To enact section 3701.67 of the Revised Code regarding vermin infestations in apartments.

Section 1. That section 3701.67 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3701.67.  (A) As used in this section:

"Apartment building" means any building or buildings at least seventy-five per cent of the units of which are residential dwelling units rented or leased to tenants upon other than a transient basis and does not include a "hotel," as that term is defined in section 3731.01 of the Revised Code, or a college or university dormitory.

"Director of health" or "director" means the director of the Ohio department of health, or at the direction of the director, any person or entity charged with enforcing the rules of the department of health as provided in section 3701.56 of the Revised Code.

"Vermin" means noxious, objectionable, or disgusting insects or animals, including lice, bedbugs, cockroaches, mice, and rats.

(B) The owner of an apartment building that contains more than thirty dwelling units shall eradicate vermin infestation from the building.

(C) Any person may file a complaint alleging violations of this section with the director of health. The director shall promptly investigate each complaint.

 (D) The director may take the following actions against an owner found to be in violation of division (B) of this section:

(1) For the first violation, issue a warning letter;

(2) For the second violation, impose a five-hundred-dollar fine;

(3) For the third violation, impose a one-thousand-dollar fine;

(4) For each violation beyond a third violation, impose a fine equal to twice the amount of the most recently imposed fine.