To amend section 3303.41 of the Revised Code to increase the length of the term of the chairperson of the Governor's Council on People with Disabilities and to require the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Agency to provide meeting space, equipment, and furniture to the Council.

Section 1. That section 3303.41 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 3303.41.  (A) There is hereby created the governor's council on people with disabilities. The council shall consist of twenty-one members of which the majority shall be people with disabilities as defined in this section, appointed by the governor for a term of three years except that for initial appointments, seven members shall be appointed for a term of one year, seven members shall be appointed for a term of two years, and seven members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Members may succeed themselves not more than one time. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration of the member's term until the member's successor takes office. The governor shall annually appoint a chairperson who may to serve a two-year term. The chairperson shall not succeed himself or herself not more than one time as chairperson. The chairperson shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration of the chairperson's term until the chairperson's successor takes office. Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be paid the actual and necessary expenses they incur in the performance of their duties.

(B) The council shall meet at least six times annually at such times and places as may be designated by the chairperson.

(C) The governor's council on people with disabilities shall be assigned to executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency for administrative purposes. The executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency shall assign one provide the council with both of the following:

(1) One professional staff person to the council to serve as executive secretary and other personnel as determined advisable of the council;

(2) Any meeting space, office furniture, and equipment that are necessary for the council to fulfill its duties.

(D) The council shall have the following powers:

(A)(1) To cooperate with the president's committee on employment of the handicapped;

(B)(2) To cooperate with all employers both public and private in locating or developing employment opportunities for people with disabilities;

(C)(3) To encourage and assist in the creation of committees at the community level;

(D)(4) To assist local, state, and federal agencies to coordinate their activities for the purpose of securing maximum utilization of funds and efforts that benefit people with disabilities;

(E)(5) To encourage cooperation among public and private employers, unions, and rehabilitation agencies, bureaus, and organizations both public and private with a specific goal to facilitate employment of people with disabilities;

(F)(6) To serve in an advisory capacity to the governor's office directly and as needed to the general assembly on issues relating to the needs, problems, and other concerns of people with disabilities;

(G)(7) To conduct educational programs to acquaint the public with the abilities and accomplishments of people with disabilities;

(H)(8) To promote the elimination of architectural barriers to make buildings used by the public accessible and useable by persons with physical limitations;

(I)(9) To make such rules as it determines advisable for the conduct of its own business.

(E) The council shall annually report to the governor on council activities and on the state of the people of this state with disabilities. This report may include any recommendations believed necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this section.

(F) As used in this section, "person with a disability" means any individual who has a disability or condition that, regardless of its physical or mental origin, imposes a functional limitation.

(G) It shall be lawful for any public employee or officer to serve as a member of the council.

Section 2. That existing section 3303.41 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.