance of the period that the member would have remained covered under the terminated coverage if it had not been terminated.

(ii) The minimum level of benefits under the replacement coverage shall be the applicable level of benefits of the policy replaced reduced by any benefits payable under the policy replaced.

(iii) The policy replaced shall continue to provide benefits to the extent of its accrued liabilities and extensions of benefits as if the replacement had not occurred.

(D) This section does not apply to an employer's self-insurance plan if federal law supersedes, preempts, prohibits, or otherwise precludes its application to such plans.

Sec. 3923.49.  The department of insurance shall establish an outreach program to educate consumers about the following:

(A) The need for long-term care insurance;

(B) Mechanisms for financing long-term care;

(C) The availability of long-term care insurance;

(D) The resource protection provided by the Ohio long-term care insurance program under section 5111.18 5162.43 of the Revised Code;

(E) That a consumer who purchased a long-term care insurance policy that does not meet the requirements of section 3923.50 of the Revised Code may purchase a policy that meets those requirements.

The department shall develop and make available to consumers information to assist them in choosing long-term care insurance coverage.

Sec. 3923.50.  For the purposes of the Ohio long-term care insurance program established under section 5111.18 5162.43 of the Revised Code, the department of insurance shall notify the department of job and family services health care administration of all long-term care insurance policies that meet all of the following requirements:

(A) Comply with sections 3923.41 to 3923.48 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under section 3923.47 of the Revised Code;

(B) Provide benefits for home and community-based services in addition to nursing home care;

(C) Include case management services in its coverage of home and community-based services;

(D) Provide five per cent inflation protection compounded annually;

(E) Provide for the keeping of records and explanation-of-benefit reports on insurance payments that count toward resource exclusion for the medical assistance medicaid program;

(F) Provide the information the director of job and family services health care administration determines is necessary to document the extent of resource exclusion and to evaluate the Ohio long-term care insurance program;

(G) Comply with other requirements established in rules adopted under this section.

The superintendent of insurance shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing requirements under division (G) of this section that policies must meet to qualify under the Ohio long-term care insurance program. The superintendent shall consult with the departments of aging and job and family services health care administration in adopting those rules.

Sec. 3923.58.  (A) As used in sections 3923.58 and 3923.59 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Health benefit plan" and "MEWA" have the same meanings as in section 3924.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Insurer" means any sickness and accident insurance company authorized to do business in this state, or MEWA authorized to issue insured health benefit plans in this state. "Insurer" does not include any health insuring corporation that is owned or operated by an insurer.

(3) "Pre-existing conditions provision" means a policy provision that excludes or limits coverage for charges or expenses incurred during a specified period following the insured's effective date of coverage as to a condition which, during a specified period immediately preceding the effective date of coverage, had manifested itself in such a manner as would cause an ordinarily prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment or for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received, or a pregnancy existing on the effective date of coverage.

(B) Beginning in January of each year, insurers in the business of issuing individual policies of sickness and accident insurance as contemplated by section 3923.021 of the Revised Code, except individual policies issued pursuant to section 3923.122 of the Revised Code, shall accept applicants for open enrollment coverage, as set forth in this division, in the order in which they apply for coverage and subject to the limitation set forth in division (G) of this section. Insurers shall accept for coverage pursuant to this section individuals to whom both of the following conditions apply:

(1) The individual is not applying for coverage as an employee of an employer, as a member of an association, or as a member of any other group.

(2) The individual is not covered, and is not eligible for coverage, under any other private or public health benefits arrangement, including the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, or any other act of congress or law of this or any other state of the United States that provides benefits comparable to the benefits provided under this section, any medicare supplement policy, or any continuation of coverage policy under state or federal law.

(C) An insurer shall offer to any individual accepted under this section the Ohio health care basic and standard plans established by the board of directors of the Ohio health reinsurance program under division (A) of section 3924.10 of the Revised Code or health benefit plans that are substantially similar to the Ohio health care basic and standard plans in benefit plan design and scope of covered services.

An insurer may offer other health benefit plans in addition to, but not in lieu of, the plans required to be offered under this division. A basic health benefit plan shall provide, at a minimum, the coverage provided by the Ohio health care basic plan or any health benefit plan that is substantially similar to the Ohio health care basic plan in benefit plan design and scope of covered services. A standard health benefit plan shall provide, at a minimum, the coverage provided by the Ohio health care standard plan or any health benefit plan that is substantially similar to the Ohio health care standard plan in benefit plan design and scope of covered services.

For purposes of this division, the superintendent of insurance shall determine whether a health benefit plan is substantially similar to the Ohio health care basic and standard plans in benefit plan design and scope of covered services.

(D) Health benefit plans issued under this section may establish pre-existing conditions provisions that exclude or limit coverage for a period of up to twelve months following the individual's effective date of coverage and that may relate only to conditions during the six months immediately preceding the effective date of coverage.

(E) Premiums charged to individuals under this section may not exceed an amount that is two and one-half times the highest rate charged any other individual to which the insurer is currently accepting new business, and for which similar copayments and deductibles are applied.

(F) In offering health benefit plans under this section, an insurer may require the purchase of health benefit plans that condition the reimbursement of health services upon the use of a specific network of providers.

(G)(1) In no event shall an insurer be required to accept annually under this section individuals who, in the aggregate, would cause the insurer to have a total number of new insureds that is more than one-half per cent of its total number of insured individuals in this state per year, as contemplated by section 3923.021 of the Revised Code, calculated as of the immediately preceding thirty-first day of December and excluding the insurer's medicare supplement policies and conversion or continuation of coverage policies under state or federal law and any policies described in division (L) of this section.

(2) An officer of the insurer shall certify to the department of insurance when it has met the enrollment limit set forth in division (G)(1) of this section. Upon providing such certification, the insurer shall be relieved of its open enrollment requirement under this section for the remainder of the calendar year.

(H) An insurer shall not be required to accept under this section applicants who, at the time of enrollment, are confined to a health care facility because of chronic illness, permanent injury, or other infirmity that would cause economic impairment to the insurer if the applicants were accepted, or to make the effective date of benefits for individuals accepted under this section earlier than ninety days after the date of acceptance.

(I) The requirements of this section do not apply to any insurer that is currently in a state of supervision, insolvency, or liquidation. If an insurer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the superintendent that the requirements of this section would place the insurer in a state of supervision, insolvency, or liquidation, the superintendent may waive or modify the requirements of division (B) or (G) of this section. The actions of the superintendent under this division shall be effective for a period of not more than one year. At the expiration of such time, a new showing of need for a waiver or modification by the insurer shall be made before a new waiver or modification is issued or imposed.

(J) No hospital, health care facility, or health care practitioner, and no person who employs any health care practitioner, shall balance bill any individual or dependent of an individual for any health care supplies or services provided to the individual or dependent who is insured under a policy issued under this section. The hospital, health care facility, or health care practitioner, or any person that employs the health care practitioner, shall accept payments made to it by the insurer under the terms of the policy or contract insuring or covering such individual as payment in full for such health care supplies or services.

As used in this division, "hospital" has the same meaning as in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code; "health care practitioner" has the same meaning as in section 4769.01 of the Revised Code; and "balance bill" means charging or collecting an amount in excess of the amount reimbursable or payable under the policy or health care service contract issued to an individual under this section for such health care supply or service. "Balance bill" does not include charging for or collecting copayments or deductibles required by the policy or contract.

(K) An insurer shall pay an agent a commission in the amount of five per cent of the premium charged for initial placement or for otherwise securing the issuance of a policy or contract issued to an individual under this section, and four per cent of the premium charged for the renewal of such a policy or contract. The superintendent may adopt, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, such rules as are necessary to enforce this division.

(L) This section does not apply to any policy that provides coverage for specific diseases or accidents only, or to any hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, long-term care, disability income, one-time-limited-duration policy of no longer than six months, or other policy that offers only supplemental benefits.

Sec. 3923.601. (A)(1) This section applies to both of the following:

(a) A sickness and accident insurer that issues or requires the use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims pursuant to a policy, contract, or agreement for health care services;

(b) A person that a sickness and accident insurer contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology described in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding division (A)(1) of this section, this section does not apply to the issuance or required use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for the submission and routing of prescription drug claims in connection with any of the following:

(a) Any individual or group policy of sickness and accident insurance covering only accident, credit, dental, disability income, long-term care, hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, medicare, tricare, specified disease, or vision care; coverage under a one-time-limited-duration policy of not longer than six months; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; insurance arising out of workers' compensation or similar law; automobile medical payment insurance; or insurance under which benefits are payable with or without regard to fault and which is statutorily required to be contained in any liability insurance policy or equivalent self-insurance.

(b) Coverage provided under the medicaid, as defined in section 5111.01 of the Revised Code program.

(c) Coverage provided under an employer's self-insurance plan or by any of its administrators, as defined in section 3959.01 of the Revised Code, to the extent that federal law supersedes, preempts, prohibits, or otherwise precludes the application of this section to the plan and its administrators.

(B) A standardized identification card or an electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section shall contain uniform prescription drug information in accordance with either division (B)(1) or (2) of this section.

(1) The standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall be in a format and contain information fields approved by the national council for prescription drug programs or a successor organization, as specified in the council's or successor organization's pharmacy identification card implementation guide in effect on the first day of October most immediately preceding the issuance or required use of the standardized identification card or the electronic technology.

(2) If the insurer or person under contract with the insurer to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology requires the information for the submission and routing of a claim, the standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall contain any of the following information:

(a) The insurer's name;

(b) The insured's name, group number, and identification number;

(c) A telephone number to inquire about pharmacy-related issues;

(d) The issuer's international identification number, labeled as "ANSI BIN" or "RxBIN";

(e) The processor's control number, labeled as "RxPCN";

(f) The insured's pharmacy benefits group number if different from the insured's medical group number, labeled as "RxGrp."

(C) If the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section is also used for submission and routing of nonpharmacy claims, the designation "Rx" is required to be included as part of the labels identified in divisions (B)(2)(d) and (e) of this section if the issuer's international identification number or the processor's control number is different for medical and pharmacy claims.

(D) Each sickness and accident insurer described in division (A) of this section shall annually file a certificate with the superintendent of insurance certifying that it or any person it contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims complies with this section.

(E)(1) Except as provided in division (E)(2) of this section, if there is a change in the information contained in the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued to an insured, the insurer or person under contract with the insurer to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology shall issue a new card or electronic technology to the insured.

(2) An insurer or person under contract with the insurer is not required under division (E)(1) of this section to issue a new card or electronic technology to an insured more than once during a twelve-month period.

(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring an insurer to produce more than one standardized identification card or one electronic technology for use by insureds accessing health care benefits provided under a policy of sickness and accident insurance.

Sec. 3923.70.  Consistent with the Rules of Evidence, a written decision or opinion prepared by an independent review organization under section 3923.67 or 3923.68 of the Revised Code shall be admissible in any civil action related to the coverage decision that was the subject of the decision or opinion. The independent review organization's decision or opinion shall be presumed to be a scientifically valid and accurate description of the state of medical knowledge at the time it was written.

Consistent with the Rules of Evidence, any party to a civil action related to an insurer's decision involving an investigational or experimental drug, device, or treatment may introduce into evidence any applicable medicare reimbursement standards established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program.

Sec. 3923.79.  Consistent with the Rules of Evidence, a written decision or opinion prepared by an independent review organization under section 3923.76 or 3923.77 of the Revised Code shall be admissible in any civil action related to the coverage decision that was the subject of the decision or opinion. The independent review organization's decision or opinion shall be presumed to be a scientifically valid and accurate description of the state of medical knowledge at the time it was written.

Consistent with the Rules of Evidence, any party to a civil action related to a plan's decision involving an investigational or experimental drug, device, or treatment may introduce into evidence any applicable medicare reimbursement standards established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended medicare program.

Sec. 3923.83. (A)(1) This section applies to both of the following:

(a) A public employee benefit plan that issues or requires the use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for submission and routing of prescription drug claims pursuant to a policy, contract, or agreement for health care services;

(b) A person or entity that a public employee benefit plan contracts with to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology described in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding division (A)(1) of this section, this section does not apply to the issuance or required use of a standardized identification card or an electronic technology for the submission and routing of prescription drug claims in connection with either of the following:

(a) Any individual or group policy of insurance covering only accident, credit, dental, disability income, long-term care, hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, medicare, tricare, specified disease, or vision care; coverage under a one-time-limited-duration policy of not longer than six months; coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance; insurance arising out of workers' compensation or similar law; automobile medical payment insurance; or insurance under which benefits are payable with or without regard to fault and which is statutorily required to be contained in any liability insurance policy or equivalent self-insurance.

(b) Coverage provided under the medicaid, as defined in section 5111.01 of the Revised Code program.

(B) A standardized identification card or an electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section shall contain uniform prescription drug information in accordance with either division (B)(1) or (2) of this section.

(1) The standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall be in a format and contain information fields approved by the national council for prescription drug programs or a successor organization, as specified in the council's or successor organization's pharmacy identification card implementation guide in effect on the first day of October most immediately preceding the issuance or required use of the standardized identification card or the electronic technology.

(2) If the public employee benefit plan or person under contract with the plan to issue a standardized identification card or an electronic technology requires the information for the submission and routing of a claim, the standardized identification card or the electronic technology shall contain any of the following information:

(a) The plan's name;

(b) The insured's name, group number, and identification number;

(c) A telephone number to inquire about pharmacy-related issues;

(d) The issuer's international identification number, labeled as "ANSI BIN" or "RxBIN";

(e) The processor's control number, labeled as "RxPCN";

(f) The insured's pharmacy benefits group number if different from the insured's medical group number, labeled as "RxGrp."

(C) If the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued or required to be used as provided in division (A)(1) of this section is also used for submission and routing of nonpharmacy claims, the designation "Rx" is required to be included as part of the labels identified in divisions (B)(2)(d) and (e) of this section if the issuer's international identification number or the processor's control number is different for medical and pharmacy claims.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, if there is a change in the information contained in the standardized identification card or the electronic technology issued to an insured, the public employee benefit plan or person under contract with the plan to issue a standardized identification card or electronic technology shall issue a new card or electronic technology to the insured.

(2) A public employee benefit plan or person under contract with the plan is not required under division (D)(1) of this section to issue a new card or electronic technology to an insured more than once during a twelve-month period.

(F)(E) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a public employee benefit plan to produce more than one standardized identification card or one electronic technology for use by insureds accessing health care benefits provided under a health benefit plan.

Sec. 3924.41.  (A) As used in sections 3924.41 and 3924.42 of the Revised Code, "health insurer" means any sickness and accident insurer or health insuring corporation. "Health insurer" also includes any group health plan as defined in section 607 of the federal "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974," 88 Stat. 832, 29 U.S.C.A. 1167.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code, no health insurer shall take into consideration the availability of, or eligibility for, medical assistance the medicaid program in this state under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or in any other state pursuant to Title XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, when determining an individual's eligibility for coverage or when making payments to or on behalf of an enrollee, subscriber, policyholder, or certificate holder.

Sec. 3924.42.  No health insurer shall impose requirements on the department of job and family services health care administration, when it has been assigned the rights of an individual who is eligible for medical assistance under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code the medicaid program and who is covered under a health care policy, contract, or plan issued by the health insurer, that are different from the requirements applicable to an agent or assignee of any other individual so covered.

Sec. 4123.27.  Information contained in the annual statement provided for in section 4123.26 of the Revised Code, and such other information as may be furnished to the bureau of workers' compensation by employers in pursuance of that section, is for the exclusive use and information of the bureau in the discharge of its official duties, and shall not be open to the public nor be used in any court in any action or proceeding pending therein unless the bureau is a party to the action or proceeding; but the information contained in the statement may be tabulated and published by the bureau in statistical form for the use and information of other state departments and the public. No person in the employ of the bureau, except those who are authorized by the administrator of workers' compensation, shall divulge any information secured by the person while in the employ of the bureau in respect to the transactions, property, claim files, records, or papers of the bureau or in respect to the business or mechanical, chemical, or other industrial process of any company, firm, corporation, person, association, partnership, or public utility to any person other than the administrator or to the superior of such employee of the bureau.

Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by this section, the governor, select or standing committees of the general assembly, the auditor of state, the attorney general, or their designees, pursuant to the authority granted in this chapter and Chapter 4121. of the Revised Code, may examine any records, claim files, or papers in possession of the industrial commission or the bureau. They also are bound by the privilege that attaches to these papers.

The administrator shall report to the director of job and family services or to the county director of job and family services the name, address, and social security number or other identification number of any person receiving workers' compensation whose name or social security number or other identification number is the same as that of a person required by a court or child support enforcement agency to provide support payments to a recipient or participant of public assistance, and whose name is submitted to the administrator by the director under section 5101.36 of the Revised Code. The administrator shall report to the director of health care administration or to the county director of job and family services the name, address, and social security number or other identification number of any person receiving workers' compensation whose name or social security number or other identification number is the same as that of a person required by a court or child support enforcement agency to provide support payments to a public medical assistance program recipient, and whose name is submitted to the administrator by the director under section 5160.41 of the Revised Code. The administrator also shall inform the appropriate director of the amount of workers' compensation paid to the person during such period as the director specifies.

Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients or participants of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code or a list of the names and social security numbers of public medical assistance program recipients pursuant to section 5160.43 of the Revised Code, the administrator shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent address, and social security number of each person receiving workers' compensation pursuant to this chapter whose name and social security number are the same as that of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director is included in the list. The administrator also shall inform the auditor of state of the amount of workers' compensation paid to the person during such period as the director specifies.

The bureau and its employees, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, shall preserve the confidentiality of recipients or participants of public assistance in compliance with division (A) of section 5101.181 of the Revised Code and preserve the confidentiality of public medical assistance program recipients in compliance with section 5160.43 of the Revised Code.

For the purposes of this section, "public assistance" means medical assistance provided through the medical assistance program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code, Ohio works first provided under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code, prevention, retention, and contingency benefits and services provided under Chapter 5108. of the Revised Code, disability financial assistance provided under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code, or the disability medical assistance provided under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code program.

Sec. 4141.162.  (A) The director of job and family services, in collaboration with the director of health care administration, shall establish an income and eligibility verification system that complies with section 1137 of the "Social Security Act." The programs included in the system are all of the following:

(1) Unemployment compensation pursuant to section 3304 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1954";

(2) The state programs funded in part under part A of Title IV of the "Social Security Act" and administered under Chapters 5107. and 5108. of the Revised Code;

(3) Medicaid pursuant to Title XIX of the "Social Security Act";

(4) Food stamps pursuant to the "Food Stamp Act of 1977," 91 Stat. 958, 7 U.S.C.A. 2011, as amended;

(5) Any Ohio program under a plan approved under Title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the "Social Security Act."

Wage information provided by employers to the director shall be furnished to the income and eligibility verification system. Such information shall be used by the director to determine eligibility of individuals for unemployment compensation benefits and the amount of those benefits and used by the agencies that administer the programs identified in divisions (A)(2) to (5) of this section to determine or verify eligibility for or the amount of benefits under those programs.

The director shall fully implement the use of wage information to determine eligibility for and the amount of unemployment compensation benefits by September 30, 1988.

Information furnished under the system shall also be made available to the appropriate state or local child support enforcement agency for the purposes of an approved plan under Title IV-D of the "Social Security Act" and to the appropriate federal agency for the purposes of Titles II and XVI of the "Social Security Act."

(B) The director shall adopt rules as necessary under which the department of job and family services and other state agencies that the director determines must participate in order to ensure compliance with section 1137 of the "Social Security Act" exchange information with each other or authorized federal agencies about individuals who are applicants for or recipients of benefits under any of the programs enumerated in division (A) of this section. The rules shall extend to all of the following:

(1) A requirement for standardized formats and procedures for a participating agency to request and receive information about an individual, which information shall include the individual's social security number;

(2) A requirement that all applicants for and recipients of benefits under any program enumerated in division (A) of this section be notified at the time of application, and periodically thereafter, that information available through the system may be shared with agencies that administer other benefit programs and utilized in establishing or verifying eligibility or benefit amounts under the other programs enumerated in division (A) of this section;

(3) A requirement that information is made available only to the extent necessary to assist in the valid administrative needs of the program receiving the information and is targeted for use in ways which are most likely to be productive in identifying and preventing ineligibility and incorrect payments;

(4) A requirement that information is adequately protected against unauthorized disclosures for purposes other than to establish or verify eligibility or benefit amounts under the programs enumerated in division (A) of this section;

(5) A requirement that a program providing information is reimbursed by the program using the information for the actual costs of furnishing the information and that the director be reimbursed by the participating programs for any actual costs incurred in operating the system;

(6) Requirements for any other matters necessary to ensure the effective, efficient, and timely exchange of necessary information or that the director determines must be addressed in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of section 1137 of the "Social Security Act."

(C) Each participating agency shall furnish to the income and eligibility verification system established in division (A) of this section that information, which the director, by rule, determines is necessary in order to comply with section 1137 of the "Social Security Act."

(D) Notwithstanding the information disclosure requirements of this section and section 4141.21 and division (A) of section 4141.284 of the Revised Code, the director shall administer those provisions of law so as to comply with section 1137 of the "Social Security Act."

(E) Requirements in section 4141.21 of the Revised Code with respect to confidentiality of information obtained in the administration of Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code and any sanctions imposed for improper disclosure of such information shall apply to the redisclosure of information disclosed under this section.

Sec. 4719.01.  (A) As used in sections 4719.01 to 4719.18 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Affiliate" means a business entity that is owned by, operated by, controlled by, or under common control with another business entity.

(2) "Communication" means a written or oral notification or advertisement that meets both of the following criteria, as applicable:

(a) The notification or advertisement is transmitted by or on behalf of the seller of goods or services and by or through any printed, audio, video, cinematic, telephonic, or electronic means.

(b) In the case of a notification or advertisement other than by telephone, either of the following conditions is met:

(i) The notification or advertisement is followed by a telephone call from a telephone solicitor or salesperson.

(ii) The notification or advertisement invites a response by telephone, and, during the course of that response, a telephone solicitor or salesperson attempts to make or makes a sale of goods or services. As used in division (A)(2)(b)(ii) of this section, "invites a response by telephone" excludes the mere listing or inclusion of a telephone number in a notification or advertisement.

(3) "Gift, award, or prize" means anything of value that is offered or purportedly offered, or given or purportedly given by chance, at no cost to the receiver and with no obligation to purchase goods or services. As used in this division, "chance" includes a situation in which a person is guaranteed to receive an item and, at the time of the offer or purported offer, the telephone solicitor does not identify the specific item that the person will receive.

(4) "Goods or services" means any real property or any tangible or intangible personal property, or services of any kind provided or offered to a person. "Goods or services" includes, but is not limited to, advertising; labor performed for the benefit of a person; personal property intended to be attached to or installed in any real property, regardless of whether it is so attached or installed; timeshare estates or licenses; and extended service contracts.

(5) "Purchaser" means a person that is solicited to become or does become financially obligated as a result of a telephone solicitation.

(6) "Salesperson" means an individual who is employed, appointed, or authorized by a telephone solicitor to make telephone solicitations but does not mean any of the following:

(a) An individual who comes within one of the exemptions in division (B) of this section;

(b) An individual employed, appointed, or authorized by a person who comes within one of the exemptions in division (B) of this section;

(c) An individual under a written contract with a person who comes within one of the exemptions in division (B) of this section, if liability for all transactions with purchasers is assumed by the person so exempted.

(7) "Telephone solicitation" means a communication to a person that meets both of the following criteria:

(a) The communication is initiated by or on behalf of a telephone solicitor or by a salesperson.

(b) The communication either represents a price or the quality or availability of goods or services or is used to induce the person to purchase goods or services, including, but not limited to, inducement through the offering of a gift, award, or prize.

(8) "Telephone solicitor" means a person that engages in telephone solicitation directly or through one or more salespersons either from a location in this state, or from a location outside this state to persons in this state. "Telephone solicitor" includes, but is not limited to, any such person that is an owner, operator, officer, or director of, partner in, or other individual engaged in the management activities of, a business.

(B) A telephone solicitor is exempt from the provisions of sections 4719.02 to 4719.18 and section 4719.99 of the Revised Code if the telephone solicitor is any one of the following:

(1) A person engaging in a telephone solicitation that is a one-time or infrequent transaction not done in the course of a pattern of repeated transactions of a like nature;

(2) A person engaged in telephone solicitation solely for religious or political purposes; a charitable organization, fund-raising counsel, or professional solicitor in compliance with the registration and reporting requirements of Chapter 1716. of the Revised Code; or any person or other entity exempt under section 1716.03 of the Revised Code from filing a registration statement under section 1716.02 of the Revised Code;

(3) A person, making a telephone solicitation involving a home solicitation sale as defined in section 1345.21 of the Revised Code, that makes the sales presentation and completes the sale at a later, face-to-face meeting between the seller and the purchaser rather than during the telephone solicitation. However, if the person, following the telephone solicitation, causes another person to collect the payment of any money, this exemption does not apply.

(4) A licensed securities, commodities, or investment broker, dealer, investment advisor, or associated person when making a telephone solicitation within the scope of the person's license. As used in division (B)(4) of this section, "licensed securities, commodities, or investment broker, dealer, investment advisor, or associated person" means a person subject to licensure or registration as such by the securities and exchange commission; the National Association of Securities Dealers or other self-regulatory organization, as defined by 15 U.S.C.A. 78c; by the division of securities under Chapter 1707. of the Revised Code; or by an official or agency of any other state of the United States.

(5)(a) A person primarily engaged in soliciting the sale of a newspaper of general circulation;

(b) As used in division (B)(5)(a) of this section, "newspaper of general circulation" includes, but is not limited to, both of the following:

(i) A newspaper that is a daily law journal designated as an official publisher of court calendars pursuant to section 2701.09 of the Revised Code;

(ii) A newspaper or publication that has at least twenty-five per cent editorial, non-advertising content, exclusive of inserts, measured relative to total publication space, and an audited circulation to at least fifty per cent of the households in the newspaper's retail trade zone as defined by the audit.

(6)(a) An issuer, or its subsidiary, that has a class of securities to which all of the following apply:

(i) The class of securities is subject to section 12 of the "Securities Exchange Act of 1934," 15 U.S.C.A. 78l, and is registered or is exempt from registration under 15 U.S.C.A. 78l(g)(2)(A), (B), (C), (E), (F), (G), or (H);

(ii) The class of securities is listed on the New York stock exchange, the American stock exchange, or the NASDAQ national market system;

(iii) The class of securities is a reported security as defined in 17 C.F.R. 240.11Aa3-1(a)(4).

(b) An issuer, or its subsidiary, that formerly had a class of securities that met the criteria set forth in division (B)(6)(a) of this section if the issuer, or its subsidiary, has a net worth in excess of one hundred million dollars, files or its parent files with the securities and exchange commission an S.E.C. form 10-K, and has continued in substantially the same business since it had a class of securities that met the criteria in division (B)(6)(a) of this section. As used in division (B)(6)(b) of this section, "issuer" and "subsidiary" include the successor to an issuer or subsidiary.

(7) A person soliciting a transaction regulated by the commodity futures trading commission, if the person is registered or temporarily registered for that activity with the commission under 7 U.S.C.A. 1 et. seq. and the registration or temporary registration has not expired or been suspended or revoked;

(8) A person soliciting the sale of any book, record, audio tape, compact disc, or video, if the person allows the purchaser to review the merchandise for at least seven days and provides a full refund within thirty days to a purchaser who returns the merchandise or if the person solicits the sale on behalf of a membership club operating in compliance with regulations adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. 425;

(9) A supervised financial institution or its subsidiary. As used in division (B)(9) of this section, "supervised financial institution" means a bank, trust company, savings and loan association, savings bank, credit union, industrial loan company, consumer finance lender, commercial finance lender, or institution described in section 2(c)(2)(F) of the "Bank Holding Company Act of 1956," 12 U.S.C.A. 1841(c)(2)(F), as amended, supervised by an official or agency of the United States, this state, or any other state of the United States; or a licensee or registrant under sections 1321.01 to 1321.19, 1321.51 to 1321.60, or 1321.71 to 1321.83 of the Revised Code.

(10)(a) An insurance company, association, or other organization that is licensed or authorized to conduct business in this state by the superintendent of insurance pursuant to Title XXXIX of the Revised Code or Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code, when soliciting within the scope of its license or authorization.

(b) A licensed insurance broker, agent, or solicitor when soliciting within the scope of the person's license. As used in division (B)(10)(b) of this section, "licensed insurance broker, agent, or solicitor" means any person licensed as an insurance broker, agent, or solicitor by the superintendent of insurance pursuant to Title XXXIX of the Revised Code.

(11) A person soliciting the sale of services provided by a cable television system operating under authority of a governmental franchise or permit;

(12) A person soliciting a business-to-business sale under which any of the following conditions are met:

(a) The telephone solicitor has been operating continuously for at least three years under the same business name under which it solicits purchasers, and at least fifty-one per cent of its gross dollar volume of sales consists of repeat sales to existing customers to whom it has made sales under the same business name.

(b) The purchaser business intends to resell the goods purchased.

(c) The purchaser business intends to use the goods or services purchased in a recycling, reuse, manufacturing, or remanufacturing process.

(d) The telephone solicitor is a publisher of a periodical or of magazines distributed as controlled circulation publications as defined in division (CC) of section 5739.01 of the Revised Code and is soliciting sales of advertising, subscriptions, reprints, lists, information databases, conference participation or sponsorships, trade shows or media products related to the periodical or magazine, or other publishing services provided by the controlled circulation publication.

(13) A person that, not less often than once each year, publishes and delivers to potential purchasers a catalog that complies with both of the following:

(a) It includes all of the following:

(i) The business address of the seller;

(ii) A written description or illustration of each good or service offered for sale;

(iii) A clear and conspicuous disclosure of the sale price of each good or service; shipping, handling, and other charges; and return policy;

(b) One of the following applies:

(i) The catalog includes at least twenty-four pages of written material and illustrations, is distributed in more than one state, and has an annual postage-paid mail circulation of not less than two hundred fifty thousand households;

(ii) The catalog includes at least ten pages of written material or an equivalent amount of material in electronic form on the internet or an on-line computer service, the person does not solicit customers by telephone but solely receives telephone calls made in response to the catalog, and during the calls the person takes orders but does not engage in further solicitation of the purchaser. As used in division (B)(13)(b)(ii) of this section, "further solicitation" does not include providing the purchaser with information about, or attempting to sell, any other item in the catalog that prompted the purchaser's call or in a substantially similar catalog issued by the seller.

(14) A political subdivision or instrumentality of the United States, this state, or any state of the United States;

(15) A college or university or any other public or private institution of higher education in this state;

(16) A public utility as defined in section 4905.02 of the Revised Code or a retail natural gas supplier as defined in section 4929.01 of the Revised Code, if the utility or supplier is subject to regulation by the public utilities commission, or the affiliate of the utility or supplier;

(17) A person that solicits sales through a television program or advertisement that is presented in the same market area no fewer than twenty days per month or offers for sale no fewer than ten distinct items of goods or services; and offers to the purchaser an unconditional right to return any good or service purchased within a period of at least seven days and to receive a full refund within thirty days after the purchaser returns the good or cancels the service;

(18)(a) A person that, for at least one year, has been operating a retail business under the same name as that used in connection with telephone solicitation and both of the following occur on a continuing basis:

(i) The person either displays goods and offers them for retail sale at the person's business premises or offers services for sale and provides them at the person's business premises.

(ii) At least fifty-one per cent of the person's gross dollar volume of retail sales involves purchases of goods or services at the person's business premises.

(b) An affiliate of a person that meets the requirements in division (B)(18)(a) of this section if the affiliate meets all of the following requirements:

(i) The affiliate has operated a retail business for a period of less than one year;

(ii) The affiliate either displays goods and offers them for retail sale at the affiliate's business premises or offers services for sale and provides them at the affiliate's business premises;

(iii) At least fifty-one per cent of the affiliate's gross dollar volume of retail sales involves purchases of goods or services at the affiliate's business premises.

(c) A person that, for a period of less than one year, has been operating a retail business in this state under the same name as that used in connection with telephone solicitation, as long as all of the following requirements are met:

(i) The person either displays goods and offers them for retail sale at the person's business premises or offers services for sale and provides them at the person's business premises;

(ii) The goods or services that are the subject of telephone solicitation are sold at the person's business premises, and at least sixty-five per cent of the person's gross dollar volume of retail sales involves purchases of goods or services at the person's business premises;

(iii) The person conducts all telephone solicitation activities according to sections 310.3, 310.4, and 310.5 of the telemarketing sales rule adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. part 310.

(19) A person who performs telephone solicitation sales services on behalf of other persons and to whom one of the following applies:

(a) The person has operated under the same ownership, control, and business name for at least five years, and the person receives at least seventy-five per cent of its gross revenues from written telephone solicitation contracts with persons who come within one of the exemptions in division (B) of this section.

(b) The person is an affiliate of one or more exempt persons and makes telephone solicitations on behalf of only the exempt persons of which it is an affiliate.

(c) The person makes telephone solicitations on behalf of only exempt persons, the person and each exempt person on whose behalf telephone solicitations are made have entered into a written contract that specifies the manner in which the telephone solicitations are to be conducted and that at a minimum requires compliance with the telemarketing sales rule adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. part 310, and the person conducts the telephone solicitations in the manner specified in the written contract.

(d) The person performs telephone solicitation for religious or political purposes, a charitable organization, a fund-raising council, or a professional solicitor in compliance with the registration and reporting requirements of Chapter 1716. of the Revised Code; and meets all of the following requirements:

(i) The person has operated under the same ownership, control, and business name for at least five years, and the person receives at least fifty-one per cent of its gross revenues from written telephone solicitation contracts with persons who come within the exemption in division (B)(2) of this section;

(ii) The person does not conduct a prize promotion or offer the sale of an investment opportunity;

(iii) The person conducts all telephone solicitation activities according to sections 310.3, 310.4, and 310.5 of the telemarketing sales rules adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. part 310.

(20) A person that is a licensed real estate salesperson or broker under Chapter 4735. of the Revised Code when soliciting within the scope of the person's license;

(21)(a) Either of the following:

(i) A publisher that solicits the sale of the publisher's periodical or magazine of general, paid circulation, or a person that solicits a sale of that nature on behalf of a publisher under a written agreement directly between the publisher and the person.

(ii) A publisher that solicits the sale of the publisher's periodical or magazine of general, paid circulation, or a person that solicits a sale of that nature as authorized by a publisher under a written agreement directly with a publisher's clearinghouse provided the person is a resident of Ohio for more than three years and initiates all telephone solicitations from Ohio and the person conducts the solicitation and sale in compliance with 16 C.F.R. part 310, as adopted by the federal trade commission.

(b) As used in division (B)(21) of this section, "periodical or magazine of general, paid circulation" excludes a periodical or magazine circulated only as part of a membership package or given as a free gift or prize from the publisher or person.

(22) A person that solicits the sale of food, as defined in section 3715.01 of the Revised Code, or the sale of products of horticulture, as defined in section 5739.01 of the Revised Code, if the person does not intend the solicitation to result in, or the solicitation actually does not result in, a sale that costs the purchaser an amount greater than five hundred dollars.

(23) A funeral director licensed pursuant to Chapter 4717. of the Revised Code when soliciting within the scope of that license, if both of the following apply:

(a) The solicitation and sale are conducted in compliance with 16 C.F.R. part 453, as adopted by the federal trade commission, and with sections 1107.33 and 1345.21 to 1345.28 of the Revised Code;

(b) The person provides to the purchaser of any preneed funeral contract a notice that clearly and conspicuously sets forth the cancellation rights specified in division (G) of section 1107.33 of the Revised Code, and retains a copy of the notice signed by the purchaser.

(24) A person, or affiliate thereof, licensed to sell or issue Ohio instruments designated as travelers checks pursuant to sections 1315.01 to 1315.18 of the Revised Code.

(25) A person that solicits sales from its previous purchasers and meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The solicitation is made under the same business name that was previously used to sell goods or services to the purchaser;

(b) The person has, for a period of not less than three years, operated a business under the same business name as that used in connection with telephone solicitation;

(c) The person does not conduct a prize promotion or offer the sale of an investment opportunity;

(d) The person conducts all telephone solicitation activities according to sections 310.3, 310.4, and 310.5 of the telemarketing sales rules adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. part 310;

(e) Neither the person nor any of its principals has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or has entered a plea of no contest for a felony or a theft offense as defined in sections 2901.02 and 2913.01 of the Revised Code or similar law of another state or of the United States;

(f) Neither the person nor any of its principals has had entered against them an injunction or a final judgment or order, including an agreed judgment or order, an assurance of voluntary compliance, or any similar instrument, in any civil or administrative action involving engaging in a pattern of corrupt practices, fraud, theft, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, or misappropriation of property; the use of any untrue, deceptive, or misleading representation; or the use of any unfair, unlawful, deceptive, or unconscionable trade act or practice.

(26) An institution defined as a home health agency in section 3701.881 of the Revised Code, that conducts all telephone solicitation activities according to sections 310.3, 310.4, and 310.5 of the telemarketing sales rules adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. part 310, and engages in telephone solicitation only within the scope of the institution's certification, accreditation, contract with the department of aging, or status as a home health agency; and that meets one of the following requirements:

(a) The institution is certified as a provider of home health services under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended medicare program;

(b) The institution is accredited by either the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations or the community health accreditation program;

(c) The institution is providing passport services under the direction of the Ohio department of aging under section 173.40 of the Revised Code;

(d) An affiliate of an institution that meets the requirements of division (B)(26)(a), (b), or (c) of this section when offering for sale substantially the same goods and services as those that are offered by the institution that meets the requirements of division (B)(26)(a), (b), or (c) of this section.

(27) A person licensed to provide a hospice care program by the department of health pursuant to section 3712.04 of the Revised Code when conducting telephone solicitations within the scope of the person's license and according to sections 310.3, 310.4, and 310.5 of the telemarketing sales rules adopted by the federal trade commission in 16 C.F.R. part 310.

Sec. 4723.063.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Health care facility" means:

(a) A hospital registered under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code;

(b) A nursing home licensed under section 3721.02 of the Revised Code, or by a political subdivision certified under section 3721.09 of the Revised Code;

(c) A county home or a county nursing home as defined in section 5155.31 of the Revised Code that is certified under Title XVIII or XIX of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, amended medicare program or medicaid program;

(d) A freestanding dialysis center;

(e) A freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility;

(f) An ambulatory surgical facility;

(g) A freestanding cardiac catheterization facility;

(h) A freestanding birthing center;

(i) A freestanding or mobile diagnostic imaging center;

(j) A freestanding radiation therapy center.

(2) "Nurse education program" means a prelicensure nurse education program approved by the board of nursing under section 4723.06 of the Revised Code or a postlicensure nurse education program approved by the board of regents under section 3333.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) The state board of nursing shall establish and administer the nurse education grant program. Under the program, the board shall award grants to nurse education programs that have partnerships with other education programs, community health agencies, or health care facilities. Grant recipients shall use the money to fund partnerships to increase the nurse education program's enrollment capacity. Methods of increasing a program's enrollment capacity may include hiring faculty and preceptors, purchasing educational equipment and materials, and other actions acceptable to the board. Grant money shall not be used to construct or renovate buildings. Partnerships may be developed between one or more nurse education programs and one or more health care facilities.

In awarding grants, the board shall give preference to partnerships between nurse education programs and hospitals, nursing homes, and county homes or county nursing homes, but may also award grants to fund partnerships between nurse education programs and other health care facilities.

(C) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing the following:

(1) Eligibility requirements for receipt of a grant;

(2) Grant application forms and procedures;

(3) The amounts in which grants may be made and the total amount that may be awarded to a nurse education program that has a partnership with other education programs, a community health agency, or a health care facility;

(4) A method whereby the board may evaluate the effectiveness of a partnership between joint recipients in increasing the nurse education program's enrollment capacity;

(5) The percentage of the money in the fund that must remain in the fund at all times to maintain a fiscally responsible fund balance;

(6) The percentage of available grants to be awarded to licensed practical nurse education programs, registered nurse education programs, and graduate programs;

(7) Any other matters incidental to the operation of the program.

(D) From January 1, 2004, until December 31, 2013, the ten dollars of each biennial nursing license renewal fee collected under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code shall be dedicated to the nurse education grant program fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. The board shall use money in the fund for grants awarded under division (A) of this section and for expenses of administering the grant program. The amount used for administrative expenses in any year shall not exceed ten per cent of the amount transferred to the fund in that year.

(E) Each quarter, for the purposes of transferring funds to the nurse education grant program, the board of nursing shall certify to the director of budget and management the number of biennial licenses renewed under this chapter during the preceding quarter and the amount equal to that number times ten dollars.

(F) Notwithstanding the requirements of section 4743.05 of the Revised Code, from January 1, 2004, until December 31, 2013, at the end of each quarter, the director of budget and management shall transfer from the occupational licensing and regulatory fund to the nurse education grant program fund the amount certified under division (E) of this section.

Sec. 4723.17.  (A) The board of nursing may authorize a licensed practical nurse to administer to an adult intravenous therapy authorized by an individual who is authorized to practice in this state and is acting within the course of the individual's professional practice, if the licensed practical nurse has a current, valid license issued under this chapter that includes authorization to administer medications and one of the following is the case:

(1) The nurse has successfully completed, within a practical nurse prelicensure education program approved by the board or by another jurisdiction's agency that regulates the practice of nursing, a course of study that prepares the nurse to safely perform the intravenous therapy procedures the board may authorize under this section. To meet this requirement, the course of study must include all of the following:

(a) Both didactic and clinical components;

(b) Curriculum requirements established in rules the board of nursing shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(c) Standards that require the nurse to perform a successful demonstration of the intravenous procedures, including all skills needed to perform them safely.

(2) The nurse has successfully completed a minimum of forty hours of training that includes all of the following:

(a) The curriculum established by rules adopted by the board and in effect on January 1, 1999;

(b) Training in the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, signs and symptoms of local and systemic complications in the administration of fluids and antibiotic additives, and guidelines for management of these complications;

(c) Any other training or instruction the board considers appropriate.

(d) A testing component that requires the nurse to perform a successful demonstration of the intravenous procedures, including all skills needed to perform them safely.

(B) Except as provided in section 4723.171 of the Revised Code, a licensed practical nurse may perform intravenous therapy only if authorized by the board pursuant to division (A) of this section and only if it is performed in accordance with this section.

A licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may perform an intravenous therapy procedure only at the direction of one of the following:

(1) A licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist who, except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, is present and readily available at the facility where the intravenous therapy procedure is performed;

(2) A registered nurse in accordance with division (C) of this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section and section 4723.171 of the Revised Code, when a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy performs an intravenous therapy procedure at the direction of a registered nurse, the registered nurse or another registered nurse shall be readily available at the site where the intravenous therapy is performed, and before the licensed practical nurse initiates the intravenous therapy, the registered nurse shall personally perform an on-site assessment of the individual who is to receive the intravenous therapy.

(2) When a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy performs an intravenous therapy procedure in a home as defined in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code, or in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded as defined in section 5111.20 5164.01 of the Revised Code, at the direction of a registered nurse or licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, a registered nurse shall be on the premises of the home or facility or accessible by some form of telecommunication.

(D) No licensed practical nurse shall perform any of the following intravenous therapy procedures:

(1) Initiating or maintaining any of the following:

(a) Blood or blood components;

(b) Solutions for total parenteral nutrition;

(c) Any cancer therapeutic medication including, but not limited to, cancer chemotherapy or an anti-neoplastic agent;

(d) Solutions administered through any central venous line or arterial line or any other line that does not terminate in a peripheral vein, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may maintain the solutions specified in division (D)(6)(a) of this section that are being administered through a central venous line or peripherally inserted central catheter;

(e) Any investigational or experimental medication.

(2) Initiating intravenous therapy in any vein, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may initiate intravenous therapy in accordance with this section in a vein of the hand, forearm, or antecubital fossa;

(3) Discontinuing a central venous, arterial, or any other line that does not terminate in a peripheral vein;

(4) Initiating or discontinuing a peripherally inserted central catheter;

(5) Mixing, preparing, or reconstituting any medication for intravenous therapy, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may prepare or reconstitute an antibiotic additive;

(6) Administering medication via the intravenous route, including all of the following activities:

(a) Adding medication to an intravenous solution or to an existing infusion, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may do either of the following:

(i) Initiate an intravenous infusion containing one or more of the following elements: dextrose 5%; normal saline; lactated ringers; sodium chloride .45%; sodium chloride 0.2%; sterile water.

(ii) Hang subsequent containers of the intravenous solutions specified in division (D)(6)(a) of this section that contain vitamins or electrolytes, if a registered nurse initiated the infusion of that same intravenous solution.

(b) Initiating or maintaining an intravenous piggyback infusion, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may initiate or maintain an intravenous piggyback infusion containing an antibiotic additive;

(c) Injecting medication via a direct intravenous route, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may inject heparin or normal saline to flush an intermittent infusion device or heparin lock including, but not limited to, bolus or push.

(7) Aspirating any intravenous line to maintain patency;

(8) Changing tubing on any line including, but not limited to, an arterial line or a central venous line, except that a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may change tubing on an intravenous line that terminates in a peripheral vein;

(9) Programming or setting any function of a patient controlled infusion pump.

(E) Notwithstanding division (D) of this section, at the direction of a physician or a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may perform the following activities for the purpose of performing dialysis:

(1) The routine administration and regulation of saline solution for the purpose of maintaining an established fluid plan;

(2) The administration of a heparin dose intravenously;

(3) The administration of a heparin dose peripherally via a fistula needle;

(4) The loading and activation of a constant infusion pump or the intermittent injection of a dose of medication prescribed by a licensed physician for dialysis.

(F) No person shall employ or direct a licensed practical nurse to perform an intravenous therapy procedure without first verifying that the licensed practical nurse is authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy.

(G) The board shall issue an intravenous therapy card to the licensed practical nurses authorized pursuant to division (A) of this section to perform intravenous therapy. A fee for issuing the card shall not be charged under section 4723.08 of the Revised Code if the licensed practical nurse receives the card by meeting the requirements of division (A)(1) of this section. The board shall maintain a registry of the names of licensed practical nurses who hold intravenous therapy cards.

Sec. 4723.63.  (A) In consultation with the medication aide advisory council established under section 4723.62 of the Revised Code, the board of nursing shall conduct a pilot program for the use of medication aides in nursing homes and residential care facilities. The board shall conduct the pilot program in a manner consistent with human protection and other ethical concerns typically associated with research studies involving live subjects. The pilot program shall be commenced not later than May 1, 2006, and shall be conducted until July 1, 2007.

During the period the pilot program is conducted, a nursing home or residential care facility participating in the pilot program may use one or more medication aides to administer prescription medications to its residents, subject to both of the following conditions:

(1) Each individual used as a medication aide must hold a current, valid medication aide certificate issued by the board of nursing under this chapter.

(2) The nursing home or residential care facility shall ensure that the requirements of section 4723.67 of the Revised Code are met.

(B) The board, in consultation with the medication aide advisory council, shall do all of the following not later than February 1, 2006:

(1) Design the pilot program;

(2) Establish standards to govern medication aides and the nursing homes and residential care facilities participating in the pilot program, including standards for the training of medication aides and the staff of participating nursing homes and residential care facilities;

(3) Establish standards to protect the health and safety of the residents of the nursing homes and residential care facilities participating in the program;

(4) Implement a process for selecting the nursing homes and residential care facilities to participate in the program.

(C)(1) A nursing home or residential care facility may volunteer to participate in the pilot program by submitting an application to the board on a form prescribed and provided by the board. From among the applicants, the board shall select eighty nursing homes and forty residential care facilities to participate in the pilot program.

(2) To be eligible to participate, a nursing home or residential care facility shall agree to observe the standards established by the board for the use of medication aides. A nursing home is eligible to participate only if the department of health has found in the two most recent surveys or inspections of the home that the home is free from deficiencies related to the administration of medication. A residential care facility is eligible to participate only if the department has found that the facility is free from deficiencies related to the provision of skilled nursing care or the administration of medication.

(D) As a condition of participation in the pilot program, a nursing home and residential care facility selected by the board shall pay the participation fee established in rules adopted under section 4723.69 of the Revised Code. The participation fee is not reimbursable under the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code.

(E) On receipt of evidence found credible by the board that continued participation by a nursing home or residential care facility poses an imminent danger, risk of serious harm, or jeopardy to a resident of the home or facility, the board may terminate the authority of the home or facility to participate in the pilot program.

(F)(1) With the assistance of the medication aide advisory council, the board shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program. In conducting the evaluation, the board shall do all of the following:

(a) Assess whether medication aides are able to administer prescription medications safely to nursing home and residential care facility residents;

(b) Determine the financial implications of using medication aides in nursing homes and residential care facilities;

(c) Consider any other issue the board or council considers relevant to the evaluation.

(2) Not later than March 1, 2007, the board shall prepare a report of its findings and recommendations derived from the evaluation of the pilot program. The board shall submit the report to the governor, president and minority leader of the senate, speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and director of health.

Sec. 4731.151.  (A) Naprapaths who received a certificate to practice from the board prior to March 2, 1992, may continue to practice naprapathy, as defined in rules adopted by the board. Such naprapaths shall practice in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

(B)(1) As used in this division:

(a) "Mechanotherapy" means all of the following:

(i) Examining patients by verbal inquiry;

(ii) Examination of the musculoskeletal system by hand;

(iii) Visual inspection and observation;

(iv) Diagnosing a patient's condition only as to whether the patient has a disorder of the musculoskeletal system;

(v) In the treatment of patients, employing the techniques of advised or supervised exercise; electrical neuromuscular stimulation; massage or manipulation; or air, water, heat, cold, sound, or infrared ray therapy only to those disorders of the musculoskeletal system that are amenable to treatment by such techniques and that are identifiable by examination performed in accordance with division (B)(1)(a)(i) of this section and diagnosable in accordance with division (B)(1)(a)(ii) of this section.

(b) "Educational requirements" means the completion of a course of study appropriate for certification to practice mechanotherapy on or before November 3, 1985, as determined by rules adopted under this chapter.

(2) Mechanotherapists who received a certificate to practice from the board prior to March 2, 1992, may continue to practice mechanotherapy, as defined in rules adopted by the board. Such mechanotherapists shall practice in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

A person authorized by this division to practice as a mechanotherapist may examine, diagnose, and assume responsibility for the care of patients with due regard for first aid and the hygienic and nutritional care of the patients. Roentgen rays shall be used by a mechanotherapist only for diagnostic purposes.

(3) A person who holds a certificate to practice mechanotherapy and completed educational requirements in mechanotherapy on or before November 3, 1985, is entitled to use the title "doctor of mechanotherapy" and is a "physician" who performs "medical services" for the purposes of Chapters 4121. and 4123. of the Revised Code and the medicaid program established under section 5111.01 of the Revised Code, and shall receive payment or reimbursement as provided under those chapters and that section program.

Sec. 4731.65.  As used in sections 4731.65 to 4731.71 of the Revised Code:

(A)(1) "Clinical laboratory services" means either of the following:

(a) Any examination of materials derived from the human body for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or impairment or for the assessment of health;

(b) Procedures to determine, measure, or otherwise describe the presence or absence of various substances or organisms in the body.

(2) "Clinical laboratory services" does not include the mere collection or preparation of specimens.

(B) "Designated health services" means any of the following:

(1) Clinical laboratory services;

(2) Home health care services;

(3) Outpatient prescription drugs.

(C) "Fair market value" means the value in arms-length transactions, consistent with general market value and:

(1) With respect to rentals or leases, the value of rental property for general commercial purposes, not taking into account its intended use;

(2) With respect to a lease of space, not adjusted to reflect the additional value the prospective lessee or lessor would attribute to the proximity or convenience to the lessor if the lessor is a potential source of referrals to the lessee.

(D) "Governmental health care program" means any program providing health care benefits that is administered by the federal government, this state, or a political subdivision of this state, including the medicare program established under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 301, as amended, health care coverage for public employees, health care benefits administered by the bureau of workers' compensation, the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code, and the disability medical assistance program established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code.

(E)(1) "Group practice" means a group of two or more holders of certificates under this chapter legally organized as a partnership, professional corporation or association, limited liability company, foundation, nonprofit corporation, faculty practice plan, or similar group practice entity, including an organization comprised of a nonprofit medical clinic that contracts with a professional corporation or association of physicians to provide medical services exclusively to patients of the clinic in order to comply with section 1701.03 of the Revised Code and including a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or professional association described in division (B) of section 4731.226 of the Revised Code formed for the purpose of providing a combination of the professional services of optometrists who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice optometry under Chapter 4725. of the Revised Code, chiropractors who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice chiropractic under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code, psychologists who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice psychology under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code, registered or licensed practical nurses who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice nursing under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, pharmacists who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice pharmacy under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code, physical therapists who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice physical therapy under sections 4755.40 to 4755.56 of the Revised Code, occupational therapists who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice occupational therapy under sections 4755.04 to 4755.13 of the Revised Code, mechanotherapists who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized to practice mechanotherapy under section 4731.151 of the Revised Code, and doctors of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, or podiatric medicine and surgery who are licensed, certificated, or otherwise legally authorized for their respective practices under this chapter, to which all of the following apply:

(a) Each physician who is a member of the group practice provides substantially the full range of services that the physician routinely provides, including medical care, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment, through the joint use of shared office space, facilities, equipment, and personnel.

(b) Substantially all of the services of the members of the group are provided through the group and are billed in the name of the group and amounts so received are treated as receipts of the group.

(c) The overhead expenses of and the income from the practice are distributed in accordance with methods previously determined by members of the group.

(d) The group practice meets any other requirements that the state medical board applies in rules adopted under section 4731.70 of the Revised Code.

(2) In the case of a faculty practice plan associated with a hospital with a medical residency training program in which physician members may provide a variety of specialty services and provide professional services both within and outside the group, as well as perform other tasks such as research, the criteria in division (E)(1) of this section apply only with respect to services rendered within the faculty practice plan.

(F) "Home health care services" and "immediate family" have the same meanings as in the rules adopted under section 4731.70 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Hospital" has the same meaning as in section 3727.01 of the Revised Code.

(H) A "referral" includes both of the following:

(1) A request by a holder of a certificate under this chapter for an item or service, including a request for a consultation with another physician and any test or procedure ordered by or to be performed by or under the supervision of the other physician;

(2) A request for or establishment of a plan of care by a certificate holder that includes the provision of designated health services.

(I) "Third-party payer" has the same meaning as in section 3901.38 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4731.71.  The auditor of state may implement procedures to detect violations of section 4731.66 or 4731.69 of the Revised Code within governmental health care programs administered by the state. The auditor of state shall report any violation of either section to the state medical board and shall certify to the attorney general in accordance with section 131.02 of the Revised Code the amount of any refund owed to a state-administered governmental health care program under section 4731.69 of the Revised Code as a result of a violation. If a refund is owed to the medical assistance medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or the disability medical assistance program established under Chapter 5115. of the Revised Code, the auditor of state also shall report the amount to the department of commerce.

The state medical board also may implement procedures to detect violations of section 4731.66 or 4731.69 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4752.02. (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no person shall provide home medical equipment services or claim to the public to be a home medical equipment services provider unless either of the following is the case:

(1) The person holds a valid license issued under this chapter;

(2) The person holds a valid certificate of registration issued under this chapter.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) A health care practitioner, as defined in section 4769.01 of the Revised Code, who does not sell or rent home medical equipment;

(2) A hospital that provides home medical equipment services only as an integral part of patient care and does not provide the services through a separate entity that has its own medicare or medicaid provider number;

(3) A manufacturer or wholesale distributor of home medical equipment that does not sell directly to the public;

(4) A hospice care program, as defined by section 3712.01 of the Revised Code, that does not sell or rent home medical equipment;

(5) A home, as defined by section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(6) A home health agency that is certified under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 79 Stat. 286 (1965), 42 U.S.C. 1395, medicare program as a provider of home health services and does not sell or rent home medical equipment;

(7) An individual who holds a current, valid license issued under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code to practice veterinary medicine;

(8) An individual who holds a current, valid license issued under Chapter 4779. of the Revised Code to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics;

(9) A pharmacy licensed under Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code that either does not sell or rent home medical equipment or receives total payments of less than ten thousand dollars per year from selling or renting home medical equipment;

(10) A home dialysis equipment provider regulated by federal law.