To amend sections 307.05, 307.051, 307.055, 505.37, 505.375, 505.44, 505.72, 3354.121, 4503.49, 4513.263, 4743.05, 4765.02, 4765.03, 4765.04, 4765.05, 4765.06, 4765.07, 4765.08, 4765.09, 4765.10, 4765.101, 4765.102, 4765.11, 4765.111, 4765.112, 4765.113, 4765.114, 4765.115, 4765.116, 4765.12, 4765.15, 4765.16, 4765.17, 4765.18, 4765.22, 4765.23, 4765.28, 4765.29, 4765.30, 4765.31, 4765.32, 4765.33, 4765.37, 4765.38, 4765.39, 4765.40, 4765.42, 4765.48, 4765.49, 4765.55, 4765.56, 4766.01, 4766.03, 4766.04, 4766.05, 4766.07, 4766.08, 4766.09, 4766.10, 4766.11, 4766.12, 4766.13, 4766.15, 4766.22, 5502.01, 5709.40, 5709.73, 5709.77, and 5913.11; and to repeal sections 4766.02 and 4766.20 of the Revised Code; to amend Section 205.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 114 of the 129th General Assembly, as subsequently amended, to amend Section 335.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 153 of the 129th General Assembly, and to amend Section 707.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 487 of the 129th General Assembly to revise the Ohio Military Medal of Distinction law; to rename the State Board of Emergency Medical Services the "State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services"; to eliminate the Ohio Medical Transportation Board and assign its duties to the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services; to specify the membership of the renamed board; to allow certain community colleges to acquire, construct, and maintain housing and dining facilities; to specify that, with respect to tax increment financing (TIF), the base taxable value of an exempt improvement is the assessed value of the property appearing on the most recent tax list compiled before the TIF legislation takes effect; to expand the areas for which a municipal corporation in Stark County may use up to 5% of its water and sewer funds for sewage or water system extensions to include areas within a joint economic development district and areas within the municipal corporation's boundaries; and to make an appropriation.

Section 1. That sections 307.05, 307.051, 307.055, 505.37, 505.375, 505.44, 505.72, 3354.121, 4503.49, 4513.263, 4743.05, 4765.02, 4765.03, 4765.04, 4765.05, 4765.06, 4765.07, 4765.08, 4765.09, 4765.10, 4765.101, 4765.102, 4765.11, 4765.111, 4765.112, 4765.113, 4765.114, 4765.115, 4765.116, 4765.12, 4765.15, 4765.16, 4765.17, 4765.18, 4765.22, 4765.23, 4765.28, 4765.29, 4765.30, 4765.31, 4765.32, 4765.33, 4765.37, 4765.38, 4765.39, 4765.40, 4765.42, 4765.48, 4765.49, 4765.55, 4765.56, 4766.01, 4766.03, 4766.04, 4766.05, 4766.07, 4766.08, 4766.09, 4766.10, 4766.11, 4766.12, 4766.13, 4766.15, 4766.22, 5502.01, 5709.40, 5709.73, 5709.77, and 5913.11 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 307.05.  As used in this section, "emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

A board of county commissioners may operate an ambulance service organization or emergency medical service organization, or, in counties with a population of forty thousand or less, may operate a nonemergency patient transport service organization, or may enter into a contract with one or more counties, townships, municipal corporations, nonprofit corporations, joint emergency medical services districts, fire and ambulance districts, or private ambulance owners, regardless of whether such counties, townships, municipal corporations, nonprofit corporations, joint emergency medical services districts, fire and ambulance districts, or private ambulance owners are located within or without the state, in order to furnish or obtain the services of ambulance service organizations, to furnish or obtain additional services from ambulance service organizations in times of emergency, to furnish or obtain the services of emergency medical service organizations, or, in counties with a population of forty thousand or less, to furnish or obtain services of nonemergency patient transport service organizations, or may enter into a contract with any such entity to furnish or obtain the interchange of services from ambulance or emergency medical service organizations, or, within counties with a population of forty thousand or less, to furnish or obtain the interchange of services from nonemergency patient transport service organizations, within the territories of the contracting subdivisions. Except in the case of a contract with a joint emergency medical services district to obtain the services of emergency medical service organizations, such contracts shall not be entered into with a public agency or nonprofit corporation that receives more than half of its operating funds from governmental entities with the intention of directly competing with the operation of other ambulance service organizations, nonemergency patient transport service organizations, or emergency medical service organizations in the county unless the public agency or nonprofit corporation is awarded the contract after submitting the lowest and best bid to the board of county commissioners. Any county wishing to commence operation of a nonemergency patient transport service organization or wishing to enter into a contract for the first time to furnish or obtain services from a nonemergency patient transport service organization on or after March 1, 1993, including a county in which a private provider has been providing the service, shall demonstrate the need for public funding for the service to, and obtain approval from, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services or its immediate successor board prior to operating or funding the organization.

When such an organization is operated by the board, the organization may be administered by the board, by the county sheriff, or by another county officer or employee designated by the board. All rules, including the determining of reasonable rates, necessary for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of such an organization shall be adopted by the board.

A contract for services of an ambulance service, nonemergency patient transport service, or emergency medical service organization shall include the terms, conditions, and stipulations as agreed to by the parties to the contract. It may provide for a fixed annual charge to be paid at the times agreed upon and stipulated in the contract, or for compensation based upon a stipulated price for each run, call, or emergency or the number of persons or pieces of apparatus employed, or the elapsed time of service required in such run, call, or emergency, or any combination thereof.

Sec. 307.051.  As used in this section, "emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4766.01 of the Revised Code.

A board of county commissioners, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may choose to have the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services license any emergency medical service organization it operates. If a board adopts such a resolution, Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code, except for sections 4766.06 and 4766.99 of the Revised Code, applies to the county emergency medical service organization. All rules adopted under the applicable sections of that chapter also apply to the organization. A board, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may remove its emergency medical service organization from the jurisdiction of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services.

Sec. 307.055.  (A) Subject to the terms and conditions of the joint resolution creating it, each joint emergency medical services district may furnish ambulance services and emergency medical services by one of the following methods:

(1) By operating an emergency medical service organization as defined in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) By contracting for the operation of one or more facilities pursuant to division (C) or (D) of this section;

(3) By providing necessary services and equipment to the district either directly or under a contract entered into pursuant to division (B) of this section;

(4) By providing service through any combination of methods described in divisions (A)(1) to (3) of this section.

(B) In order to obtain ambulance service, to obtain additional ambulance service in times of emergency, or to obtain emergency medical services, a joint emergency medical services district may enter into a contract, for a period not to exceed three years, with one or more counties, townships, municipal corporations, joint fire districts, other governmental units that provide ambulance service or emergency medical services, nonprofit corporations, or private ambulance owners, regardless of whether the entities contracted with are located within or outside this state, upon such terms as are agreed to, to furnish or receive ambulance services or the interchange of ambulance services or emergency medical services within the several territories of the contracting subdivisions, if the contract is first authorized by all boards of trustees and legislative authorities in the territories to be served.

Such a contract may provide for a fixed annual charge to be paid at the times agreed upon and stipulated in the contract; or for compensation based on a stipulated price for each run, call, or emergency or based on the elapsed time of service required for each run, call, or emergency, or based on any combination of these.

Expenditures of a district for ambulance service or emergency medical service, whether pursuant to contract or otherwise, are lawful expenditures, regardless of whether the district or the party with which it contracts charges an additional fee to users of the service.

(C) The board of trustees may enter into a contract with any person, municipal corporation, township, or other political subdivision, and any political subdivision may contract with the board, for the operation and maintenance of emergency medical services facilities regardless of whether the facilities used are owned or leased by the district, by another political subdivision, or by the contractor.

(D) The district may purchase, lease, and maintain all materials, buildings, land, and equipment, including vehicles, the board considers necessary for the district.

When the board finds, by resolution, that the district has personal property that is not needed for public use, or is obsolete or unfit for the use for which it was acquired, the board may dispose of the property in the same manner as provided in section 307.12 of the Revised Code.

(E) Except in the case of a contract with a board of county commissioners for the provision of services of an emergency medical service organization, any contract entered into by a joint emergency medical services district shall conform to the same bidding requirements that apply to county contracts under sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code.

(F) A county participating in a joint district may contribute any of its rights or interests in real or personal property, including money, and may contribute services to the district. Any such contributions shall be made by a written agreement between the contributing county and the district, specifying the contribution as well as the rights of the participating counties in the contributed property. Written agreements shall also be prepared specifying the rights of participating counties in property acquired by the district other than by contribution of a participating county. Written agreements required by this division may be amended only by written agreement of all parties to the original agreement.

(G) A district's board of trustees, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may choose to have the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services license any emergency medical service organization the district operates. If a board adopts such a resolution, Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code, except for sections 4766.06 and 4766.99 of the Revised Code, applies to the district emergency medical service organization. All rules adopted under the applicable sections of that chapter also apply to the organization. A board, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may remove the district emergency medical service organization from the jurisdiction of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services.

Sec. 505.37.  (A) The board of township trustees may establish all necessary rules to guard against the occurrence of fires and to protect the property and lives of the citizens against damage and accidents, and may, with the approval of the specifications by the prosecuting attorney or, if the township has adopted limited home rule government under Chapter 504. of the Revised Code, with the approval of the specifications by the township's law director, purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, or otherwise provide any fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, or other equipment, appliances, materials, fire hydrants, and water supply for fire-fighting purposes that seems advisable to the board. The board shall provide for the care and maintenance of fire equipment, and, for these purposes, may purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, or construct and maintain necessary buildings, and it may establish and maintain lines of fire-alarm communications within the limits of the township. The board may employ one or more persons to maintain and operate fire-fighting equipment, or it may enter into an agreement with a volunteer fire company for the use and operation of fire-fighting equipment. The board may compensate the members of a volunteer fire company on any basis and in any amount that it considers equitable.

When the estimated cost to purchase fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, other equipment, appliances, materials, fire hydrants, buildings, or fire-alarm communications equipment or services exceeds fifty thousand dollars, the contract shall be let by competitive bidding. When competitive bidding is required, the board shall advertise once a week for not less than two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the township. The board may also cause notice to be inserted in trade papers or other publications designated by it or to be distributed by electronic means, including posting the notice on the board's internet web site. If the board posts the notice on its web site, it may eliminate the second notice otherwise required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the township, provided that the first notice published in such newspaper meets all of the following requirements:

(1) It is published at least two weeks before the opening of bids.

(2) It includes a statement that the notice is posted on the board's internet web site.

(3) It includes the internet address of the board's internet web site.

(4) It includes instructions describing how the notice may be accessed on the board's internet web site.

The advertisement shall include the time, date, and place where the clerk of the township, or the clerk's designee, will read bids publicly. The time, date, and place of bid openings may be extended to a later date by the board of township trustees, provided that written or oral notice of the change shall be given to all persons who have received or requested specifications not later than ninety-six hours prior to the original time and date fixed for the opening. The board may reject all the bids or accept the lowest and best bid, provided that the successful bidder meets the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code when the contract is for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of an improvement.

(B) The boards of township trustees of any two or more townships, or the legislative authorities of any two or more political subdivisions, or any combination of these, may, through joint action, unite in the joint purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, maintenance, use, and operation of fire-fighting equipment, or for any other purpose designated in sections 505.37 to 505.42 of the Revised Code, and may prorate the expense of the joint action on any terms that are mutually agreed upon.

(C) The board of township trustees of any township may, by resolution, whenever it is expedient and necessary to guard against the occurrence of fires or to protect the property and lives of the citizens against damages resulting from their occurrence, create a fire district of any portions of the township that it considers necessary. The board may purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, or otherwise provide any fire apparatus, appliances, materials, fire hydrants, and water supply for fire-fighting purposes, or may contract for the fire protection for the fire district as provided in section 9.60 of the Revised Code. The fire district so created shall be given a separate name by which it shall be known.

Additional unincorporated territory of the township may be added to a fire district upon the board's adoption of a resolution authorizing the addition. A municipal corporation that is within or adjoining the township may be added to a fire district upon the board's adoption of a resolution authorizing the addition and the municipal legislative authority's adoption of a resolution or ordinance requesting the addition of the municipal corporation to the fire district.

If the township fire district imposes a tax, additional unincorporated territory of the township or a municipal corporation that is within or adjoining the township shall become part of the fire district only after all of the following have occurred:

(1) Adoption by the board of township trustees of a resolution approving the expansion of the territorial limits of the district and, if the resolution proposes to add a municipal corporation, adoption by the municipal legislative authority of a resolution or ordinance requesting the addition of the municipal corporation to the district;

(2) Adoption by the board of township trustees of a resolution recommending the extension of the tax to the additional territory;

(3) Approval of the tax by the electors of the territory proposed for addition to the district.

Each resolution of the board adopted under division (C)(2) of this section shall state the name of the fire district, a description of the territory to be added, and the rate and termination date of the tax, which shall be the rate and termination date of the tax currently in effect in the fire district.

The board of trustees shall certify each resolution adopted under division (C)(2) of this section to the board of elections in accordance with section 5705.19 of the Revised Code. The election required under division (C)(3) of this section shall be held, canvassed, and certified in the manner provided for the submission of tax levies under section 5705.25 of the Revised Code, except that the question appearing on the ballot shall read:

"Shall the territory within ........................ (description of the proposed territory to be added) be added to ........................ (name) fire district, and a property tax at a rate of taxation not exceeding ...... (here insert tax rate) be in effect for .......... (here insert the number of years the tax is to be in effect or "a continuing period of time," as applicable)?"

If the question is approved by at least a majority of the electors voting on it, the joinder shall be effective as of the first day of July of the year following approval, and on that date, the township fire district tax shall be extended to the taxable property within the territory that has been added. If the territory that has been added is a municipal corporation and if it had adopted a tax levy for fire purposes, the levy is terminated on the effective date of the joinder.

Any municipal corporation may withdraw from a township fire district created under division (C) of this section by the adoption by the municipal legislative authority of a resolution or ordinance ordering withdrawal. On the first day of July of the year following the adoption of the resolution or ordinance of withdrawal, the municipal corporation withdrawing ceases to be a part of the district, and the power of the fire district to levy a tax upon taxable property in the withdrawing municipal corporation terminates, except that the fire district shall continue to levy and collect taxes for the payment of indebtedness within the territory of the fire district as it was composed at the time the indebtedness was incurred.

Upon the withdrawal of any municipal corporation from a township fire district created under division (C) of this section, the county auditor shall ascertain, apportion, and order a division of the funds on hand, moneys and taxes in the process of collection except for taxes levied for the payment of indebtedness, credits, and real and personal property, either in money or in kind, on the basis of the valuation of the respective tax duplicates of the withdrawing municipal corporation and the remaining territory of the fire district.

A board of township trustees may remove unincorporated territory of the township from the fire district upon the adoption of a resolution authorizing the removal. On the first day of July of the year following the adoption of the resolution, the unincorporated township territory described in the resolution ceases to be a part of the district, and the power of the fire district to levy a tax upon taxable property in that territory terminates, except that the fire district shall continue to levy and collect taxes for the payment of indebtedness within the territory of the fire district as it was composed at the time the indebtedness was incurred.

(D) The board of township trustees of any township, the board of fire district trustees of a fire district created under section 505.371 of the Revised Code, or the legislative authority of any municipal corporation may purchase, lease, or lease with an option to purchase the necessary fire-fighting equipment, buildings, and sites for the township, fire district, or municipal corporation and issue securities for that purpose with maximum maturities as provided in section 133.20 of the Revised Code. The board of township trustees, board of fire district trustees, or legislative authority may also construct any buildings necessary to house fire-fighting equipment and issue securities for that purpose with maximum maturities as provided in section 133.20 of the Revised Code.

The board of township trustees, board of fire district trustees, or legislative authority may issue the securities of the township, fire district, or municipal corporation, signed by the board or designated officer of the municipal corporation and attested by the signature of the township fiscal officer, fire district clerk, or municipal clerk, covering any deferred payments and payable at the times provided, which securities shall bear interest not to exceed the rate determined as provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, and shall not be subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. The legislation authorizing the issuance of the securities shall provide for levying and collecting annually by taxation, amounts sufficient to pay the interest on and principal of the securities. The securities shall be offered for sale on the open market or given to the vendor or contractor if no sale is made.

Section 505.40 of the Revised Code does not apply to any securities issued, or any lease with an option to purchase entered into, in accordance with this division.

(E) A board of township trustees of any township or a board of fire district trustees of a fire district created under section 505.371 of the Revised Code may purchase a policy or policies of liability insurance for the officers, employees, and appointees of the fire department, fire district, or joint fire district governed by the board that includes personal injury liability coverage as to the civil liability of those officers, employees, and appointees for false arrest, detention, or imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel, slander, defamation or other violation of the right of privacy, wrongful entry or eviction, or other invasion of the right of private occupancy, arising out of the performance of their duties.

When a board of township trustees cannot, by deed of gift or by purchase and upon terms it considers reasonable, procure land for a township fire station that is needed in order to respond in reasonable time to a fire or medical emergency, the board may appropriate land for that purpose under sections 163.01 to 163.22 of the Revised Code. If it is necessary to acquire additional adjacent land for enlarging or improving the fire station, the board may purchase, appropriate, or accept a deed of gift for the land for these purposes.

(F) As used in this division, "emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4766.01 of the Revised Code.

A board of township trustees, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may choose to have the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services license any emergency medical service organization it operates. If the board adopts such a resolution, Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code, except for sections 4766.06 and 4766.99 of the Revised Code, applies to the organization. All rules adopted under the applicable sections of that chapter also apply to the organization. A board of township trustees, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may remove its emergency medical service organization from the jurisdiction of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services.

Sec. 505.375.  (A)(1)(a) The boards of township trustees of one or more townships and the legislative authorities of one or more municipal corporations, or the legislative authorities of two or more municipal corporations, or the boards of township trustees of two or more townships, may negotiate an agreement to form a fire and ambulance district for the delivery of both fire and ambulance services. The agreement shall be ratified by the adoption of a joint resolution by a majority of the members of each board of township trustees involved and a majority of the members of the legislative authority of each municipal corporation involved. The joint resolution shall specify a date on which the fire and ambulance district shall come into being.

(b) If a joint fire district created under section 505.371 of the Revised Code or a joint ambulance district created under section 505.71 of the Revised Code is dissolved to facilitate the creation of a fire and ambulance district under division (A)(1)(a) of this section, the townships and municipal corporations forming the fire and ambulance district may transfer to the fire and ambulance district any of the funds on hand, moneys and taxes in the process of collection, credits, and real and personal property apportioned to them under division (D) of section 505.371 of the Revised Code or section 505.71 of the Revised Code, as applicable, for use by the fire and ambulance district in accordance with this section.

(2)(a) The board of trustees of a joint ambulance district created under section 505.71 of the Revised Code and the board of fire district trustees of a joint fire district created under section 505.371 of the Revised Code may negotiate to combine their two joint districts into a single fire and ambulance district for the delivery of both fire and ambulance services, if the geographic area covered by the combining joint districts is exactly the same. Both boards shall adopt a joint resolution ratifying the agreement and setting a date on which the fire and ambulance district shall come into being.

(b) On that date, the joint fire district and the joint ambulance district shall cease to exist, and the power of each to levy a tax upon taxable property shall terminate, except that any levy of a tax for the payment of indebtedness within the territory of the joint fire or joint ambulance district as it was composed at the time the indebtedness was incurred shall continue to be collected by the successor fire and ambulance district if the indebtedness remains unpaid. All funds and other property of the joint districts shall become the property of the fire and ambulance district, unless otherwise provided in the negotiated agreement. The agreement shall provide for the settlement of all debts and obligations of the joint districts.

(B)(1) The governing body of a fire and ambulance district created under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section shall be a board of trustees of at least three but no more than nine members, appointed as provided in the agreement creating the district. Members of the board may be compensated at a rate not to exceed thirty dollars per meeting for not more than fifteen meetings per year, and may be reimbursed for all necessary expenses incurred, as provided in the agreement creating the district.

(2) The board shall employ a clerk and other employees as it considers best, including a fire chief or fire prevention officers, and shall fix their compensation. Neither this section nor any other section of the Revised Code requires, or shall be construed to require, that the fire chief of a fire and ambulance district be a resident of the district.

Before entering upon the duties of office, the clerk shall execute a bond, in the amount and with surety to be approved by the board, payable to the state, conditioned for the faithful performance of all of the clerk's official duties. The clerk shall deposit the bond with the presiding officer of the board, who shall file a copy of it, certified by the presiding officer, with the county auditor of the county containing the most territory in the district.

The board also shall provide for the appointment of a fiscal officer for the district and may enter into agreements with volunteer fire companies for the use and operation of fire-fighting equipment. Volunteer firefighters acting under such an agreement are subject to the requirements for volunteer firefighters set forth in division (A) of section 505.38 of the Revised Code.

(3) Employees of the district shall not be removed from office except as provided by sections 733.35 to 733.39 of the Revised Code, except that, to initiate removal proceedings, the board shall designate a private citizen or, if the employee is employed as a firefighter, the board may designate the fire chief, to investigate, conduct the proceedings, and prepare the necessary charges in conformity with those sections, and except that the board shall perform the functions and duties specified for the municipal legislative authority under those sections. The board may pay reasonable compensation to any private citizen hired for services rendered in the matter.

(4) No person shall be appointed as a permanent full-time paid member of the district whose duties include fire fighting, or be appointed as a volunteer firefighter, unless that person has received a certificate issued under former section 3303.07 or section 4765.55 of the Revised Code evidencing satisfactory completion of a firefighter training program. The board may send its officers and firefighters to schools of instruction designed to promote the efficiency of firefighters and, if authorized in advance, may pay their necessary expenses from the funds used for the maintenance and operation of the district.

The board may choose, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, to have the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services license any emergency medical service organization it operates. If the board adopts such a resolution, Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code, except for sections 4766.06 and 4766.99 of the Revised Code, applies to the organization. All rules adopted under the applicable sections of that chapter also apply to the organization. The board may remove, by resolution, its emergency medical service organization from the jurisdiction of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services.

(C) The board of trustees of a fire and ambulance district created under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section may exercise the following powers:

(1) Purchase or otherwise provide any fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, or other fire or ambulance equipment, appliances, or materials; fire hydrants; and water supply for firefighting purposes that seems advisable to the board;

(2) Provide for the care and maintenance of equipment and, for that purpose, purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, or construct and maintain necessary buildings;

(3) Establish and maintain lines of fire-alarm communications within the limits of the district;

(4) Appropriate land for a fire station or medical emergency unit needed in order to respond in reasonable time to a fire or medical emergency, in accordance with Chapter 163. of the Revised Code;

(5) Purchase, appropriate, or accept a deed or gift of land to enlarge or improve a fire station or medical emergency unit;

(6) Purchase, lease, lease with an option to purchase, maintain, and use all materials, equipment, vehicles, buildings, and land necessary to perform its duties;

(7) Contract for a period not to exceed three years with one or more townships, municipal corporations, counties, joint fire districts, joint ambulance districts, governmental agencies, nonprofit corporations, or private ambulance owners located either within or outside the state, to furnish or receive ambulance services or emergency medical services within the several territories of the contracting parties, if the contract is first authorized by all boards of trustees and legislative authorities concerned;

(8) Establish reasonable charges for the use of ambulance or emergency medical services under the same conditions under which a board of fire district trustees may establish those charges under section 505.371 of the Revised Code;

(9) Establish all necessary rules to guard against the occurrence of fires and to protect property and lives against damage and accidents;

(10) Adopt a standard code pertaining to fire, fire hazards, and fire prevention prepared and promulgated by the state or by a public or private organization that publishes a model or standard code;

(11) Provide for charges for false alarms at commercial establishments in the same manner as joint fire districts are authorized to do under section 505.391 of the Revised Code;

(12) Issue bonds and other evidences of indebtedness, subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, but only after approval by a vote of the electors of the district as provided by section 133.18 of the Revised Code;

(13) To provide the services and equipment it considers necessary, levy a sufficient tax, subject to Chapter 5705. of the Revised Code, on all the taxable property in the district.

(D) Any municipal corporation or township may join an existing fire and ambulance district, whether created under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, by its legislative authority's adoption of a resolution requesting the membership and upon approval of the board of trustees of the district. Any municipal corporation or township may withdraw from a district, whether created under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, by its legislative authority's adoption of a resolution ordering withdrawal. Upon its withdrawal, the municipal corporation or township ceases to be a part of the district, and the district's power to levy a tax on taxable property in the withdrawing township or municipal corporation terminates, except that the district shall continue to levy and collect taxes for the payment of indebtedness within the territory of the district as it was composed at the time the indebtedness was incurred.

Upon the withdrawal of any township or municipal corporation from a district, the county auditor of the county containing the most territory in the district shall ascertain, apportion, and order a division of the funds on hand, including funds in the ambulance and emergency medical services fund, moneys and taxes in the process of collection, except for taxes levied for the payment of indebtedness, credits, and real and personal property on the basis of the valuation of the respective tax duplicates of the withdrawing municipal corporation or township and the remaining territory of the district.

(E) As used in this section:

(1) "Governmental agency" includes all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, colleges, universities, institutions, and other instrumentalities of this or another state.

(2) "Emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4766.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 505.44.  As used in this section:

(A) "Emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) "State agency" means all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, colleges, universities, institutions, and other instrumentalities of this or another state.

In order to obtain the services of ambulance service organizations, to obtain additional services from ambulance service organizations in times of emergency, to obtain the services of emergency medical service organizations, or, if the township is located in a county with a population of forty thousand or less, to obtain the services of nonemergency patient transport service organizations, a township may enter into a contract with one or more state agencies, townships, municipal corporations, counties, nonprofit corporations, joint emergency medical services districts, fire and ambulance districts, or private ambulance owners, regardless of whether such state agencies, townships, municipal corporations, counties, nonprofit corporations, joint emergency medical services districts, fire and ambulance districts, or private ambulance owners are located within or outside the state, upon such terms as are agreed to by them, to furnish or receive services from ambulance or emergency medical service organizations or, if the township is located in a county with a population of forty thousand or less, to furnish or receive services from nonemergency patient transport service organizations, or may enter into a contract for the interchange of services from ambulance or emergency medical service organizations or, if the township is located in a county with a population of forty thousand or less, the interchange of services from nonemergency patient transport service organizations, within the several territories of the contracting parties, if the contract is first authorized by the respective boards of township trustees, the other legislative bodies, or the officer or body authorized to contract on behalf of the state agency. Such contracts shall not be entered into with a state agency or nonprofit corporation that receives more than half of its operating funds from governmental entities with the intention of directly competing with the operation of other ambulance, emergency medical, or nonemergency patient transport service organizations in the township unless the state agency or nonprofit corporation is awarded the contract after submitting the lowest and best bid to the board of township trustees.

The contract may provide for compensation upon such terms as the parties may agree.

Any township wishing to commence providing or wishing to enter into a contract for the first time to furnish or obtain services from nonemergency patient transport service organizations on or after March 1, 1993, including a township in which a private provider has been providing the service, shall demonstrate the need for public funding for the service to, and obtain approval from, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services or its immediate successor board prior to the establishment of a township-operated or township-funded service.

Sec. 505.72.  (A) The board of trustees of a joint ambulance district shall provide for the employment of such employees as it considers best, and shall fix their compensation. Such employees shall continue in office until removed as provided by sections 733.35 to 733.39 of the Revised Code. To initiate removal proceedings, and for such purpose, the board shall designate a private citizen to investigate the conduct and prepare the necessary charges in conformity with sections 733.35 to 733.39 of the Revised Code. The board may pay reasonable compensation to such person for the person's services.

In case of the removal of an employee of the district, an appeal may be had from the decision of the board to the court of common pleas of the county in which such district, or part of it, is situated, to determine the sufficiency of the cause of removal. Such appeal from the findings of the board shall be taken within ten days.

(B) As used in this division, "emergency medical service organization" has the same meaning as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(1) In order to obtain the services of ambulance service organizations, to obtain additional services from ambulance service organizations in times of emergency, or to obtain the services of emergency medical service organizations, a district may enter into a contract, for a period not to exceed three years, with one or more townships, municipal corporations, joint fire districts, nonprofit corporations, any other governmental unit that provides ambulance services or emergency medical services, or with private ambulance owners, regardless of whether such townships, municipal corporations, joint fire districts, nonprofit corporations, governmental unit, or private ambulance owners are located within or without this state, upon such terms as are agreed to, to furnish or receive services from ambulance or emergency medical service organizations or the interchange of services from ambulance or emergency medical service organizations within the several territories of the contracting subdivisions, if such contract is first authorized by all boards of trustees and legislative authorities concerned.

The contract may provide for a fixed annual charge to be paid at the times agreed upon and stipulated in the contract, or for compensation based upon a stipulated price for each run, call, or emergency, or the elapsed time of service required in such run, call, or emergency, or any combination thereof.

(2) Expenditures of a district for the services of ambulance service organizations or emergency medical service organizations, whether pursuant to contract or otherwise, are lawful expenditures, regardless of whether the district or the party with which it contracts charges additional fees to users of the services.

(3) A district's board of trustees, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may choose to have the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services license any emergency medical service organization the district operates. If a board adopts such a resolution, Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code, except for sections 4766.06 and 4766.99 of the Revised Code, applies to the district emergency medical service organization. All rules adopted under the applicable sections of that chapter also apply to the organization. A board, by adoption of an appropriate resolution, may remove the district emergency medical service organization from the jurisdiction of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services.

(C) Ambulance services or emergency medical services rendered for a joint ambulance district under this section and section 505.71 of the Revised Code shall be deemed services of the district. These sections do not authorize suits against a district or any township or municipal corporation providing or receiving, or contracting to provide or receive, such services under these sections for damages for injury or loss to persons or property or for wrongful death caused by persons providing such services.

Sec. 3354.121.  (A)(1) Each community college district may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, repair, and operate, and lease to or from others, auxiliary facilities or education facilities, except housing and dining facilities, and may pay for the facilities out of available receipts of such district. To pay all or part of the costs of auxiliary facilities or education facilities, except housing and dining facilities, and any combination of them, and to refund obligations previously issued for such purpose, each community college district may issue obligations in the manner provided by and subject to the applicable provisions of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(2) A community college district that is located within one mile of a four-year private, nonprofit institution of higher education in the state may acquire, by purchase, lease, lease-purchase, lease with option to purchase, or otherwise, construct, equip, furnish, reconstruct, alter, enlarge, remodel, renovate, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, repair, and operate, and lease to or from others, housing and dining facilities, and may pay for the facilities out of the available receipts of such district. To pay all or part of the costs of the housing and dining facilities, and to refund obligations previously issued for such purpose, the community college district may issue obligations in the manner provided by and subject to the applicable provisions of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the definitions set forth in section 3345.12 of the Revised Code apply to this section.

(C) Fee variations provided for in division (G) of section 3354.09 of the Revised Code need not be applied to fees pledged to secure obligations.

(D) The obligations authorized by this section are not bonded indebtedness of the community college district, shall not constitute general obligations or the pledge of the full faith and credit of such district, and the holders or owners thereof shall have no right to require the board to levy or collect any taxes for the payment of bond service charges, but they shall have the right to payment thereof solely from the available receipts and funds pledged for such payment as authorized by section 3345.12 of the Revised Code and this section.

The bond proceedings may provide the method whereby the general administrative overhead expense of the district shall be allocated among the several operations and facilities of the district for purposes of determining any operating and maintenance expenses payable from the pledged available receipts prior to the provision for payment of bond service charges, and for other purposes of the bond proceedings.

(E) The powers granted in this section are in addition to any other powers at any time granted by the Constitution and laws of the state, and not in derogation thereof or restrictions thereon.

Sec. 4503.49.  (A) As used in this section, "ambulance," "ambulette," "emergency medical service organization," "nonemergency medical service organization," and "nontransport vehicle" have the same meanings as in section 4766.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each private emergency medical service organization and each private nonemergency medical service organization shall apply to the registrar of motor vehicles for the registration of any ambulance, ambulette, or nontransport vehicle it owns or leases. The application shall be accompanied by a copy of the certificate of licensure issued to the organization by the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services and the following fees:

(1) The regular license tax as prescribed under section 4503.04 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any local license tax levied under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code;

(3) An additional fee of seven dollars and fifty cents. The additional fee shall be for the purpose of compensating the bureau of motor vehicles for additional services required to be performed under this section and shall be transmitted by the registrar to the treasurer of state for deposit in the state bureau of motor vehicles fund created by section 4501.25 of the Revised Code.

(C) On receipt of a complete application, the registrar shall issue to the applicant the appropriate certificate of registration for the vehicle and do one of the following:

(1) Issue a set of license plates with a validation sticker and a set of stickers to be attached to the plates as an identification of the vehicle's classification as an ambulance, ambulette, or nontransport vehicle;

(2) Issue a validation sticker alone when so required by section 4503.191 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4513.263.  (A) As used in this section and in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Automobile" means any commercial tractor, passenger car, commercial car, or truck that is required to be factory-equipped with an occupant restraining device for the operator or any passenger by regulations adopted by the United States secretary of transportation pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966," 80 Stat. 719, 15 U.S.C.A. 1392.

(2) "Occupant restraining device" means a seat safety belt, shoulder belt, harness, or other safety device for restraining a person who is an operator of or passenger in an automobile and that satisfies the minimum federal vehicle safety standards established by the United States department of transportation.

(3) "Passenger" means any person in an automobile, other than its operator, who is occupying a seating position for which an occupant restraining device is provided.

(4) "Commercial tractor," "passenger car," and "commercial car" have the same meanings as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Vehicle" and "motor vehicle," as used in the definitions of the terms set forth in division (A)(4) of this section, have the same meanings as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property. "Tort action" includes a product liability claim, as defined in section 2307.71 of the Revised Code, and an asbestos claim, as defined in section 2307.91 of the Revised Code, but does not include a civil action for damages for breach of contract or another agreement between persons.

(B) No person shall do any of the following:

(1) Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device, or operate a school bus that has an occupant restraining device installed for use in its operator's seat unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of the device, as properly adjusted;

(2) Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless each passenger in the automobile who is subject to the requirement set forth in division (B)(3) of this section is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device;

(3) Occupy, as a passenger, a seating position on the front seat of an automobile being operated on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device;

(4) Operate a taxicab on any street or highway unless all factory-equipped occupant restraining devices in the taxicab are maintained in usable form.

(C) Division (B)(3) of this section does not apply to a person who is required by section 4511.81 of the Revised Code to be secured in a child restraint device or booster seat. Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is an employee of the United States postal service or of a newspaper home delivery service, during any period in which the person is engaged in the operation of an automobile to deliver mail or newspapers to addressees. Divisions (B)(1) and (3) of this section do not apply to a person who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code that states that the person has a physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical.

(D) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause an operator of an automobile being operated on any street or highway to stop the automobile for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of division (B) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of that nature or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of that nature, and no law enforcement officer shall view the interior or visually inspect any automobile being operated on any street or highway for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of that nature has been or is being committed.

(E) All fines collected for violations of division (B) of this section, or for violations of any ordinance or resolution of a political subdivision that is substantively comparable to that division, shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the trauma and emergency medical services fund, which is hereby created. In addition, sixty cents of each fee collected under sections 4501.34, 4503.26, 4505.14, 4506.08, 4509.05, and 4519.63 of the Revised Code as specified in those sections, plus the portion of the driver's license reinstatement fee described in division (F)(2)(g) of section 4511.191 of the Revised Code, plus all fees collected under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, plus all fines imposed under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code, plus the fees and other moneys specified in section 4766.05 of the Revised Code, and plus five per cent of fines and moneys arising from bail forfeitures as directed by section 5503.04 of the Revised Code, also shall be deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund. All money deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund shall be used by the department of public safety for the administration and operation of the division of emergency medical services and the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, and by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services to make grants, in accordance with section 4765.07 of the Revised Code and rules the board adopts under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The director of budget and management may transfer excess money from the trauma and emergency medical services fund to the state highway safety fund if the director of public safety determines that the amount of money in the trauma and emergency medical services fund exceeds the amount required to cover such costs incurred by the emergency medical services agency and the grants made by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services and requests the director of budget and management to make the transfer.

(F)(1) Subject to division (F)(2) of this section, the failure of a person to wear all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device in violation of division (B)(1) or (3) of this section or the failure of a person to ensure that each minor who is a passenger of an automobile being operated by that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device in violation of division (B)(2) of this section shall not be considered or used by the trier of fact in a tort action as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence. But, the trier of fact may determine based on evidence admitted consistent with the Ohio Rules of Evidence that the failure contributed to the harm alleged in the tort action and may diminish a recovery of compensatory damages that represents noneconomic loss, as defined in section 2307.011 of the Revised Code, in a tort action that could have been recovered but for the plaintiff's failure to wear all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device. Evidence of that failure shall not be used as a basis for a criminal prosecution of the person other than a prosecution for a violation of this section; and shall not be admissible as evidence in a criminal action involving the person other than a prosecution for a violation of this section.

(2) If, at the time of an accident involving a passenger car equipped with occupant restraining devices, any occupant of the passenger car who sustained injury or death was not wearing an available occupant restraining device, was not wearing all of the available elements of such a device, or was not wearing such a device as properly adjusted, then, consistent with the Rules of Evidence, the fact that the occupant was not wearing the available occupant restraining device, was not wearing all of the available elements of such a device, or was not wearing such a device as properly adjusted is admissible in evidence in relation to any claim for relief in a tort action to the extent that the claim for relief satisfies all of the following:

(a) It seeks to recover damages for injury or death to the occupant.

(b) The defendant in question is the manufacturer, designer, distributor, or seller of the passenger car.

(c) The claim for relief against the defendant in question is that the injury or death sustained by the occupant was enhanced or aggravated by some design defect in the passenger car or that the passenger car was not crashworthy.

(G)(1) Whoever violates division (B)(1) of this section shall be fined thirty dollars.

(2) Whoever violates division (B)(3) of this section shall be fined twenty dollars.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (B)(4) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B)(4) of this section, whoever violates division (B)(4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

Sec. 4743.05.  Except as otherwise provided in sections 4701.20, 4723.062, 4723.082, 4729.65, 4781.121, and 4781.28 of the Revised Code, all money collected under Chapters 3773., 4701., 4703., 4709., 4713., 4715., 4717., 4723., 4725., 4729., 4732., 4733., 4734., 4736., 4741., 4753., 4755., 4757., 4758., 4759., 4761., 4766., 4771., 4775., 4779., and 4781. of the Revised Code shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund, which is hereby created for use in administering such chapters.

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 assistance fund created in section 3333.28 of the Revised Code the amount certified to the director under division (B) of section 4723.08 of the Revised Code.

At the end of each quarter, the director shall transfer from the occupational licensing and regulatory fund to the certified public accountant education assistance fund created in section 4701.26 of the Revised Code the amount certified to the director under division (H)(2) of section 4701.10 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.02.  (A)(1) There is hereby created the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services within the division of emergency medical services of the department of public safety. The board shall consist of the members specified in this section who are residents of this state. The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint all members of the board, except the employee of the department of public safety designated by the director of public safety under this section to be a member of the board. In making the appointments, the governor shall appoint only members with background or experience in emergency medical services or trauma care and shall attempt to include members representing urban and rural areas, various geographical regions of the state, and various schools of training.

(2) One member of the board shall be a physician certified by the American board of emergency medicine or the American osteopathic board of emergency medicine who is active in the practice of emergency medicine and is actively involved with an emergency medical service organization. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association. One member shall be a physician certified by the American board of surgery or the American osteopathic board of surgery who is active in the practice of trauma surgery and is actively involved with emergency medical services. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association. One member shall be a physician certified by the American academy of pediatrics or American osteopathic board of pediatrics who is active in the practice of pediatric emergency medicine and actively involved with an emergency medical service organization. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association. One member shall be the administrator of an adult or pediatric trauma center. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, three persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and three persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio. One member shall be the administrator of a hospital that is not a trauma center located in this state. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, and three persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and three persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio. One member shall be a registered nurse with EMS certification who is in the active practice of emergency nursing performs mobile intensive care or air medical transport. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio nurses association, three persons nominated by the Ohio association of critical care transport, and three persons nominated by the Ohio state council of the emergency nurses association. One member shall be the chief of a fire department that is also an emergency medical service organization in which more than fifty per cent of the persons who provide emergency medical services are full-time paid employees. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio fire chiefs' association. One member shall be the chief of a fire department that is also an emergency medical service organization in which more than fifty per cent of the persons who provide emergency medical services are volunteers. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio fire chiefs' association. One member shall be a person who is certified to teach under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code or, if the board has not yet certified persons to teach under that section, a person who is qualified to be certified to teach under that section and holds a valid certificate to practice as an EMT, advanced EMT, or paramedic. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio emergency medical technician instructors association and the Ohio instructor/coordinators' society. One member shall be an EMT-basic, one shall be an EMT-I EMT, advanced EMT, or paramedic, and one member shall be a paramedic. The governor shall appoint these members from among three EMTs-basic, three EMTs-I, EMTs or advanced EMTs and three paramedics nominated by the Ohio association of professional fire fighters and three EMTs-basic, three EMTs-I, and three paramedics nominated by the northern Ohio fire fighters. One member shall be an EMT-basic, one shall be an EMT-I EMT, advanced EMT, or paramedic, and one member shall be a paramedic whom the. The governor shall appoint these members from among three EMTs-basic, three EMTs-I, EMTs or advanced EMTs and three paramedics nominated by the Ohio state firefighter's association. One member shall be a person whom the governor shall appoint from among an EMT-basic, an EMT-I, and EMT, an advanced EMT, or a paramedic nominated by the Ohio association of emergency medical services or the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be an EMT, an advanced EMT, or a paramedic, whom the governor shall appoint from among three persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be a paramedic, whom the governor shall appoint from among three persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. The governor shall appoint one member who is an EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic affiliated with an emergency medical services organization. One member shall be a member of the Ohio ambulance association whom the governor shall appoint from among three persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance association. One member shall be a physician certified by the American board of surgery, American board of osteopathic surgery, American osteopathic board of emergency medicine, or American board of emergency medicine who is the chief medical officer of an air medical agency and is currently active in providing emergency medical services. The governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio association of air medical services. One member shall be the owner or operator of a private emergency medical service organization whom the governor shall appoint from among three persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association. One member shall be a provider of mobile intensive care unit transportation in this state whom the governor shall appoint from among not more than three persons nominated by both the Ohio association of critical care transport and the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association, and each person nominated shall be a member of both organizations at the time of nomination. One member shall be a provider of air-medical transportation in this state whom the governor shall appoint from among three persons nominated by the Ohio association of critical care transport. One member shall be the owner or operator of a nonemergency medical service organization in this state that provides ambulette services whom the governor shall appoint from among three persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance and medical transportation association.

The governor may refuse to appoint any of the persons nominated by one or more organizations under division (A)(2) of this section, except the employee of the department of public safety designated by the director of public safety under this section to be a member of the board. In that event, the organization or organizations shall continue to nominate the required number of persons until the governor appoints to the board one or more of the persons nominated by the organization or organizations.

The director of public safety shall designate an employee of the department of public safety to serve as a member of the board at the director's pleasure. This member shall serve as a liaison between the department and the division of emergency medical services in cooperation with the executive director of the board.

Initial appointments to the board by the governor and the director of public safety shall be made within ninety days after November 12, 1992. Of the initial appointments by the governor, five shall be for terms ending one year after November 12, 1992, six shall be for terms ending two years after November 12, 1992, and six shall be for terms ending three years after November 12, 1992. Within ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, the governor shall appoint the member of the board who is the chief medical officer of an air medical agency for an initial term ending November 12, 2000. Thereafter, terms

(B) Terms of office of all members appointed by the governor shall be for three years, each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

Each vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

The term of a member shall expire if the member ceases to meet any of the requirements to be appointed as that member. The governor may remove any member from office for neglect of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance, after an adjudication hearing held in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out their duties as board members.

(D) The board shall organize by annually selecting a chair and vice-chair from among its members. The board may adopt bylaws to regulate its affairs. A majority of all members of the board shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken without the concurrence of a majority of all members of the board. The board shall meet at least four times annually and at the call of the chair. The chair shall call a meeting on the request of the executive director or the medical director of the board or on the written request of five members. The board shall maintain written or electronic records of its meetings.

(E) Upon twenty-four hours' notice from a member of the board, the member's employer shall release the member from the member's employment duties to attend meetings of the full board. Nothing in this paragraph division requires the employer of a member of the board to compensate the member for time the member is released from employment duties under this paragraph, but any civil immunity, workers' compensation, disability, or similar coverage that applies to a member of the board as a result of the member's employment shall continue to apply while the member is released from employment duties under this paragraph.

Sec. 4765.03.  (A) The director of public safety shall appoint a full-time executive director for the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. The executive director shall be knowledgeable in emergency medical services and trauma care and shall serve at the pleasure of the director of public safety. The director of public safety shall appoint the executive director from among three persons nominated by the board. The director of public safety may refuse, for cause, to appoint any of the board's nominees. If the director fails to appoint any of the board's nominees, the board shall continue to nominate groups of three persons until the director does appoint one of the board's nominees. The executive director shall serve as the chief executive officer of the board and as the executive director of the division of emergency medical services. The executive director shall attend each meeting of the board, except the board may exclude the executive director from discussions concerning the employment or performance of the executive director or medical director of the board. The executive director shall give a surety bond to the state in such sum as the board determines, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the executive director's office. The executive director shall receive a salary from the board and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as executive director.

The executive director shall submit a report to the director of public safety at least every three months regarding the status of emergency medical services in this state. The executive director shall meet with the director of public safety at the director's request.

(B) The board shall appoint a medical director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The medical director shall be a physician certified by the American board of emergency medicine or the American osteopathic board of emergency medicine who is active in the practice of emergency medicine and has been actively involved with an emergency medical service organization for at least five years prior to being appointed. The board shall consider any recommendations for this appointment from the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians, the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons, the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, the Ohio osteopathic association, and the Ohio state medical association.

The medical director shall direct the executive director and advise the board with regard to adult and pediatric trauma and emergency medical services issues. The medical director shall attend each meeting of the board, except the board may exclude the medical director from discussions concerning the appointment or performance of the medical director or executive director of the board. The medical director shall be employed and paid by the board and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as medical director.

(C) The board may appoint employees as it determines necessary. The board shall prescribe the duties and titles of its employees.

Sec. 4765.04.  (A) The firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services is hereby created and shall consist of the members of the board who are chiefs of fire departments, and the members of the board who are emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic appointed from among persons nominated by the Ohio association of professional fire fighters or the northern Ohio fire fighters and from among persons nominated by the Ohio state firefighter's association. Each member of the committee, except the chairperson, may designate a person with fire experience to serve in that member's place. The members of the committee or their designees shall select a chairperson from among the members or their designees.

The committee may conduct investigations in the course of discharging its duties under this chapter. In the course of an investigation, the committee may issue subpoenas. If a person subpoenaed fails to comply with the subpoena, the committee may authorize its chairperson to apply to the court of common pleas in the county where the person to be subpoenaed resides for an order compelling compliance in the same manner as compliance with a subpoena issued by the court is compelled.

(B) The trauma committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services is hereby created and shall consist of the following members appointed by the director of public safety:

(1) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery or American osteopathic board of surgery and actively practices general trauma surgery, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons, three persons nominated by the Ohio state medical association, and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(2) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery or the American osteopathic board of surgery and actively practices orthopedic trauma surgery, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio orthopedic society and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(3) A physician who is certified by the American board of neurological surgeons or the American osteopathic board of surgery and actively practices neurosurgery on trauma victims, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio state neurological society and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(4) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgeons or American osteopathic board of surgeons and actively specializes in treating burn victims, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(5) A dentist who is certified by the American board of oral and maxillofacial surgery and actively practices oral and maxillofacial surgery, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio dental association;

(6) A physician who is certified by the American board of physical medicine and rehabilitation or American osteopathic board of rehabilitation medicine and actively provides rehabilitative care to trauma victims, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio society of physical medicine and rehabilitation and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(7) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery or American osteopathic board of surgery with special qualifications in pediatric surgery and actively practices pediatric trauma surgery, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(8) A physician who is certified by the American board of emergency medicine or American osteopathic board of emergency medicine, actively practices emergency medicine, and is actively involved in emergency medical services, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(9) A physician who is certified by the American board of pediatrics, American osteopathic board of pediatrics, or American board of emergency medicine, is sub-boarded in pediatric emergency medicine, actively practices pediatric emergency medicine, and is actively involved in emergency medical services, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians, and three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association;

(10) A physician who is certified by the American board of surgery, American osteopathic board of surgery, or American board of emergency medicine and is the chief medical officer of an air medical organization, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio association of air medical services;

(11) A coroner or medical examiner appointed from among three people nominated by the Ohio state coroners' association;

(12) A registered nurse who actively practices trauma nursing at an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio association of trauma nurse coordinators;

(13) A registered nurse who actively practices emergency nursing and is actively involved in emergency medical services, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio chapter of the emergency nurses' association;

(14) The chief trauma registrar of an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among three persons nominated by the alliance of Ohio trauma registrars;

(15) The administrator of an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among three persons nominated by OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, three persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and three persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio;

(16) The administrator of a hospital that is not a trauma center and actively provides emergency care to adult or pediatric trauma patients, appointed from among three persons nominated by OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, three persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and three persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio;

(17) The operator of an ambulance company that actively provides trauma care to emergency patients, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio ambulance association;

(18) The chief of a fire department that actively provides trauma care to emergency patients, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio fire chiefs' association;

(19) An EMT or paramedic who is certified under this chapter and actively provides trauma care to emergency patients, appointed from among three persons nominated by the Ohio association of professional firefighters, three persons nominated by the northern Ohio fire fighters, three persons nominated by the Ohio state firefighters' association, and three persons nominated by the Ohio association of emergency medical services;

(20) A person who actively advocates for trauma victims, appointed from three persons nominated by the Ohio brain injury association and three persons nominated by the governor's council on people with disabilities;

(21) A physician or nurse who has substantial administrative responsibility for trauma care provided in or by an adult or pediatric trauma center, appointed from among three persons nominated by OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, three persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and three persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio;

(22) Three representatives of hospitals that are not trauma centers and actively provide emergency care to trauma patients, appointed from among three persons nominated by OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, three persons nominated by the Ohio osteopathic association, three persons nominated by the association of Ohio children's hospitals, and three persons nominated by the health forum of Ohio. The representatives may be hospital administrators, physicians, nurses, or other clinical professionals.

Members of the committee shall have substantial experience in the categories they represent, shall be residents of this state, and may be members of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. In appointing members of the committee, the director shall attempt to include members representing urban and rural areas, various geographical areas of the state, and various schools of training. The director shall not appoint to the committee more than one member who is employed by or practices at the same hospital, health system, or emergency medical service organization.

The director may refuse to appoint any of the persons nominated by an organization or organizations under this division. In that event, the organization or organizations shall continue to nominate the required number of persons until the director appoints to the committee one or more of the persons nominated by the organization or organizations.

Initial appointments to the committee shall be made by the director not later than ninety days after November 3, 2000. Members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the director, except that any member of the committee who ceases to be qualified for the position to which the member was appointed shall cease to be a member of the committee. Vacancies on the committee shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

The members of the committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as members of the committee.

The committee shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. A majority of all members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken without the concurrence of a majority of all members of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the chair, upon written request of five members of the committee, and at the direction of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. The committee shall not meet at times or locations that conflict with meetings of the board. The executive director and medical director of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may participate in any meeting of the committee and shall do so at the request of the committee.

The committee shall advise and assist the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services in matters related to adult and pediatric trauma care and the establishment and operation of the state trauma registry. In matters relating to the state trauma registry, the board and the committee shall consult with trauma registrars from adult and pediatric trauma centers in the state. The committee may appoint a subcommittee to advise and assist with the trauma registry. The subcommittee may include persons with expertise relevant to the trauma registry who are not members of the board or committee.

(C) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may appoint other committees and subcommittees as it considers necessary.

(D) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, and any of its committees or subcommittees, may request assistance from any state agency. The board and its committees and subcommittees may permit persons who are not members of those bodies to participate in deliberations of those bodies, but no person who is not a member of the board shall vote on the board and no person who is not a member of a committee created under division (A) or (B) of this section shall vote on that committee.

(E) Sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code do not apply to the committees established under division (A) or (B) of this section.

Sec. 4765.05. (A) As used in this section, "prehospital emergency medical services" means an emergency medical services system that provides medical services to patients who require immediate assistance, because of illness or injury, prior to their arrival at an emergency medical facility.

(B) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall divide the state geographically into prehospital emergency medical services regions for purposes of overseeing the delivery of adult and pediatric prehospital emergency medical services. For each prehospital emergency medical services region, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall appoint either a physician to serve as the regional director or a physician advisory board to serve as the regional advisory board. The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall specify the duties of each regional director and regional advisory board. Regional directors and members of regional advisory boards shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out duties as regional directors and members of regional advisory boards.

(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit in any way the ability of a hospital to determine the market area of that hospital.

Sec. 4765.06.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall establish an emergency medical services incidence reporting system for the collection of information regarding the delivery of emergency medical services in this state and the frequency at which the services are provided. All emergency medical service organizations shall submit to the board any information that the board determines is necessary for maintaining the incidence reporting system.

(B) The board shall establish a state trauma registry to be used for the collection of information regarding the care of adult and pediatric trauma victims in this state. The registry shall provide for the reporting of adult and pediatric trauma-related deaths, identification of adult and pediatric trauma patients, monitoring of adult and pediatric trauma patient care data, determination of the total amount of uncompensated adult and pediatric trauma care provided annually by each facility that provides care to trauma victims, and collection of any other information specified by the board. All persons designated by the board shall submit to the board any information it determines is necessary for maintaining the state trauma registry. At the request of the board any state agency possessing information regarding adult or pediatric trauma care shall provide the information to the board. The board shall maintain the state trauma registry in accordance with rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Rules relating to the state trauma registry adopted under this section and section 4765.11 of the Revised Code shall not prohibit the operation of other trauma registries and may provide for the reporting of information to the state trauma registry by or through other trauma registries in a manner consistent with information otherwise reported to the state trauma registry. Other trauma registries may report aggregate information to the state trauma registry, provided the information can be matched to the person that reported it. Information maintained by another trauma registry and reported to the state trauma registry in lieu of being reported directly to the state trauma registry is a public record and shall be maintained, made available to the public, held in confidence, risk adjusted, and not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil action as provided in section 149.43 of the Revised Code and this section. Any person who provides, maintains, or risk adjusts such information shall comply with this section and rules adopted under it in performing that function and has the same immunities with respect to that function as a person who performs that function with respect to the state trauma registry.

(C) The board and any employee or contractor of the board or the department of public safety shall not make public information it receives under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code that identifies or would tend to identify a specific recipient of emergency medical services or adult or pediatric trauma care.

(D) Not later than two years after November 3, 2000, the board shall adopt and implement rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code that provide written standards and procedures for risk adjustment of information received by the board under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code. The rules shall be developed in consultation with appropriate medical, hospital, and emergency medical service organizations and may provide for risk adjustment by a contractor of the board. Except as provided in division (G) of this section, before risk adjustment standards and procedures are implemented, no member of the board and no employee or contractor of the board or the department of public safety shall make public information received by the board under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code that identifies or would tend to identify a specific provider of emergency medical services or adult or pediatric trauma care. Except as provided in division (G) of this section, after risk adjustment standards and procedures are implemented, the board shall make public such information only on a risk adjusted basis.

(E) The board shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code that specify procedures for ensuring the confidentiality of information that is not to be made public under this section. The rules shall specify the circumstances in which deliberations of the persons performing risk adjustment functions under this section are not open to the public and records of those deliberations are maintained in confidence. Nothing in this section prohibits the board from making public statistical information that does not identify or tend to identify a specific recipient or provider of emergency medical services or adult or pediatric trauma care.

(F) No provider that furnishes information to the board with respect to any patient the provider examined or treated shall, because of this furnishing, be deemed liable in damages to any person or be held to answer for betrayal of a professional confidence in the absence of willful or wanton misconduct. No such information shall be subject to introduction in evidence in any civil action against the provider. No provider that furnishes information to the board shall be liable for the misuse or improper release of the information by the board or any other person.

No person who performs risk adjustment functions under this section shall, because of performing such functions, be held liable in a civil action for betrayal of professional confidence or otherwise in the absence of willful or wanton misconduct.

(G) The board may transmit data that identifies or tends to identify a specific provider of emergency medical services care and has not been risk-adjusted from the emergency medical services incident reporting system directly to the national emergency medical services information system, pursuant to a written contract between the board and the federal agency that administers the national emergency medical services information system, which shall ensure to the maximum extent permitted by federal law that such agency shall use such data solely for inclusion in the national emergency medical services information system and shall not disclose such data to the public, through legal discovery, a freedom of information request, or otherwise, in a manner that identifies or tends to identify a specific provider of emergency medical services care.

Sec. 4765.07.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code to establish and administer a grant program under which grants are distributed according to the following priorities:

(1) First priority shall be given to emergency medical service organizations for the training of personnel, for the purchase of equipment and vehicles, and to improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of emergency medical services in this state. In this category, the board shall give priority to grants that fund training and equipping of emergency medical service personnel.

(2) Second priority shall be given to entities that research, test, and evaluate medical procedures and systems related to adult and pediatric trauma care.

(3) Third priority shall be given to entities that research the causes, nature, and effects of traumatic injuries, educate the public about injury prevention, and implement, test, and evaluate injury prevention strategies.

(4) Fourth priority shall be given to entities that research, test, and evaluate procedures that promote the rehabilitation, retraining, and reemployment of adult or pediatric trauma victims and social service support mechanisms for adult or pediatric trauma victims and their families.

(5) Fifth priority shall be given to entities that conduct research on, test, or evaluate one or more of the following:

(a) Procedures governing the performance of emergency medical services in this state;

(b) The training of emergency medical service personnel;

(c) The staffing of emergency medical service organizations.

(6) For grants distributed for the grant award years occurring not later than the award year ending June 30, 2017, sixth priority shall be given to entities that operate paramedic training programs and are seeking national accreditation of the programs.

(B) To be eligible for a grant distributed pursuant to division (A)(6) of this section, an applicant for the grant shall meet all of the following conditions:

(1) Hold a certificate of accreditation issued by the board under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code to operate a paramedic training program;

(2) Be seeking initial national accreditation of the program from an accrediting organization approved by the board;

(3) Apply for the national accreditation on or after February 25, 2010.

(C) The grant program shall be funded from the trauma and emergency medical services fund created by section 4513.263 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.08.  The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall prepare a statewide emergency medical services plan and shall revise the plan as necessary.

The board shall prepare a plan for the statewide regulation of emergency medical services during periods of disaster. The plan shall be consistent with the statewide emergency medical services plan required under this section and with the statewide emergency operations plan required under section 5502.22 of the Revised Code. The board shall submit the plan to the emergency management agency created under section 5502.22 of the Revised Code. The board shall cooperate with the agency in any other manner the agency considers necessary to develop and implement the statewide emergency operations plan.

Sec. 4765.09.  The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall prepare recommendations for the operation of ambulance service organizations, air medical organizations, and emergency medical service organizations. Within thirty days following the preparation or modification of recommendations, the board shall notify the board of county commissioners of any county, the board of township trustees of any township, the board of trustees of any joint ambulance district, or the board of trustees of any joint emergency medical services district in which there exist ambulance service organizations, air medical organizations, or emergency medical service organizations of any board recommendations for the operation of such organizations. The recommendations shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) The definition and classification of ambulances and medical aircraft;

(B) The design, equipment, and supplies for ambulances and medical aircraft, including special equipment, supplies, training, and staffing required to assist pediatric and geriatric emergency victims;

(C) The minimum number and type of personnel for the operation of ambulances and medical aircraft;

(D) The communication systems necessary for the operation of ambulances and medical aircraft;

(E) Reports to be made by persons holding certificates of accreditation or approval issued under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code and certificates to practice issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code to ascertain compliance with this chapter and the rules and recommendations adopted thereunder and to ascertain the quantity and quality of ambulance service organizations, air medical organizations, and emergency medical service organizations throughout the state.

Sec. 4765.10.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall do all of the following:

(1) Administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under it;

(2) Approve, in accordance with procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, examinations that demonstrate competence to have a certificate to practice renewed without completing a continuing education program;

(3) Advise applicants for state or federal emergency medical services funds, review and comment on applications for these funds, and approve the use of all state and federal funds designated solely for emergency medical service programs unless federal law requires another state agency to approve the use of all such federal funds;

(4) Serve as a statewide clearinghouse for discussion, inquiry, and complaints concerning emergency medical services;

(5) Make recommendations to the general assembly on legislation to improve the delivery of emergency medical services;

(6) Maintain a toll-free long distance telephone number through which it shall respond to questions about emergency medical services;

(7) Work with appropriate state offices in coordinating the training of firefighters and emergency medical service personnel. Other state offices that are involved in the training of firefighters or emergency medical service personnel shall cooperate with the board and its committees and subcommittees to achieve this goal.

(8) Provide a liaison to the state emergency operation center during those periods when a disaster, as defined in section 5502.21 of the Revised Code, has occurred in this state and the governor has declared an emergency as defined in that section.

(B) The board may do any of the following:

(1) Investigate complaints concerning emergency medical services and emergency medical service organizations as it determines necessary;

(2) Enter into reciprocal agreements with other states that have standards for accreditation of emergency medical services training programs and for certification of first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, paramedics, firefighters, or fire safety inspectors that are substantially similar to those established under this chapter and the rules adopted under it;

(3) Establish a statewide public information system and public education programs regarding emergency medical services;

(4) Establish an injury prevention program.

Sec. 4765.101. (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall investigate any allegation that a person has violated this chapter or a rule adopted under it.

Any person may submit to the board a written complaint regarding an alleged violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under it. In the absence of fraud or bad faith, no person submitting a complaint to the board or testifying in an adjudication hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code with regard to such an alleged violation shall be liable to any person in damages in a civil action as a result of submitting the complaint or providing testimony.

(B) In investigating an allegation, the board may do any of the following:

(1) Administer oaths;

(2) Order the taking of depositions;

(3) Issue subpoenas;

(4) Compel the attendance of witnesses and production of books, accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony.

(C) A subpoena for patient record information shall not be issued without consultation with the attorney general's office and approval of the executive director of the board. Before issuance of a subpoena for patient record information, the executive director shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the complaint filed alleges a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it and that the records sought are relevant to the alleged violation and material to the investigation. The subpoena may apply only to records that cover a reasonable period of time surrounding the alleged violation.

(D) On failure to comply with any subpoena issued by the board and after reasonable notice to the person being subpoenaed, the board may move, pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure, for an order compelling the production of persons or records.

(E) A subpoena issued by the board may be served by a sheriff, the sheriff's deputy, or an investigator for the division of emergency medical services of the department of public safety. Service of a subpoena issued by the board may be made by delivering a copy of the subpoena to the person named in it, reading it to the person, or leaving it at the person's usual place of residence. When the person being served is an individual authorized by this chapter to practice emergency medical services, service of the subpoena may be made by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, and the subpoena shall be deemed served on the date delivery is made or on the date that the person refuses to accept delivery.

Sec. 4765.102. (A) As used in this section, "licensing agency" means any entity that has the authority pursuant to Title XLVII of the Revised Code to issue a license, and any other agency of this or another state, other than the Ohio supreme court, that has the authority to issue a license that authorizes an individual to engage in an occupation or profession. "Licensing agency" includes an administrative officer that has authority to issue a license that authorizes an individual to engage in an occupation or profession.

(B) Except as provided in divisions (C) and (D) of this section and section 4765.111 of the Revised Code, all information the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services receives pursuant to an investigation, including information regarding an alleged violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it or a complaint submitted under division (A) of section 4765.101 of the Revised Code, is confidential, and is not subject to discovery in any civil action, during the course of the investigation and any adjudication proceedings that result from the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation and any resulting adjudication proceedings, the information is a matter of public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(C) The board may release information otherwise made confidential by division (B) of this section to law enforcement officers or licensing agencies of this or another state that are prosecuting, adjudicating, or investigating the holder of a certificate issued under this chapter or a person who allegedly engaged in the unauthorized provision of emergency medical services.

A law enforcement officer or licensing agency with information disclosed by the board under this division shall not divulge the information other than for the purpose of an adjudication by a court or licensing agency to which the subject of the adjudication is a party.

(D) If an investigation conducted under section 4765.101 of the Revised Code requires a review of patient records, the investigation and proceedings related to it shall be conducted in such a manner as to protect patient confidentiality. The board shall not make public the name or any other identifying information about a patient unless proper consent is given in accordance with rules adopted by the board. If the patient is less than eighteen years of age, the board shall obtain consent from the patient's parent, guardian, or custodian.

Sec. 4765.11.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and division (C) of this section that establish all of the following:

(1) Procedures for its governance and the control of its actions and business affairs;

(2) Standards for the performance of emergency medical services by first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic;

(3) Application fees for certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice, which shall be deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund created in section 4513.263 of the Revised Code;

(4) Criteria for determining when the application or renewal fee for a certificate to practice may be waived because an applicant cannot afford to pay the fee;

(5) Procedures for issuance and renewal of certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice, including any procedures necessary to ensure that adequate notice of renewal is provided in accordance with division (D) of section 4765.30 of the Revised Code;

(6) Procedures for suspending or revoking certificates of accreditation, certificates of approval, certificates to teach, and certificates to practice;

(7) Grounds for suspension or revocation of a certificate to practice issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code and for taking any other disciplinary action against a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic;

(8) Procedures for taking disciplinary action against a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic;

(9) Standards for certificates of accreditation and certificates of approval;

(10) Qualifications for certificates to teach;

(11) Requirements for a certificate to practice;

(12) The curricula, number of hours of instruction and training, and instructional materials to be used in adult and pediatric emergency medical services training programs and adult and pediatric emergency medical services continuing education programs;

(13) Procedures for conducting courses in recognizing symptoms of life-threatening allergic reactions and in calculating proper dosage levels and administering injections of epinephrine to adult and pediatric patients who suffer life-threatening allergic reactions;

(14) Examinations for certificates to practice;

(15) Procedures for administering examinations for certificates to practice;

(16) Procedures for approving examinations that demonstrate competence to have a certificate to practice renewed without completing an emergency medical services continuing education program;

(17) Procedures for granting extensions and exemptions of emergency medical services continuing education requirements;

(18) Procedures for approving the additional emergency medical services first responders are authorized by division (C) of section 4765.35 of the Revised Code to perform, EMTs-basic are authorized by division (C) of section 4765.37 of the Revised Code to perform, EMTs-I are authorized by division (B)(5) of section 4765.38 of the Revised Code to perform, and paramedics are authorized by division (B)(6) of section 4765.39 of the Revised Code to perform;

(19) Standards and procedures for implementing the requirements of section 4765.06 of the Revised Code, including designations of the persons who are required to report information to the board and the types of information to be reported;

(20) Procedures for administering the emergency medical services grant program established under section 4765.07 of the Revised Code;

(21) Procedures consistent with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for appealing decisions of the board;

(22) Minimum qualifications and peer review and quality improvement requirements for persons who provide medical direction to emergency medical service personnel;

(23) The manner in which a patient, or a patient's parent, guardian, or custodian may consent to the board releasing identifying information about the patient under division (D) of section 4765.102 of the Revised Code;

(24) Circumstances under which a training program or continuing education program, or portion of either type of program, may be taught by a person who does not hold a certificate to teach issued under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code;

(25) Certification cycles for certificates issued under sections 4765.23 and 4765.30 of the Revised Code and certificates issued by the executive director of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code that establish a common expiration date for all certificates.

(B) The board may adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code and division (C) of this section that establish the following:

(1) Specifications of information that may be collected under the trauma system registry and incidence reporting system created under section 4765.06 of the Revised Code;

(2) Standards and procedures for implementing any of the recommendations made by any committees of the board or under section 4765.04 of the Revised Code;

(3) Requirements that a person must meet to receive a certificate to practice as a first responder pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 4765.30 of the Revised Code;

(4) Any other rules necessary to implement this chapter.

(C) In developing and administering rules adopted under this chapter, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall consult with regional directors and regional physician advisory boards created by section 4765.05 of the Revised Code and emphasize the special needs of pediatric and geriatric patients.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in this division, before adopting, amending, or rescinding any rule under this chapter, the board shall submit the proposed rule to the director of public safety for review. The director may review the proposed rule for not more than sixty days after the date it is submitted. If, within this sixty-day period, the director approves the proposed rule or does not notify the board that the rule is disapproved, the board may adopt, amend, or rescind the rule as proposed. If, within this sixty-day period, the director notifies the board that the proposed rule is disapproved, the board shall not adopt, amend, or rescind the rule as proposed unless at least twelve members of the board vote to adopt, amend, or rescind it.

This division does not apply to an emergency rule adopted in accordance with section 119.03 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.111. Except as provided in this section or sections 4765.112 to 4765.116 of the Revised Code, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall conduct disciplinary proceedings regarding the holder of a certificate issued under this chapter in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

The board and a holder of a certificate are the parties to a hearing conducted under this chapter. Either party may submit a written request to the other party for a list of witnesses and copies of documents intended to be introduced at the hearing. The request shall be in writing and shall be served not less than thirty-seven days prior to the commencement of the hearing, unless the hearing officer or presiding board member grants an extension of time to make the request. Not later than thirty days before the hearing, the responding party shall provide the requested list of witnesses and copies of documents to the requesting party, unless the hearing officer or presiding board member grants an extension of time to provide the list and copies.

Failure to timely provide a list or copies requested in accordance with this section shall result in exclusion from the hearing of the witnesses, testimony, or documents.

Sec. 4765.112.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, by an affirmative vote of the majority of its members, may suspend without a prior hearing a certificate to practice issued under this chapter if the board determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that continued practice by the certificate holder presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public and that the certificate holder has done any of the following:

(1) Furnished false, fraudulent, or misleading information to the board;

(2) Engaged in activities that exceed those permitted by the individual's certificate;

(3) In a court of this or any other state or federal court been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been the subject of a judicial finding of guilt of, a judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to, or a judicial finding of eligibility for intervention in lieu of conviction for, a felony or for a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice or involving gross immorality or moral turpitude.

(B) Immediately following the decision to impose a summary suspension, the board, in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, shall issue a written order of suspension, cause it to be delivered to the certificate holder, and notify the certificate holder of the opportunity for a hearing. If timely requested by the certificate holder, a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 4765.115 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.113.  If the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services imposes a suspension on the basis of a conviction, judicial finding, or plea as described in division (A)(3) of section 4765.112 of the Revised Code that is overturned on appeal, the certificate holder, on exhaustion of the criminal appeal process, may file with the board a petition for reconsideration of the suspension along with appropriate court documents. On receipt of the petition and documents, the board shall reinstate the certificate holder's certificate to practice.

Sec. 4765.114.  (A) A certificate to practice emergency medical services issued under this chapter is automatically suspended on the certificate holder's conviction of, plea of guilty to, or judicial finding of guilt of any of the following: aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, felonious assault, kidnapping, rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, or a substantially equivalent offense committed in this or another jurisdiction. Continued practice after the suspension is practicing without a certificate.

(B) If the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services has knowledge that an automatic suspension has occurred, it shall notify, in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, the certificate holder of the suspension and of the opportunity for a hearing. If timely requested by the certificate holder, a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 4765.115 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.115.  (A) A suspension order issued under section 4765.112 or automatic suspension under section 4765.114 of the Revised Code is not subject to suspension by a court prior to a hearing under this section or during the pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code.

(B) A suspension order issued under section 4765.112 or automatic suspension under section 4765.114 of the Revised Code remains in effect, unless reversed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, until a final adjudication order issued by the board pursuant to this section becomes effective.

(C) Hearings requested pursuant to section 4765.112 or 4765.114 of the Revised Code shall be conducted under this section in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(D) A hearing under this section shall be held not later than forty-five days but not earlier than forty days after the certificate holder requests it, unless another date is agreed to by the certificate holder and the board.

(E) After completion of an adjudication hearing, the board may adopt, by an affirmative vote of the majority of its members, a final adjudication order that imposes any of the following sanctions:

(1) Suspension of the holder's certificate to practice;

(2) Revocation of the holder's certificate to practice;

(3) Issuance of a written reprimand;

(4) A refusal to renew or a limitation on the holder's certificate to practice.

The board shall issue its final adjudication order not later than forty-five days after completion of an adjudication hearing. If the board does not issue a final order within that time period, the suspension order is void, but any final adjudication order subsequently issued is not affected.

(F) Any action taken by the board under this section resulting in a suspension from practice shall be accompanied by a written statement of the conditions under which the certificate to practice may be reinstated. Reinstatement of a certificate suspended under this section requires an affirmative vote by the majority of the members of the board.

(G) When the board revokes or refuses to reinstate a certificate to practice, the board may specify that its action is permanent. An individual subject to permanent action taken by the board is forever ineligible to hold a certificate of the type revoked or refused, and the board shall not accept from the individual an application for reinstatement of the certificate or for a new certificate.

Sec. 4765.116.  If a certificate holder subject to a suspension order issued by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.112 or an automatic suspension order under section 4765.114 of the Revised Code fails to make a timely request for a hearing, the following apply:

(A) In the case of a certificate holder subject to a summary suspension order, the board is not required to hold a hearing, but may adopt, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, a final order that contains the board's findings. In the final order, the board may order any of the sanctions listed in division (E) of section 4765.115 of the Revised Code.

(B) In the case of a certificate holder subject to an automatic suspension order, the board may adopt, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, a final order that permanently revokes the holder's certificate to practice.

Sec. 4765.12.  (A) Not later than two years after the effective date of this section November 3, 2000, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall develop and distribute guidelines for the care of trauma victims by emergency medical service personnel and for the conduct of peer review and quality assurance programs by emergency medical service organizations. The guidelines shall be consistent with the state trauma triage protocols adopted in rules under sections 4765.11 and 4765.40 of the Revised Code and shall place emphasis on the special needs of pediatric and geriatric trauma victims. In developing the guidelines, the board shall consult with entities with interests in trauma and emergency medical services and shall consider any relevant guidelines adopted by national organizations, including the American college of surgeons, American college of emergency physicians, and American academy of pediatrics. The board shall distribute the guidelines, and amendments to the guidelines, to each emergency medical service organization, regional director, regional physician advisory board, certified emergency medical service instructor, and person who regularly provides medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in this state.

(B) Not later than three years after the effective date of this section November 3, 2000, each emergency medical service organization in this state shall implement ongoing peer review and quality assurance programs designed to improve the availability and quality of the emergency medical services it provides. The form and content of the programs shall be determined by each emergency medical service organization. In implementing the programs, each emergency medical service organization shall consider how to improve its ability to provide effective trauma care, particularly for pediatric and geriatric trauma victims, and shall take into account the trauma care guidelines developed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under this section.

Information generated solely for use in a peer review or quality assurance program conducted on behalf of an emergency medical service organization is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. Such information, and any discussion conducted in the course of a peer review or quality assurance program conducted on behalf of an emergency medical service organization, is not subject to discovery in a civil action and shall not be introduced into evidence in a civil action against the emergency medical service organization on whose behalf the information was generated or the discussion occurred.

No emergency medical service organization on whose behalf a peer review or quality assurance program is conducted, and no person who conducts such a program, because of performing such functions, shall be liable in a civil action for betrayal of professional confidence or otherwise in the absence of willful or wanton misconduct.

Sec. 4765.15.  A person seeking to operate an emergency medical services training program shall submit a completed application for accreditation to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

A person seeking to operate an emergency medical services continuing education program shall submit a completed application for approval to the board on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

The board shall administer the accreditation and approval processes pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. In administering these processes, the board may authorize other persons to evaluate applications for accreditation or approval and may accept the recommendations made by those persons.

The board may cause an investigation to be made into the accuracy of the information submitted in any application for accreditation or approval. If an investigation indicates that false, misleading, or incomplete information has been submitted to the board in connection with any application for accreditation or approval, the board shall conduct a hearing on the matter in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.16.  (A) All courses offered through an emergency medical services training program or an emergency medical services continuing education program, other than ambulance driving, shall be developed under the direction of a physician who specializes in emergency medicine. Each course that deals with trauma care shall be developed in consultation with a physician who specializes in trauma surgery. Except as specified by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, each course offered through a training program or continuing education program shall be taught by a person who holds the appropriate certificate to teach issued under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code.

(B) A training program for first responders shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include courses in both of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Emergency victim care;

(2) Reading and interpreting a trauma victim's vital signs.

(C) A training program for emergency medical technicians-basic shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Emergency victim care;

(2) Reading and interpreting a trauma victim's vital signs;

(3) Triage protocols for adult and pediatric trauma victims;

(4) In-hospital training;

(5) Clinical training;

(6) Training as an ambulance driver.

Each operator of a training program for emergency medical technicians-basic shall allow any pupil in the twelfth grade in a secondary school who is at least seventeen years old and who otherwise meets the requirements for admission into such a training program to be admitted to and complete the program and, as part of the training, to ride in an ambulance with emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic. Each emergency medical service organization shall allow pupils participating in training programs to ride in an ambulance with emergency medical technicians-basic, advanced emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic.

(D) A training program for emergency medical technicians-intermediate shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include, or require as a prerequisite, the training specified in division (C) of this section and courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Recognizing symptoms of life-threatening allergic reactions and in calculating proper dosage levels and administering injections of epinephrine to persons who suffer life-threatening allergic reactions, conducted in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code;

(2) Venous access procedures;

(3) Cardiac monitoring and electrical interventions to support or correct the cardiac function.

(E) A training program for emergency medical technicians-paramedic shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The program shall include, or require as a prerequisite, the training specified in divisions (C) and (D) of this section and courses in each of the following areas for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules:

(1) Medical terminology;

(2) Venous access procedures;

(3) Airway procedures;

(4) Patient assessment and triage;

(5) Acute cardiac care, including administration of parenteral injections, electrical interventions, and other emergency medical services;

(6) Emergency and trauma victim care beyond that required under division (C) of this section;

(7) Clinical training beyond that required under division (C) of this section.

(F) A continuing education program for first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics shall meet the standards established in rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. A continuing education program shall include instruction and training in subjects established by the board's rules for at least the number of hours established by the board's rules.

Sec. 4765.17.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue the appropriate certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval to an applicant who is of good reputation and meets the requirements of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code. The board shall grant or deny a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval within one hundred twenty days of receipt of the application. The board may issue or renew a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval on a provisional basis to an applicant who is of good reputation and is in substantial compliance with the requirements of section 4765.16 of the Revised Code. The board shall inform an applicant receiving such a certificate of the conditions that must be met to complete compliance with section 4765.16 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval is valid for up to five years and may be renewed by the board pursuant to procedures and standards established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. An application for renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(C) A certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval issued on a provisional basis is valid for the length of time established by the board. If the board finds that the holder of such a certificate has met the conditions it specifies under division (A) of this section, the board shall issue the appropriate certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval.

(D) A certificate of accreditation is valid only for the emergency medical services training program or programs for which it is issued. The holder of a certificate of accreditation may apply to operate additional training programs in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. Any additional training programs shall expire on the expiration date of the applicant's current certificate. A certificate of approval is valid only for the emergency medical services continuing education program for which it is issued. Neither is transferable.

(E) The holder of a certificate of accreditation or a certificate of approval may offer courses at more than one location in accordance with rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.18.  The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may suspend or revoke a certificate of accreditation or a certificate of approval issued under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code for any of the following reasons:

(A) Violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it;

(B) Furnishing of false, misleading, or incomplete information to the board;

(C) The signing of an application or the holding of a certificate of accreditation by a person who has pleaded guilty to or has been convicted of a felony, or has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

(D) The signing of an application or the holding of a certificate of accreditation by a person who is addicted to the use of any controlled substance or has been adjudicated incompetent for that purpose by a court, as provided in section 5122.301 of the Revised Code;

(E) Violation of any commitment made in an application for a certificate of accreditation or certificate of approval;

(F) Presentation to prospective students of misleading, false, or fraudulent information relating to the emergency medical services training program or emergency medical services continuing education program, employment opportunities, or opportunities for enrollment in accredited institutions of higher education after entering or completing courses offered by the operator of a program;

(G) Failure to maintain in a safe and sanitary condition premises and equipment used in conducting courses of study;

(H) Failure to maintain financial resources adequate for the satisfactory conduct of courses of study or to retain a sufficient number of certified instructors;

(I) Discrimination in the acceptance of students upon the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Sec. 4765.22. A person seeking a certificate to teach in an emergency medical services training program or an emergency medical services continuing education program shall submit a completed application for certification to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.23.  The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue a certificate to teach in an emergency medical services training program or an emergency medical services continuing education program to any applicant who it determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The certificate shall indicate each type of instruction and training the certificate holder may teach under the certificate.

A certificate to teach shall have a certification cycle established by the board and may be renewed by the board pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. An application for renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

The board may suspend or revoke a certificate to teach pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.28.  A person seeking a certificate to practice as a first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic shall submit a completed application for certification to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services on a form the board shall prescribe and furnish. Except as provided in division (B) of section 4765.29 of the Revised Code, the application shall include evidence that the applicant received the appropriate certificate of completion pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code. The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, unless the board waives the fee on determining pursuant to those rules that the applicant cannot afford to pay the fee.

Sec. 4765.29.  (A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall provide for the examination of applicants for certification to practice as first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic. The examinations shall be established by the board in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The board may administer the examinations or contract with other persons to administer the examinations. In either case, the examinations shall be administered pursuant to procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code and shall be offered at various locations in the state selected by the board.

Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an applicant shall not be permitted to take an examination for the same certificate to practice more than three times since last receiving the certificate of completion pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code that qualifies the applicant to take the examination unless the applicant receives another certificate of completion that qualifies the applicant to take the examination.

(B) On request of an applicant who fails three examinations for the same certificate to practice, the board may direct the applicant to complete a specific portion of an accredited emergency medical services training program. If the applicant provides satisfactory proof to the board that the applicant has successfully completed that portion of the program, the applicant shall be permitted to take the examination.

Sec. 4765.30.  (A)(1) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue a certificate to practice as a first responder to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

(a) Except as provided in division (A)(2) of this section, is a volunteer for a nonprofit emergency medical service organization or a nonprofit fire department;

(b) Holds the appropriate certificate of completion issued in accordance with section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(c) Passes the appropriate examination conducted under section 4765.29 of the Revised Code;

(d) Is not in violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;

(e) Meets any other certification requirements established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(2) The board may waive the requirement to be a volunteer for a nonprofit entity if the applicant meets other requirements established in rules adopted under division (B)(3) of section 4765.11 of the Revised Code relative to a person's eligibility to practice as a first responder.

(B) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

(1) Holds a certificate of completion in emergency medical services training-basic issued in accordance with section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(2) Passes the examination for emergency medical technicians-basic conducted under section 4765.29 of the Revised Code;

(3) Is not in violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;

(4) Meets any other certification requirements established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(C) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall issue a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-intermediate or emergency medical technician-paramedic to an applicant who meets all of the following conditions:

(1) Holds a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic;

(2) Holds the appropriate certificate of completion issued in accordance with section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(3) Passes the appropriate examination conducted under section 4765.29 of the Revised Code;

(4) Is not in violation of any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under it;

(5) Meets any other certification requirements established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(D) A certificate to practice shall have a certification cycle established by the board and may be renewed by the board pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. Not later than sixty days prior to the expiration date of an individual's certificate to practice, the board shall notify the individual of the scheduled expiration.

An application for renewal shall be accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, unless the board waives the fee on determining pursuant to those rules that the applicant cannot afford to pay the fee. Except as provided in division (B) of section 4765.31 of the Revised Code, the application shall include evidence of either of the following:

(1) That the applicant received a certificate of completion from the appropriate emergency medical services continuing education program pursuant to section 4765.24 of the Revised Code;

(2) That the applicant has successfully passed an examination that demonstrates the competence to have a certificate renewed without completing an emergency medical services continuing education program. The board shall approve such examinations in accordance with rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(E) The board shall not require an applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice to take an examination as a condition of renewing the certificate. This division does not preclude the use of examinations by operators of approved emergency medical services continuing education programs as a condition for issuance of a certificate of completion in emergency medical services continuing education.

Sec. 4765.31.  (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, and emergency medical technician-paramedic shall complete an emergency medical services continuing education program or pass an examination approved by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under division (A) of section 4765.10 of the Revised Code prior to the expiration of the individual's certificate to practice. Completion of the continuing education requirements for EMTs-I or paramedics satisfies the continuing education requirements for renewing the certificate to practice as an EMT-basic held by an EMT-I or paramedic.

(B)(1) An applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice may apply to the board, in writing, for an extension to complete the continuing education requirements established under division (A) of this section. The board may grant such an extension and determine the length of the extension. The board may authorize the applicant to continue to practice during the extension as if the certificate to practice had not expired.

(2) An applicant for renewal of a certificate to practice may apply to the board, in writing, for an exemption from the continuing education requirements established under division (A) of this section. The board may exempt an individual or a group of individuals from all or any part of the continuing education requirements due to active military service, unusual circumstance, emergency, special hardship, or any other cause considered reasonable by the board.

(C) Decisions of whether to grant an extension or exemption under division (B) of this section shall be made by the board pursuant to procedures established in rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.32.  A current, valid certificate of accreditation issued under the provisions of former section 3303.11 or 3303.23 of the Revised Code shall remain valid until one year after the expiration date of the certificate as determined by the provisions of those sections and shall confer the same privileges and impose the same responsibilities and requirements as a certificate of accreditation issued by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code.

A certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-ambulance that is valid on November 24, 1995, shall be considered a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-basic. A certificate to practice as an advanced emergency medical technician-ambulance that is valid on November 24, 1995, shall be considered a certificate to practice as an emergency medical technician-intermediate.

Sec. 4765.33.  The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services may suspend or revoke certificates to practice issued under section 4765.30 of the Revised Code, and may take other disciplinary action against first responders, emergency medical technicians-basic, emergency medical technicians-intermediate, and emergency medical technicians-paramedic pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 4765.37.  (A) An emergency medical technician-basic shall perform the emergency medical services described in this section in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

(B) An emergency medical technician-basic may operate, or be responsible for operation of, an ambulance and may provide emergency medical services to patients. In an emergency, an EMT-basic may determine the nature and extent of illness or injury and establish priority for required emergency medical services. An EMT-basic may render emergency medical services such as opening and maintaining an airway, giving positive pressure ventilation, cardiac resuscitation, electrical interventions with automated defibrillators to support or correct the cardiac function and other methods determined by the board, controlling of hemorrhage, treatment of shock, immobilization of fractures, bandaging, assisting in childbirth, management of mentally disturbed patients, initial care of poison and burn patients, and determining triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims. Where patients must in an emergency be extricated from entrapment, an EMT-basic may assess the extent of injury and render all possible emergency medical services and protection to the entrapped patient; provide light rescue services if an ambulance has not been accompanied by a specialized unit; and after extrication, provide additional care in sorting of the injured in accordance with standard emergency procedures.

(C) An EMT-basic may perform any other emergency medical services approved pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The board shall determine whether the nature of any such service requires that an EMT-basic receive authorization prior to performing the service.

(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, if the board determines under division (C) of this section that a service requires prior authorization, the service shall be performed only pursuant to the written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board, or pursuant to an authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician or registered nurse designated by a physician.

(2) If communications fail during an emergency situation or the required response time prohibits communication, an EMT-basic may perform services subject to this division, if, in the judgment of the EMT-basic, the life of the patient is in immediate danger. Services performed under these circumstances shall be performed in accordance with the protocols for triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims established in rules adopted under sections 4765.11 and 4765.40 of the Revised Code and any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the EMT-basic is affiliated.

Sec. 4765.38.  (A) An emergency medical technician-intermediate shall perform the emergency medical services described in this section in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it.

(B) An EMT-I may do any of the following:

(1) Establish and maintain an intravenous lifeline that has been approved by a cooperating physician or physician advisory board;

(2) Perform cardiac monitoring;

(3) Perform electrical interventions to support or correct the cardiac function;

(4) Administer epinephrine;

(5) Determine triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims;

(6) Perform any other emergency medical services approved pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, the services described in division (B) of this section shall be performed by an EMT-I only pursuant to the written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board, or pursuant to an authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician or registered nurse designated by a physician.

(2) If communications fail during an emergency situation or the required response time prohibits communication, an EMT-I may perform any of the services described in division (B) of this section, if, in the judgment of the EMT-I, the life of the patient is in immediate danger. Services performed under these circumstances shall be performed in accordance with the protocols for triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims established in rules adopted under sections 4765.11 and 4765.40 of the Revised Code and any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the EMT-I is affiliated.

(D) In addition to, and in the course of, providing emergency medical treatment, an emergency medical technician-intermediate may withdraw blood as provided under sections 1547.11, 4506.17, and 4511.19 of the Revised Code. An emergency medical technician-intermediate shall withdraw blood in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

Sec. 4765.39.  (A) An emergency medical technician-paramedic shall perform the emergency medical services described in this section in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it.

(B) A paramedic may do any of the following:

(1) Perform cardiac monitoring;

(2) Perform electrical interventions to support or correct the cardiac function;

(3) Perform airway procedures;

(4) Perform relief of pneumothorax;

(5) Administer appropriate drugs and intravenous fluids;

(6) Determine triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims;

(7) Perform any other emergency medical services, including life support or intensive care techniques, approved pursuant to rules adopted under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, the services described in division (B) of this section shall be performed by a paramedic only pursuant to the written or verbal authorization of a physician or of the cooperating physician advisory board, or pursuant to an authorization transmitted through a direct communication device by a physician or registered nurse designated by a physician.

(2) If communications fail during an emergency situation or the required response time prohibits communication, a paramedic may perform any of the services described in division (B) of this section, if, in the paramedic's judgment, the life of the patient is in immediate danger. Services performed under these circumstances shall be performed in accordance with the protocols for triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims established in rules adopted under sections 4765.11 and 4765.40 of the Revised Code and any applicable protocols adopted by the emergency medical service organization with which the paramedic is affiliated.

(D) In addition to, and in the course of, providing emergency medical treatment, an emergency medical technician-paramedic may withdraw blood as provided under sections 1547.11, 4506.17, and 4511.19 of the Revised Code. An emergency medical technician-paramedic shall withdraw blood in accordance with this chapter and any rules adopted under it by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

Sec. 4765.40.  (A)(1) Not later than two years after the effective date of this amendment November 3, 2000, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code establishing written protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims. The rules shall define adult and pediatric trauma in a manner that is consistent with section 4765.01 of the Revised Code, minimizes overtriage and undertriage, and emphasizes the special needs of pediatric and geriatric trauma patients.

(2) The state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section shall require a trauma victim to be transported directly to an adult or pediatric trauma center that is qualified to provide appropriate adult or pediatric trauma care, unless one or more of the following exceptions applies:

(a) It is medically necessary to transport the victim to another hospital for initial assessment and stabilization before transfer to an adult or pediatric trauma center;

(b) It is unsafe or medically inappropriate to transport the victim directly to an adult or pediatric trauma center due to adverse weather or ground conditions or excessive transport time;

(c) Transporting the victim to an adult or pediatric trauma center would cause a shortage of local emergency medical service resources;

(d) No appropriate adult or pediatric trauma center is able to receive and provide adult or pediatric trauma care to the trauma victim without undue delay;

(e) Before transport of a patient begins, the patient requests to be taken to a particular hospital that is not a trauma center or, if the patient is less than eighteen years of age or is not able to communicate, such a request is made by an adult member of the patient's family or a legal representative of the patient.

(3)(a) The state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section shall require trauma patients to be transported to an adult or pediatric trauma center that is able to provide appropriate adult or pediatric trauma care, but shall not require a trauma patient to be transported to a particular trauma center. The state triage protocols shall establish one or more procedures for evaluating whether an injury victim requires or would benefit from adult or pediatric trauma care, which procedures shall be applied by emergency medical service personnel based on the patient's medical needs. In developing state trauma triage protocols, the board shall consider relevant model triage rules and shall consult with the commission on minority health, regional directors, regional physician advisory boards, and appropriate medical, hospital, and emergency medical service organizations.

(b) Before the joint committee on agency rule review considers state triage protocols for trauma victims proposed by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, or amendments thereto, the board shall send a copy of the proposal to the Ohio chapter of the American college of emergency physicians, the Ohio chapter of the American college of surgeons, the Ohio chapter of the American academy of pediatrics, OHA: the association for hospitals and health systems, the Ohio osteopathic association, and the association of Ohio children's hospitals and shall hold a public hearing at which it must consider the appropriateness of the protocols to minimize overtriage and undertriage of trauma victims.

(c) The board shall provide copies of the state triage protocols, and amendments to the protocols, to each emergency medical service organization, regional director, regional physician advisory board, certified emergency medical service instructor, and person who regularly provides medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in the state; to each medical service organization in other jurisdictions that regularly provide emergency medical services in this state; and to others upon request.

(B)(1) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall approve regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims, and amendments to such protocols, that are submitted to the board as provided in division (B)(2) of this section and provide a level of adult and pediatric trauma care comparable to the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section. The board shall not otherwise approve regional triage protocols for trauma victims. The board shall not approve regional triage protocols for regions that overlap and shall resolve any such disputes by apportioning the overlapping territory among appropriate regions in a manner that best serves the medical needs of the residents of that territory. The trauma committee of the board shall have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on regional triage protocols and amendments to such protocols before the board approves or disapproves them.

(2) Regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims, and amendments to such protocols, shall be submitted in writing to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services by the regional physician advisory board or regional director, as appropriate, that serves a majority of the population in the region in which the protocols apply. Prior to submitting regional triage protocols, or an amendment to such protocols, to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, a regional physician advisory board or regional director shall consult with each of the following that regularly serves the region in which the protocols apply:

(a) Other regional physician advisory boards and regional directors;

(b) Hospitals that operate an emergency facility;

(c) Adult and pediatric trauma centers;

(d) Professional societies of physicians who specialize in adult or pediatric emergency medicine or adult or pediatric trauma surgery;

(e) Professional societies of nurses who specialize in adult or pediatric emergency nursing or adult or pediatric trauma surgery;

(f) Professional associations or labor organizations of emergency medical service personnel;

(g) Emergency medical service organizations and medical directors of such organizations;

(h) Certified emergency medical service instructors.

(3) Regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims approved under division (B)(2) of this section shall require patients to be transported to a trauma center that is able to provide an appropriate level of adult or pediatric trauma care; shall not discriminate among trauma centers for reasons not related to a patient's medical needs; shall seek to minimize undertriage and overtriage; may include any of the exceptions in division (A)(2) of this section; and supersede the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section in the region in which the regional protocols apply.

(4) Upon approval of regional protocols for the triage of adult and pediatric trauma victims under division (B)(2) of this section, or an amendment to such protocols, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall provide written notice of the approval and a copy of the protocols or amendment to each entity in the region in which the protocols apply to which the board is required to send a copy of the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section.

(C)(1) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall review the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section at least every three years to determine if they are causing overtriage or undertriage of trauma patients, and shall modify them as necessary to minimize overtriage and undertriage.

(2) Each regional physician advisory board or regional director that has had regional triage protocols approved under division (B)(2) of this section shall review the protocols at least every three years to determine if they are causing overtriage or undertriage of trauma patients and shall submit an appropriate amendment to the state board, as provided in division (B) of this section, as necessary to minimize overtriage and undertriage. The state board shall approve the amendment if it will reduce overtriage or undertriage while complying with division (B) of this section, and shall not otherwise approve the amendment.

(D) No provider of emergency medical services or person who provides medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in this state shall fail to comply with the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section or applicable regional triage protocols approved under division (B)(2) of this section.

(E) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall adopt rules under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code that provide for enforcement of the state triage protocols adopted under division (A) of this section and regional triage protocols approved under division (B)(2) of this section, and for education regarding those protocols for emergency medical service organizations and personnel, regional directors and regional physician advisory boards, emergency medical service instructors, and persons who regularly provide medical direction to emergency medical service personnel in this state.

Sec. 4765.42.  Each emergency medical service organization shall give notice of the name of its medical director or the names of the members of its cooperating physician advisory board to the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services. The notice shall be made in writing.

Sec. 4765.48.  The attorney general, the prosecuting attorney of the county, or the city director of law shall, upon complaint of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, prosecute to termination or bring an action for injunction against any person violating this chapter or the rules adopted under it. The common pleas court in which an action for injunction is filed has the jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief upon a showing that the respondent named in the complaint is in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it.

Sec. 4765.49.  (A) A first responder, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-paramedic is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the individual's administration of emergency medical services, unless the services are administered in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. A physician or registered nurse designated by a physician, who is advising or assisting in the emergency medical services by means of any communication device or telemetering system, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the individual's advisory communication or assistance, unless the advisory communication or assistance is provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. Medical directors and members of cooperating physician advisory boards of emergency medical service organizations are not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from their acts or omissions in the performance of their duties, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(B) A political subdivision, joint ambulance district, joint emergency medical services district, or other public agency, and any officer or employee of a public agency or of a private organization operating under contract or in joint agreement with one or more political subdivisions, that provides emergency medical services, or that enters into a joint agreement or a contract with the state, any political subdivision, joint ambulance district, or joint emergency medical services district for the provision of emergency medical services, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property arising out of any actions taken by a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic working under the officer's or employee's jurisdiction, or for injury, death, or loss to person or property arising out of any actions of licensed medical personnel advising or assisting the first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic, unless the services are provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(C) A student who is enrolled in an emergency medical services training program accredited under section 4765.17 of the Revised Code or an emergency medical services continuing education program approved under that section is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from either of the following:

(1) The student's administration of emergency medical services or patient care or treatment, if the services, care, or treatment is administered while the student is under the direct supervision and in the immediate presence of an EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, registered nurse, or physician and while the student is receiving clinical training that is required by the program, unless the services, care, or treatment is provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct;

(2) The student's training as an ambulance driver, unless the driving is done in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(D) An EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, or other operator, who holds a valid commercial driver's license issued pursuant to Chapter 4506. of the Revised Code or driver's license issued pursuant to Chapter 4507. of the Revised Code and who is employed by an emergency medical service organization that is not owned or operated by a political subdivision as defined in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the operation of an ambulance by the EMT-basic, EMT-I, paramedic, or other operator while responding to or completing a call for emergency medical services, unless the operation constitutes willful or wanton misconduct or does not comply with the precautions of section 4511.03 of the Revised Code. An emergency medical service organization is not liable in damages in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the operation of an ambulance by its employee or agent, if this division grants the employee or agent immunity from civil liability for the injury, death, or loss.

(E) An employee or agent of an emergency medical service organization who receives requests for emergency medical services that are directed to the organization, dispatches first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics in response to those requests, communicates those requests to those employees or agents of the organization who are authorized to dispatch first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, or paramedics, or performs any combination of these functions for the organization, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the individual's acts or omissions in the performance of those duties for the organization, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(F) A person who is performing the functions of a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-I, or paramedic under the authority of the laws of a state that borders this state and who provides emergency medical services to or transportation of a patient in this state is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's administration of emergency medical services, unless the services are administered in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. A physician or registered nurse designated by a physician, who is licensed to practice in the adjoining state and who is advising or assisting in the emergency medical services by means of any communication device or telemetering system is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's advisory communication or assistance, unless the advisory communication or assistance is provided in a manner that constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(G) A person certified under section 4765.23 of the Revised Code to teach in an emergency medical services training program or emergency medical services continuing education program, and a person who teaches at the Ohio fire academy established under section 3737.33 of the Revised Code or in a fire service training program described in division (A) of section 4765.55 of the Revised Code, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's acts or omissions in the performance of the person's duties, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(H) In the accreditation of emergency medical services training programs or approval of emergency medical services continuing education programs, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services and any person or entity authorized by the board to evaluate applications for accreditation or approval are not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from their acts or omissions in the performance of their duties, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(I) A person authorized by an emergency medical service organization to review the performance of first responders, EMTs-basic, EMTs-I, and paramedics or to administer quality assurance programs is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property resulting from the person's acts or omissions in the performance of the person's duties, unless an act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

Sec. 4765.55.  (A) The executive director of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall assist in the establishment and maintenance by any state agency, or any county, township, city, village, school district, or educational service center of a fire service training program for the training of all persons in positions of any fire training certification level approved by the executive director, including full-time paid firefighters, part-time paid firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and, fire safety inspectors in this state. The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, shall adopt rules to regulate those firefighter and fire safety inspector training programs, and other training programs approved by the executive director. The rules may include, but need not be limited to, training curriculum, certification examinations, training schedules, minimum hours of instruction, attendance requirements, required equipment and facilities, basic physical requirements, and methods of training for all persons in positions of any fire training certification level approved by the executive director, including full-time paid firefighters, part-time paid firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and fire safety inspectors. The rules adopted to regulate training programs for volunteer firefighters shall not require more than thirty-six hours of training.

The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, shall provide for the classification and chartering of fire service training programs in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section, and may take action against any chartered training program or applicant, in accordance with rules adopted under divisions (B)(4) and (5) of this section, for failure to meet standards set by the adopted rules.

(B) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall adopt, and may amend or rescind, rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish all of the following:

(1) Requirements for, and procedures for chartering, the training programs regulated by this section;

(2) Requirements for, and requirements and procedures for obtaining and renewing, an instructor certificate to teach the training programs and continuing education classes regulated by this section;

(3) Requirements for, and requirements and procedures for obtaining and renewing, any of the fire training certificates regulated by this section;

(4) Grounds and procedures for suspending, revoking, restricting, or refusing to issue or renew any of the certificates or charters regulated by this section, which grounds shall be limited to one of the following:

(a) Failure to satisfy the education or training requirements of this section;

(b) Conviction of a felony offense;

(c) Conviction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(d) Conviction of a misdemeanor committed in the course of practice;

(e) In the case of a chartered training program or applicant, failure to meet standards set by the rules adopted under this division.

(5) Grounds and procedures for imposing and collecting fines, not to exceed one thousand dollars, in relation to actions taken under division (B)(4) of this section against persons holding certificates and charters regulated by this section, the fines to be deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund established under section 4513.263 of the Revised Code;

(6) Continuing education requirements for certificate holders, including a requirement that credit shall be granted for in-service training programs conducted by local entities;

(7) Procedures for considering the granting of an extension or exemption of fire service continuing education requirements;

(8) Certification cycles for which the certificates and charters regulated by this section are valid.

(C) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall issue or renew an instructor certificate to teach the training programs and continuing education classes regulated by this section to any applicant that the executive director determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section, and may take disciplinary action against an instructor certificate holder or applicant in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section. The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the committee, shall charter or renew the charter of any training program that the executive director determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section, and may take disciplinary action against the holder of a charter in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(D) The executive director shall issue or renew a fire training certificate for a firefighter, a fire safety inspector, or another position of any fire training certification level approved by the executive director, to any applicant that the executive director determines meets the qualifications established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section and may take disciplinary actions against a certificate holder or applicant in accordance with rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

(E) Certificates issued under this section shall be on a form prescribed by the executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services.

(F)(1) The executive director, with the advice and counsel of the firefighter and fire safety inspector training committee of the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, shall establish criteria for evaluating the standards maintained by other states and the branches of the United States military for firefighter, fire safety inspector, and fire instructor training programs, and other training programs recognized by the executive director, to determine whether the standards are equivalent to those established under this section and shall establish requirements and procedures for issuing a certificate to each person who presents proof to the executive director of having satisfactorily completed a training program that meets those standards.

(2) The executive director, with the committee's advice and counsel, shall adopt rules establishing requirements and procedures for issuing a fire training certificate in lieu of completing a chartered training program.

(G) Nothing in this section invalidates any other section of the Revised Code relating to the fire training academy. Section 4765.11 of the Revised Code does not affect any powers and duties granted to the executive director under this section.

Sec. 4765.56.  On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a certificate to practice issued pursuant to this chapter.

Sec. 4766.01.  As used in this chapter:

(A) "Advanced life support" means treatment described in section 4765.39 of the Revised Code that a paramedic is certified to perform.

(B) "Air medical service organization" means an organization that furnishes, conducts, maintains, advertises, promotes, or otherwise engages in providing medical services with a rotorcraft air ambulance or fixed wing air ambulance.

(C) "Air medical transportation" means the transporting of a patient by rotorcraft air ambulance or fixed wing air ambulance with appropriately licensed and certified medical personnel.

(D) "Ambulance" means any motor vehicle that is specifically designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used to provide basic life support, intermediate life support, advanced life support, or mobile intensive care unit services and transportation upon the streets or highways of this state of persons who are seriously ill, injured, wounded, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless. "Ambulance" does not include air medical transportation or a vehicle designed and used solely for the transportation of nonstretcher-bound persons, whether hospitalized or handicapped or whether ambulatory or confined to a wheelchair.

(E) "Ambulette" means a motor vehicle that is specifically designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used for transportation upon the streets or highways of this state of persons who require use of a wheelchair.

(F) "Basic life support" means treatment described in section 4765.37 of the Revised Code that an EMT-basic EMT is certified to perform.

(G) "Disaster situation" means any condition or situation described by rule of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services as a mass casualty, major emergency, natural disaster, or national emergency.

(H) "Emergency medical service organization" means an organization that uses EMTs-basic EMTs, EMTs-I advanced EMTs, or paramedics, or a combination of EMTs-basic EMTs, EMTs-I advanced EMTs, and paramedics, to provide medical care to victims of illness or injury. An emergency medical service organization includes, but is not limited to, a commercial ambulance service organization, a hospital, and a funeral home.

(I) "EMT-basic EMT," "EMT-I advanced EMT," and "paramedic" have the same meanings as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(J) "Fixed wing air ambulance" means a fixed wing aircraft that is specifically designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used as a means of air medical transportation.

(K) "Intermediate life support" means treatment described in section 4765.38 of the Revised Code that an EMT-I advanced EMT is certified to perform.

(L) "Major emergency" means any emergency event that cannot be resolved through the use of locally available emergency resources.

(M) "Mass casualty" means an emergency event that results in ten or more persons being injured, incapacitated, made ill, or killed.

(N) "Medical emergency" means an unforeseen event affecting an individual in such a manner that a need for immediate care is created.

(O) "Mobile intensive care unit" means an ambulance used only for maintaining specialized or intensive care treatment and used primarily for interhospital transports of patients whose conditions require care beyond the scope of a paramedic as provided in section 4765.39 of the Revised Code.

(P)(1) "Nonemergency medical service organization" means a person that does both of the following:

(a) Provides services to the public on a regular basis for the purpose of transporting individuals who require the use of a wheelchair or are confined to a wheelchair to receive health care services at health care facilities or health care practitioners' offices in nonemergency circumstances;

(b) Provides the services for a fee, regardless of whether the fee is paid by the person being transported, a third party payer, as defined in section 3702.51 of the Revised Code, or any other person or government entity.

(2) "Nonemergency medical service organization" does not include a health care facility, as defined in section 1751.01 of the Revised Code, that provides ambulette services only to patients of that facility.

(Q) "Nontransport vehicle" means a motor vehicle operated by a licensed emergency medical service organization not as an ambulance, but as a vehicle for providing services in conjunction with the ambulances operated by the organization or other emergency medical service organizations.

(R) "Patient" means any individual who as a result of illness or injury needs medical attention, whose physical or mental condition is such that there is imminent danger of loss of life or significant health impairment, who may be otherwise incapacitated or helpless as a result of a physical or mental condition, or whose physical condition requires the use of a wheelchair.

(S) "Rotorcraft air ambulance" means a helicopter or other aircraft capable of vertical takeoffs, vertical landings, and hovering that is specifically designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used as a means of air medical transportation.

Sec. 4766.03.  (A) The Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services shall adopt rules, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, implementing the requirements of this chapter. The rules shall include provisions relating to the following:

(1) Requirements for an emergency medical service organization to receive a permit for an ambulance or nontransport vehicle;

(2) Requirements for an emergency medical service organization to receive a license as a basic life-support, intermediate life-support, advanced life-support, or mobile intensive care unit organization;

(3) Requirements for a nonemergency medical service organization to receive a permit for an ambulette vehicle;

(4) Requirements for a nonemergency medical service organization to receive a license for an ambulette service;

(5) Requirements for an air medical service organization to receive a permit for a rotorcraft air ambulance or fixed wing air ambulance;

(6) Requirements for licensure of air medical service organizations;

(7) Forms for applications and renewals of licenses and permits;

(8) Requirements for record keeping of service responses made by licensed emergency medical service organizations;

(9) Fee amounts for licenses and permits, and their renewals;

(10) Inspection requirements for licensees' vehicles or aircraft, records, and physical facilities;

(11) Fee amounts for inspections of ambulances, ambulettes, rotorcraft air ambulances, fixed wing air ambulances, and nontransport vehicles;

(12) Requirements for ambulances and nontransport vehicles used by licensed emergency medical service organizations, for ambulette vehicles used by licensed nonemergency medical service organizations, and for rotorcraft air ambulances or fixed wing air ambulances used by licensed air medical service organizations that specify for each type of vehicle or aircraft the types of equipment that must be carried, the communication systems that must be maintained, and the personnel who must staff the vehicle or aircraft;

(13) The level of care each type of emergency medical service organization, nonemergency medical service organization, and air medical service organization is authorized to provide;

(14) Eligibility requirements for employment as an ambulette driver, including grounds for disqualification due to the results of a motor vehicle law violation check, chemical test, or criminal records check. The rule may require that an applicant for employment as an ambulette driver provide a set of fingerprints to law enforcement authorities if the applicant comes under final consideration for employment.

(15) Any other rules that the board determines necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this chapter.

(B) In the rules for ambulances and nontransport vehicles adopted under division (A)(12) of this section, the board may establish requirements that vary according to whether the emergency medical service organization using the vehicles is licensed as a basic life-support, intermediate life-support, advanced life-support, or mobile intensive care unit organization.

(C) A mobile intensive care unit that is not dually certified to provide advanced life-support and meets the requirements of the rules adopted under this section is not required to carry immobilization equipment, including board splint kits, traction splints, backboards, backboard straps, cervical immobilization devices, cervical collars, stair chairs, folding cots, or other types of immobilization equipment determined by the board to be unnecessary for mobile intensive care units.

A mobile intensive care unit is exempt from the emergency medical technician staffing requirements of section 4765.43 of the Revised Code when it is staffed by at least one physician or registered nurse and another person, designated by a physician, who holds a valid license or certificate to practice in a health care profession, and when at least one of the persons staffing the mobile intensive care unit is a registered nurse whose training meets or exceeds the training required for a paramedic.

Sec. 4766.04.  (A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall furnish, operate, conduct, maintain, advertise, engage in, or propose or profess to engage in the business or service in this state of transporting persons who are seriously ill, injured, or otherwise incapacitated or who require the use of a wheelchair or are confined to a wheelchair unless the person is licensed pursuant to this section.

(B) To qualify for a license as a basic life-support, intermediate life-support, advanced life-support, or mobile intensive care unit organization, an emergency medical service organization shall do all of the following:

(1) Apply for a permit for each ambulance and nontransport vehicle owned or leased as provided in section 4766.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) Meet all requirements established in rules adopted by the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services regarding ambulances and nontransport vehicles, including requirements pertaining to equipment, communications systems, staffing, and level of care the particular organization is permitted to render;

(3) Maintain the appropriate type and amount of insurance as specified in section 4766.06 of the Revised Code;

(4) Meet all other requirements established under rules adopted by the board for the particular license.

(C) To qualify for a license to provide ambulette service, a nonemergency medical service organization shall do all of the following:

(1) Apply for a permit for each ambulette owned or leased as provided in section 4766.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) Meet all requirements established in rules adopted by the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services regarding ambulettes, including requirements pertaining to equipment, communication systems, staffing, and level of care the organization is permitted to render;

(3) Maintain the appropriate type and amount of insurance as specified in section 4766.06 of the Revised Code;

(4) Meet all other requirements established under rules adopted by the board for the license.

(D) To qualify for a license to provide air medical transportation, an air medical service organization shall do all of the following:

(1) Apply for a permit for each rotorcraft air ambulance and fixed wing air ambulance owned or leased as provided in section 4766.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) Meet all requirements established in rules adopted by the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services regarding rotorcraft air ambulances and fixed wing air ambulances, including requirements pertaining to equipment, communication systems, staffing, and level of care the organization is permitted to render;

(3) Maintain the appropriate type and amount of insurance as specified in section 4766.06 of the Revised Code;

(4) Meet all other requirements established under rules adopted by the board for the license.

(E) An emergency medical service organization that applies for a license as a basic life-support, intermediate life-support, advanced life-support, or mobile intensive care unit organization; a nonemergency medical service organization that applies for a license to provide ambulette service; or an air medical service organization that applies for a license to provide air medical transportation shall submit a completed application to the board, on a form provided by the board for each particular license, together with the appropriate fees established under section 4766.05 of the Revised Code. The application form shall include all of the following:

(1) The name and business address of the operator of the organization for which licensure is sought;

(2) The name under which the applicant will operate the organization;

(3) A list of the names and addresses of all officers and directors of the organization;

(4) For emergency medical service organizations and nonemergency medical service organizations, a description of each vehicle to be used, including the make, model, year of manufacture, mileage, vehicle identification number, and the color scheme, insignia, name, monogram, or other distinguishing characteristics to be used to designate the applicant's vehicle;

(5) For air medical service organizations using fixed wing air ambulances, a description of each aircraft to be used, including the make, model, year of manufacture, and aircraft hours on airframe;

(6) For air medical service organizations using rotorcraft air ambulances, a description of each aircraft to be used, including the make, model, year of manufacture, aircraft hours on airframe, aircraft identification number, and the color scheme, insignia, name, monogram, or other distinguishing characteristics to be used to designate the applicant's rotorcraft air ambulance;

(7) The location and description of each place from which the organization will operate;

(8) A description of the geographic area to be served by the applicant;

(9) Any other information the board, by rule, determines necessary.

(F) Within sixty days after receiving a completed application for licensure as a basic life-support, intermediate life-support, advanced life-support, or mobile intensive care unit organization; an ambulette service; or an air medical service organization, the board shall approve or deny the application. The board shall deny an application if it determines that the applicant does not meet the requirements of this chapter or any rules adopted under it. The board shall send notice of the denial of an application by certified mail to the applicant. The applicant may request a hearing within ten days after receipt of the notice. If the board receives a timely request, it shall hold a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(G) If an applicant or licensee operates or plans to operate an organization in more than one location under the same or different identities, the applicant or licensee shall apply for and meet all requirements for licensure or renewal of a license, other than payment of a license fee or renewal fee, for operating the organization at each separate location. An applicant or licensee that operates or plans to operate under the same organization identity in separate locations shall pay only a single license fee.

(H) An emergency medical service organization that wishes to provide ambulette services to the public must apply for a separate license under division (C) of this section.

(I) Each license issued under this section and each permit issued under section 4766.07 of the Revised Code expires one year after the date of issuance and may be renewed in accordance with the standard renewal procedures of Chapter 4745. of the Revised Code. An application for renewal shall include the license or permit renewal fee established under section 4766.05 of the Revised Code. An applicant for renewal of a permit also shall submit to the board proof of an annual inspection of the vehicle or aircraft for which permit renewal is sought. The board shall renew a license if the applicant meets the requirements for licensure and shall renew a permit if the applicant and vehicle or aircraft meet the requirements to maintain a permit for that vehicle or aircraft.

(J) Each licensee shall maintain accurate records of all service responses conducted. The records shall be maintained on forms prescribed by the board and shall contain information as specified by rule by the board.

Sec. 4766.05.  (A) The Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services shall establish by rule a license fee, a permit fee for each ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, and nontransport vehicle owned or leased by the licensee that is or will be used as provided in section 4766.07 of the Revised Code, and fees for renewals of licenses and permits, taking into consideration the actual costs incurred by the board in carrying out its duties under this chapter. However, the fee for each license and each renewal of a license shall not exceed one hundred dollars, and the fee for each permit and each renewal of a permit shall not exceed one hundred dollars for each ambulance, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, and nontransport vehicle. The fee for each permit and each renewal of a permit shall be twenty-five dollars for each ambulette for one year after March 9, 2004. Thereafter, the board shall determine by rule the fee, which shall not exceed fifty dollars, for each permit and each renewal of a permit for each ambulette. For purposes of establishing fees, "actual costs" includes the costs of salaries, expenses, inspection equipment, supervision, and program administration.

(B) The board shall deposit all fees and other moneys collected pursuant to sections 4766.04, 4766.07, and 4766.08 of the Revised Code in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing trauma and regulatory emergency medical services fund, which is created by section 4743.05 4513.263 of the Revised Code. All moneys from the fund shall be used solely for the salaries and expenses of the board incurred in implementing and enforcing this chapter.

(C) The board, subject to the approval of the controlling board, may establish fees in excess of the maximum amounts allowed under division (A) of this section, but such fees shall not exceed those maximum amounts by more than fifty per cent.

Sec. 4766.07.  (A) Except as otherwise provided by rule of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services, each emergency medical service organization, nonemergency medical service organization, and air medical service organization subject to licensure under this chapter shall possess a valid permit for each ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, and nontransport vehicle it owns or leases that is or will be used by the licensee to perform the services permitted by the license. Each licensee and license applicant shall submit the appropriate fee and an application for a permit for each ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, and nontransport vehicle to the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services on forms provided by the board. The application shall include documentation that the vehicle or aircraft meets the appropriate standards set by the board, that the vehicle or aircraft has been inspected pursuant to division (C) of this section, that the permit applicant maintains insurance as provided in section 4766.06 of the Revised Code, and that the vehicle or aircraft and permit applicant meet any other requirements established under rules adopted by the board.

The Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to authorize the temporary use of a vehicle or aircraft for which a permit is not possessed under this section in back-up or disaster situations.

(B)(1) Within sixty days after receiving a completed application for a permit, the board shall issue or deny the permit. The board shall deny an application if it determines that the permit applicant, vehicle, or aircraft does not meet the requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted under it that apply to permits for ambulances, ambulettes, rotorcraft air ambulances, fixed wing air ambulances, and nontransport vehicles. The board shall send notice of the denial of an application by certified mail to the permit applicant. The permit applicant may request a hearing within ten days after receipt of the notice. If the board receives a timely request, it shall hold a hearing in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) If the board issues the vehicle permit for an ambulance, ambulette, or nontransport vehicle, it also shall issue a decal, in a form prescribed by rule, to be displayed on the rear window of the vehicle. The board shall not issue a decal until all of the requirements for licensure and permit issuance have been met.

(3) If the board issues the aircraft permit for a rotorcraft air ambulance or fixed wing air ambulance, it also shall issue a decal, in a form prescribed by rule, to be displayed on the left fuselage aircraft window in a manner that complies with all applicable federal aviation regulations. The board shall not issue a decal until all of the requirements for licensure and permit issuance have been met.

(C) In addition to any other requirements that the board establishes by rule, a licensee or license applicant applying for an initial vehicle or aircraft permit under division (A) of this section shall submit to the board the vehicle or aircraft for which the permit is sought. Thereafter, a licensee shall annually submit to the board each vehicle or aircraft for which a permit has been issued.

(1) The board shall conduct a physical inspection of an ambulance, ambulette, or nontransport vehicle to determine its roadworthiness and compliance with standard motor vehicle requirements.

(2) The board shall conduct a physical inspection of the medical equipment, communication system, and interior of an ambulance to determine the operational condition and safety of the equipment and the ambulance's interior and to determine whether the ambulance is in compliance with the federal requirements for ambulance construction that were in effect at the time the ambulance was manufactured, as specified by the general services administration in the various versions of its publication titled "federal specification for the star-of-life ambulance, KKK-A-1822."

(3) The board shall conduct a physical inspection of the equipment, communication system, and interior of an ambulette to determine the operational condition and safety of the equipment and the ambulette's interior and to determine whether the ambulette is in compliance with state requirements for ambulette construction. The board shall determine by rule requirements for the equipment, communication system, interior, and construction of an ambulette.

(4) The board shall conduct a physical inspection of the medical equipment, communication system, and interior of a rotorcraft air ambulance or fixed wing air ambulance to determine the operational condition and safety of the equipment and the aircraft's interior.

(5) The board shall issue a certificate to the applicant for each vehicle or aircraft that passes the inspection and may assess a fee for each inspection, as established by the board.

(6) The board shall adopt rules regarding the implementation and coordination of inspections. The rules may permit the board to contract with a third party to conduct the inspections required of the board under this section.

Sec. 4766.08.  (A) The Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board may services, pursuant to an adjudication conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may suspend or revoke any license or permit or renewal thereof issued under this chapter for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Violation of this chapter or any rule adopted thereunder;

(2) Refusal to permit the board to inspect a vehicle or aircraft used under the terms of a permit or to inspect the records or physical facilities of a licensee;

(3) Failure to meet the ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, and nontransport vehicle requirements specified in this chapter or the rules adopted thereunder;

(4) Violation of an order issued by the board;

(5) Failure to comply with any of the terms of an agreement entered into with the board regarding the suspension or revocation of a license or permit or the imposition of a penalty under this section.

(B) If the board determines that the records, record-keeping procedures, or physical facilities of a licensee, or an ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, or nontransport vehicle for which a valid permit has been issued, do not meet the standards specified in this chapter and the rules adopted thereunder, the board shall notify the licensee of any deficiencies within thirty days of finding the deficiencies. If the board determines that the deficiencies exist and they remain uncorrected after thirty days, the board may suspend the license, vehicle permit, or aircraft permit. The licensee, notwithstanding the suspension under this division, may operate until all appeals have been exhausted.

(C) At the discretion of the board, a licensee whose license has been suspended or revoked under this section may be ineligible to be licensed under this chapter for a period of not more than three years from the date of the violation, provided that the board shall make no determination on a period of ineligibility until all the licensee's appeals relating to the suspension or revocation have been exhausted.

(D) The board may, in addition to any other action taken under this section and after a hearing conducted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, impose a penalty of not more than fifteen hundred dollars for any violation specified in this section. The attorney general shall institute a civil action for the collection of any such penalty imposed.

Sec. 4766.09.  This chapter does not apply to any of the following:

(A) A person rendering services with an ambulance in the event of a disaster situation when licensees' vehicles based in the locality of the disaster situation are incapacitated or insufficient in number to render the services needed;

(B) Any person operating an ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, or fixed wing air ambulance outside this state unless receiving a person within this state for transport to a location within this state;

(C) A publicly owned or operated emergency medical service organization and the vehicles it owns or leases and operates, except as provided in section 307.051, division (G) of section 307.055, division (F) of section 505.37, division (B) of section 505.375, and division (B)(3) of section 505.72 of the Revised Code;

(D) An ambulance, ambulette, rotorcraft air ambulance, fixed wing air ambulance, or nontransport vehicle owned or leased and operated by the federal government;

(E) A publicly owned and operated fire department vehicle;

(F) Emergency vehicles owned by a corporation and operating only on the corporation's premises, for the sole use by that corporation;

(G) An ambulance, nontransport vehicle, or other emergency medical service organization vehicle owned and operated by a municipal corporation;

(H) A motor vehicle titled in the name of a volunteer rescue service organization, as defined in section 4503.172 of the Revised Code;

(I) A public emergency medical service organization;

(J) A fire department, rescue squad, or life squad comprised of volunteers who provide services without expectation of remuneration and do not receive payment for services other than reimbursement for expenses;

(K) A private, nonprofit emergency medical service organization when fifty per cent or more of its personnel are volunteers, as defined in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code;

(L) Emergency medical service personnel who are regulated by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services under Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code;

(M) Any of the following that operates a transit bus, as that term is defined in division (Q) of section 5735.01 of the Revised Code, unless the entity provides ambulette services that are reimbursed under the state medicaid plan:

(1) A public nonemergency medical service organization;

(2) An urban or rural public transit system;

(3) A private nonprofit organization that receives grants under section 5501.07 of the Revised Code.

(N)(1) An entity, to the extent it provides ambulette services, if the entity meets all of the following conditions:

(a) The entity is certified by the department of aging or the department's designee in accordance with section 173.391 of the Revised Code or operates under a contract or grant agreement with the department or the department's designee in accordance with section 173.392 of the Revised Code.

(b) The entity meets the requirements of section 4766.14 of the Revised Code.

(c) The entity does not provide ambulette services that are reimbursed under the state medicaid plan.

(2) A vehicle, to the extent it is used to provide ambulette services, if the vehicle meets both of the following conditions:

(a) The vehicle is owned by an entity that meets the conditions specified in division (N)(1) of this section.

(b) The vehicle does not provide ambulette services that are reimbursed under the state medicaid plan.

(O) A vehicle that meets both of the following criteria, unless the vehicle provides services that are reimbursed under the state medicaid plan:

(1) The vehicle was purchased with funds from a grant made by the United States secretary of transportation under 49 U.S.C. 5310;

(2) The department of transportation holds a lien on the vehicle.

Sec. 4766.10.  This chapter does not invalidate any ordinance or resolution adopted by a municipal corporation that establishes standards for the licensure of emergency medical service organizations as basic life-support, intermediate life-support, or advanced life-support service organizations that have their principal places of business located within the limits of the municipal corporation, as long as the licensure standards meet or exceed the standards established in this chapter and the rules adopted thereunder.

Emergency medical service organizations licensed by a municipal corporation are subject to the jurisdiction of the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services, but the fees they pay to the board for licenses, permits, and renewals thereof shall not exceed fifty per cent of the fee amounts established by the board pursuant to section 4766.03 of the Revised Code. The board may choose to waive the vehicle inspection requirements and inspection fees, but not the permit fees, for the vehicles of organizations licensed by a municipal corporation.

Sec. 4766.11. (A) The Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services may investigate alleged violations of this chapter or the rules adopted under it and may investigate any complaints received regarding alleged violations.

In addition to any other remedies available and regardless of whether an adequate remedy at law exists, the board may apply to the court of common pleas in the county where a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted pursuant thereto is occurring for a temporary or permanent injunction restraining a person from continuing to commit that violation. On a showing that a person has committed a violation, the court shall grant the injunction.

In conducting an investigation under this section, the board may issue subpoenas compelling the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, and other documents pertaining to the investigation. If a person fails to obey a subpoena from the board, the board may apply to the court of common pleas in the county where the investigation is being conducted for an order compelling the person to comply with the subpoena. On application by the board, the court shall compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena from the court or a refusal to testify therein.

(B) The medical transportation board may suspend a license issued under this chapter without a prior hearing if it determines that there is evidence that the license holder is subject to action under this section and that there is clear and convincing evidence that continued operation by the license holder presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public. The chairperson and executive director of the board shall make a preliminary determination and describe the evidence on which they made their determination to the board members. The board by resolution may designate another board member to act in place of the chairperson or another employee to act in place of the executive director in the event that the chairperson or executive director is unavailable or unable to act. Upon review of the allegations, the board, by the affirmative vote of at least four a majority of its members, may suspend the license without a hearing.

Any method of communication, including a telephone conference call, may be utilized for describing the evidence to the board members, for reviewing the allegations, and for voting on the suspension.

Immediately following the decision by the board to suspend a license under this division, the board shall issue a written order of suspension and cause it to be delivered in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code. If the license holder subject to the suspension requests an adjudication hearing by the board, the date set for the adjudication shall be within fifteen days but not earlier than seven days after the request unless another date is agreed to by the license holder and the board.

Any summary suspension imposed under this division remains in effect, unless reversed by the board, until a final adjudicative order issued by the board pursuant to this section and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code becomes effective. The board shall issue its final adjudicative order not less than ninety days after completion of its adjudication hearing. Failure to issue the order by that day shall cause the summary suspension order to end, but such failure shall not affect the validity of any subsequent final adjudication order.

Sec. 4766.12.  If a county, township, joint ambulance district, or joint emergency medical services district chooses to have the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services license its emergency medical service organizations and issue permits for its vehicles pursuant to this chapter, except as may be otherwise provided, all provisions of this chapter and all rules adopted by the board thereunder are fully applicable. However, a county, township, joint ambulance district, or joint emergency medical services district is not required to obtain any type of permit from the board for any of its nontransport vehicles.

Sec. 4766.13.  The Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services, by endorsement, may license and issue vehicle permits to an emergency medical service organization or a nonemergency medical service organization that is regulated by another state. To qualify for a license and vehicle permits by endorsement, an organization must submit evidence satisfactory to the board that it has met standards in another state that are equal to or more stringent than the standards established by this chapter and the rules adopted under it.

Sec. 4766.15.  (A) An applicant for employment as an ambulette driver with an organization licensed pursuant to this chapter shall submit proof to the organization of, or give consent to the employer to obtain, all of the following:

(1)(a) A valid driver's license issued pursuant to Chapter 4506. or 4507. of the Revised Code, or its equivalent, if the applicant is a resident of another state;

(b) A recent certified abstract of the applicant's record of convictions for violations of motor vehicle laws provided by the registrar of motor vehicles pursuant to section 4509.05 of the Revised Code, or its equivalent, if the applicant is a resident of another state.

(2)(a) A certificate of completion of a course in first aid techniques offered by the American red cross or an equivalent organization;

(b) A certificate of completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or its equivalent, offered by an organization approved by the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services.

(3) The result of a chemical test or tests of the applicant's blood, breath, or urine conducted at a hospital or other institution approved by the board for the purpose of determining the alcohol, drug of abuse, controlled substance, or metabolite of a controlled substance content of the applicant's whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine;

(4) The result of a criminal records check conducted by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(B) An organization may employ an applicant on a temporary provisional basis pending the completion of all of the requirements of this section. The length of the provisional period shall be determined by the board.

(C) An organization licensed pursuant to this chapter shall use information received pursuant to this section to determine in accordance with rules adopted by the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services under section 4766.03 of the Revised Code whether an applicant is disqualified for employment.

No applicant shall be accepted for permanent employment as an ambulette driver by an organization licensed pursuant to this chapter until all of the requirements of division (A) of this section have been met.

Sec. 4766.22.  (A) Not later than forty-five days after the end of each fiscal year, the Ohio state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation board services shall submit a report to the governor and general assembly that provides all of the following information for that fiscal year:

(1) The number of each of the following the board issued:

(a) Basic life-support organization licenses;

(b) Intermediate life-support organization licenses;

(c) Advanced life-support organization licenses;

(d) Mobile intensive care unit organization licenses;

(e) Ambulette service licenses;

(f) Air medical service organization licenses;

(g) Ambulance permits;

(h) Nontransport vehicle permits;

(i) Ambulette vehicle permits;

(j) Rotorcraft air ambulance permits;

(k) Fixed wing air ambulance permits.

(2) The amount of fees the board collected for issuing and renewing each type of license and permit specified in division (A)(1) of this section;

(3) The number of inspections the board or a third party on the board's behalf conducted in connection with each type of license and permit specified in division (A)(1) of this section and the amount of fees the board collected for the inspections;

(4) The number of complaints that were submitted to the board;

(5) The number of investigations the board conducted under section 4766.11 of the Revised Code;

(6) The number of adjudication hearings the board held and the outcomes of the adjudications;

(7) The amount of penalties the board imposed and collected under section 4766.08 of the Revised Code;

(8) Other information the board determines reflects the board's operations.

(B) The board shall post the annual report required by this section on its web site and make it available to the public on request.

Sec. 5502.01.  (A) The department of public safety shall administer and enforce the laws relating to the registration, licensing, sale, and operation of motor vehicles and the laws pertaining to the licensing of drivers of motor vehicles.

The department shall compile, analyze, and publish statistics relative to motor vehicle accidents and the causes of them, prepare and conduct educational programs for the purpose of promoting safety in the operation of motor vehicles on the highways, and conduct research and studies for the purpose of promoting safety on the highways of this state.

(B) The department shall administer the laws and rules relative to trauma and emergency medical services specified in Chapter 4765. of the Revised Code and any laws and rules relative to commercial medical transportation services as may be specified in Chapter 4766. of the Revised Code.

(C) The department shall administer and enforce the laws contained in Chapters 4301. and 4303. of the Revised Code and enforce the rules and orders of the liquor control commission pertaining to retail liquor permit holders.

(D) The department shall administer the laws governing the state emergency management agency and shall enforce all additional duties and responsibilities as prescribed in the Revised Code related to emergency management services.

(E) The department shall conduct investigations pursuant to Chapter 5101. of the Revised Code in support of the duty of the department of job and family services to administer the supplemental nutrition assistance program throughout this state. The department of public safety shall conduct investigations necessary to protect the state's property rights and interests in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

(F) The department of public safety shall enforce compliance with orders and rules of the public utilities commission and applicable laws in accordance with Chapters 4905., 4921., and 4923. of the Revised Code regarding commercial motor vehicle transportation safety, economic, and hazardous materials requirements.

(G) Notwithstanding Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code, the department of public safety may establish requirements for its enforcement personnel, including its enforcement agents described in section 5502.14 of the Revised Code, that include standards of conduct, work rules and procedures, and criteria for eligibility as law enforcement personnel.

(H) The department shall administer, maintain, and operate the Ohio criminal justice network. The Ohio criminal justice network shall be a computer network that supports state and local criminal justice activities. The network shall be an electronic repository for various data, which may include arrest warrants, notices of persons wanted by law enforcement agencies, criminal records, prison inmate records, stolen vehicle records, vehicle operator's licenses, and vehicle registrations and titles.

(I) The department shall coordinate all homeland security activities of all state agencies and shall be a liaison between state agencies and local entities for those activities and related purposes.

(J) Beginning July 1, 2004, the department shall administer and enforce the laws relative to private investigators and security service providers specified in Chapter 4749. of the Revised Code.

(K) The department shall administer criminal justice services in accordance with sections 5502.61 to 5502.66 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5709.40.  (A) As used in this section:

(1) "Blighted area" and "impacted city" have the same meanings as in section 1728.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Business day" means a day of the week excluding Saturday, Sunday, and a legal holiday as defined under section 1.14 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Housing renovation" means a project carried out for residential purposes.

(4) "Improvement" means the increase in the assessed value of any real property that would first appear above the assessed value of the property as it appears on the most recent tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property after compiled before the effective date of an ordinance adopted under this section were it not for the exemption granted by that ordinance.

(5) "Incentive district" means an area not more than three hundred acres in size enclosed by a continuous boundary in which a project is being, or will be, undertaken and having one or more of the following distress characteristics:

(a) At least fifty-one per cent of the residents of the district have incomes of less than eighty per cent of the median income of residents of the political subdivision in which the district is located, as determined in the same manner specified under section 119(b) of the "Housing and Community Development Act of 1974," 88 Stat. 633, 42 U.S.C. 5318, as amended;

(b) The average rate of unemployment in the district during the most recent twelve-month period for which data are available is equal to at least one hundred fifty per cent of the average rate of unemployment for this state for the same period.

(c) At least twenty per cent of the people residing in the district live at or below the poverty level as defined in the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. 5301, as amended, and regulations adopted pursuant to that act.

(d) The district is a blighted area.

(e) The district is in a situational distress area as designated by the director of development under division (F) of section 122.23 of the Revised Code.

(f) As certified by the engineer for the political subdivision, the public infrastructure serving the district is inadequate to meet the development needs of the district as evidenced by a written economic development plan or urban renewal plan for the district that has been adopted by the legislative authority of the subdivision.

(g) The district is comprised entirely of unimproved land that is located in a distressed area as defined in section 122.23 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Project" means development activities undertaken on one or more parcels, including, but not limited to, construction, expansion, and alteration of buildings or structures, demolition, remediation, and site development, and any building or structure that results from those activities.

(7) "Public infrastructure improvement" includes, but is not limited to, public roads and highways; water and sewer lines; environmental remediation; land acquisition, including acquisition in aid of industry, commerce, distribution, or research; demolition, including demolition on private property when determined to be necessary for economic development purposes; stormwater and flood remediation projects, including such projects on private property when determined to be necessary for public health, safety, and welfare; the provision of gas, electric, and communications service facilities; and the enhancement of public waterways through improvements that allow for greater public access.

(B) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, by ordinance, may declare improvements to certain parcels of real property located in the municipal corporation to be a public purpose. Improvements with respect to a parcel that is used or to be used for residential purposes may be declared a public purpose under this division only if the parcel is located in a blighted area of an impacted city. For this purpose, "parcel that is used or to be used for residential purposes" means a parcel that, as improved, is used or to be used for purposes that would cause the tax commissioner to classify the parcel as residential property in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner under section 5713.041 of the Revised Code. Except with the approval under division (D) of this section of the board of education of each city, local, or exempted village school district within which the improvements are located, not more than seventy-five per cent of an improvement thus declared to be a public purpose may be exempted from real property taxation for a period of not more than ten years. The ordinance shall specify the percentage of the improvement to be exempted from taxation and the life of the exemption.

An ordinance adopted or amended under this division shall designate the specific public infrastructure improvements made, to be made, or in the process of being made by the municipal corporation that directly benefit, or that once made will directly benefit, the parcels for which improvements are declared to be a public purpose. The service payments provided for in section 5709.42 of the Revised Code shall be used to finance the public infrastructure improvements designated in the ordinance, for the purpose described in division (D)(1) of this section or as provided in section 5709.43 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may adopt an ordinance creating an incentive district and declaring improvements to parcels within the district to be a public purpose and, except as provided in division (F) of this section, exempt from taxation as provided in this section, but no legislative authority of a municipal corporation that has a population that exceeds twenty-five thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall adopt an ordinance that creates an incentive district if the sum of the taxable value of real property in the proposed district for the preceding tax year and the taxable value of all real property in the municipal corporation that would have been taxable in the preceding year were it not for the fact that the property was in an existing incentive district and therefore exempt from taxation exceeds twenty-five per cent of the taxable value of real property in the municipal corporation for the preceding tax year. The ordinance shall delineate the boundary of the district and specifically identify each parcel within the district. A district may not include any parcel that is or has been exempted from taxation under division (B) of this section or that is or has been within another district created under this division. An ordinance may create more than one such district, and more than one ordinance may be adopted under division (C)(1) of this section.

(2) Not later than thirty days prior to adopting an ordinance under division (C)(1) of this section, if the municipal corporation intends to apply for exemptions from taxation under section 5709.911 of the Revised Code on behalf of owners of real property located within the proposed incentive district, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed ordinance. Not later than thirty days prior to the public hearing, the legislative authority shall give notice of the public hearing and the proposed ordinance by first class mail to every real property owner whose property is located within the boundaries of the proposed incentive district that is the subject of the proposed ordinance.

(3)(a) An ordinance adopted under division (C)(1) of this section shall specify the life of the incentive district and the percentage of the improvements to be exempted, shall designate the public infrastructure improvements made, to be made, or in the process of being made, that benefit or serve, or, once made, will benefit or serve parcels in the district. The ordinance also shall identify one or more specific projects being, or to be, undertaken in the district that place additional demand on the public infrastructure improvements designated in the ordinance. The project identified may, but need not be, the project under division (C)(3)(b) of this section that places real property in use for commercial or industrial purposes. Except as otherwise permitted under that division, the service payments provided for in section 5709.42 of the Revised Code shall be used to finance the designated public infrastructure improvements, for the purpose described in division (D)(1) or (E) of this section, or as provided in section 5709.43 of the Revised Code.

An ordinance adopted under division (C)(1) of this section on or after March 30, 2006, shall not designate police or fire equipment as public infrastructure improvements, and no service payment provided for in section 5709.42 of the Revised Code and received by the municipal corporation under the ordinance shall be used for police or fire equipment.

(b) An ordinance adopted under division (C)(1) of this section may authorize the use of service payments provided for in section 5709.42 of the Revised Code for the purpose of housing renovations within the incentive district, provided that the ordinance also designates public infrastructure improvements that benefit or serve the district, and that a project within the district places real property in use for commercial or industrial purposes. Service payments may be used to finance or support loans, deferred loans, and grants to persons for the purpose of housing renovations within the district. The ordinance shall designate the parcels within the district that are eligible for housing renovation. The ordinance shall state separately the amounts or the percentages of the expected aggregate service payments that are designated for each public infrastructure improvement and for the general purpose of housing renovations.

(4) Except with the approval of the board of education of each city, local, or exempted village school district within the territory of which the incentive district is or will be located, and subject to division (E) of this section, the life of an incentive district shall not exceed ten years, and the percentage of improvements to be exempted shall not exceed seventy-five per cent. With approval of the board of education, the life of a district may be not more than thirty years, and the percentage of improvements to be exempted may be not more than one hundred per cent. The approval of a board of education shall be obtained in the manner provided in division (D) of this section.

(D)(1) If the ordinance declaring improvements to a parcel to be a public purpose or creating an incentive district specifies that payments in lieu of taxes provided for in section 5709.42 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the city, local, or exempted village, and joint vocational school district in which the parcel or incentive district is located in the amount of the taxes that would have been payable to the school district if the improvements had not been exempted from taxation, the percentage of the improvement that may be exempted from taxation may exceed seventy-five per cent, and the exemption may be granted for up to thirty years, without the approval of the board of education as otherwise required under division (D)(2) of this section.

(2) Improvements with respect to a parcel may be exempted from taxation under division (B) of this section, and improvements to parcels within an incentive district may be exempted from taxation under division (C) of this section, for up to ten years or, with the approval under this paragraph of the board of education of the city, local, or exempted village school district within which the parcel or district is located, for up to thirty years. The percentage of the improvement exempted from taxation may, with such approval, exceed seventy-five per cent, but shall not exceed one hundred per cent. Not later than forty-five business days prior to adopting an ordinance under this section declaring improvements to be a public purpose that is subject to approval by a board of education under this division, the legislative authority shall deliver to the board of education a notice stating its intent to adopt an ordinance making that declaration. The notice regarding improvements with respect to a parcel under division (B) of this section shall identify the parcels for which improvements are to be exempted from taxation, provide an estimate of the true value in money of the improvements, specify the period for which the improvements would be exempted from taxation and the percentage of the improvement that would be exempted, and indicate the date on which the legislative authority intends to adopt the ordinance. The notice regarding improvements to parcels within an incentive district under division (C) of this section shall delineate the boundaries of the district, specifically identify each parcel within the district, identify each anticipated improvement in the district, provide an estimate of the true value in money of each such improvement, specify the life of the district and the percentage of improvements that would be exempted, and indicate the date on which the legislative authority intends to adopt the ordinance. The board of education, by resolution adopted by a majority of the board, may approve the exemption for the period or for the exemption percentage specified in the notice; may disapprove the exemption for the number of years in excess of ten, may disapprove the exemption for the percentage of the improvement to be exempted in excess of seventy-five per cent, or both; or may approve the exemption on the condition that the legislative authority and the board negotiate an agreement providing for compensation to the school district equal in value to a percentage of the amount of taxes exempted in the eleventh and subsequent years of the exemption period or, in the case of exemption percentages in excess of seventy-five per cent, compensation equal in value to a percentage of the taxes that would be payable on the portion of the improvement in excess of seventy-five per cent were that portion to be subject to taxation, or other mutually agreeable compensation. If an agreement is negotiated between the legislative authority and the board to compensate the school district for all or part of the taxes exempted, including agreements for payments in lieu of taxes under section 5709.42 of the Revised Code, the legislative authority shall compensate the joint vocational school district within which the parcel or district is located at the same rate and under the same terms received by the city, local, or exempted village school district.

(3) The board of education shall certify its resolution to the legislative authority not later than fourteen days prior to the date the legislative authority intends to adopt the ordinance as indicated in the notice. If the board of education and the legislative authority negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement, the ordinance may declare the improvements a public purpose for the number of years specified in the ordinance or, in the case of exemption percentages in excess of seventy-five per cent, for the exemption percentage specified in the ordinance. In either case, if the board and the legislative authority fail to negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement, the ordinance may declare the improvements a public purpose for not more than ten years, and shall not exempt more than seventy-five per cent of the improvements from taxation. If the board fails to certify a resolution to the legislative authority within the time prescribed by this division, the legislative authority thereupon may adopt the ordinance and may declare the improvements a public purpose for up to thirty years, or, in the case of exemption percentages proposed in excess of seventy-five per cent, for the exemption percentage specified in the ordinance. The legislative authority may adopt the ordinance at any time after the board of education certifies its resolution approving the exemption to the legislative authority, or, if the board approves the exemption on the condition that a mutually acceptable compensation agreement be negotiated, at any time after the compensation agreement is agreed to by the board and the legislative authority.

(4) If a board of education has adopted a resolution waiving its right to approve exemptions from taxation under this section and the resolution remains in effect, approval of exemptions by the board is not required under division (D) of this section. If a board of education has adopted a resolution allowing a legislative authority to deliver the notice required under division (D) of this section fewer than forty-five business days prior to the legislative authority's adoption of the ordinance, the legislative authority shall deliver the notice to the board not later than the number of days prior to such adoption as prescribed by the board in its resolution. If a board of education adopts a resolution waiving its right to approve agreements or shortening the notification period, the board shall certify a copy of the resolution to the legislative authority. If the board of education rescinds such a resolution, it shall certify notice of the rescission to the legislative authority.

(5) If the legislative authority is not required by division (D) of this section to notify the board of education of the legislative authority's intent to declare improvements to be a public purpose, the legislative authority shall comply with the notice requirements imposed under section 5709.83 of the Revised Code, unless the board has adopted a resolution under that section waiving its right to receive such a notice.

(E)(1) If a proposed ordinance under division (C)(1) of this section exempts improvements with respect to a parcel within an incentive district for more than ten years, or the percentage of the improvement exempted from taxation exceeds seventy-five per cent, not later than forty-five business days prior to adopting the ordinance the legislative authority of the municipal corporation shall deliver to the board of county commissioners of the county within which the incentive district will be located a notice that states its intent to adopt an ordinance creating an incentive district. The notice shall include a copy of the proposed ordinance, identify the parcels for which improvements are to be exempted from taxation, provide an estimate of the true value in money of the improvements, specify the period of time for which the improvements would be exempted from taxation, specify the percentage of the improvements that would be exempted from taxation, and indicate the date on which the legislative authority intends to adopt the ordinance.

(2) The board of county commissioners, by resolution adopted by a majority of the board, may object to the exemption for the number of years in excess of ten, may object to the exemption for the percentage of the improvement to be exempted in excess of seventy-five per cent, or both. If the board of county commissioners objects, the board may negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement with the legislative authority. In no case shall the compensation provided to the board exceed the property taxes forgone due to the exemption. If the board of county commissioners objects, and the board and legislative authority fail to negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement, the ordinance adopted under division (C)(1) of this section shall provide to the board compensation in the eleventh and subsequent years of the exemption period equal in value to not more than fifty per cent of the taxes that would be payable to the county or, if the board's objection includes an objection to an exemption percentage in excess of seventy-five per cent, compensation equal in value to not more than fifty per cent of the taxes that would be payable to the county, on the portion of the improvement in excess of seventy-five per cent, were that portion to be subject to taxation. The board of county commissioners shall certify its resolution to the legislative authority not later than thirty days after receipt of the notice.

(3) If the board of county commissioners does not object or fails to certify its resolution objecting to an exemption within thirty days after receipt of the notice, the legislative authority may adopt the ordinance, and no compensation shall be provided to the board of county commissioners. If the board timely certifies its resolution objecting to the ordinance, the legislative authority may adopt the ordinance at any time after a mutually acceptable compensation agreement is agreed to by the board and the legislative authority, or, if no compensation agreement is negotiated, at any time after the legislative authority agrees in the proposed ordinance to provide compensation to the board of fifty per cent of the taxes that would be payable to the county in the eleventh and subsequent years of the exemption period or on the portion of the improvement in excess of seventy-five per cent, were that portion to be subject to taxation.

(F) Service payments in lieu of taxes that are attributable to any amount by which the effective tax rate of either a renewal levy with an increase or a replacement levy exceeds the effective tax rate of the levy renewed or replaced, or that are attributable to an additional levy, for a levy authorized by the voters for any of the following purposes on or after January 1, 2006, and which are provided pursuant to an ordinance creating an incentive district under division (C)(1) of this section that is adopted on or after January 1, 2006, shall be distributed to the appropriate taxing authority as required under division (C) of section 5709.42 of the Revised Code in an amount equal to the amount of taxes from that additional levy or from the increase in the effective tax rate of such renewal or replacement levy that would have been payable to that taxing authority from the following levies were it not for the exemption authorized under division (C) of this section:

(1) A tax levied under division (L) of section 5705.19 or section 5705.191 of the Revised Code for community mental retardation and developmental disabilities programs and services pursuant to Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;

(2) A tax levied under division (Y) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for providing or maintaining senior citizens services or facilities;

(3) A tax levied under section 5705.22 of the Revised Code for county hospitals;

(4) A tax levied by a joint-county district or by a county under section 5705.19, 5705.191, or 5705.221 of the Revised Code for alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or facilities;

(5) A tax levied under section 5705.23 of the Revised Code for library purposes;

(6) A tax levied under section 5705.24 of the Revised Code for the support of children services and the placement and care of children;

(7) A tax levied under division (Z) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for the provision and maintenance of zoological park services and facilities under section 307.76 of the Revised Code;

(8) A tax levied under section 511.27 or division (H) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for the support of township park districts;

(9) A tax levied under division (A), (F), or (H) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for parks and recreational purposes of a joint recreation district organized pursuant to division (B) of section 755.14 of the Revised Code;

(10) A tax levied under section 1545.20 or 1545.21 of the Revised Code for park district purposes;

(11) A tax levied under section 5705.191 of the Revised Code for the purpose of making appropriations for public assistance; human or social services; public relief; public welfare; public health and hospitalization; and support of general hospitals;

(12) A tax levied under section 3709.29 of the Revised Code for a general health district program.

(G) An exemption from taxation granted under this section commences with the tax year specified in the ordinance so long as the year specified in the ordinance commences after the effective date of the ordinance. If the ordinance specifies a year commencing before the effective date of the resolution or specifies no year whatsoever, the exemption commences with the tax year in which an exempted improvement first appears on the tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property and that commences after the effective date of the ordinance. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the exemption ends on the date specified in the ordinance as the date the improvement ceases to be a public purpose or the incentive district expires, or ends on the date on which the public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations are paid in full from the municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund established under division (A) of section 5709.43 of the Revised Code, whichever occurs first. The exemption of an improvement with respect to a parcel or within an incentive district may end on a later date, as specified in the ordinance, if the legislative authority and the board of education of the city, local, or exempted village school district within which the parcel or district is located have entered into a compensation agreement under section 5709.82 of the Revised Code with respect to the improvement, and the board of education has approved the term of the exemption under division (D)(2) of this section, but in no case shall the improvement be exempted from taxation for more than thirty years. Exemptions shall be claimed and allowed in the same manner as in the case of other real property exemptions. If an exemption status changes during a year, the procedure for the apportionment of the taxes for that year is the same as in the case of other changes in tax exemption status during the year.

(H) Additional municipal financing of public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations may be provided by any methods that the municipal corporation may otherwise use for financing such improvements or renovations. If the municipal corporation issues bonds or notes to finance the public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations and pledges money from the municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund to pay the interest on and principal of the bonds or notes, the bonds or notes are not subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code.

(I) The municipal corporation, not later than fifteen days after the adoption of an ordinance under this section, shall submit to the director of development a copy of the ordinance. On or before the thirty-first day of March of each year, the municipal corporation shall submit a status report to the director of development. The report shall indicate, in the manner prescribed by the director, the progress of the project during each year that an exemption remains in effect, including a summary of the receipts from service payments in lieu of taxes; expenditures of money from the funds created under section 5709.43 of the Revised Code; a description of the public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations financed with such expenditures; and a quantitative summary of changes in employment and private investment resulting from each project.

(J) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a legislative authority from declaring to be a public purpose improvements with respect to more than one parcel.

(K) If a parcel is located in a new community district in which the new community authority imposes a community development charge on the basis of rentals received from leases of real property as described in division (L)(2) of section 349.01 of the Revised Code, the parcel may not be exempted from taxation under this section.

Sec. 5709.73.  (A) As used in this section and section 5709.74 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Business day" means a day of the week excluding Saturday, Sunday, and a legal holiday as defined in section 1.14 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Further improvements" or "improvements" means the increase in the assessed value of real property that would first appear above the assessed value of the property as it appears on the most recent tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property after compiled before the effective date of a resolution adopted under this section were it not for the exemption granted by that resolution. For purposes of division (B) of this section, "improvements" do not include any property used or to be used for residential purposes. For this purpose, "property that is used or to be used for residential purposes" means property that, as improved, is used or to be used for purposes that would cause the tax commissioner to classify the property as residential property in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner under section 5713.041 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Housing renovation" means a project carried out for residential purposes.

(4) "Incentive district" has the same meaning as in section 5709.40 of the Revised Code, except that a blighted area is in the unincorporated area of a township.

(5) "Project" and "public infrastructure improvement" have the same meanings as in section 5709.40 of the Revised Code.

(B) A board of township trustees may, by unanimous vote, adopt a resolution that declares to be a public purpose any public infrastructure improvements made that are necessary for the development of certain parcels of land located in the unincorporated area of the township. Except with the approval under division (D) of this section of the board of education of each city, local, or exempted village school district within which the improvements are located, the resolution may exempt from real property taxation not more than seventy-five per cent of further improvements to a parcel of land that directly benefits from the public infrastructure improvements, for a period of not more than ten years. The resolution shall specify the percentage of the further improvements to be exempted and the life of the exemption.

(C)(1) A board of township trustees may adopt, by unanimous vote, a resolution creating an incentive district and declaring improvements to parcels within the district to be a public purpose and, except as provided in division (F) of this section, exempt from taxation as provided in this section, but no board of township trustees of a township that has a population that exceeds twenty-five thousand, as shown by the most recent federal decennial census, shall adopt a resolution that creates an incentive district if the sum of the taxable value of real property in the proposed district for the preceding tax year and the taxable value of all real property in the township that would have been taxable in the preceding year were it not for the fact that the property was in an existing incentive district and therefore exempt from taxation exceeds twenty-five per cent of the taxable value of real property in the township for the preceding tax year. The district shall be located within the unincorporated area of the township and shall not include any territory that is included within a district created under division (B) of section 5709.78 of the Revised Code. The resolution shall delineate the boundary of the district and specifically identify each parcel within the district. A district may not include any parcel that is or has been exempted from taxation under division (B) of this section or that is or has been within another district created under this division. A resolution may create more than one district, and more than one resolution may be adopted under division (C)(1) of this section.

(2) Not later than thirty days prior to adopting a resolution under division (C)(1) of this section, if the township intends to apply for exemptions from taxation under section 5709.911 of the Revised Code on behalf of owners of real property located within the proposed incentive district, the board shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed resolution. Not later than thirty days prior to the public hearing, the board shall give notice of the public hearing and the proposed resolution by first class mail to every real property owner whose property is located within the boundaries of the proposed incentive district that is the subject of the proposed resolution.

(3)(a) A resolution adopted under division (C)(1) of this section shall specify the life of the incentive district and the percentage of the improvements to be exempted, shall designate the public infrastructure improvements made, to be made, or in the process of being made, that benefit or serve, or, once made, will benefit or serve parcels in the district. The resolution also shall identify one or more specific projects being, or to be, undertaken in the district that place additional demand on the public infrastructure improvements designated in the resolution. The project identified may, but need not be, the project under division (C)(3)(b) of this section that places real property in use for commercial or industrial purposes.

A resolution adopted under division (C)(1) of this section on or after March 30, 2006, shall not designate police or fire equipment as public infrastructure improvements, and no service payment provided for in section 5709.74 of the Revised Code and received by the township under the resolution shall be used for police or fire equipment.

(b) A resolution adopted under division (C)(1) of this section may authorize the use of service payments provided for in section 5709.74 of the Revised Code for the purpose of housing renovations within the incentive district, provided that the resolution also designates public infrastructure improvements that benefit or serve the district, and that a project within the district places real property in use for commercial or industrial purposes. Service payments may be used to finance or support loans, deferred loans, and grants to persons for the purpose of housing renovations within the district. The resolution shall designate the parcels within the district that are eligible for housing renovations. The resolution shall state separately the amount or the percentages of the expected aggregate service payments that are designated for each public infrastructure improvement and for the purpose of housing renovations.

(4) Except with the approval of the board of education of each city, local, or exempted village school district within the territory of which the incentive district is or will be located, and subject to division (E) of this section, the life of an incentive district shall not exceed ten years, and the percentage of improvements to be exempted shall not exceed seventy-five per cent. With approval of the board of education, the life of a district may be not more than thirty years, and the percentage of improvements to be exempted may be not more than one hundred per cent. The approval of a board of education shall be obtained in the manner provided in division (D) of this section.

(D) Improvements with respect to a parcel may be exempted from taxation under division (B) of this section, and improvements to parcels within an incentive district may be exempted from taxation under division (C) of this section, for up to ten years or, with the approval of the board of education of the city, local, or exempted village school district within which the parcel or district is located, for up to thirty years. The percentage of the improvements exempted from taxation may, with such approval, exceed seventy-five per cent, but shall not exceed one hundred per cent. Not later than forty-five business days prior to adopting a resolution under this section declaring improvements to be a public purpose that is subject to approval by a board of education under this division, the board of township trustees shall deliver to the board of education a notice stating its intent to adopt a resolution making that declaration. The notice regarding improvements with respect to a parcel under division (B) of this section shall identify the parcels for which improvements are to be exempted from taxation, provide an estimate of the true value in money of the improvements, specify the period for which the improvements would be exempted from taxation and the percentage of the improvements that would be exempted, and indicate the date on which the board of township trustees intends to adopt the resolution. The notice regarding improvements made under division (C) of this section to parcels within an incentive district shall delineate the boundaries of the district, specifically identify each parcel within the district, identify each anticipated improvement in the district, provide an estimate of the true value in money of each such improvement, specify the life of the district and the percentage of improvements that would be exempted, and indicate the date on which the board of township trustees intends to adopt the resolution. The board of education, by resolution adopted by a majority of the board, may approve the exemption for the period or for the exemption percentage specified in the notice; may disapprove the exemption for the number of years in excess of ten, may disapprove the exemption for the percentage of the improvements to be exempted in excess of seventy-five per cent, or both; or may approve the exemption on the condition that the board of township trustees and the board of education negotiate an agreement providing for compensation to the school district equal in value to a percentage of the amount of taxes exempted in the eleventh and subsequent years of the exemption period or, in the case of exemption percentages in excess of seventy-five per cent, compensation equal in value to a percentage of the taxes that would be payable on the portion of the improvements in excess of seventy-five per cent were that portion to be subject to taxation, or other mutually agreeable compensation.

The board of education shall certify its resolution to the board of township trustees not later than fourteen days prior to the date the board of township trustees intends to adopt the resolution as indicated in the notice. If the board of education and the board of township trustees negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement, the resolution may declare the improvements a public purpose for the number of years specified in the resolution or, in the case of exemption percentages in excess of seventy-five per cent, for the exemption percentage specified in the resolution. In either case, if the board of education and the board of township trustees fail to negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement, the resolution may declare the improvements a public purpose for not more than ten years, and shall not exempt more than seventy-five per cent of the improvements from taxation. If the board of education fails to certify a resolution to the board of township trustees within the time prescribed by this section, the board of township trustees thereupon may adopt the resolution and may declare the improvements a public purpose for up to thirty years or, in the case of exemption percentages proposed in excess of seventy-five per cent, for the exemption percentage specified in the resolution. The board of township trustees may adopt the resolution at any time after the board of education certifies its resolution approving the exemption to the board of township trustees, or, if the board of education approves the exemption on the condition that a mutually acceptable compensation agreement be negotiated, at any time after the compensation agreement is agreed to by the board of education and the board of township trustees. If a mutually acceptable compensation agreement is negotiated between the board of township trustees and the board of education, including agreements for payments in lieu of taxes under section 5709.74 of the Revised Code, the board of township trustees shall compensate the joint vocational school district within which the parcel or district is located at the same rate and under the same terms received by the city, local, or exempted village school district.

If a board of education has adopted a resolution waiving its right to approve exemptions from taxation under this section and the resolution remains in effect, approval of such exemptions by the board of education is not required under division (D) of this section. If a board of education has adopted a resolution allowing a board of township trustees to deliver the notice required under division (D) of this section fewer than forty-five business days prior to adoption of the resolution by the board of township trustees, the board of township trustees shall deliver the notice to the board of education not later than the number of days prior to the adoption as prescribed by the board of education in its resolution. If a board of education adopts a resolution waiving its right to approve exemptions or shortening the notification period, the board of education shall certify a copy of the resolution to the board of township trustees. If the board of education rescinds the resolution, it shall certify notice of the rescission to the board of township trustees.

If the board of township trustees is not required by division (D) of this section to notify the board of education of the board of township trustees' intent to declare improvements to be a public purpose, the board of township trustees shall comply with the notice requirements imposed under section 5709.83 of the Revised Code before taking formal action to adopt the resolution making that declaration, unless the board of education has adopted a resolution under that section waiving its right to receive the notice.

(E)(1) If a proposed resolution under division (C)(1) of this section exempts improvements with respect to a parcel within an incentive district for more than ten years, or the percentage of the improvement exempted from taxation exceeds seventy-five per cent, not later than forty-five business days prior to adopting the resolution the board of township trustees shall deliver to the board of county commissioners of the county within which the incentive district is or will be located a notice that states its intent to adopt a resolution creating an incentive district. The notice shall include a copy of the proposed resolution, identify the parcels for which improvements are to be exempted from taxation, provide an estimate of the true value in money of the improvements, specify the period of time for which the improvements would be exempted from taxation, specify the percentage of the improvements that would be exempted from taxation, and indicate the date on which the board of township trustees intends to adopt the resolution.

(2) The board of county commissioners, by resolution adopted by a majority of the board, may object to the exemption for the number of years in excess of ten, may object to the exemption for the percentage of the improvement to be exempted in excess of seventy-five per cent, or both. If the board of county commissioners objects, the board may negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement with the board of township trustees. In no case shall the compensation provided to the board of county commissioners exceed the property taxes foregone due to the exemption. If the board of county commissioners objects, and the board of county commissioners and board of township trustees fail to negotiate a mutually acceptable compensation agreement, the resolution adopted under division (C)(1) of this section shall provide to the board of county commissioners compensation in the eleventh and subsequent years of the exemption period equal in value to not more than fifty per cent of the taxes that would be payable to the county or, if the board of county commissioner's objection includes an objection to an exemption percentage in excess of seventy-five per cent, compensation equal in value to not more than fifty per cent of the taxes that would be payable to the county, on the portion of the improvement in excess of seventy-five per cent, were that portion to be subject to taxation. The board of county commissioners shall certify its resolution to the board of township trustees not later than thirty days after receipt of the notice.

(3) If the board of county commissioners does not object or fails to certify its resolution objecting to an exemption within thirty days after receipt of the notice, the board of township trustees may adopt its resolution, and no compensation shall be provided to the board of county commissioners. If the board of county commissioners timely certifies its resolution objecting to the trustees' resolution, the board of township trustees may adopt its resolution at any time after a mutually acceptable compensation agreement is agreed to by the board of county commissioners and the board of township trustees, or, if no compensation agreement is negotiated, at any time after the board of township trustees agrees in the proposed resolution to provide compensation to the board of county commissioners of fifty per cent of the taxes that would be payable to the county in the eleventh and subsequent years of the exemption period or on the portion of the improvement in excess of seventy-five per cent, were that portion to be subject to taxation.

(F) Service payments in lieu of taxes that are attributable to any amount by which the effective tax rate of either a renewal levy with an increase or a replacement levy exceeds the effective tax rate of the levy renewed or replaced, or that are attributable to an additional levy, for a levy authorized by the voters for any of the following purposes on or after January 1, 2006, and which are provided pursuant to a resolution creating an incentive district under division (C)(1) of this section that is adopted on or after January 1, 2006, shall be distributed to the appropriate taxing authority as required under division (C) of section 5709.74 of the Revised Code in an amount equal to the amount of taxes from that additional levy or from the increase in the effective tax rate of such renewal or replacement levy that would have been payable to that taxing authority from the following levies were it not for the exemption authorized under division (C) of this section:

(1) A tax levied under division (L) of section 5705.19 or section 5705.191 of the Revised Code for community mental retardation and developmental disabilities programs and services pursuant to Chapter 5126. of the Revised Code;

(2) A tax levied under division (Y) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for providing or maintaining senior citizens services or facilities;

(3) A tax levied under section 5705.22 of the Revised Code for county hospitals;

(4) A tax levied by a joint-county district or by a county under section 5705.19, 5705.191, or 5705.221 of the Revised Code for alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or families;

(5) A tax levied under section 5705.23 of the Revised Code for library purposes;

(6) A tax levied under section 5705.24 of the Revised Code for the support of children services and the placement and care of children;

(7) A tax levied under division (Z) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for the provision and maintenance of zoological park services and facilities under section 307.76 of the Revised Code;

(8) A tax levied under section 511.27 or division (H) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for the support of township park districts;

(9) A tax levied under division (A), (F), or (H) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for parks and recreational purposes of a joint recreation district organized pursuant to division (B) of section 755.14 of the Revised Code;

(10) A tax levied under section 1545.20 or 1545.21 of the Revised Code for park district purposes;

(11) A tax levied under section 5705.191 of the Revised Code for the purpose of making appropriations for public assistance; human or social services; public relief; public welfare; public health and hospitalization; and support of general hospitals;

(12) A tax levied under section 3709.29 of the Revised Code for a general health district program.

(G) An exemption from taxation granted under this section commences with the tax year specified in the resolution so long as the year specified in the resolution commences after the effective date of the resolution. If the resolution specifies a year commencing before the effective date of the resolution or specifies no year whatsoever, the exemption commences with the tax year in which an exempted improvement first appears on the tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property and that commences after the effective date of the resolution. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the exemption ends on the date specified in the resolution as the date the improvement ceases to be a public purpose or the incentive district expires, or ends on the date on which the public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations are paid in full from the township public improvement tax increment equivalent fund established under section 5709.75 of the Revised Code, whichever occurs first. The exemption of an improvement with respect to a parcel or within an incentive district may end on a later date, as specified in the resolution, if the board of township trustees and the board of education of the city, local, or exempted village school district within which the parcel or district is located have entered into a compensation agreement under section 5709.82 of the Revised Code with respect to the improvement and the board of education has approved the term of the exemption under division (D) of this section, but in no case shall the improvement be exempted from taxation for more than thirty years. The board of township trustees may, by majority vote, adopt a resolution permitting the township to enter into such agreements as the board finds necessary or appropriate to provide for the construction or undertaking of public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations. Any exemption shall be claimed and allowed in the same or a similar manner as in the case of other real property exemptions. If an exemption status changes during a tax year, the procedure for the apportionment of the taxes for that year is the same as in the case of other changes in tax exemption status during the year.

(H) The board of township trustees may issue the notes of the township to finance all costs pertaining to the construction or undertaking of public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations made pursuant to this section. The notes shall be signed by the board and attested by the signature of the township fiscal officer, shall bear interest not to exceed the rate provided in section 9.95 of the Revised Code, and are not subject to Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. The resolution authorizing the issuance of the notes shall pledge the funds of the township public improvement tax increment equivalent fund established pursuant to section 5709.75 of the Revised Code to pay the interest on and principal of the notes. The notes, which may contain a clause permitting prepayment at the option of the board, shall be offered for sale on the open market or given to the vendor or contractor if no sale is made.

(I) The township, not later than fifteen days after the adoption of a resolution under this section, shall submit to the director of development a copy of the resolution. On or before the thirty-first day of March of each year, the township shall submit a status report to the director of development. The report shall indicate, in the manner prescribed by the director, the progress of the project during each year that the exemption remains in effect, including a summary of the receipts from service payments in lieu of taxes; expenditures of money from the fund created under section 5709.75 of the Revised Code; a description of the public infrastructure improvements and housing renovations financed with the expenditures; and a quantitative summary of changes in private investment resulting from each project.

(J) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a board of township trustees from declaring to be a public purpose improvements with respect to more than one parcel.

If a parcel is located in a new community district in which the new community authority imposes a community development charge on the basis of rentals received from leases of real property as described in division (L)(2) of section 349.01 of the Revised Code, the parcel may not be exempted from taxation under this section.

(K) A board of township trustees that adopted a resolution under this section prior to July 21, 1994, may amend that resolution to include any additional public infrastructure improvement. A board of township trustees that seeks by the amendment to utilize money from its township public improvement tax increment equivalent fund for land acquisition in aid of industry, commerce, distribution, or research, demolition on private property, or stormwater and flood remediation projects may do so provided that the board currently is a party to a hold-harmless agreement with the board of education of the city, local, or exempted village school district within the territory of which are located the parcels that are subject to an exemption. For the purposes of this division, a "hold-harmless agreement" means an agreement under which the board of township trustees agrees to compensate the school district for one hundred per cent of the tax revenue that the school district would have received from further improvements to parcels designated in the resolution were it not for the exemption granted by the resolution.

Sec. 5709.77.  As used in sections 5709.77 to 5709.81 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Business day" means a day of the week excluding Saturday, Sunday, and a legal holiday as defined in section 1.14 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Fund" means to provide for the payment of the debt service on and the expenses relating to an outstanding obligation of the county.

(C) "Housing renovation" means a project carried out for residential purposes.

(D) "Improvement" means the increase in the assessed value of real property that would first appear above the assessed value of the property as it appears on the most recent tax list and duplicate of real and public utility property after compiled before the effective date of a resolution adopted under section 5709.78 of the Revised Code were it not for the exemption granted by that resolution. For purposes of division (A) of section 5709.78 of the Revised Code, "improvement" does not include any property used or to be used for residential purposes. For this purpose, "property that is used or to be used for residential purposes" means property that, as improved, is used or to be used for purposes that would cause the tax commissioner to classify the property as residential property in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner under section 5713.041 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Incentive district" has the same meaning as in section 5709.40 of the Revised Code, except that a blighted area is in the unincorporated territory of a county.

(F) "Refund" means to fund and retire an outstanding obligation of the county.

(G) "Project" and "public infrastructure improvement" have the same meanings as in section 5709.40 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 5913.11. (A) There is hereby created the Ohio military medal of distinction. The adjutant general shall design the medal and coordinate an eligibility establishment program. An individual is eligible for the medal if the individual was killed in the line of duty on or after September 10, 2001, while doing one of the following:

(1) Engaging in an action against an enemy of the United States;

(2) Engaging in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force;

(3) Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; or

(4) Serving in a combat zone designated by presidential order.

(B) To receive the Ohio military medal of distinction, an individual shall be at least one of the following at the time the member was killed in the line of duty:

(1) An Ohio A national guard member who is a resident of this state;

(2) An Ohio national guard member;

(3) A United States military reserves member who is a resident of this state;

(3)(4) A United States armed forces member who is either a resident of this state or stationed in this state by a United States department of defense order.

(C) (1) At least once per year, both houses of the general assembly the adjutant general shall obtain provide a list of eligible medal recipients from to the adjutant general department of veterans services and meet in joint convention to and the governor. The adjutant general shall prepare a medal for each eligible medal recipient. The medal shall be presented to the recipient's primary next of kin, as designated by the recipient. If the recipient has not designated a primary next of kin or if the designated primary next of kin is deceased, the primary next of kin shall be determined under the rules of the United States department of defense.

(2) The governor and the general assembly annually shall hold a joint ceremony to recognize the medal recipients for the prior year and to present each medal to the recipient's primary next of kin, as determined under division (C)(1) of this section. Beginning in 2013, in any year in which the governor holds a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the deceased veterans of the state, the ceremony to recognize the medal recipients shall be held on the same day as the wreath-laying ceremony.

(D)(1) If a parent of the medal recipient is the primary next of kin, as determined under division (C)(1) of this section, and the medal recipient's parents are not married to each other or are legally separated from each other, the medal recipient's other living parent may request a duplicate medal at no cost.

If neither of the medal recipient's parents is the primary next of kin, as determined under division (C)(1) of this section, the living parents of the medal recipient jointly may request a duplicate medal at no cost, except that if the parents of the medal recipient are not married to each other or are legally separated from each other, each living parent may request a duplicate medal at no cost.

If the medal recipient's spouse is not the primary next of kin, the spouse may request a duplicate medal at no cost.

The adjutant general shall prescribe a form by which a parent or spouse may request a duplicate medal under division (D) (1) of this section.

(2) A surviving spouse, a natural or adopted child who is at least eighteen years of age, a parent, a brother or sister, whether of the whole or the half blood, who is at least eighteen years of age, an aunt or uncle who is at least eighteen years of age, or a grandparent of a medal recipient may apply to the adjutant general, on a form prescribed by the adjutant general, to receive a duplicate medal. The applicant shall include with the application a fee in an amount to be determined by the adjutant general. The adjutant general shall set the fee at an amount no greater than the cost of producing the duplicate medal.

(E) There is in the state treasury the military medal of distinction fund. The fund shall consist of all fees collected from applicants for duplicate medals as well as appropriations made by the general assembly for purposes of the Ohio military medal of distinction program. The fund shall be used to pay for the production of medals. Investment earnings of the fund shall be credited to the fund.

Section 2. That existing sections 307.05, 307.051, 307.055, 505.37, 505.375, 505.44, 505.72, 3354.121, 4503.49, 4513.263, 4743.05, 4765.02, 4765.03, 4765.04, 4765.05, 4765.06, 4765.07, 4765.08, 4765.09, 4765.10, 4765.101, 4765.102, 4765.11, 4765.111, 4765.112, 4765.113, 4765.114, 4765.115, 4765.116, 4765.12, 4765.15, 4765.16, 4765.17, 4765.18, 4765.22, 4765.23, 4765.28, 4765.29, 4765.30, 4765.31, 4765.32, 4765.33, 4765.37, 4765.38, 4765.39, 4765.40, 4765.42, 4765.48, 4765.49, 4765.55, 4765.56, 4766.01, 4766.03, 4766.04, 4766.05, 4766.07, 4766.08, 4766.09, 4766.10, 4766.11, 4766.12, 4766.13, 4766.15, 4766.22, 5502.01, 5709.40, 5709.73, 5709.77, and 5913.11 and sections 4766.02 and 4766.20 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

Section 3. On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, the member of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services who is an administrator of an adult or pediatric trauma center shall cease to be a member of the Board. On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, the member of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services who is a member of the Ohio Ambulance Association shall cease to be a member of the Board. On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, the member of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services who is a physician certified by the American board of surgery, American board of osteopathic surgery, American osteopathic board of emergency medicine, or American board of emergency medicine, is chief medical officer of an air medical agency, and is currently active in providing emergency medical services shall cease to be a member of the Board. On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, of the members of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services who were EMTs, advanced EMTs, or paramedics and were appointed to the Board in that capacity, only the members who are designated by the Governor to continue to be members of the Board shall continue to be so; the other persons shall cease to be members of the Board. On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, the member of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services who is a registered nurse and is in the active practice of emergency nursing shall cease to be a member of the Board. Not later than sixty days after the effective date of those amendments, the Governor shall appoint to the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services a registered nurse with EMS certification who performs mobile intensive care or air medical transport. The Governor shall appoint this member from among three persons nominated by the Ohio Nurses Association, three persons nominated by the Ohio Association of Critical Care Transport, and three persons nominated by the Ohio State Council of the Emergency Nurses Association.

On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, all members of the former State Board of Emergency Medical Services who do not cease to be members of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services by the terms of this act shall continue to be members of the renamed State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services, and the dates on which the terms of the continuing members expire shall be the dates on which their terms as members of the former State Board of Emergency Medical Services expired. On the effective date of the amendments made to section 4765.02 of the Revised Code by this act, the following members of the former Ohio Medical Transportation Board shall become members of the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services, and the dates on which those members' terms on the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services expire shall be as follows:

(A) The person who owns or operates a private emergency medical service organization operating in this state, as designated by the Governor, term ends November 12, 2013;

(B) The person who owns or operates a nonemergency medical service organization that provides only ambulette services, term ends November 12, 2013;

(C) The person who is a member of the Ohio Association of Critical Care Transport and represents air-based services, term ends November 12, 2014.

(D) The person who is a member of the Ohio Association of Critical Care Transport and represents a ground-based mobile intensive care unit organization, term ends November 12, 2014.

All subsequent terms of office for these four positions on the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services shall be for three years as provided in section 4765.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 4. On April 1, 2013, the Medical Transportation Board and all of its functions are transferred to the Department of Public Safety. As of such date, the Medical Transportation Board shall operate under the Department of Public Safety, which shall assume all of the Board's functions. All assets, liabilities, any capital spending authority related thereto, and equipment and records, regardless of form or medium, related to the Medical Transportation Board's functions are transferred to the Department of Public Safety on April 1, 2013.

No validation, cure, right, privilege, remedy, obligation, or liability is lost or impaired by reason of the transfer. All of the Medical Transportation Board's rules, orders, and determinations continue in effect as rules, orders, and determinations of the Department of Public Safety until modified or rescinded by the Department of Public Safety.

No action or proceeding pending on April 1, 2013, is affected by the transfer and any action or proceeding pending on April 1, 2013, shall be prosecuted or defended in the name of the Department of Public Safety or its director. In all such actions and proceedings, the Department of Public Safety or its director, upon application to the court, shall be substituted as a party.

On or after April 1, 2013, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Director of Budget and Management shall take any action with respect to budget changes made necessary by the transfer. The Director may transfer cash balances between funds. The Director may cancel encumbrances and reestablish encumbrances or parts of encumbrances as needed in the fiscal year in the appropriate fund and appropriation item for the same purpose and to the same vendor. As determined by the Director, encumbrances reestablished in the fiscal year in a different fund or appropriation item used by an agency or between agencies are appropriated. The Director shall reduce each year's appropriation balances by the amount of the encumbrance canceled in their respective funds and appropriation item. Any unencumbered or unallocated appropriation balances from the previous fiscal year may be transferred to the appropriate appropriation item to be used for the same purposes, as determined by the Director. Any such transfers are hereby appropriated.

Section 5. That Section 205.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 114 of the 129th General Assembly, as most recently amended by Am. Sub. H.B. 487 of the 129th General Assembly, be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 205.10. DPS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

State Highway Safety Fund Group

General Services Fund Group

Federal Special Revenue Fund Group

State Special Revenue Fund Group

Liquor Control Fund Group

Agency Fund Group

Holding Account Redistribution Fund Group

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may deposit revenues to meet the cash needs of the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fund (Fund 4W40) established in section 4501.25 of the Revised Code, obtained under sections 4503.02 and 4504.02 of the Revised Code, less all other available cash. Revenue deposited pursuant to this paragraph shall support, in part, appropriations for operating expenses and defray the cost of manufacturing and distributing license plates and license plate stickers and enforcing the law relative to the operation and registration of motor vehicles. Notwithstanding section 4501.03 of the Revised Code, the revenues shall be paid into Fund 4W40 before any revenues obtained pursuant to sections 4503.02 and 4504.02 of the Revised Code are paid into any other fund. The deposit of revenues to meet the aforementioned cash needs shall be in approximately equal amounts on a monthly basis or as otherwise determined by the Director of Budget and Management pursuant to a plan submitted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

CAPITAL PROJECTS

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may transfer cash from the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fund (Fund 4W40) to the State Highway Safety Fund (Fund 7036) to meet its obligations for capital projects CIR-047, Department of Public Safety Office Building and CIR-049, Warehouse Facility.

OBA BOND AUTHORITY/LEASE RENTAL PAYMENTS

The foregoing appropriation item 761401, Lease Rental Payments, shall be used for payments to the Ohio Building Authority for the period July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013, under the primary leases and agreements for public safety related buildings financed by obligations issued under Chapter 152. of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding section 152.24 of the Revised Code, the Ohio Building Authority may, with approval of the Director of Budget and Management, lease capital facilities to the Department of Public Safety.

HILLTOP TRANSFER

The Director of Public Safety shall determine, per an agreement with the Director of Transportation, the share of each debt service payment made out of appropriation item 761401, Lease Rental Payments, that relates to the Department of Transportation's portion of the Hilltop Building Project, and shall certify to the Director of Budget and Management the amounts of this share. The Director of Budget and Management shall transfer the amounts of such shares from the Highway Operating Fund (Fund 7002) to the State Highway Safety Fund (Fund 7036).

CASH TRANSFERS TO TRAUMA AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FUND

On July 1, 2011, or as soon as possible thereafter, the Director of Budget and Management shall transfer the unexpended and unencumbered cash balance in the Seat Belt Education Fund (Fund 8440) to the Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Fund (Fund 83M0). Upon completion of the transfer, Fund 8440 is abolished. The Director shall cancel any existing encumbrances against appropriation item 761613, Seat Belt Education Program, and reestablish them against appropriation item 765624, Operating Expense - Trauma and EMS. The reestablished encumbrance amounts are hereby appropriated.

CASH TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Director of Budget and Management, upon the written request of the Director of Public Safety, may approve the transfer of cash between the following six funds: the Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Fund (Fund 83M0), the Homeland Security Fund (Fund 5DS0), the Investigations Fund (Fund 5FL0), the Emergency Management Agency Service and Reimbursement Fund (Fund 4V30), the Justice Program Services Fund (Fund 4P60), and the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fund (Fund 4W40).

CASH TRANSFERS TO SECURITY, INVESTIGATIONS, AND POLICING FUND

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Director of Budget and Management, upon the written request of the Director of Public Safety, may approve the transfer of cash from the Continuing Professional Training Fund (Fund 5Y10), the State Highway Patrol Contraband, Forfeiture, and Other Fund (Fund 83C0), the Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Fund (Fund 83M0), and the Highway Safety Salvage and Exchange Highway Patrol Fund (Fund 8410) to the Security, Investigations, and Policing Fund (Fund 8400).

CASH TRANSFERS OF SEAT BELT FINE REVENUES

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Controlling Board, upon request of the Director of Public Safety, may approve the transfer of cash between the following three funds that receive fine revenues from enforcement of the mandatory seat belt law: the Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Fund (Fund 83M0), the Elementary School Program Fund (Fund 83N0), and the Trauma and Emergency Medical Services Grants Fund (Fund 83P0).

STATE DISASTER RELIEF

The State Disaster Relief Fund (Fund 5330) may accept transfers of cash and appropriations from Controlling Board appropriation items for Ohio Emergency Management Agency disaster response costs and disaster program management costs, and may also be used for the following purposes:

(A) To accept transfers of cash and appropriations from Controlling Board appropriation items for Ohio Emergency Management Agency public assistance and mitigation program match costs to reimburse eligible local governments and private nonprofit organizations for costs related to disasters;

(B) To accept and transfer cash to reimburse the costs associated with Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) deployments;

(C) To accept disaster related reimbursement from federal, state, and local governments. The Director of Budget and Management may transfer cash from reimbursements received by this fund to other funds of the state from which transfers were originally approved by the Controlling Board.

(D) To accept transfers of cash and appropriations from Controlling Board appropriation items to fund the State Disaster Relief Program, for disasters that have been declared by the Governor, and the State Individual Assistance Program for disasters that have been declared by the Governor and the federal Small Business Administration. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency shall publish and make available application packets outlining procedures for the State Disaster Relief Program and the State Individual Assistance Program.

JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND

The federal payments made to the state for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants Program under Title II of Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 shall be deposited to the credit of the Justice Assistance Grant Fund (Fund 3DE0), which is hereby created in the state treasury. All investment earnings of the fund shall be credited to the fund.

FEDERAL STIMULUS – JUSTICE PROGRAMS

The federal payments made to the state for the Violence Against Women Formula Grant under Title II of Division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 shall be deposited to the credit of the Federal Stimulus – Justice Programs Fund (Fund 3DH0).

TRANSFER FROM STATE FIRE MARSHAL FUND TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SERVICE AND REIMBURSEMENT FUND

On July 1 of each fiscal year, or as soon as possible thereafter, the Director of Budget and Management shall transfer $200,000 in cash from the State Fire Marshal Fund (Fund 5460) to the Emergency Management Agency Service and Reimbursement Fund (Fund 4V30) to be distributed to the Ohio Task Force One – Urban Search and Rescue Unit and other urban search and rescue programs around the state.

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in each of fiscal years 2012 and 2013, the first $750,000 received to the credit of the Family Violence Prevention Fund (Fund 5BK0) shall be appropriated to appropriation item 768689, Family Violence Shelter Programs, and the next $400,000 received to the credit of Fund 5BK0 in each of those fiscal years shall be appropriated to appropriation item 768687, Criminal Justice Services - Operating. Any moneys received to the credit of Fund 5BK0 in excess of the aforementioned appropriated amounts in each fiscal year shall, upon the approval of the Controlling Board, be used to provide grants to family violence shelters in Ohio.

SARA TITLE III HAZMAT PLANNING

The SARA Title III HAZMAT Planning Fund (Fund 6810) is entitled to receive grant funds from the Emergency Response Commission to implement the Emergency Management Agency's responsibilities under Chapter 3750. of the Revised Code.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING INCREASES

Notwithstanding division (D) of section 127.14 and division (B) of section 131.35 of the Revised Code, except for the General Revenue Fund, the Controlling Board may, upon the request of either the Director of Budget and Management, or the Department of Public Safety with the approval of the Director of Budget and Management, increase appropriations for any fund, as necessary for the Department of Public Safety, to assist in paying the costs of increases in employee compensation that have occurred pursuant to collective bargaining agreements under Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code and, for exempt employees, under section 124.152 of the Revised Code.

CASH BALANCE FUND REVIEW

Not later than the first day of April in each fiscal year of the biennium, the Director of Budget and Management shall review the cash balances for each fund, except the State Highway Safety Fund (Fund 7036) and the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fund (Fund 4W40), in the State Highway Safety Fund Group, and shall recommend to the Controlling Board an amount to be transferred to the credit of Fund 7036 or Fund 4W40, as appropriate.

Section 6. That existing Section 205.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 114 of the 129th General Assembly, as most recently amended by Am. Sub. H.B. 487 of the 129th General Assembly, is hereby repealed.

Section 7. That Section 335.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 153 of the 129th General Assembly be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 335.10. AMB OHIO MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION BOARD

General Services Fund Group

Section 8. That existing Section 335.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 153 of the 129th General Assembly is hereby repealed.

Section 9. All items in this section are hereby appropriated as designated out of any moneys in the state treasury to the credit of the State Special Revenue Fund Group. For all appropriations made in this act, those in the first column are for fiscal year 2012 and those in the second column are for fiscal year 2013. The appropriations made in this act are in addition to any other appropriations made for the FY 2012-FY 2013 biennium.

Appropriations

State Special Revenue Fund Group

MILITARY MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

On the effective date of this act, or as soon as possible thereafter, the Director of Budget and Management shall transfer $2,500 cash from the General Revenue Fund to the Military Medal of Distinction Fund (Fund 5LY0). The amount transferred shall be used by the Adjutant General for the purposes described in section 5913.11 of the Revised Code.

Section 10. Within the limits set forth in this act, the Director of Budget and Management shall establish accounts indicating the source and amount of funds for each appropriation made in this act, and shall determine the form and manner in which appropriation accounts shall be maintained. Expenditures from appropriations contained in this act shall be accounted for as though made in Am. Sub. H.B. 153 of the 129th General Assembly.

The appropriations made in this act are subject to all provisions of Am. Sub. H.B. 153 of the 129th General Assembly that are generally applicable to such appropriations.

Section 11. That Section 707.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 487 of the 129th General Assembly be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 707.10. For fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation in a county, with a population between three hundred seventy-five thousand and four hundred thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, may conduct a pilot program whereby the legislative authority may use up to five per cent of the aggregate amount of money deposited in the municipal corporation's sewer fund and up to five per cent of the aggregate amount of money deposited in a fund created by the municipal corporation for water-works for the purpose of extending the municipal corporation's water or sewerage system, as applicable, if both of the following apply:

(A) The water or sewerage system is being extended to areas for economic development purposes.

(B) The areas into which the water or sewerage system is being extended are the one of the following:

(1) The subject of a cooperative economic development agreement entered into by the municipal corporation under section 701.07 of the Revised Code;

(2) Within a joint economic development district created under sections 715.72 to 715.81 of the Revised Code for which the municipal corporation is a contracting party;

(3) Within the boundaries of the municipal corporation.

With regard to either fund, the legislative authority shall not exceed the five per cent limit established in this section.

Section 12. That existing Section 707.10 of Am. Sub. H.B. 487 of the 129th General Assembly is hereby repealed.

Section 13. The amendment by this act of sections 5709.40, 5709.73, and 5709.77 of the Revised Code applies to the tax years at issue in any application for exemption from taxation pending before the Tax Commissioner, the Board of Tax Appeals, any Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court on the effective date of this act and to the property that is the subject of any such application.

Section 14.  Sections 5709.40 and 5709.73 of the Revised Code are presented in this act as composites of those sections as amended by both Am. Sub. H.B. 508 and Am. Sub. H.B. 509 of the 129th General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composites are the resulting versions of the sections in effect prior to the effective date of the sections as presented in this act.