Chapter 173 | Department of Aging

Section 173.01 | Department of aging; powers and duties.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The department of aging shall:

(A) Be the designated state agency to administer programs of the federal government relating to the aged, requiring action within the state, that are not the specific responsibility of another state agency under federal or state statutes. The department shall be the sole state agency to administer funds granted by the federal government under the "Older Americans Act of 1965," 79 Stat. 219, 42 U.S.C. 3001, as amended. The department shall not supplant or take over for the counties or municipal corporations or from other state agencies or facilities any of the specific responsibilities borne by them on November 23, 1973. The department shall cooperate with such federal and state agencies, counties, and municipal corporations and private agencies or facilities within the state in furtherance of the purposes as set forth in this chapter.

(B) Administer state funds appropriated for its use for administration and for grants and may use appropriated state funds as state match for federal grants. All federal funds received shall be reported to the director of budget and management.

(C) Review all proposed plans, programs, and rules primarily affecting persons sixty years of age or older, and shall be sent a copy of all proposed and final rules, as well as proposals for plans and programs that primarily affect persons sixty years of age or older and notices of all hearings on such rules, plans, and programs. Any state agency proposing a plan, program, or rule that primarily affects persons sixty years of age or older shall submit a copy of such proposal to the department for its written comments. No such proposed plan, program, or rule shall take effect until the department's comments have been requested. The department shall review the proposal and submit a written comment on such proposal to the agency making the proposal, within thirty days from the date the department receives the proposal. If the department does not agree that the proposed plan, program, or rule shall take effect as proposed, the department shall set forth in writing its reasons and its suggestions for changes in the proposed plan, program, or rule. If the agency making the proposal does not choose to comply with the suggestions of the department, the agency making the proposal shall send the department, no later than thirty days before the proposal becomes final, written notice of its intention not to comply with such suggestions and its reason for such noncompliance.

This section does not apply to plans or revisions adopted under section 5101.46 of the Revised Code.

(D) Plan, initiate, coordinate, and evaluate statewide programs, services, and activities for elderly people;

(E) Disseminate information concerning the problems of elderly people and establish and maintain a central clearinghouse of information on public programs at all levels of government that would be of interest or benefit to the elderly;

(F) Report annually to the governor and the general assembly on the department's programs;

(G) Have authority to contract with public or private groups to perform services for the department;

(H) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to govern the operation of services and facilities for the elderly that are provided, operated, contracted for, or supported by the department, and determine that those services and facilities are operated in conformity with the rules;

(I) Determine the needs of the elderly and represent their interests at all levels of government;

(J) Establish and operate a state long-term care ombudsman program pursuant to sections 307 and 712 of the "Older Americans Act of 1965," 42 U.S.C. 3027 and 3058.

Section 173.011 | Planning and service areas.

• Effective: September 29, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 283 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) When administering funds granted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, 79 Stat. 219, 42 U.S.C. 3001, as amended, the department of aging may divide the state into separate multi-county regions that shall be known as planning and service areas. If the department divides the state into those areas, then, consistent with the rules adopted under division (C)(1) of this section, it shall designate one public entity or one private nonprofit entity as each area's agency on aging. That agency shall administer programs on behalf of the department under the Older Americans Act of 1965 within its planning and service area.

(B) Consistent with the rules adopted under division (C)(2) of this section and following an adjudication hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the department may issue an adjudication order that withdraws or provisionally maintains the designation of an entity as an agency on aging.

(C) The department shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that do both of the following:

(1) Establish criteria to be used for designating an agency on aging;

(2) Provide procedures and grounds for withdrawing or provisionally maintaining the designation of an entity as an agency on aging of a planning and service area.

Section 173.012 | Training programs.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

The department of aging may develop and offer training programs to area agencies on aging, long-term care facilities, providers of long-term care services, and other interested parties. The department may charge fees for the training programs. Amounts collected from charging the fees shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the senior community outreach fund, which is hereby created. Money credited to the fund may be used by the department to administer this section and to develop and offer additional training programs.

Last updated September 9, 2021 at 12:11 PM

Section 173.02 | Administrative rules.

• Effective: June 30, 1997
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 215 - 122nd General Assembly

The department of aging shall adopt, and may rescind, rules as necessary to carry out the provisions of Chapter 173. of the Revised Code and may:

(A) Provide technical assistance and consultation to public and private nonprofit agencies with respect to programs, services, and activities for elderly people;

(B) Cooperate with federal agencies, other state agencies or departments, and organizations to conduct studies and surveys on the special problems of the aged in such matters as mental and physical health, housing, transportation, family relationships, employment, income, vocational rehabilitation, recreation, and education; make such reports as are appropriate to the governor and other federal and state agencies; and develop recommendations for administrative or legislative action to alleviate such problems;

(C) Develop and strengthen the services available for the aging in the state by coordinating the existing services provided by federal, state, and local departments and agencies, and private agencies and facilities;

(D) Extend and expand services for the aged through coordinating the interests and efforts of local communities in studying the problems of the aged citizens of this state;

(E) Encourage, promote, and aid in the establishment of programs and services on the local level for the betterment of the living conditions of the aged by making it possible for the aged to more fully enjoy and participate in family and community life;

(F) Sponsor voluntary community rehabilitation and recreational facilities for the purpose of improving the general welfare of the elderly;

(G) Stimulate the training of workers in the field of aging;

(H) Provide consultants to agencies, associations, or individuals providing services supported by the department;

(I) Provide support which shall include, but not be limited to, financial support for the Martin Janis multipurpose senior center in Columbus;

(J) Recommend methods of improving the effectiveness of state services for elderly citizens;

(K) Adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to request fees, if not prohibited by any federal or state law, from persons using services or facilities for the elderly that are provided, operated, contracted for, or supported by the department, provided that requesting the fees will not disqualify the department from receiving federal or state funds;

(L) Publish a description of the organization and functions of the department so that all interested agencies and individuals may receive information about, and be better able to solicit assistance from, the department.

Section 173.03 | Ohio advisory council for aging.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) There is hereby created the Ohio advisory council for the aging, which shall consist of twelve members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Two ex officio members of the council shall be members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and shall be members of two different political parties. Two ex officio members of the council shall be members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate and shall be members of two different political parties. The medicaid director and directors of mental health and addiction services, developmental disabilities, health, and job and family services, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio members of the council. The purpose of the council is to advise the department of aging on the objectives of the "Older Americans Act of 1965," 42 U.S.C. 3001, and as directed by the governor.

Annually, the members shall select one of their members to serve as chairperson and one of their members to serve as vice-chairperson. The council may form a quorum and take votes at meetings conducted by interactive electronic medium if provisions are made for public attendance through the interactive electronic meeting.

(B) Members of the council appointed by the governor shall be appointed for a term of three years. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Any 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 term. No member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term unless reappointed under the provisions of this section, and no member shall serve more than three consecutive terms on the council.

(C) Membership of the council shall represent all areas of Ohio and shall be as follows:

(1) A majority of members of the council shall have attained the age of fifty and have a knowledge of and continuing interest in the affairs and welfare of the older citizens of Ohio. The fields of business, labor, health, law, and human services shall be represented in the membership.

(2) No more than seven members shall be of the same political party.

(D) Any member of the council may be removed from office by the governor for neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office after being informed in writing of the charges and afforded an opportunity for a hearing. Two consecutive unexcused absences from regularly scheduled meetings constitute neglect of duty.

(E) The director of aging may reimburse a member for actual and necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties. But reimbursement shall be made in the manner and at rates that do not exceed those prescribed by the director of budget and management for any officer, member, or employee of, or consultant to, any state agency.

(F) Council members are not limited as to the number of terms they may serve.

(G)(1) The department of aging may award grants to or enter into contracts with a member of the advisory council or an entity that the member represents if any of the following apply:

(a) The department determines that the member or the entity the member represents is capable of providing the goods or services specified under the terms of the grant or contract.

(b) The member has not taken part in any discussion or vote of the council related to whether the council should recommend that the department of aging award the grant to or enter into the contract with the member of the advisory council or the entity that the member represents.

(2) A member of the advisory council is not in violation of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 of the Revised Code with regard to receiving a grant or entering into a contract under this section if the conditions of division (G)(1)(a) and (b) of this section have been met.

Last updated August 9, 2023 at 11:51 AM

Section 173.04 | Dementia training and respite care programs.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Respite care" means short-term, temporary care or supervision provided to a person who has dementia in the absence of the person who normally provides that care or supervision.

(2) "Dementia" includes Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.

(B) Through the internet web site maintained by the department of aging, the director of aging shall disseminate dementia training materials for licensed physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, administrators of health care programs, social workers, and other health care and social service personnel who participate or assist in the care or treatment of persons who have dementia. The training materials disseminated through the web site may be developed by the director or obtained from other sources.

(C) To the extent funds are available, the director shall administer respite care programs and other supportive services for persons who have dementia and their families or care givers. Respite care programs shall be approved by the director and shall be provided for the following purposes:

(1) Giving persons who normally provide care or supervision for a person who has dementia relief from the stresses and responsibilities that result from providing such care;

(2) Preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care and enabling persons who have dementia to remain at home as long as possible.

(D) The director may provide services under this section to persons with dementia and their families regardless of the age of the persons with dementia.

(E) The director may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing respite care programs and other supportive services, the distribution of funds, and the purpose for which funds may be utilized under this section.

Section 173.05 | Acting director.

• Effective: July 26, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 660 - 115th General Assembly

deputy director of the aging shall be the acting director when the director is absent or disabled or the position is vacant. The director shall specify who shall be the acting director if no deputy director has been appointed.

Section 173.06 | Golden buckeye card program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The director of aging shall establish a golden buckeye card program and provide a golden buckeye card to any resident of this state who applies to the director for a card and is sixty years of age or older or is a person with a disability and is eighteen years of age or older. A golden buckeye card may be physical or electronic and may be an individual card or an endorsement on a card for one or more other programs.

The director shall devise programs to provide benefits of any kind to card holders, and encourage support and participation in them by all persons, including governmental organizations. Card holders are entitled to any benefits granted to them by private persons or organizations, the laws of this state, or ordinances or resolutions of political subdivisions. This section does not require any person or organization to provide benefits to any card holder. The department of aging shall bear all costs of the program.

(B) Before issuing a golden buckeye card to any person, the director shall establish the identity of any person who applies for a card and shall ascertain that such person is sixty years of age or older or is a person with a disability and is eighteen years of age or older. The director shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to prevent the issuance of cards to persons not qualified to have them. Cards shall contain any information the director considers necessary to carry out the purposes of the golden buckeye card program under this section. Any card that the director issues shall be held in perpetuity by the original card holder and shall not be transferable to any other person. A person who loses the person's card may obtain another card from the director on providing the same information to the director as was required for the issuance of the original card.

(C) No person shall use a golden buckeye card except to obtain a benefit for the holder of the card to which the holder is entitled under the conditions of the offer.

(D) As used in this section, "person with a disability" means a person who has some impairment of body or mind and has been certified as permanently and totally disabled by an agency of this state or the United States having the function of so classifying persons.

Last updated September 14, 2023 at 2:28 PM

Section 173.061 | Records of card holders.

• Effective: July 1, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 468 - 126th General Assembly

Records identifying the recipients of golden buckeye cards issued under section 173.06 of the Revised Code are not public records subject to inspection or copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code and may be disclosed only at the discretion of the director of aging. The director may disclose only information in records identifying the recipients of golden buckeye cards that does not contain the recipient's medical history.

Section 173.08 | Resident services coordinator program.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

(A) The resident services coordinator program is established in the department of aging to fund resident services coordinators. The coordinators shall provide information to low-income and special-needs tenants, including the elderly, who live in financially assisted rental housing complexes, and assist those tenants in identifying and obtaining community and program services and other benefits for which they are eligible.

(B) The resident services coordinator program fund is hereby created in the state treasury to support the resident services coordinator program established pursuant to this section. The fund consists of all moneys the department of development sets aside pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 174.02 of the Revised Code and moneys the general assembly appropriates to the fund.

Section 173.11 | System of multipurpose senior centers.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

The department of aging shall, as appropriate and feasible and to the extent federal, state, and local funding is available, develop a system of community multipurpose senior centers for the purposes of:

(A) Providing centralized, coordinated medical, social, supportive, and rehabilitative services to older adults;

(B) Encouraging older adults to maintain physical, social, and emotional well-being and to live dignified and reasonably independent lives in their own homes;

(C) Diminishing the rate of inappropriate entry and placement of older adults in nursing homes, sheltered housing for older adults, and related facilities.

The department shall, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt rules under which counties, townships, municipal corporations, or local nonprofit organizations may make application to the department to operate a multipurpose senior center or to participate in a multipurpose senior center program. Procedures shall be established for the maximum feasible participation by older adults and representatives of organizations of older adults in the planning of these programs. The area agency on aging, established under the "Older Americans Act of 1965," 79 Stat. 219, 42 U.S.C.A. 3001, as amended, shall be given the opportunity to review and comment on all applications for the establishment of a center or the expansion of the scope of services provided by a senior center operated as part of the social services system under the agency's area plan.

The department shall plan, coordinate, and monitor, and, to the extent feasible, provide funds for services for older adults under this section and section 173.12 of the Revised Code. In order to carry out the purposes of such sections, the department or the designated local entity may accept gifts and grants and enter into contracts for the purchase of services.

The multipurpose senior centers shall be centrally located and easily accessible to any public transportation available in such location. The centers may provide transportation for older adults who wish to utilize services available in the facility, but are unable to reach it because of the lack of financial resources or physical impairment. Centers shall be designed to provide ease of access and use considering the infirmities of older adults who are frail or who have disabilities. Special safety features shall be provided as unobtrusively as possible. In establishing the location of multipurpose senior centers, the department shall, to the extent feasible, give precedence to the use of existing buildings and facilities, which may be renovated, over the construction of new buildings and facilities.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 10:56 AM

Section 173.12 | Services provided by multipurpose senior center.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

The services provided by a multipurpose senior center shall be available to all residents of the area served by the center who are sixty years of age or older, except where legal requirements for the use of funds available for a component program specify other age limits. Persons who receive services from the center may be encouraged to make voluntary contributions to the center, but no otherwise eligible person shall be refused services because of inability to make a contribution.

Services provided by the center may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(A) Services available within the facility:

(1) Preventive medical services, diagnostic and treatment services, emergency health services, and counseling on health matters, which are provided on a regular basis by a licensed physician, pharmacist, or registered nurse or other qualified health professional;

(2) A program to locate full- or part-time employment opportunities;

(3) Information and counseling by professional or other persons specially trained or qualified to enable older adults to make decisions on personal matters, including income, health, housing, transportation, and social relationships;

(4) A listing of services available in the community for older adults to assist in identifying the type of assistance needed, to place them in contact with appropriate services, and to determine whether services have been received and identified needs met;

(5) Legal advice and assistance by an attorney or a legal assistant acting under the supervision of an attorney;

(6) Recreation, social activities, and educational activities.

(B) Services provided outside the facility:

(1) Routine health services necessary to help older adults with functional impairments maintain an appropriate standard of personal health, provided to them in their homes by licensed physicians, registered nurses, or other qualified health service personnel;

(2) Household services, such as light housekeeping, laundering, meal preparation, personal and grocery shopping, check cashing and bill paying, friendly visiting, minor household repairs, and yard chores, that are necessary to help older adults with functional impairments meet the normal demands of daily living;

(3) The delivery, on a regular schedule, of hot or cold nourishing meals to older adults with functional impairments and the determination of the nutritional needs of such persons;

(4) Door-to-door vehicular transportation for older adults with functional impairments or other older adults.

Other services, including social and recreational services, adult education courses, reassurance by telephone, escort services, and housing assistance may be added to the center's program as appropriate, to the extent that resources are available.

Services may be furnished by public agencies or private persons or organizations, but all services shall be coordinated by a single management unit, operating within the center, that is established, staffed, and equipped for this purpose.

The department of aging, or the local entity approved by the department under section 173.11 of the Revised Code for the operation of a center, may contract for any or all of the services provided by the center with any other state agency, county, township, municipal corporation, school district, community or technical college district, health district, person, or organization.

The department shall provide for the necessary insurance coverage to protect all volunteers from the normal risks of personal liability while they are acting within the scope of their volunteer assignments for the provision of services under this section.

As used in this section, "older adult with a functional impairment" means an individual sixty years of age or older who requires help from others in order to cope with the normal demands of daily living.

Last updated March 10, 2023 at 10:56 AM

Section 173.121 | Bingo games at multipurpose senior center.

• Effective: June 11, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 386 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "bingo," "bingo game operator," and "participant" have the same meanings as in section 2915.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding sections 2915.07 to 2915.13 of the Revised Code, a multipurpose senior center may conduct bingo games described in division (O)(1) of section 2915.01 of the Revised Code, but only if it complies with all of the following requirements:

(1) All bingo games are conducted only on the premises of the facility.

(2) All participants are twenty-one years of age or older.

(3) All bingo game operators are sixty years of age or older and receive no compensation for serving as operators.

(4) No participant is charged an admission fee, and no participant is charged more than twenty-five cents to purchase a bingo card or sheet.

(5) All proceeds from games are used only for any of the following:

(a) To pay winners monetary or nonmonetary prizes;

(b) To provide refreshments;

(c) To defray any costs directly related to conducting the games;

(d) To defray costs of services the facility provides in accordance with section 173.12 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.13 | Continuing care facility residents' rights.

• Effective: October 20, 1987
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 253 - 117th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Continuing care" means the provision under a written agreement of board, lodging, medical services, nursing, and other health-related services to a person sixty years of age or older, unrelated by consanguinity or affinity to the provider, for the life of the person or for a period in excess of one year in return for the payment of an entrance fee or of periodic charges.

(2) "Entrance fee" means an initial or deferred payment of a sum of money or other property made or promised to be made by or on behalf of a person entering into a written agreement with a facility for the provision of continuing care services in consideration for acceptance of the person as a resident in the facility.

(B) The residents of a facility that provides continuing care may determine annually whether they wish to elect a resident of the facility to serve on the board of directors, board of trustees, or other board that operates the facility. Election of a resident to serve on the board shall be by a simple majority vote of all residents attending a meeting called to determine if residents of the facility wish to have representation on the board. The individual organizing the meeting shall give residents at least seven days' notice of the meeting. A board to which a resident is elected under this section shall accept the resident as a nonvoting member and give him notice of and permit him to attend all meetings of the board.

(C) Every facility that provides continuing care shall, upon request, provide its residents and prospective residents with copies of any of its audited annual financial reports.

(D) Residents of facilities that provide continuing care shall have the right of self-organization.

(E) Each board of directors, board of trustees, or other board that operates a facility that provides continuing care, or a committee of the board, shall hold meetings at least quarterly with the residents of the facility, or with a committee of the residents, for the purpose of discussing facility income, expenditures, and financial matters and proposed changes in facility policies, programs, and services. The board shall give residents or the committee of residents at least seven days' notice of each such meeting.

(F) A resident of a facility that provides continuing care may bring a civil action to enforce any of the rights granted under this section.

Section 173.14 | Long-term care ombudsman program definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in sections 173.14 to 173.28 of the Revised Code:

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

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

(b) A facility authorized to provide extended care services under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, including a long-term acute care hospital that provides medical and rehabilitative care to patients who require an average length of stay greater than twenty-five days and is classified by the centers for medicare and medicaid services as a long-term care hospital pursuant to 42 C.F.R. 412.23(e);

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

(d) A residential facility licensed under section 5119.34 of the Revised Code that provides accommodations, supervision, and personal care services for three to sixteen unrelated adults or accommodations and personal care services for only one or two adults who are receiving payments under the residential state supplement program established under section 5119.41 of the Revised Code;

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

(2) "Long-term care facility" does not include a residential facility licensed under section 5123.19 of the Revised Code.

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

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

(1) Case management;

(2) Home health care;

(3) Homemaker services;

(4) Chore services;

(5) Respite care;

(6) Adult day care;

(7) Home-delivered meals;

(8) Personal care;

(9) Physical, occupational, and speech therapy;

(10) Transportation;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(J) "Long-term care provider" means a long-term care facility or a provider of community-based long-term care services.

(K) "Advocacy visit" means a visit by a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program to a long-term care provider, a resident, or a recipient when the purpose of the visit is one or more of the following:

(1) To establish a regular presence that creates awareness of the availability of the office of the long-term care ombudsman program;

(2) To increase awareness of the services the office provides;

(3) To address any other matter not related to the representative's investigation of a specific complaint.

An advocacy visit may unexpectedly involve addressing uncomplicated complaints or lead to an investigation of a complaint when needed.

Section 173.15 | Office of state long-term care ombudsman program.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The state long-term care ombudsman program established by the department of aging pursuant to division (J) of section 173.01 of the Revised Code shall be known as "the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program." It shall consist of the state long-term care ombudsman, the ombudsman's staff, and regional long-term care ombudsman programs. In establishing and operating the office, the department shall consider the views of area agencies on aging, individuals age sixty or older, and agencies and other entities that provide services to individuals age sixty and older.

The department of aging shall appoint the state ombudsman, who shall serve at the pleasure of the department. The department shall appoint as state ombudsman an individual who has no conflict of interest with the position and is capable of administering the office impartially, has an understanding of long-term care issues, and has experience related to the concerns of residents and recipients, such as experience in the fields of aging, health care, and long-term care; work with community programs and health care providers; and work with and involvement in volunteer programs. No individual or entity whose interests are in conflict with the responsibilities of the state ombudsman shall be involved in the ombudsman's appointment.

The department shall ensure that no employee or representative of the office and no individual involved in the designation of the head of any regional long-term care ombudsman program has any interest that is, or may be, in conflict with the interests and concerns of the office and shall ensure that mechanisms are in place to remedy any conflicts.

For purposes of this section, conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to, employment by a long-term care provider within two years prior to being employed by or associated with the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program, affiliation with or financial interest in a long-term care provider, and affiliation with or financial interest in a membership organization of long-term care providers.

Section 173.16 | Designation of regional long-term care ombudsman programs.

• Effective: June 11, 1990
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 359 - 118th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall designate regions to be served by regional long-term care ombudsman programs.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, the state long-term care ombudsman shall designate regional programs in accordance with criteria established by the department of aging in rules which the department shall adopt under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The criteria shall include specifications regarding the sites of the regional programs' offices and requirements concerning staffing, levels of training required for staff members, program review, and tax exempt status for federal income tax purposes.

(C) An entity serving as a regional program on the effective date of this section shall be designated as a regional program unless the state ombudsman determines that the entity does not meet the requirements established under division (B) of this section, except that the state ombudsman may designate as a regional program an entity that does not meet the requirements if it is serving as a regional program on the effective date of this section and the state ombudsman determines that it is the best qualified program to serve the region.

(D) In an adjudication conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the state ombudsman may issue an adjudication order withdrawing or provisionally maintaining the designation of an entity as a regional program if it ceases to meet the criteria established pursuant to division (B) of this section or a conflict of interest develops between the regional program or a person associated with it and the office. If the designation of a regional program is provisionally maintained, the state ombudsman shall notify the program of the reasons for its provisional status, the changes or corrections necessary for the removal of its provisional status, the length of time it has to make the changes or corrections, and that the state ombudsman will withdraw the designation if the program does not comply with the requirements specified in the notice. If the designation of a regional program is withdrawn, the state ombudsman shall provide for the continuation of ombudsman services for that region.

Section 173.17 | State long-term care ombudsman; duties.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The state long-term care ombudsman shall do all of the following:

(1) Appoint a staff and direct and administer the work of the staff;

(2) Oversee the performance and operation of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program, including the operation of regional long-term care ombudsman programs;

(3) Establish and maintain a statewide uniform reporting system to collect and analyze information relating to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities and complaints regarding the provision of community-based long-term care services for the purpose of identifying and resolving significant problems;

(4) Provide for public forums to discuss concerns and problems relating to action, inaction, or decisions that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of residents, recipients and their representatives with respect to services by long-term care providers, public agencies and entities, and social service agencies. This may include any of the following: conducting public hearings; sponsoring workshops and conferences; holding meetings for the purpose of obtaining information about residents and recipients, discussing and publicizing their needs, and advocating solutions to their problems; and promoting the development of citizen organizations.

(5) Encourage, cooperate with, and assist in the development and operation of services to provide current, objective, and verified information about long-term care;

(6) Develop and implement, with the assistance of regional programs, a continuing program to publicize, through the media and civic organizations, the office, its purposes, and its methods of operation;

(7) Maintain written descriptions of the duties and qualifications of representatives of the office;

(8) Evaluate and make known concerns and issues regarding long-term care by doing all of the following:

(a) Preparing an annual report containing information and findings regarding the types of problems experienced by residents and recipients and the complaints made by or on behalf of residents and recipients. The report shall include recommendations for policy, regulatory, and legislative changes to solve problems, resolve complaints, and improve the quality of care and life for residents and recipients. The report shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the director of health, the medicaid director, the director of job and family services, the director of mental health and addiction services, and the assistant secretary for aging of the United States department of health and human services.

(b) Monitoring and analyzing the development and implementation of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and policies regarding long-term care services in this state and recommending to officials changes the office considers appropriate in those laws, rules, and policies;

(c) Providing information and making recommendations to public agencies, members of the general assembly, and others regarding problems and concerns of residents and recipients.

(9) Conduct training for employees and volunteers on the ombudsman's staff and for representatives of the office employed by regional programs;

(10) Monitor the training of representatives of the office who provide volunteer services to regional programs, and provide technical assistance to the regional programs in conducting the training;

(11) Issue certificates attesting to the successful completion of training and specifying the level of responsibility for which a representative of the office who has completed training is qualified;

(12) Register as a residents' rights advocate with the department of health under division (B) of section 3701.07 of the Revised Code;

(13) Conduct advocacy visits and authorize other representatives of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program to conduct advocacy visits;

(14) Perform other duties specified by the department of aging.

(B) The state ombudsman may delegate to any member of the ombudsman's staff any of the ombudsman's authority or duties set forth in sections 173.14 to 173.28 of the Revised Code other than any authority or duty required by federal law to be exercised or performed by the ombudsman. The state ombudsman is responsible for any authority or duties the ombudsman delegates.

Section 173.18 | Regional long-term care ombudsman program - duties.

• Effective: June 11, 1990
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 359 - 118th General Assembly

Each regional long-term care ombudsman program designated under section 173.16 of the Revised Code shall do all of the following:

(A) Provide ombudsman services for the region in which it is located;

(B) Employ representatives of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program or receive services from volunteers certified under section 173.21 of the Revised Code as representatives of the office, or both;

(C) Submit reports to the state long-term care ombudsman as he may require;

(D) Register as a residents' rights advocate with the department of health under division (B) of section 3701.07 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.19 | Investigating and resolving complaints.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The office of the state long-term care ombudsman program, through the state long-term care ombudsman and the regional long-term care ombudsman programs, shall receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints made by residents, recipients, sponsors, long-term care providers, or any person acting on behalf of a resident or recipient, relating to either of the following:

(1) The health, safety, welfare, or civil rights of a resident or recipient or any violation of a resident's rights described in sections 3721.10 to 3721.17 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any action or inaction or decision by any of the following that may adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or rights of a resident or recipient: a long-term care provider or a representative of a long-term care provider; a medicaid managed care organization, as defined in section 5167.01 of the Revised Code; a government entity; or a private social service agency.

(B) The department of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding the handling of complaints received under this section, including procedures for conducting investigations of complaints. The rules shall include procedures to ensure that no representative of the office investigates any complaint involving a long-term care provider with which the representative was once employed or associated.

The state ombudsman and regional programs shall establish procedures for handling complaints consistent with the department's rules. Complaints shall be dealt with in accordance with the procedures established under this division.

(C) The office of the state long-term care ombudsman program may decline to investigate any complaint if it determines any of the following:

(1) That the complaint is frivolous, vexatious, or not made in good faith;

(2) That the complaint was made so long after the occurrence of the incident on which it is based that it is no longer reasonable to conduct an investigation;

(3) That an adequate investigation cannot be conducted because of insufficient funds, insufficient staff, lack of staff expertise, or any other reasonable factor that would result in an inadequate investigation despite a good faith effort;

(4) That an investigation by the office would create a real or apparent conflict of interest.

(D) If a regional long-term care ombudsman program declines to investigate a complaint, it shall refer the complaint to the state long-term care ombudsman.

(E) Each complaint to be investigated by a regional program shall be assigned to a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program. If the representative determines that the complaint is valid, the representative shall assist the parties in attempting to resolve it. If the representative is unable to resolve it, the representative shall refer the complaint to the state ombudsman.

In order to carry out the duties of sections 173.14 to 173.28 of the Revised Code, a representative has the right to private communication with residents and their sponsors and access to long-term care facilities, including the right to tour resident areas unescorted and the right to tour facilities unescorted as reasonably necessary to the investigation of a complaint. Access to facilities shall be during reasonable hours or, during investigation of a complaint, at other times appropriate to the complaint.

When community-based long-term care services are provided at a location other than the recipient's home, a representative has the right to private communication with the recipient and the recipient's sponsors and access to the community-based long-term care site, including the right to tour the site unescorted. Access to the site shall be during reasonable hours or, during the investigation of a complaint, at other times appropriate to the complaint.

(F) The state ombudsman shall determine whether complaints referred to the ombudsman under division (D) or (E) of this section warrant investigation. The ombudsman's determination in this matter is final.

(G) No long-term care provider or other entity, no person employed by a long-term care provider or other entity, and no other individual shall do either of the following:

(1) Knowingly deny a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program the right to private communication or access described in division (E) of this section;

(2) Engage in willful interference.

As used in division (G)(2) of this section, "willful interference" means any action or inaction that is intended to prevent, interfere with, or impede a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program from exercising any of the rights or performing any of the duties of an ombudsman set forth in sections 173.14 to 173.28 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.20 | Access to records; subpoena power.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

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

(1) In writing by the resident or recipient;

(2) Orally by the resident or recipient, witnessed in writing at the time it is given by one other person;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(D) A representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program shall have access to any records of a long-term care provider reasonably necessary to an investigation conducted under this section, including but not limited to: incident reports, dietary records, policies and procedures of a facility required to be maintained under section 5165.06 of the Revised Code, admission agreements, staffing schedules, any document depicting the actual staffing pattern of the provider, any financial records that are matters of public record, resident council and grievance committee minutes, and any waiting list maintained by a facility in accordance with section 5165.08 of the Revised Code, or any similar records or lists maintained by a provider of community-based long-term care services. Pursuant to division (E) of this section, a representative shall be permitted to make or obtain copies of any of these records after giving the long-term care provider twenty-four hours' notice. A long-term care provider may impose a charge for providing copies of records under this division that does not exceed the actual and necessary expense of making the copies.

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

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

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

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

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

(J) To the extent permitted by federal law, a representative of the office may report to an appropriate authority any suspected violation of state law discovered during the course of an advocacy visit or investigation.

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

Section 173.21 | Training and certification programs.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The office of the state long-term care ombudsman program, through the state long-term care ombudsman and the regional long-term care ombudsman programs, shall require each representative of the office to complete training and certification in accordance with this section and to meet any continuing education requirements that may be established in rules adopted under division (B) of this section.

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

(1) Representatives shall complete a minimum of thirty-six hours of basic instruction, which shall be completed before the trainee is permitted to handle complaints without the supervision of a representative of the office certified under this section;

(2) Additional hours of instruction may include an internship, in-service training, and continuing education requirements as may be required in rules adopted under division (B) of this section;

(3) Representatives may be required to complete any other training considered appropriate by the department.

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

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

(E) Notwithstanding the requirements for a certification under this section, the department shall issue a certificate as a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to a person if either of the following applies:

(1) The person holds a license or certificate in another state.

(2) The person has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a representative of a state long-term care ombudsman program in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:07 AM

Section 173.22 | Confidential information.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of information by the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program shall be performed in a manner that protects complainants, individuals providing information about a complaint, public entities, and confidential records of residents or recipients. The identity of a resident or recipient, a complainant who is not a resident or recipient, or an individual providing information about a complaint shall not be disclosed without the written consent of the resident or recipient, complainant, or individual, or a legal representative of any of the foregoing, or except as required by court order.

The investigative files of the office and any records contained in those files, including any proprietary records of a long-term care provider or records relating to advocacy visits, are not public records subject to inspection or copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code and are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 1347. of the Revised Code. Information contained in investigative and other files maintained by the state long-term care ombudsman and regional long-term care ombudsman programs shall be disclosed only at the discretion of the state ombudsman or if disclosure is required by court order.

(B) No report prepared by the state ombudsman or a regional program shall include any information that violates the confidentiality requirements of this section. Proprietary records of a specific long-term care provider are subject to the confidentiality requirements of this section.

Section 173.23 | Immunity; false complaint; representation by attorney general.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Representatives of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program are immune from civil or criminal liability for any action taken in the good faith performance of their official duties under sections 173.14 to 173.26 of the Revised Code.

(B) A person acting in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability incident to any of the following: providing information to the office, participating in registration of a complaint with the office, participating in investigation of a complaint by the office, or participating in an administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from a complaint.

(C) No person shall knowingly register a false complaint with the office, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false complaint previously registered, when the statement is made with purpose to incriminate another.

(D) The attorney general shall provide legal counsel to the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program and to the regional long-term care ombudsman programs. The attorney general shall represent any representative of the office and any representative of a regional program against whom any legal action is brought in connection with the representative's official duties under sections 173.14 to 173.26 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.24 | Protection for disciplinary or retaliatory action.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Employee" and "employer" have the same meanings as in section 4113.51 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Retaliatory action" includes physical, mental, or verbal abuse; change of room assignment; withholding of services; failure to provide care in a timely manner; discharge; and termination of employment.

(B) An employee providing information to or participating in good faith in registering a complaint with the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program or participating in the investigation of a complaint or in administrative or judicial proceedings resulting from a complaint registered with the office shall have the full protection against disciplinary or retaliatory action provided by division (E) of section 3721.17 and by sections 4113.51 to 4113.53 of the Revised Code.

(C) No long-term care provider or other entity, no person employed by a long-term care provider or other entity, and no other individual shall knowingly subject any resident, recipient, employee, representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program, or another individual to any form of retaliation, reprisal, discipline, or discrimination for doing any of the following:

(1) Providing information to the office;

(2) Participating in registering a complaint with the office;

(3) Cooperating with or participating in the investigation of a complaint by the office or in administrative or judicial proceedings resulting from a complaint registered with the office.

Last updated September 14, 2023 at 2:39 PM

Section 173.25 | Cooperation and coordination with agencies.

• Effective: October 12, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly

The office of the state long-term care ombudsman program shall, in carrying out the provisions and purposes of sections 173.14 to 173.26 of the Revised Code, advise, consult, and cooperate with any agency, program, or other entity related to the purposes of the office. Any agency, program, or other entity related to the purposes of the office shall advise, consult, and cooperate with the office.

The office shall attempt to establish effective coordination with government-sponsored programs that provide legal services to the elderly and with protective and advocacy programs for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness.

Section 173.26 | Payment of fee per bed to department of aging.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Each of the following facilities shall annually pay to the department of aging six dollars for each bed the facility was licensed or otherwise authorized to maintain during any part of the previous year:

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

(2) Facilities authorized to provide extended care services under Title XVIII of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, including a long-term acute care hospital that provides medical and rehabilitative care to patients who require an average length of stay greater than twenty-five days and is classified by the centers for medicare and medicaid services as a long-term care hospital pursuant to 42 C.F.R. 412.23(e);

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

(4) Residential facilities licensed under section 5119.34 of the Revised Code that provide accommodations, supervision, and personal care services for three to sixteen unrelated adults;

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

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

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

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

Section 173.27 | Criminal records check of ombudsman applicants.

• Effective: December 22, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 217 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for employment by a responsible party in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients. "Applicant" includes a person who is under final consideration for employment as the state long-term care ombudsman or the head of a regional long-term care ombudsman program. "Applicant" does not include a person seeking to provide ombudsman services to residents and recipients as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

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

(3) "Disqualifying offense" means any of the offenses listed or described in divisions (A)(3)(a) to (e) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Employee" means a person employed by a responsible party in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients. "Employee" includes the person employed as the state long-term care ombudsman and a person employed as the head of a regional long-term care ombudsman program. "Employee" does not include a person who provides ombudsman services to residents and recipients as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(5) "Responsible party" means the following:

(a) In the case of an applicant who is under final consideration for employment as the state long-term care ombudsman or the person employed as the state long-term care ombudsman, the director of aging;

(b) In the case of any other applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the state long-term care ombudsman program or any other employee of the state long-term care ombudsman program, the state long-term care ombudsman;

(c) In the case of an applicant who is under final consideration for employment with a regional long-term care ombudsman program (including as the head of the regional program) or an employee of a regional long-term care ombudsman program (including the head of a regional program), the regional long-term care ombudsman program.

(B) A responsible party may not employ an applicant or continue to employ an employee in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients if any of the following apply:

(1) A review of the databases listed in division (D) of this section reveals any of the following:

(a) That the applicant or employee is included in one or more of the databases listed in divisions (D)(1) to (5) of this section;

(b) That there is in the state nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code a statement detailing findings by the director of health that the applicant or employee abused, neglected, or exploited a long-term care facility or residential care facility resident or misappropriated property of such a resident;

(c) That the applicant or employee is included in one or more of the databases, if any, specified in rules adopted under this section and the rules prohibit the responsible party from employing an applicant or continuing to employ an employee included in such a database in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients.

(2) After the applicant or employee is provided, pursuant to division (E)(2)(a) of this section, a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and the standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, the applicant or employee fails to complete the form or provide the applicant's or employee's fingerprint impressions on the standard impression sheet.

(3) Unless the applicant or employee meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section, the applicant or employee is found by a criminal records check required by this section to have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

(C) A responsible party or a responsible party's designee shall inform each applicant of both of the following at the time of the applicant's initial application for employment in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients:

(1) That a review of the databases listed in division (D) of this section will be conducted to determine whether the responsible party is prohibited by division (B)(1) of this section from employing the applicant in the position;

(2) That, unless the database review reveals that the applicant may not be employed in the position, a criminal records check of the applicant will be conducted and the applicant is required to provide a set of the applicant's fingerprint impressions as part of the criminal records check.

(D) As a condition of any applicant's being employed by a responsible party in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients, the responsible party or designee shall conduct a database review of the applicant in accordance with rules adopted under this section. If rules adopted under this section so require, the responsible party or designee shall conduct a database review of an employee in accordance with the rules as a condition of the responsible party continuing to employ the employee in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients. A database review shall determine whether the applicant or employee is included in any of the following:

(1) The excluded parties list system that is maintained by the United States general services administration pursuant to subpart 9.4 of the federal acquisition regulation and available at the federal web site known as the system for award management;

(2) The list of excluded individuals and entities maintained by the office of inspector general in the United States department of health and human services pursuant to section 1128 of the "Social Security Act," 94 Stat. 2619 (1980), 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7, as amended, and section 1156 of the "Social Security Act," 96 Stat. 388 (1982), 42 U.S.C. 1320c-5, as amended;

(3) The registry of developmental disabilities employees established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code;

(4) The internet-based sex offender and child-victim offender database established under division (A)(11) of section 2950.13 of the Revised Code;

(5) The internet-based database of inmates established under section 5120.66 of the Revised Code;

(6) The state nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code;

(7) Any other database, if any, specified in rules adopted under this section.

(E)(1) As a condition of any applicant's being employed by a responsible party in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients, the responsible party or designee shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of the applicant. If rules adopted under this section so require, the responsible party or designee shall request that the superintendent conduct a criminal records check of an employee at times specified in the rules as a condition of the responsible party continuing to employ the employee in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients. However, the responsible party or designee is not required to request the criminal records check of the applicant or employee if the responsible party is prohibited by division (B)(1) of this section from employing the applicant or continuing to employ the employee in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients. If an applicant or employee for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant or employee from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the responsible party or designee shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check. Even if an applicant or employee for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the responsible party or designee may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) A responsible party or designee shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide to each applicant and employee for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section;

(b) Obtain the completed form and standard impression sheet from the applicant or employee;

(c) Forward the completed form and standard impression sheet to the superintendent.

(3) A responsible party shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check the responsible party or the responsible party's designee requests under this section. The responsible party may charge an applicant a fee not exceeding the amount the responsible party pays to the bureau under this section if the responsible party or designee notifies the applicant at the time of initial application for employment of the amount of the fee.

(F)(1) A responsible party may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check is required by this section prior to obtaining the results of the criminal records check if both of the following apply:

(a) The responsible party is not prohibited by division (B)(1) of this section from employing the applicant in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients;

(b) The responsible party or designee requests the criminal records check in accordance with division (E) of this section before conditionally employing the applicant.

(2) A responsible party shall terminate the employment of an applicant employed conditionally under division (F)(1) of this section if the results of the criminal records check, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending sixty days after the date the request for the criminal records check is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the results indicate that the applicant has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense, the responsible party shall terminate the applicant's employment unless the applicant meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section that permit the responsible party to employ the applicant and the responsible party chooses to employ the applicant. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the applicant makes any attempt to deceive the responsible party or designee about the applicant's criminal record.

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

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

(2) The responsible party or designee;

(3) In the case of a criminal records check conducted for an applicant who is under final consideration for employment with a regional long-term care ombudsman program (including as the head of the regional program) or an employee of a regional long-term care ombudsman program (including the head of a regional program), the state long-term care ombudsman or a representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program who is responsible for monitoring the regional program's compliance with this section;

(4) A court or hearing officer involved in a case dealing with any of the following:

(a) A denial of employment of the applicant or employee;

(b) Employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant or employee;

(c) A civil or criminal action regarding the medicaid program or a program the department of aging administers.

(5) Pursuant to a lawful subpoena or valid court order, any necessary individual not identified in division (G)(4) of this section who is involved in a case dealing with any issue, matter, or action described in division (G)(4)(a), (b), or (c) of this section.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an applicant or employee who a responsible party employs in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients, all of the following shall apply:

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

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

(3) If the responsible party in good faith employed the applicant or employee because the applicant or employee meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section, the responsible party shall not be found negligent solely because the applicant or employee has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

(I) The state long-term care ombudsman may not act as the director of aging's designee for the purpose of this section. The head of a regional long-term care ombudsman program may not act as the regional program's designee for the purpose of this section if the head is the employee for whom a database review or criminal records check is being conducted.

(J) The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

(1) The rules may do the following:

(a) Require employees to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section;

(b) If the rules require employees to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section, exempt one or more classes of employees from the requirements;

(c) For the purpose of division (D)(7) of this section, specify other databases that are to be checked as part of a database review conducted under this section.

(2) The rules shall specify all of the following:

(a) The procedures for conducting database reviews under this section;

(b) If the rules require employees to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section, the times at which the database reviews and criminal records checks are to be conducted;

(c) If the rules specify other databases to be checked as part of the database reviews, the circumstances under which a responsible party is prohibited from employing an applicant or continuing to employ an employee who is found by a database review to be included in one or more of those databases;

(d) Standards that an applicant or employee must meet for a responsible party to be permitted to employ the applicant or continue to employ the employee in a position that involves providing ombudsman services to residents and recipients if the applicant or employee is found by a criminal records check required by this section to have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

Last updated January 18, 2022 at 12:52 PM

Section 173.28 | Additional Fines for certain violations.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "incident" means the occurrence of a violation with respect to a resident or recipient. A violation is a separate incident for each day it occurs and for each resident who is subject to it.

(B)(1) In lieu of the fine that may be imposed under division (A) of section 173.99 of the Revised Code for a criminal offense, the director of aging may, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, fine a long-term care provider or other entity, a person employed by a long-term care provider or other entity, or an individual for a violation of division (C) of section 173.24 of the Revised Code. The fine shall not exceed one thousand dollars per incident.

(2) In lieu of the fine that may be imposed under division (C) of section 173.99 of the Revised Code for a criminal offense, the director may, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, fine a long-term care provider or other entity, a person employed by a long-term care provider or other entity, or an individual for a violation of division (G)(1) or (2) of section 173.19 of the Revised Code. The fine shall not exceed five hundred dollars for each day the violation continued.

(C) On request of the director, the attorney general shall bring and prosecute to judgment a civil action to collect any fine imposed under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section that remains unpaid thirty days after the violator's final appeal is exhausted.

(D) All fines collected under this section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the state long-term care ombudsman program fund created under section 173.26 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.38 | Criminal records checks.

• Effective: December 22, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110, Senate Bill 217 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for employment with a responsible party in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or is referred to a responsible party by an employment service for such a position. "Applicant" does not include a person being considered for a direct-care position as a volunteer.

(2) "Area agency on aging" has the same meaning as in section 173.14 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Chief administrator of a responsible party" includes a consumer when the consumer is a responsible party.

(4) "Community-based long-term care services" means community-based long-term care services, as defined in section 173.14 of the Revised Code, that are provided under a program the department of aging administers.

(5) "Consumer" means an individual who receives community-based long-term care services.

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

(7)(a) "Direct-care position" means an employment position in which an employee has either or both of the following:

(i) In-person contact with one or more consumers;

(ii) Access to one or more consumers' personal property or records.

(b) "Direct-care position" does not include a person whose sole duties are transporting individuals under Chapter 306. of the Revised Code.

(8) "Disqualifying offense" means any of the offenses listed or described in divisions (A)(3)(a) to (e) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(9) "Employee" means a person employed by a responsible party in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position and a person who works in such a position due to being referred to a responsible party by an employment service. "Employee" does not include a person who works in a direct-care position as a volunteer.

(10) "PASSPORT administrative agency" has the same meaning as in section 173.42 of the Revised Code.

(11) "Provider" has the same meaning as in section 173.39 of the Revised Code.

(12) "Responsible party" means the following:

(a) An area agency on aging in the case of either of the following:

(i) A person who is an applicant because the person is under final consideration for employment with the agency in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or is referred to the agency by an employment service for such a position;

(ii) A person who is an employee because the person is employed by the agency in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or works in such a position due to being referred to the agency by an employment service.

(b) A PASSPORT administrative agency in the case of either of the following:

(i) A person who is an applicant because the person is under final consideration for employment with the agency in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or is referred to the agency by an employment service for such a position;

(ii) A person who is an employee because the person is employed by the agency in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or works in such a position due to being referred to the agency by an employment service.

(c) A provider in the case of either of the following:

(i) A person who is an applicant because the person is under final consideration for employment with the provider in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or is referred to the provider by an employment service for such a position;

(ii) A person who is an employee because the person is employed by the provider in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or works in such a position due to being referred to the provider by an employment service.

(d) A subcontractor in the case of either of the following:

(i) A person who is an applicant because the person is under final consideration for employment with the subcontractor in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or is referred to the subcontractor by an employment service for such a position;

(ii) A person who is an employee because the person is employed by the subcontractor in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position or works in such a position due to being referred to the subcontractor by an employment service.

(e) A consumer in the case of either of the following:

(i) A person who is an applicant because the person is under final consideration for employment with the consumer in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position for which the consumer, as the employer of record, is to direct the person in the provision of community-based long-term care services the person is to provide the consumer or is referred to the consumer by an employment service for such a position;

(ii) A person who is an employee because the person is employed by the consumer in a full-time, part-time, or temporary direct-care position for which the consumer, as the employer of record, directs the person in the provision of community-based long-term care services the person provides to the consumer or who works in such a position due to being referred to the consumer by an employment service.

(13) "Subcontractor" has the meaning specified in rules adopted under this section.

(14) "Volunteer" means a person who serves in a direct-care position without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(15) "Waiver agency" has the same meaning as in section 5164.342 of the Revised Code.

(B) This section does not apply to any individual who is subject to a database review or criminal records check under section 173.381 or 3740.11 of the Revised Code or to any individual who is subject to a criminal records check under section 3721.121 of the Revised Code.

(C) No responsible party shall employ an applicant or continue to employ an employee in a direct-care position if any of the following apply:

(1) A review of the databases listed in division (E) of this section reveals any of the following:

(a) That the applicant or employee is included in one or more of the databases listed in divisions (E)(1) to (5) of this section;

(b) That there is in the state nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code a statement detailing findings by the director of health that the applicant or employee abused, neglected, or exploited a long-term care facility or residential care facility resident or misappropriated property of such a resident;

(c) That the applicant or employee is included in one or more of the databases, if any, specified in rules adopted under this section and the rules prohibit the responsible party from employing an applicant or continuing to employ an employee included in such a database in a direct-care position.

(2) After the applicant or employee is provided, pursuant to division (F)(2)(a) of this section, a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and the standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, the applicant or employee fails to complete the form or provide the applicant's or employee's fingerprint impressions on the standard impression sheet.

(3) Unless the applicant or employee meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section, the applicant or employee is found by a criminal records check required by this section to have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

(D) Except as provided by division (G) of this section, the chief administrator of a responsible party shall inform each applicant of both of the following at the time of the applicant's initial application for employment or referral to the responsible party by an employment service for a direct-care position:

(1) That a review of the databases listed in division (E) of this section will be conducted to determine whether the responsible party is prohibited by division (C)(1) of this section from employing the applicant in the direct-care position;

(2) That, unless the database review reveals that the applicant may not be employed in the direct-care position, a criminal records check of the applicant will be conducted and the applicant is required to provide a set of the applicant's fingerprint impressions as part of the criminal records check.

(E) As a condition of employing any applicant in a direct-care position, the chief administrator of a responsible party shall conduct a database review of the applicant in accordance with rules adopted under this section. If rules adopted under this section so require, the chief administrator of a responsible party shall conduct a database review of an employee in accordance with the rules as a condition of continuing to employ the employee in a direct-care position. However, a chief administrator is not required to conduct a database review of an applicant or employee if division (G) of this section applies. A database review shall determine whether the applicant or employee is included in any of the following:

(1) The excluded parties list system that is maintained by the United States general services administration pursuant to subpart 9.4 of the federal acquisition regulation and available at the federal web site known as the system for award management;

(2) The list of excluded individuals and entities maintained by the office of inspector general in the United States department of health and human services pursuant to the "Social Security Act," sections 1128 and 1156, 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 1320c-5;

(3) The registry of developmental disabilities employees established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code;

(4) The internet-based sex offender and child-victim offender database established under division (A)(11) of section 2950.13 of the Revised Code;

(5) The internet-based database of inmates established under section 5120.66 of the Revised Code;

(6) The state nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code;

(7) Any other database, if any, specified in rules adopted under this section.

(F)(1) As a condition of employing any applicant in a direct-care position, the chief administrator of a responsible party shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of the applicant. If rules adopted under this section so require, the chief administrator of a responsible party shall request that the superintendent conduct a criminal records check of an employee at times specified in the rules as a condition of continuing to employ the employee in a direct-care position. However, the chief administrator is not required to request the criminal records check of the applicant or employee if division (G) of this section applies or the responsible party is prohibited by division (C)(1) of this section from employing the applicant or continuing to employ the employee in a direct-care position. If an applicant or employee for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant or employee from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check. Even if an applicant or employee for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the chief administrator may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) The chief administrator shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide to each applicant and employee for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section;

(b) Obtain the completed form and standard impression sheet from the applicant or employee;

(c) Forward the completed form and standard impression sheet to the superintendent.

(3) A responsible party shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check the responsible party requests under this section. A responsible party may charge an applicant a fee not exceeding the amount the responsible party pays to the bureau under this section if both of the following apply:

(a) The responsible party notifies the applicant at the time of initial application for employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the applicant will not be considered for employment.

(b) The medicaid program does not pay the responsible party for the fee it pays to the bureau under this section.

(G) Divisions (D) to (F) of this section do not apply with regard to an applicant or employee if the applicant or employee is referred to a responsible party by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for direct-care positions and both of the following apply:

(1) The chief administrator of the responsible party receives from the employment service confirmation that a review of the databases listed in division (E) of this section was conducted of the applicant or employee.

(2) The chief administrator of the responsible party receives from the employment service, applicant, or employee a report of the results of a criminal records check of the applicant or employee that has been conducted by the superintendent within the one-year period immediately preceding the following:

(a) In the case of an applicant, the date of the applicant's referral by the employment service to the responsible party;

(b) In the case of an employee, the date by which the responsible party would otherwise have to request a criminal records check of the employee under division (F) of this section.

(H)(1) A responsible party may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section prior to obtaining the results of the criminal records check if the responsible party is not prohibited by division (C)(1) of this section from employing the applicant in a direct-care position and either of the following applies:

(a) The chief administrator of the responsible party requests the criminal records check in accordance with division (F) of this section before conditionally employing the applicant.

(b) The applicant is referred to the responsible party by an employment service, the employment service or the applicant provides the chief administrator of the responsible party a letter that is on the letterhead of the employment service, the letter is dated and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service, and the letter states all of the following:

(i) That the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant;

(ii) That the requested criminal records check is to include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense;

(iii) That the employment service has not received the results of the criminal records check as of the date set forth on the letter;

(iv) That the employment service promptly will send a copy of the results of the criminal records check to the chief administrator of the responsible party when the employment service receives the results.

(2) If a responsible party employs an applicant conditionally pursuant to division (H)(1)(b) of this section, the employment service, on its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the chief administrator of the responsible party.

(3) A responsible party that employs an applicant conditionally pursuant to division (H)(1)(a) or (b) of this section shall terminate the applicant's employment if the results of the criminal records check, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending sixty days after the date the request for the criminal records check is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the results indicate that the applicant has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense, the responsible party shall terminate the applicant's employment unless the applicant meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section that permit the responsible party to employ the applicant and the responsible party chooses to employ the applicant. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the applicant makes any attempt to deceive the responsible party about the applicant's criminal record.

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

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

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

(3) The administrator of any other facility, agency, or program that provides community-based long-term care services that is owned or operated by the same entity that owns or operates the responsible party that requested the criminal records check;

(4) The employment service that requested the criminal records check;

(5) The director of aging or a person authorized by the director to monitor a responsible party's compliance with this section;

(6) The medicaid director and the staff of the department of medicaid who are involved in the administration of the medicaid program if any of the following apply:

(a) In the case of a criminal records check requested by a provider or subcontractor, the provider or subcontractor also is a waiver agency;

(b) In the case of a criminal records check requested by an employment service, the employment service makes the request for an applicant or employee the employment service refers to a provider or subcontractor that also is a waiver agency;

(c) The criminal records check is requested by a consumer who is acting as a responsible party.

(7) A court or hearing officer involved in a case dealing with any of the following:

(a) A denial of employment of the applicant or employee;

(b) Employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant or employee;

(c) A civil or criminal action regarding the medicaid program or a program the department of aging administers.

(8) Pursuant to a lawful subpoena or valid court order, any necessary individual not identified in division (I)(7) of this section who is involved in a case dealing with any issue, matter, or action described in division (I)(7)(a), (b), or (c) of this section.

(J) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an applicant or employee who a responsible party employs in a direct-care position, all of the following shall apply:

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

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

(3) If the responsible party in good faith employed the applicant or employee because the applicant or employee meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section, the responsible party shall not be found negligent solely because the applicant or employee has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

(K) The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

(1) The rules may do the following:

(a) Require employees to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section;

(b) If the rules require employees to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section, exempt one or more classes of employees from the requirements;

(c) For the purpose of division (E)(7) of this section, specify other databases that are to be checked as part of a database review conducted under this section.

(2) The rules shall specify all of the following:

(a) The meaning of the term "subcontractor";

(b) The procedures for conducting database reviews under this section;

(c) If the rules require employees to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section, the times at which the database reviews and criminal records checks are to be conducted;

(d) If the rules specify other databases to be checked as part of the database reviews, the circumstances under which a responsible party is prohibited from employing an applicant or continuing to employ an employee who is found by a database review to be included in one or more of those databases;

(e) Standards that an applicant or employee must meet for a responsible party to be permitted to employ the applicant or continue to employ the employee in a direct-care position if the applicant or employee is found by a criminal records check required by this section to have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated January 19, 2022 at 10:59 AM

Section 173.381 | Permissible actions based on criminal records check.

• Effective: December 22, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110, Senate Bill 217 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Community-based long-term care services" means community-based long-term care services, as defined in section 173.14 of the Revised Code, that are provided under a program the department of aging administers.

(2) "Community-based long-term care services certificate" means a certificate issued under section 173.391 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Community-based long-term care services contract or grant" means a contract or grant awarded under section 173.392 of the Revised Code.

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

(5) "Disqualifying offense" means any of the offenses listed or described in divisions (A)(3)(a) to (e) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Provider" has the same meaning as in section 173.39 of the Revised Code.

(7) "Self-employed provider" means a provider who works for the provider's self and has no employees.

(B) This section does not apply to any individual who is subject to a database review or criminal records check under section 3740.11 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) The department of aging or its designee shall take the following actions when the circumstances specified in division (C)(2) of this section apply:

(a) Refuse to issue a community-based long-term care services certificate to a self-employed provider;

(b) Revoke a self-employed provider's community-based long-term care services certificate;

(c) Refuse to award a community-based long-term care services contract or grant to a self-employed provider;

(d) Terminate a self-employed provider's community-based long-term care services contract or grant awarded on or after September 15, 2014.

(2) The following are the circumstances that require the department of aging or its designee to take action under division (C)(1) of this section:

(a) A review of the databases listed in division (E) of this section reveals any of the following:

(i) That the self-employed provider is included in one or more of the databases listed in divisions (E)(1) to (5) of this section;

(ii) That there is in the state nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code a statement detailing findings by the director of health that the self-employed provider abused, neglected, or exploited a long-term care facility or residential care facility resident or misappropriated property of such a resident;

(iii) That the self-employed provider is included in one or more of the databases, if any, specified in rules adopted under this section and the rules require the department or its designee to take action under division (C)(1) of this section if a self-employed provider is included in such a database.

(b) After the self-employed provider is provided, pursuant to division (F)(2)(a) of this section, a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and the standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, the self-employed provider fails to complete the form or provide the self-employed provider's fingerprint impressions on the standard impression sheet.

(c) Unless the self-employed provider meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section, the self-employed provider is found by a criminal records check required by this section to have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

(D) The department of aging or its designee shall inform each self-employed provider of both of the following at the time of the self-employed provider's initial application for a community-based long-term care services certificate or initial bid for a community-based long-term care services contract or grant:

(1) That a review of the databases listed in division (E) of this section will be conducted to determine whether the department or its designee is required by division (C) of this section to refuse to issue or award a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider;

(2) That, unless the database review reveals that the department or its designee is required to refuse to issue or award a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider, a criminal records check of the self-employed provider will be conducted and the self-employed provider is required to provide a set of the self-employed provider's fingerprint impressions as part of the criminal records check.

(E) As a condition of issuing or awarding a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to a self-employed provider, the department of aging or its designee shall conduct a database review of the self-employed provider in accordance with rules adopted under this section. If rules adopted under this section so require, the department or its designee shall conduct a database review of a self-employed provider in accordance with the rules as a condition of not revoking or terminating the self-employed provider's community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant. A database review shall determine whether the self-employed provider is included in any of the following:

(1) The excluded parties list system that is maintained by the United States general services administration pursuant to subpart 9.4 of the federal acquisition regulation and available at the federal web site known as the system for award management;

(2) The list of excluded individuals and entities maintained by the office of inspector general in the United States department of health and human services pursuant to the "Social Security Act," 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 1320c-5;

(3) The registry of developmental disabilities employees established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code;

(4) The internet-based sex offender and child-victim offender database established under division (A)(11) of section 2950.13 of the Revised Code;

(5) The internet-based database of inmates established under section 5120.66 of the Revised Code;

(6) The state nurse aide registry established under section 3721.32 of the Revised Code;

(7) Any other database, if any, specified in rules adopted under this section.

(F)(1) As a condition of issuing or awarding a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to a self-employed provider, the department of aging or its designee shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of the self-employed provider. If rules adopted under this section so require, the department or its designee shall request that the superintendent conduct a criminal records check of a self-employed provider at times specified in the rules as a condition of not revoking or terminating the self-employed provider's community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant. However, the department or its designee is not required to request the criminal records check of the self-employed provider if the department or its designee, because of circumstances specified in division (C)(2)(a) of this section, is required to refuse to issue or award a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider or to revoke or terminate the self-employed provider's certificate or contract or grant.

If a self-employed provider for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the self-employed provider from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the department or its designee shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check. Even if a self-employed provider for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the department or its designee may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) The department or its designee shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide to each self-employed provider for whom a criminal records check request is required by this section a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section;

(b) Obtain the completed form and standard impression sheet from the self-employed provider;

(c) Forward the completed form and standard impression sheet to the superintendent.

(3) The department or its designee shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check of a self-employed provider the department or its designee requests under this section. The department or its designee may charge the self-employed provider a fee that does not exceed the amount the department or its designee pays to the bureau.

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

(1) The self-employed provider or the self-employed provider's representative;

(2) The department of aging, the department's designee, or a representative of the department or its designee;

(3) The medicaid director and the staff of the department of medicaid who are involved in the administration of the medicaid program if the self-employed provider is to provide, or provides, community-based long-term care services under a component of the medicaid program that the department of aging administers;

(4) A court or hearing officer involved in a case dealing with any of the following:

(a) A refusal to issue or award a community-based long-term services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider;

(b) A revocation or termination of the self-employed provider's community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant;

(c) A civil or criminal action regarding a program the department of aging administers.

(5) Pursuant to a lawful subpoena or valid court order, any necessary individual not identified in division (G)(4) of this section who is involved in a case dealing with any issue, matter, or action described in division (G)(4)(a), (b), or (c) of this section.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by a self-employed provider, both of the following shall apply:

(1) If the department of aging or its designee, in good faith and reasonable reliance on the report of a criminal records check requested under this section, issued or awarded a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider or did not revoke or terminate the self-employed provider's certificate or contract or grant, the department and its designee shall not be found negligent solely because of its reliance on the report, even if the information in the report is determined later to have been incomplete or inaccurate.

(2) If the department or its designee in good faith issued or awarded a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider or did not revoke or terminate the self-employed provider's certificate or contract or grant because the self-employed provider meets standards specified in rules adopted under this section, the department and its designee shall not be found negligent solely because the self-employed provider has been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

(I) The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

(1) The rules may do the following:

(a) Require self-employed providers who have been issued or awarded community-based long-term care services certificates or community-based long-term care services contracts or grants to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section;

(b) If the rules require self-employed providers who have been issued or awarded community-based long-term care services certificates or community-based long-term care services contracts or grants to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section, exempt one or more classes of such self-employed providers from the requirements;

(c) For the purpose of division (E)(7) of this section, specify other databases that are to be checked as part of a database review conducted under this section.

(2) The rules shall specify all of the following:

(a) The procedures for conducting database reviews under this section;

(b) If the rules require self-employed providers who have been issued or awarded community-based long-term care services certificates or community-based long-term care services contracts or grants to undergo database reviews and criminal records checks under this section, the times at which the database reviews and criminal records checks are to be conducted;

(c) If the rules specify other databases to be checked as part of the database reviews, the circumstances under which the department of aging or its designee is required to refuse to issue or award a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to a self-employed provider or to revoke or terminate a self-employed provider's certificate or contract or grant when the self-employed provider is found by a database review to be included in one or more of those databases;

(d) Standards that a self-employed provider must meet for the department or its designee to be permitted to issue or award a community-based long-term care services certificate or community-based long-term care services contract or grant to the self-employed provider or not to revoke or terminate the self-employed provider's certificate or contract or grant if the self-employed provider is found by a criminal records check required by this section to have been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for a disqualifying offense.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated January 19, 2022 at 10:59 AM

Section 173.39 | Community-based long-term care - provider certification for payment.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in sections 173.39 to 173.393 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Provider" means a person or government entity that provides any services, including community-based long-term care services, under a program the department of aging administers. "Provider" includes a person or government entity that provides home and community-based services to older adults through the PASSPORT program or assisted living program.

(2) "Community-based long-term care services" has the same meaning as in section 173.14 of the Revised Code.

(3) "PASSPORT program" and "assisted living program" have the same meanings as in section 173.51 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of aging shall not pay a provider for providing any service, including community-based long-term care services, under the PASSPORT program or assisted living program unless the provider is certified under section 173.391 of the Revised Code and the service is in fact provided.

The department may require a provider under any other program the department administers to be certified under section 173.391 of the Revised Code. If the department requires this certification, the department shall not pay the provider for providing any service under that program unless the provider is certified under section 173.391 of the Revised Code and the service is in fact provided. If the department does not require this certification, the department shall not pay the provider for providing any service under that program unless the provider complies with section 173.392 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 5, 2021 at 1:47 PM

Section 173.391 | Requirements for provider certification - disciplinary action.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Subject to section 173.381 of the Revised Code and except as provided in division (I) of this section, the department of aging or its designee shall do all of the following in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code:

(1) Certify a provider to provide services, including community-based long-term care services, under a program the department administers if the provider satisfies the requirements for certification established by rules adopted under division (B) of this section and pays the fee, if any, established by rules adopted under division (G) of this section;

(2) When required to do so by rules adopted under division (B) of this section, take one or more of the following disciplinary actions against a provider certified under division (A)(1) of this section:

(a) Issue a written warning;

(b) Require the submission of a plan of correction or evidence of compliance with requirements identified by the department;

(c) Suspend referrals;

(d) Remove clients;

(e) Impose a fiscal sanction such as a civil monetary penalty or an order that unearned funds be repaid;

(f) Suspend the certification;

(g) Revoke the certification;

(h) Impose another sanction.

(3) Except as provided in division (E) of this section, hold hearings when there is a dispute between the department or its designee and a provider concerning actions the department or its designee takes regarding a decision not to certify the provider under division (A)(1) of this section or a disciplinary action under divisions (A)(2)(e) to (h) of this section.

(B) The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing certification requirements and standards for determining which type of disciplinary action to take under division (A)(2) of this section in individual situations. The rules shall establish procedures for all of the following:

(1) Ensuring that providers comply with sections 173.38 and 173.381 of the Revised Code;

(2) Evaluating the services provided by the providers to ensure that the services are provided in a quality manner advantageous to the individual receiving the services;

(3) In a manner consistent with section 173.381 of the Revised Code, determining when to take disciplinary action under division (A)(2) of this section and which disciplinary action to take;

(4) Determining what constitutes another sanction for purposes of division (A)(2)(h) of this section.

(C) The procedures established in rules adopted under division (B)(2) of this section shall require that all of the following be considered as part of an evaluation described in division (B)(2) of this section:

(1) The provider's experience and financial responsibility;

(2) The provider's ability to comply with standards for the services, including community-based long-term care services, that the provider provides under a program the department administers;

(3) The provider's ability to meet the needs of the individuals served;

(4) Any other factor the director considers relevant.

(D) The rules adopted under division (B)(3) of this section shall specify that the reasons disciplinary action may be taken under division (A)(2) of this section include good cause, including misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, confirmed abuse or neglect, financial irresponsibility, or other conduct the director determines is injurious, or poses a threat, to the health or safety of individuals being served.

(E) Subject to division (F) of this section, the department is not required to hold hearings under division (A)(3) of this section if any of the following conditions apply:

(1) Rules adopted by the director of aging pursuant to this chapter require the provider to be a party to a provider agreement; hold a license, certificate, or permit; or maintain a certification, any of which is required or issued by a state or federal government entity other than the department of aging, and either of the following is the case:

(a) The provider agreement has not been entered into or the license, certificate, permit, or certification has not been obtained or maintained.

(b) The provider agreement, license, certificate, permit, or certification has been denied, revoked, not renewed, or suspended or has been otherwise restricted.

(2) The provider's certification under this section has been denied, suspended, or revoked for any of the following reasons:

(a) A government entity of this state, other than the department of aging, has terminated or refused to renew any of the following held by, or has denied any of the following sought by, a provider: a provider agreement, license, certificate, permit, or certification. Division (E)(2)(a) of this section applies regardless of whether the provider has entered into a provider agreement in, or holds a license, certificate, permit, or certification issued by, another state.

(b) The provider or a principal owner or manager of the provider who provides direct care has entered a guilty plea for, or has been convicted of, an offense materially related to the medicaid program.

(c) A principal owner or manager of the provider who provides direct care has entered a guilty plea for, been convicted of, or been found eligible for intervention in lieu of conviction for an offense listed or described in divisions (A)(3)(a) to (e) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, but only if the provider, principal owner, or manager does not meet standards specified by the director in rules adopted under section 173.38 of the Revised Code.

(d) The department or its designee is required by section 173.381 of the Revised Code to deny or revoke the provider's certification.

(e) The United States department of health and human services has taken adverse action against the provider and that action impacts the provider's participation in the medicaid program.

(f) The provider has failed to enter into or renew a provider agreement with the PASSPORT administrative agency, as that term is defined in section 173.42 of the Revised Code, that administers programs on behalf of the department of aging in the region of the state in which the provider is certified to provide services.

(g) The provider has not billed or otherwise submitted a claim to the department for payment under the medicaid program in at least two years.

(h) The provider denied or failed to provide the department or its designee access to the provider's facilities during the provider's normal business hours for purposes of conducting an audit or structural compliance review.

(i) The provider has ceased doing business.

(j) The provider has voluntarily relinquished its certification for any reason.

(3) The provider's provider agreement with the department of medicaid has been suspended under section 5164.36 of the Revised Code.

(4) The provider's provider agreement with the department of medicaid is denied or revoked because the provider or its owner, officer, authorized agent, associate, manager, or employee has been convicted of an offense that caused the provider agreement to be suspended under section 5164.36 of the Revised Code.

(F) If the department does not hold hearings when any condition described in division (E) of this section applies, the department shall send a notice to the provider describing a decision not to certify the provider under division (A)(1) of this section or the disciplinary action the department is taking under divisions (A)(2)(e) to (h) of this section. The notice shall be sent to the provider's address that is on record with the department and may be sent by regular mail.

(G) The director of aging may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing a fee to be charged by the department of aging or its designee for certification issued under division (A) of this section.

(H) Any amounts collected by the department or its designee under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the provider certification fund, which is hereby created. Money credited to the fund shall be used to pay for services, including community-based long-term care services, to pay for administrative costs associated with provider certification under this section, and to pay for administrative costs related to the publication of the Ohio long-term care consumer guide.

(I) The director shall certify a provider in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code if either of the following applies:

(1) The provider is licensed or certified in another state.

(2) The provider has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a provider of community-based long-term care services under a state program in a state that does not issue that license or certificate.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 7:35 AM

Section 173.392 | Payment of noncertified provider.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) In the case of a provider that the department of aging under section 173.39 of the Revised Code has not required to be certified under section 173.391 of the Revised Code, the department may pay the provider for providing services, including community-based long-term care services, under a program the department administers but only if all of the following are the case:

(1) The provider has a contract with the department of aging or the department's designee to provide the services in accordance with the contract or has received a grant from the department or its designee to provide the services in accordance with a grant agreement;

(2) The contract or grant agreement includes detailed conditions of participation for the provider and service standards that the provider is required to satisfy;

(3) The provider complies with the contract or grant agreement;

(4) The contract or grant is not for medicaid-funded services, other than services provided under the PACE program administered by the department of aging under section 173.50 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing both of the following:

(a) Contracts and grant agreements between the department of aging or its designee and providers;

(b) The department's payment for services, including community-based long-term care services, under this section.

(2) The rules adopted under this section shall be consistent with section 173.381 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 5, 2021 at 1:48 PM

Section 173.393 | Provider evaluation records as public records.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the records of an evaluation conducted in accordance with rules adopted under division (B)(2) of section 173.391 of the Revised Code are public records for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall be made available on request of any person, including individuals receiving or seeking any services, including community-based long-term care services, under a program the department of aging administers.

(B) A part of a record of an evaluation that is otherwise available as a public record under division (A) of this section is not available as a public record if its release would violate a federal or state statute, regulation, or rule, including regulations adopted by the United States department of health and human services to implement the health information privacy provisions of the "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996," 110 Stat. 1955, 42 U.S.C. 1320d, et seq., as amended.

Last updated August 5, 2021 at 1:48 PM

Section 173.41 | Statewide aging and disabilities resource network.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall promote the development of a statewide aging and disabilities resource network through which older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers are provided with both of the following:

(1) Information on any long-term care service options available to the individuals;

(2) Streamlined access to long-term care services, both publicly funded services and services available through private payment.

(B) Area agencies on aging shall establish the network throughout the state. In doing so, the agencies shall collaborate with centers for independent living and other locally funded organizations to establish a cost-effective and consumer-friendly network that builds on existing, local infrastructures of services that support consumers in their communities.

Section 173.42 | Long-term care consultation program.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 160 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in sections 173.42 to 173.434 of the Revised Code:

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

(2) "Department of aging-administered medicaid waiver component" means each of the following:

(a) The medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program created under section 173.52 of the Revised Code;

(b) The medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program created under section 173.54 of the Revised Code;

(c) Any other medicaid waiver component, as defined in section 5166.01 of the Revised Code, that the department of aging administers pursuant to an interagency agreement with the department of medicaid under section 5162.35 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers" means all of the following:

(a) Medicaid waiver services available to a participant in a department of aging-administered medicaid waiver component;

(b) The following medicaid state plan services available to a participant in a department of aging-administered medicaid waiver component as specified in rules adopted under section 5164.02 of the Revised Code:

(i) Home health services;

(ii) Private duty nursing services;

(iii) Durable medical equipment;

(iv) Services of a clinical nurse specialist;

(v) Services of a certified nurse practitioner.

(c) Services available to a participant of the PACE program.

(4) "Long-term care consultation" or "consultation" means the consultation service made available by the department of aging or a program administrator through the long-term care consultation program established pursuant to this section.

(5) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

(6) "PACE program" means the component of the medicaid program the department of aging administers pursuant to section 173.50 of the Revised Code.

(7) "PASSPORT administrative agency" means an entity under contract with the department of aging to provide administrative services regarding the PASSPORT program.

(8) "Program administrator" means an area agency on aging or other entity under contract with the department of aging to administer the long-term care consultation program in a geographic region specified in the contract.

(9) "Representative" means a person acting on behalf of an individual who is the subject of a long-term care consultation. A representative may be a family member, attorney, hospital social worker, or any other person chosen to act on behalf of the individual.

(B) The department of aging shall develop a long-term care consultation program whereby individuals or their representatives are provided with long-term care consultations and receive through these professional consultations information about options available to meet long-term care needs and information about factors to consider in making long-term care decisions. The long-term care consultations may be provided at any appropriate time, including either prior to or after the individual who is the subject of a consultation has been admitted to a nursing facility or granted assistance in receiving home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers.

(C) The long-term care consultation program shall be administered by the department of aging, except that the department may have the program administered on a regional basis by one or more program administrators. The department and each program administrator shall administer the program in such a manner that all of the following are included:

(1) Coordination and collaboration with respect to all available funding sources for long-term care services;

(2) Assessments of individuals regarding their long-term care service needs;

(3) Assessments of individuals regarding their on-going eligibility for long-term care services;

(4) Procedures for assisting individuals in obtaining access to, and coordination of, health and supportive services, including department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components;

(5) Priorities for using available resources efficiently and effectively.

(D) The program's long-term care consultations shall be provided by individuals certified by the department under section 173.422 of the Revised Code.

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

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

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

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

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

(5) If the individual is a veteran, as defined in section 5901.01 of the Revised Code, or the spouse, surviving spouse, or representative of the veteran, both of the following:

(a) The availability of health care or financial benefits through the United States department of veterans affairs;

(b) Information about congressionally chartered veterans service organizations or the county veterans service office that can assist with investigating and applying for benefits through the United States department of veterans affairs.

(F) An individual's long-term care consultation may include an assessment of the individual's functional capabilities. The consultation may incorporate portions of the determinations required under sections 5119.40, 5123.021, and 5165.03 of the Revised Code and may be provided concurrently with the assessment required under section 173.546 or 5165.04 of the Revised Code.

(G) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, a long-term care consultation shall be provided to each individual for whom the department or a program administrator determines such a consultation is appropriate.

(H) A long-term care consultation shall be completed within the applicable time frames specified in rules adopted under this section.

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

(1) The department or a program administrator has attempted to provide the consultation, but the individual or the individual's representative refuses to cooperate;

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

(3) The individual has a contractual right to admission to a nursing facility operated as part of a system of continuing care in conjunction with one or more facilities that provide a less intensive level of services, including a residential care facility licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code, a residential facility licensed under section 5119.34 of the Revised Code that provides accommodations, supervision, and personal care services for three to sixteen unrelated adults, or an independent living arrangement;

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

(5) The individual is seeking admission to a facility that is not a nursing facility with a provider agreement under section 5165.07, 5165.511, or 5165.512 of the Revised Code;

(6) Pursuant to rules that may be adopted under this section, the department or a program administrator has exempted the individual from receiving the long-term care consultation.

(J) As part of the long-term care consultation program, the department or a program administrator may assist an individual or individual's representative in accessing all sources of care and services that are appropriate for the individual and for which the individual is eligible, including all available home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers. The assistance may include providing for the conduct of assessments or other evaluations and the development of individualized plans of care or services under section 173.424 of the Revised Code.

(K) No nursing facility for which an operator has a provider agreement under section 5165.07, 5165.511, or 5165.512 of the Revised Code shall admit as a resident any individual described in division (G) of this section, unless the nursing facility has received evidence that a long-term care consultation has been completed for the individual or division (I) of this section is applicable to the individual.

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

(1) Procedures for providing long-term care consultations;

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

(3) Criteria and procedures to be used to identify and recommend appropriate service options for an individual receiving a long-term care consultation;

(4) Criteria for exempting individuals from receiving a long-term care consultation;

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

(6) Criteria for identifying individuals for whom a long-term care consultation is appropriate, including nursing facility residents who would benefit from the consultation;

(7) A description of the types of information from a nursing facility that is needed under the long-term care consultation program to assist a resident with relocation from the facility;

(8) Standards to prevent conflicts of interest relative to the referrals made by a person who performs a long-term care consultation, including standards that prohibit the person from being employed by a provider of long-term care services;

(9) Procedures for providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing under division (N) of this section;

(10) Time frames for providing or completing a long-term care consultation;

(11) Any other standards or procedures the director considers necessary for the program.

(M) To assist the department and each program administrator with identifying individuals for whom a long-term care consultation is appropriate, the department and program administrator may ask to be given access to nursing facility resident assessment data collected through the use of the resident assessment instrument specified in rules authorized by section 5165.191 of the Revised Code for purposes of the medicaid program. Except when prohibited by state or federal law, the department of health, department of medicaid, or nursing facility holding the data shall grant access to the data on receipt of the request from the department of aging or program administrator.

(N)(1) The director of aging, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may fine a nursing facility an amount determined by rules the director shall adopt in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for any of the following reasons:

(a) The nursing facility violates division (K) of this section;

(b) The nursing facility denies a person attempting to provide a long-term care consultation access to the facility or a resident of the facility;

(c) The nursing facility denies the department of aging or a program administrator access to the facility or a resident of the facility, as the department or administrator considers necessary to administer the program.

(2) In accordance with section 5162.66 of the Revised Code, all fines collected under division (N)(1) of this section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the residents protection fund.

Last updated July 14, 2022 at 3:18 PM

Section 173.421 | Periodic or follow-up long-term care consultations.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

As part of the long-term care consultation program established under section 173.42 of the Revised Code, the department of aging may establish procedures for the conduct of periodic or follow-up long-term care consultations for residents of nursing facilities, including annual or more frequent reassessments of the residents' functional capabilities. If the procedures are established, the department or program administrator shall assign individuals to nursing facilities to serve as care managers within the facilities. The individuals assigned shall be individuals who are certified under section 173.422 of the Revised Code to provide long-term care consultations.

Section 173.422 | Certification to conduct long-term care consultation.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall certify individuals who meet certification requirements established by rule to provide long-term care consultations for purposes of sections 173.42 and 173.421 of the Revised Code. The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the certification process and requirements. The rules shall specify the education, experience, or training in long-term care a person must have to qualify for certification.

(B) Notwithstanding the requirements for a certification under division (A) of this section, the department shall issue a certification to provide long-term care consultations in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to a person if either of the following applies:

(1) The person holds a license or certification in another state.

(2) The person has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a provider of long-term care consultations in a state that does not issue that license or certification.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 7:34 AM

Section 173.423 | Monitoring of home and community-based services elections.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

If an individual who is the subject of a long-term care consultation is eligible for and elects to receive home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers, the department of aging or program administrator shall monitor the individual by doing either or both of the following at least once each year:

(A) Determining whether the services being provided to the individual are appropriate;

(B) Determining whether changes in the types of services being provided to the individual should be made.

Section 173.424 | Compliance with federal law.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

If, under federal law, an individual's eligibility for the home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers is dependent on the conduct of an assessment or other evaluation of the individual's needs and capabilities and the development of an individualized plan of care or services, the department shall develop and implement all procedures necessary to comply with the federal law. The procedures may include the use of long-term care consultations.

Section 173.43 | Interagency agreement for unified long-term care budget for home and community-based services.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall enter into an interagency agreement with the department of medicaid under section 5162.35 of the Revised Code under which the department of aging is required to establish for each biennium a unified long-term care budget for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers. The interagency agreement shall require the department of aging to do all of the following:

(1) Administer the unified long-term care budget in accordance with sections 173.43 to 173.434 of the Revised Code and the general assembly's appropriations for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers for the applicable biennium;

(2) Contract with each PASSPORT administrative agency for assistance in the administration of the unified long-term care budget;

(3) Provide individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers a choice of services that meet the individuals' needs and improve their quality of life;

(4) Provide a continuum of services that meet the life-long needs of individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers.

(B) The director of budget and management shall create new appropriation items as necessary for establishment of the unified long-term care budget.

Section 173.431 | Administration of budget.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

The department of aging shall ensure that the unified long-term care budget established under section 173.43 of the Revised Code is administered in a manner that provides medicaid coverage of and expands access to all of the following as necessary to meet the needs of individuals receiving home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers:

(A) To the extent permitted by the medicaid waivers authorizing department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components, all of the following medicaid waiver services provided under department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components:

(1) Personal care services;

(2) Home-delivered meals;

(3) Adult day-care;

(4) Homemaker services;

(5) Emergency response services;

(6) Medical equipment and supplies;

(7) Chore services;

(8) Social work counseling;

(9) Nutritional counseling;

(10) Independent living assistance;

(11) Medical transportation;

(12) Nonmedical transportation;

(13) Home care attendant services;

(14) Assisted living services;

(15) Community transition services;

(16) Enhanced community living services;

(17) All other medicaid waiver services provided under department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components.

(B) All of the following state medicaid plan services as specified in rules adopted under section 5164.02 of the Revised Code:

(1) Home health services;

(2) Private duty nursing services;

(3) Durable medical equipment;

(4) Services of a clinical nurse specialist;

(5) Services of a certified nurse practitioner.

(C) The services that the PACE program provides.

Section 173.432 | Care management and authorization services.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

The department of aging or its designee shall provide care management and authorization services with regard to the state plan services specified in division (B) of section 173.431 of the Revised Code that are provided to participants of department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components. The department or its designee shall ensure that no person providing the care management and authorization services performs an activity that may not be performed without a valid certificate or license issued by an agency of this state unless the person holds the valid certificate or license.

Section 173.434 | Adoption of rules.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

To the extent authorized by rules authorized by section 5162.021 of the Revised Code, the director of aging shall adopt rules that are needed to implement sections 173.43 to 173.432 of the Revised Code. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Section 173.44 | Survey of nursing homes and residential care facilities.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "nursing home" and "residential care facility" have the same meanings as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of aging may conduct an annual survey of nursing homes and residential care facilities. The survey shall include questions about capacity, occupancy, and private pay charges. The department may contract with an outside entity to conduct the survey and analyze the results. The results of the survey and any analysis completed by the department or its designee shall be made available to the general assembly, other state agencies, nursing home and residential care facility providers, and the general public.

(C) No nursing home or residential care facility shall recklessly fail to complete the survey.

Section 173.45 | Facilities definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

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

(A) "Residential facility" means a residential facility licensed under section 5119.34 of the Revised Code that provides accommodations, supervision, and personal care services for three to sixteen unrelated adults.

(B) "Community-based long-term care services" has the same meaning as in section 173.14 of the Revised Code.

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

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

(E) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.46 | Long-term care consumer guide.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall develop and publish a guide to long-term care facilities for use by individuals considering long-term care facility admission and their families, friends, and advisors. The guide, which shall be titled the Ohio long-term care consumer guide, may be published in printed form or in electronic form for distribution over the internet. The guide may be developed as a continuation or modification of the guide published by the department prior to September 29, 2005, under rules adopted under section 173.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) The Ohio long-term care consumer guide shall include information on each long-term care facility in this state. For each facility, the guide shall include the following information, as applicable to the facility:

(1) Information regarding the facility's compliance with state statutes and rules and federal statutes and regulations;

(2) Information generated by the centers for medicare and medicaid services of the United States department of health and human services from the quality measures developed as part of its nursing home quality initiative;

(3) Results of the customer satisfaction surveys conducted under section 173.47 of the Revised Code;

(4) Any other information the department specifies in rules adopted under section 173.49 of the Revised Code.

(C) The Ohio long-term care consumer guide may include information on residential facilities and providers of community-based long-term care services. The department may adopt rules under section 173.49 of the Revised Code to specify the information to be included in the guide pursuant to this division.

Section 173.47 | Customer satisfaction survey for long-term care facilities.

• Effective: July 1, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

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

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

Section 173.48 | Fees for consumer care guide; long-term care consumer guide fund.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A)(1) The department of aging may charge annual fees to long-term care facilities for the publication of the Ohio long-term care consumer guide, as well as late penalties if applicable. The department may contract with any person or government entity to collect the fees on its behalf. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited in accordance with division (B) of this section.

(2) Except as provided in division (A)(3) of this section, the annual fees charged under this section shall not exceed the following amounts:

(a) For each long-term care facility that is a nursing home, six hundred fifty dollars;

(b) For each long-term care facility that is a residential care facility:

(i) Until June 30, 2016, three hundred dollars;

(ii) Beginning July 1, 2016, three hundred fifty dollars.

(3) The department, by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may establish deadlines for the payment of the annual fees charged under this section. If the annual fee is not received by the department within ninety days of any deadline established by the department, the rules may require a long-term care facility to pay a late penalty equal to and in addition to the amount of the annual fee charged under this section.

(4) Unless prohibited by federal law, fees paid by a long-term care facility that is a nursing facility, including late penalties, shall be reimbursed through the medicaid program.

(B) There is hereby created in the state treasury the long-term care consumer guide fund. Money collected from the fees charged for the publication of the Ohio long-term care consumer guide under division (A) of this section and any late penalties shall be credited to the fund. The department shall use money in the fund for costs associated with publishing the Ohio long-term care consumer guide, including, but not limited to, costs incurred in conducting or providing for the conduct of customer satisfaction surveys.

Section 173.49 | Implementing rules to be adopted by department.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

The department of aging shall adopt rules as the department considers necessary to implement and administer sections 173.45 to 173.48 of the Revised Code. The rules shall be adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Section 173.50 | PACE administration.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Pursuant to a contract entered into with the department of medicaid as an interagency agreement under section 5162.35 of the Revised Code, the department of aging shall carry out the day-to-day administration of the component of the medicaid program known as the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly or PACE. The department of aging shall carry out its PACE administrative duties in accordance with the provisions of the interagency agreement and all applicable federal laws, including the "Social Security Act," section 1934, 42 U.S.C. 1396u-4.

(B) To the extent authorized by rules authorized by section 5162.021 of the Revised Code, the director of aging may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding the PACE program, including rules establishing priorities for enrolling in the program pursuant to section 173.501 of the Revised Code. The rules shall address only those issues that are not addressed in rules adopted by the medicaid director for the PACE program.

Section 173.501 | Home first component of PACE.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 45 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

"Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

"PACE provider" has the same meaning as in the "Social Security Act," section 1934(a)(3), 42 U.S.C. 1396u-4(a)(3).

(B) The department of aging shall establish a home first component of the PACE program under which eligible individuals may be enrolled in the PACE program in accordance with this section. An individual is eligible for the PACE program's home first component if both of the following apply:

(1) The individual has been determined to be eligible for the PACE program.

(2) At least one of the following applies:

(a) The individual has been admitted to a nursing facility.

(b) A physician has determined and documented that the individual has a medical condition that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PACE program, will require the individual to be admitted to a nursing facility within thirty days of the physician's determination.

(c) The individual has been hospitalized and a physician has determined and documented that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PACE program, the individual is to be transported directly from the hospital to a nursing facility and admitted.

(d) Both of the following apply:

(i) The individual is the subject of a report made under section 5101.63 of the Revised Code regarding abuse, neglect, or exploitation or such a report referred to a county department of job and family services under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code or has made a request to a county department for protective services as defined in section 5101.60 of the Revised Code.

(ii) A county department of job and family services and an area agency on aging have jointly documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PACE program, the individual should be admitted to a nursing facility.

(C) Each month, the department of aging shall identify individuals who are eligible for the home first component of the PACE program. When the department identifies such an individual, the department shall notify the PACE provider serving the area in which the individual resides. The PACE provider shall determine whether the PACE program is appropriate for the individual and whether the individual would rather participate in the PACE program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility. If the PACE provider determines that the PACE program is appropriate for the individual and the individual would rather participate in the PACE program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility, the PACE provider shall so notify the department of aging. On receipt of the notice from the PACE provider, the department of aging shall approve the individual's enrollment in the PACE program in accordance with priorities established in rules adopted under section 173.50 of the Revised Code.

Last updated February 28, 2023 at 10:46 AM

Section 173.502 | [Former Section 751.10 of H.B. 45, 134th General Assembly, codified as R.C. 173.502 pursuant to R.C. 103.131] Requests for proposals to become PACE organization.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 45 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "CMS" means the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

(2) "Entity" has the same meaning as in 42 C.F.R. 460.10.

(3) "PACE center," "PACE organization," "participant," and "state administering agency" have the same meanings as in 42 C.F.R. 460.6.

(B)(1) Not later than one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this section, the Department of Aging shall issue a request for proposals from any entity interested in becoming a PACE organization, including for service areas in the counties, or contiguous zip codes within the counties, or extending from the counties, of Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Lorain, Lucas, and Summit. Proposals shall be submitted to the Department not later than ninety days after the date the Department issues the request for proposals.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not prevent the Department from expanding the PACE program outside of the process required by that division, including by issuing other requests for proposals.

(C) To be eligible for approval by the Department to become a PACE organization, an entity that submits a proposal pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1) The entity provides a feasibility study of its proposed service area to the Department.

(2) The entity has a current, valid provider agreement, as defined in section 5164.01 of the Revised Code, or will be eligible to enter into a provider agreement by the time that the entity will begin providing services under the PACE program.

(3) The entity meets all federal requirements applicable to PACE organizations.

(4) The entity demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Department that the organization has experience providing health care services to frail older adults and that each member of the entity's staff, including employees and contractors, complies with 42 C.F.R. 460.64.

(5) The entity has a facility suitable to be a PACE center, or plans to acquire, build, or expand a facility suitable to be a PACE center prior to beginning services, in its proposed service area, as described in the request for proposals process.

(6) The entity meets any additional requirements in rules adopted by the Department pursuant to division (G) of this section.

(D) The Department shall review all proposals submitted in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section. For at least each of the six service areas identified in division (C) of this section, the Department shall determine from the proposals which entities it considers qualified to become PACE organizations for each service area. The determination shall be made not later than nine months after the date the Department issues the request for proposals.

(E) An entity considered by the Department as qualified to become a PACE organization may apply to CMS to become a PACE organization. The Department shall provide support to any such organization that applies to CMS, by complying with federal requirements.

(F) Each entity approved to become a PACE organization by CMS shall begin providing services to participants not later than two years after the entity receives notice of its approval from CMS, consistent with federal financial participation.

(G) The Director of Aging may adopt rules to implement this section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated May 3, 2023 at 1:34 PM

Section 173.51 | Definitions for PASSPORT and Assisted Living programs.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in sections 173.51 to 173.56 of the Revised Code:

"Area agency on aging" has the same meaning as in section 173.14 of the Revised Code.

"Assisted living program" means the program that consists of a medicaid-funded component created under section 173.54 of the Revised Code and a state-funded component created under section 173.543 of the Revised Code and provides assisted living services to individuals who meet the program's applicable eligibility requirements.

"Assisted living services" means the following home and community-based services: personal care, homemaker, chore, attendant care, companion, medication oversight, and therapeutic social and recreational programming.

"Assisted living waiver" means the federal medicaid waiver granted by the United States secretary of health and human services that authorizes the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program.

"County or district home" means a county or district home operated under Chapter 5155. of the Revised Code.

"Long-term care consultation program" means the program the department of aging is required to develop under section 173.42 of the Revised Code.

"Long-term care consultation program administrator" or "administrator" means the department of aging or, if the department contracts with an area agency on aging or other entity to administer the long-term care consultation program for a particular area, that agency or entity.

"Medicaid waiver component" has the same meaning as in section 5166.01 of the Revised Code.

"Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

"PASSPORT program" means the preadmission screening system providing options and resources today program (PASSPORT) that consists of a medicaid-funded component created under section 173.52 of the Revised Code and a state-funded component created under section 173.522 of the Revised Code and provides home and community-based services as an alternative to nursing facility placement for individuals who are aged and disabled and meet the program's applicable eligibility requirements.

"PASSPORT waiver" means the federal medicaid waiver granted by the United States secretary of health and human services that authorizes the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program.

"Representative" means a person acting on behalf of an applicant for the medicaid-funded component or state-funded component of the assisted living program. A representative may be a family member, attorney, hospital social worker, or any other person chosen to act on behalf of an applicant.

"Residential care facility" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:34 AM

Section 173.52 | Medicaid-funded component of PASSPORT program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department of medicaid shall create the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program. In creating the medicaid-funded component, the department of medicaid shall collaborate with the department of aging.

(B) All of the following apply to the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program:

(1) The department of aging shall administer the medicaid-funded component through a contract entered into with the department of medicaid under section 5162.35 of the Revised Code.

(2) The medicaid-funded component shall be operated as a separate medicaid waiver component.

(3) For an individual to be eligible for the medicaid-funded component, the individual must be a medicaid recipient and meet the additional eligibility requirements applicable to the individual established in rules adopted under division (B)(4) of this section.

(4) To the extent authorized by rules authorized by section 5162.021 of the Revised Code, the director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement the medicaid-funded component.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:34 AM

Section 173.521 | Home first component.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department shall establish a home first component of the PASSPORT program under which eligible individuals may be enrolled in the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program in accordance with this section. An individual is eligible for the PASSPORT program's home first component if both of the following apply:

(1) The individual has been determined to be eligible for the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program.

(2) At least one of the following applies:

(a) The individual has been admitted to a nursing facility.

(b) A physician has determined and documented in writing that the individual has a medical condition that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PASSPORT program, will require the individual to be admitted to a nursing facility within thirty days of the physician's determination.

(c) The individual has been hospitalized and a physician has determined and documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PASSPORT program, the individual is to be transported directly from the hospital to a nursing facility and admitted.

(d) Both of the following apply:

(i) The individual is the subject of a report made under section 5101.63 of the Revised Code regarding abuse, neglect, or exploitation or such a report referred to a county department of job and family services under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code or has made a request to a county department for protective services as defined in section 5101.60 of the Revised Code.

(ii) A county department of job and family services and an area agency on aging have jointly documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the PASSPORT program, the individual should be admitted to a nursing facility.

(B) Each month, each area agency on aging shall identify individuals residing in the area that the agency serves who are eligible for the home first component of the PASSPORT program. When an area agency on aging identifies such an individual, the agency shall notify the long-term care consultation program administrator serving the area in which the individual resides. The administrator shall determine whether the PASSPORT program is appropriate for the individual and whether the individual would rather participate in the PASSPORT program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility. If the administrator determines that the PASSPORT program is appropriate for the individual and the individual would rather participate in the PASSPORT program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility, the administrator shall so notify the department of aging. On receipt of the notice from the administrator, the department shall approve the individual's enrollment in the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program regardless of the unified waiting list established under section 173.55 of the Revised Code, unless the enrollment would cause the component to exceed any limit on the number of individuals who may be enrolled in the component as set by the United States secretary of health and human services in the PASSPORT waiver.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:35 AM

Section 173.522 | State-funded component of PASSPORT program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall create and administer the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program. The state-funded component shall not be administered as part of the medicaid program.

(B) For an individual to be eligible for the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program, the individual must meet one of the following requirements and meet the additional eligibility requirements applicable to the individual established in rules adopted under division (D) of this section:

(1) The individual must have been enrolled in the state-funded component on September 1, 1991, (as the state-funded component was authorized by uncodified law in effect at that time) and have had one or more applications for enrollment in the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program denied.

(2) The individual must have an application for the medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program pending and the department or the department's designee must have determined that the individual meets the nonfinancial eligibility requirements of the medicaid-funded component and not have reason to doubt that the individual meets the financial eligibility requirements of the medicaid-funded component.

(C) An individual who is eligible for the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program because the individual meets the requirement of division (B)(2) of this section may participate in the component on that basis for a period of time specified in rules adopted under division (D) of this section.

(D)(1) The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code to implement the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program.

The rules shall include all of the following:

(a) Additional eligibility requirements for an individual to be eligible for the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program;

(b) The duration that an individual eligible for the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program under division (B)(2) of this section may participate in that component;

(c) Any other rules the director considers appropriate to implement the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program.

(2) The additional eligibility requirements established in the rules may vary for the different groups of individuals specified in divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:36 AM

Section 173.523 | Appeals.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) An individual who is an applicant for or participant or former participant in the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program may appeal an adverse action taken or proposed to be taken by the department of aging or an entity designated by the department concerning participation in or services provided under the component if the action will result in any of the following:

(1) Denial of enrollment or continued enrollment in the component;

(2) Denial of or reduction in the amount of services requested by or offered to the individual under the component;

(3) Assessment of any patient liability payment pursuant to rules adopted by the department under this section.

The appeal shall be made in accordance with section 173.56 of the Revised Code and rules adopted pursuant to that section.

(B) An individual who is an applicant for or participant or former participant in the state-funded component of the PASSPORT program may not bring an appeal under this or any other section of the Revised Code if any of the following is the case:

(1) The individual has voluntarily withdrawn the application for enrollment in the component;

(2) The individual has voluntarily terminated enrollment in the component;

(3) The individual agrees with the action being taken or proposed;

(4) The individual fails to submit a written request for a hearing to the director of aging within the time specified in the rules adopted pursuant to section 173.56 of the Revised Code;

(5) The individual has received services under the component for the maximum time permitted by section 173.522 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.524 | Kosher meals.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

An individual enrolled in the PASSPORT program may request that home-delivered meals provided to the individual under the PASSPORT program be kosher. If such a request is made, the department of aging or the department's designee shall ensure that each home-delivered meal provided to the individual under the PASSPORT program is kosher. In complying with this requirement, the department or department's designee shall require each entity that provides home-delivered meals to the individual to provide the individual with meals that meet, as much as possible, the requirements established in rules adopted under sections 173.52 and 173.522 of the Revised Code governing the home-delivered meal service while complying with kosher practices for meal preparation and dietary restrictions.

An entity that provides a kosher home-delivered meal to a PASSPORT program enrollee pursuant to this section shall be reimbursed for the meal at a rate equal to the rate for home-delivered meals furnished to PASSPORT program enrollees requiring a therapeutic diet.

Section 173.525 | Home health aide and personal care aide training.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) In addition to any other eligibility requirement of this chapter, to be eligible to serve as a personal care aide under the PASSPORT program, an individual must successfully complete thirty hours of pre-service training acceptable to the department of aging.

To maintain eligibility, each personal care aide must successfully complete six hours of in-service training acceptable to the department. Such training must be completed every twelve months.

(2) In administering the PASSPORT program, the department shall not require a personal care aide to do either of the following:

(a) Complete more than thirty hours of pre-service training;

(b) Complete more than six hours of in-service training in a twelve-month period.

(B) The department shall not require an individual serving as a home health aide under the PASSPORT program to complete more hours of pre-service training or annual in-service training than required by federal law.

(C) Only the following may supervise a home health aide or personal care aide under the PASSPORT program:

(1) A registered nurse;

(2) A licensed practical nurse under the direction of a registered nurse.

Last updated September 25, 2023 at 5:27 PM

Section 173.54 | Medicaid-funded component of assisted living program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department of medicaid shall create the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program. In creating the medicaid-funded component, the department of medicaid shall collaborate with the department of aging.

(B) Unless the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program is terminated under division (C) of this section, all of the following apply:

(1) The department of aging shall administer the medicaid-funded component through a contract entered into with the department of medicaid under section 5162.35 of the Revised Code.

(2) The contract shall include an estimate of the medicaid-funded component's costs.

(3) The medicaid-funded component shall be operated as a separate medicaid waiver component.

(4) The medicaid-funded component may not serve more individuals than is set by the United States secretary of health and human services in the assisted living waiver.

(5) To the extent authorized by rules authorized by section 5162.021 of the Revised Code, the director of aging may adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding the medicaid-funded component.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:37 AM

Section 173.541 | Eligibility for assisted living program.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

To be eligible for the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program, an individual must meet all of the following requirements:

(A) Need an intermediate level of care as determined by an assessment conducted under section 173.546 of the Revised Code;

(B) While receiving assisted living services under the medicaid-funded component, reside in a residential care facility that is authorized by a valid medicaid provider agreement to participate in the component, including both of the following:

(1) A residential care facility that is owned or operated by a metropolitan housing authority that has a contract with the United States department of housing and urban development to receive an operating subsidy or rental assistance for the residents of the facility;

(2) A county or district home licensed as a residential care facility.

(C) Meet all other eligibility requirements for the medicaid-funded component established in rules adopted under section 173.54 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.542 | Home first component of the assisted living program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall establish a home first component of the assisted living program under which eligible individuals may be enrolled in the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program in accordance with this section. An individual is eligible for the assisted living program's home first component if both of the following apply:

(1) The individual has been determined to be eligible for the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program.

(2) At least one of the following applies:

(a) The individual has been admitted to a nursing facility.

(b) A physician has determined and documented in writing that the individual has a medical condition that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the assisted living program, will require the individual to be admitted to a nursing facility within thirty days of the physician's determination.

(c) The individual has been hospitalized and a physician has determined and documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the assisted living program, the individual is to be transported directly from the hospital to a nursing facility and admitted.

(d) Both of the following apply:

(i) The individual is the subject of a report made under section 5101.63 of the Revised Code regarding abuse, neglect, or exploitation or such a report referred to a county department of job and family services under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code or has made a request to a county department for protective services as defined in section 5101.60 of the Revised Code.

(ii) A county department of job and family services and an area agency on aging have jointly documented in writing that, unless the individual is enrolled in home and community-based services such as the assisted living program, the individual should be admitted to a nursing facility.

(B) Each month, each area agency on aging shall identify individuals residing in the area that the area agency on aging serves who are eligible for the home first component of the assisted living program. When an area agency on aging identifies such an individual and determines that there is a vacancy in a residential care facility participating in the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program that is acceptable to the individual, the agency shall notify the long-term care consultation program administrator serving the area in which the individual resides. The administrator shall determine whether the assisted living program is appropriate for the individual and whether the individual would rather participate in the assisted living program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility. If the administrator determines that the assisted living program is appropriate for the individual and the individual would rather participate in the assisted living program than continue or begin to reside in a nursing facility, the administrator shall so notify the department of aging. On receipt of the notice from the administrator, the department shall approve the individual's enrollment in the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program regardless of the unified waiting list established under section 173.55 of the Revised Code, unless the enrollment would cause the component to exceed any limit on the number of individuals who may participate in the component as set by the United States secretary of health and human services in the assisted living waiver.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:37 AM

Section 173.543 | State-funded component of assisted living program.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

The department of aging shall create and administer the state-funded component of the assisted living program. The state-funded component shall not be administered as part of the medicaid program.

An individual who is eligible for the state-funded component may participate in the component for a period of time specified in rules adopted under this section.

The director of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code to implement the state-funded component. The rules shall specify the period that an individual eligible for the state-funded component may participate in the component.

Section 173.544 | Eligibility requirements for state-funded component of assisted living program.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

To be eligible for the state-funded component of the assisted living program, an individual must meet all of the following requirements:

(A) The individual must need an intermediate level of care as determined by an assessment conducted under section 173.546 of the Revised Code.

(B) The individual must have an application for the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program pending and the department or the department's designee must have determined that the individual meets the nonfinancial eligibility requirements of the medicaid-funded component and not have reason to doubt that the individual meets the financial eligibility requirements of the medicaid-funded component.

(C) While receiving assisted living services under the state-funded component, the individual must reside in a residential care facility that is authorized by a valid provider agreement to participate in the component, including both of the following:

(1) A residential care facility that is owned or operated by a metropolitan housing authority that has a contract with the United States department of housing and urban development to receive an operating subsidy or rental assistance for the residents of the facility;

(2) A county or district home licensed as a residential care facility.

(D) The individual must meet all other eligibility requirements for the state-funded component established in rules adopted under section 173.543 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:38 AM

Section 173.545 | Appeals.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) An individual who is an applicant for or participant or former participant in the state-funded component of the assisted living program may appeal an adverse action taken or proposed to be taken by the department of aging or an entity designated by the department concerning participation in or services provided under the component if the action will result in any of the following:

(1) Denial of enrollment or continued enrollment in the component;

(2) Denial of or reduction in the amount of services requested by or offered to the individual under the component;

(3) Assessment of any patient liability payment pursuant to rules adopted by the department under this section.

The appeal shall be made in accordance with section 173.56 of the Revised Code and rules adopted pursuant to that section.

(B) An individual who is an applicant for or participant or former participant in the state-funded component of the assisted living program may not bring an appeal under this or any other section of the Revised Code if any of the following is the case:

(1) The individual has voluntarily withdrawn the application for enrollment in the component;

(2) The individual has voluntarily terminated enrollment in the component;

(3) The individual agrees with the action being taken or proposed;

(4) The individual fails to submit a written request for a hearing to the director of aging within the time specified in the rules adopted pursuant to section 173.56 of the Revised Code;

(5) The individual has received services under the component for the maximum time permitted by section 173.543 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.546 | Needs assessments.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Each applicant for the assisted living program shall undergo an assessment to determine whether the applicant needs an intermediate level of care. The department of medicaid or an agency under contract pursuant to division (C) of this section shall conduct the assessment. The assessment may be performed concurrently with a long-term care consultation provided under section 173.42 of the Revised Code.

(B) An applicant or applicant's representative has the right to appeal an assessment's findings. Section 5160.31 of the Revised Code applies to appeals regarding the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program. The department or an agency under contract to conduct the assessment shall provide written notice of this right to the applicant or applicant's representative and the residential care facility in which the applicant intends to reside if enrolled in the assisted living program. The notice shall include an explanation of the appeal procedures. The department or agency under contract to conduct the assessment shall represent the state in any appeal of an assessment's findings.

(C) The department may contract with one or more agencies to perform assessments under this section. A contract shall specify the agency's responsibilities regarding the assessments.

Section 173.547 | Staff requirements for assisted living program facility.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

A residential care facility providing services covered by the assisted living program to an individual enrolled in the program shall have staff on-site twenty-four hours each day who are able to do all of the following:

(A) Meet the scheduled and unpredicted needs of the individuals enrolled in the assisted living program in a manner that promotes the individuals' dignity and independence;

(B) Provide supervision services for those individuals;

(C) Help keep the individuals safe and secure.

Section 173.548 | Choice of single or multiple occupancy room.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

An individual enrolled in the medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program may choose a single occupancy room or multiple occupancy room in the residential care facility in which the individual resides. The choice of a multiple occupancy room is subject to approval pursuant to a process the director of aging shall establish in rules adopted under section 173.54 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.55 | Waiting list for department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components and the PACE program.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Department of aging-administered medicaid waiver component" means both of the following:

(a) The medicaid-funded component of the PASSPORT program;

(b) The medicaid-funded component of the assisted living program.

(2) "PACE program" means the component of the medicaid program the department of aging administers pursuant to section 173.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) If the department of aging determines that there are insufficient funds to enroll all individuals who have applied and been determined eligible for department of aging-administered medicaid waiver components and the PACE program, the department shall establish a unified waiting list for the components and program. Only individuals eligible for a department of aging-administered medicaid waiver component or the PACE program may be placed on the unified waiting list. An individual who may be enrolled in a department of aging-administered medicaid waiver component or the PACE program through a home first component established under section 173.501, 173.521, or 173.542 of the Revised Code may be so enrolled without being placed on the unified waiting list.

Section 173.56 | Rules.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) The department of aging shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code governing appeals brought under section 173.523 or 173.545 of the Revised Code. The rules shall require notice and the opportunity for a hearing. The rules may allow an appeal hearing to be conducted by telephone and permit the department to record hearings conducted by telephone. Chapter 119. of the Revised Code applies to a hearing under section 173.523 or 173.545 of the Revised Code only to the extent provided in rules the department adopts under this section.

(B) An appeal shall be commenced by submission of a written request for a hearing to the director of aging within the time specified in the rules adopted under this section. The hearing may be recorded, but neither the recording nor a transcript of the recording is part of the official record of the proceeding. The director shall notify the individual bringing the appeal of the director's decision and of the procedure for appealing the decision.

(C) The director's decision may be appealed to a court of common pleas pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code. The appeal shall be governed by that section except as follows:

(1) The appeal shall be in the court of common pleas of the county in which the individual who brings the appeal resides or, if the individual does not reside in this state, to the Franklin county court of common pleas.

(2) The notice of appeal must be mailed to the department and filed with the court not later than thirty days after the department mails notice of the director's decision. For good cause shown, the court may extend the time for mailing and filing the notice of appeal, but the time cannot exceed six months from the date the department mails the notice of the director's decision.

(3) If an individual applies to the court for designation as an indigent and the court grants the application, the individual shall not be required to furnish the costs of the appeal.

(4) The department is required to file a transcript of the testimony of the state hearing with the court only if the court orders that the transcript be filed. The court shall make such an order only if it finds that the department and the individual bringing the appeal are unable to stipulate to the facts of the case and that the transcript is essential to a determination of the appeal. The department shall file the transcript not later than thirty days after such an order is issued.

Section 173.60 | Nursing home quality initiative.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

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

(2) "Person-centered care" means a relationship-based approach to care that honors and respects the opinions of individuals receiving care and those working closely with them.

(B) The department of aging shall implement a nursing home quality initiative to improve the provision of person-centered care in nursing homes. The office of the state long-term care ombudsman program shall assist the department with the initiative. The initiative shall include quality improvement projects that provide nursing homes with resources and on-site education promoting person-centered care strategies and positive resident outcomes, as well as other assistance designed to improve the quality of nursing home services. The department may offer any of the projects.

(C)(1) The department shall make available a list of quality improvement projects that may be used by nursing homes in meeting the requirements of section 3721.072 of the Revised Code. In addition to any of the projects offered by the department pursuant to division (B) of this section, the list may include projects offered by any of the following:

(a) Other state agencies;

(b) A quality improvement organization under contract with the United States secretary of health and human services to carry out in this state the functions described in the "Social Security Act," section 1154, 42 U.S.C. 1320c-3;

(c) The Ohio person-centered care coalition;

(d) Any other academic, research, or health care entity identified by the department.

(2) The department shall offer to nursing homes and other long-term care facility settings infection prevention and control and facility technical assistance, including services, programs, and content expertise, as a project authorized under division (C)(1) of this section to improve quality of care and quality of life, subject to the availability of funds.

(D) The director of aging may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as necessary to implement this section.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:39 AM

Section 173.70 | Programs for the provision of outpatient prescription drug discounts.

• Effective: July 17, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

(A) The director of aging may enter into a contract with any person under which the person operates a program for the provision of outpatient prescription drug discounts to any or all of the following:

(1) Individuals who are sixty years of age or older;

(2) Individuals whose family incomes do not exceed three hundred per cent of the federal poverty guidelines, as revised annually by the United States department of health and human services in accordance with section 673(2) of the "Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981," 95 Stat. 511, 42 U.S.C. 9902, as amended;

(3) Individuals who are persons with disabilities, as defined in section 173.06 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director may disclose to the person under contract information that identifies the individuals who participated in and individuals who applied for participation in the Ohio's best Rx program that was operated under former sections 173.71 to 173.91 of the Revised Code.

Section 173.95 | Best practices to prevent elder fraud and financial exploitation.

• Effective: March 20, 2019
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 158 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The director of aging, the director of commerce, the director of job and family services, and the attorney general or the attorney general's designee, in consultation with county departments of job and family services, adult protective services agencies, the Ohio bankers league, the community bankers association of Ohio, the securities industry and financial markets association, and the Ohio credit union league, shall work together to do all of the following:

(1) Develop best practices and standards for preventing elder fraud and financial exploitation ;

(2) Provide education on elder fraud and financial exploitation;

(3) Ensure that victims of elder fraud and exploitation have access to available services and resources.

(B) The director of aging, the director of commerce, and the director of job and family services shall create a report of the best practices and standards developed under division (A)(1) of this section and shall provide a copy of that report to the governor, the president and minority leader of the senate, and the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives not later than December 1, 2019.

Section 173.99 | Penalties.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates division (C) of section 173.24 of the Revised Code is subject to a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation.

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

(C) Whoever violates division (G)(1) or (2) of section 173.19 of the Revised Code is subject to a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars for each violation.

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