As Introduced

128th General Assembly
Regular Session
2009-2010
S. B. No. 244


Senators Jones, Grendell 

Cosponsors: Senators Buehrer, Carey, Gibbs, Schaffer, Seitz 

A BILL
To enact section 3901.711 of the Revised Code to 1
prohibit requiring an individual to obtain or 2
maintain a policy of health insurance.3


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1. That section 3901.711 of the Revised Code be 4
enacted to read as follows:5

       Sec. 3901.711. (A)(1) No individual who is a resident of this 6
state, regardless of whether the individual has or is eligible for 7
health insurance coverage under any policy or program provided by 8
or through the individual's employer, or a plan sponsored by this 9
state or the federal government, shall be required to obtain or 10
maintain a policy of individual health insurance coverage.11

       (2) No provision of Chapter 1751. or Title XXXIX of the 12
Revised Code shall render an individual who is a resident of this 13
state liable for any penalty, assessment, fee, or fine as a result 14
of the individual's failure to procure or obtain health insurance 15
coverage.16

       (3) No public official, employee, or agent of this state or 17
any political subdivision shall impose, collect, enforce, or 18
effectuate any penalty as a result of the failure of an individual 19
who is a resident of this state to procure or obtain health 20
insurance coverage.21

        (B) The attorney general shall seek injunctive or any other 22
appropriate relief as expeditiously as possible to preserve the 23
rights and property of the residents of this state, and to defend 24
as necessary this state, its officials, employees and agents in 25
the event that any government, subdivision, or government agency 26
enacts or adopts any law, rule, or regulation that violates 27
division (A) of this section.28

       (C) This section shall not apply to individuals voluntarily 29
applying for coverage under the medicaid program established under 30
Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or the children's health 31
insurance program established under sections 5101.50 to 5101.529 32
of the Revised Code.33