Bill Box
Updated 2/18/2010

Below are selected bills of interest to psychology that are being heard in the Ohio General Assembly. For more information on these bills, contact Bobbie Celeste, Ph.D., director of professional affairs, at (614) 224-0034.

 

Bill Number and Sponsor

Bill

Description

OPA’s Stance and Action Required

Status

House Bill 1
Sykes

Read more about the State Budget.
The governor's operating budget for fiscal years 2010-11 Big cuts occurred to mental health and other human services.
OPA continues to push to protect vital services. See HB318.
Passed. Effective July 1, 2009.
House Bill 8
Celeste-Garland
Health insurance-cover autism spectrum disorder Prohibits insurers from excluding coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. OPA supports the concept. Passed House Health Access and Affordability Committee on April 1, 2009. Passed House on Dec. 8, 2009 with amendments. In Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committees.
House Bill 10
Brown
Protection order-child's dating partner/domestic violence includes foster parents Bill would permit adolescents to get protective orders if partners are violent. OPA supported in last legislature. Bill passed House and Senate Committees. Passed House on June 24, 2009. Passed Senate Judiciary-Civil Committee Dec. 3, 2009.
PASSED!
House Bill 19

Harwood
School districts-dating violence policy education Bill would direct the Department of Education to require this topic be added to health curriculum. OPA supports. Katie Edwards testified for OPA. Passed House May 13 and the Senate in December 2009.
OPA at bill signing. Effective March 29, 2010.
PASSED!
House Bill 26
Williams, B.
Corporal punishment-prohibit in all public and chatered non-public schools   OPA supports this bill. Passed House Education Committee March 26, 2009. Passed. Included in HB1.
House Bill 55
Williams, B. and Combs

Cruelty to animals-penalties/protection orders apply to pets

 

Would require specialized psychological assessment/counseling for children who commit cruelty to animals.

OPA supports this bill. Workshop  to be held on the topic on June 19. Dr. Dan Davis testified for OPA.

In House Criminal Justice Committee.

House Bill 84
Boyd
Health screening for new jail inmates
Would require screening to determine need for medications. OPA is studying this bill. In Criminal Justice Committee.
House Bill 127
Williams, S.
Professional Licensing-Revise Revocation limited to criminal offense related to ability to perform job as psychologist.
No opinion at this time.
In State Government Committee.
House Bill 176
Stewart & McGregory
Unlawful discriminatory practice Would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. OPA supports anti-discrimination legislation. Passed the House on Sept. 15, 2009. In Senate Rules Committee.
House Bill 185
DeGeeter & Book
Health care contract-material amendment written by insurers Change becomes part of existing contract only if the health care provider agrees. OPA supports this bill, which protects psychologists from unwanted insurer changes. Passed House Oct. 21, 2009. In Senate Insurance Commerce and Labor Committee.
House Bill 197
Harris

Care, custody, control of children
Expands who is eligible for children not with parents
OPA is interested in this bill.
In House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 208
Skindell

Art therapy-regulate
License art therapists under the counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist board
OPA is studying this bill.
In House Health Committee.
House Bill 228
Dominick
Suicide-Unusual Death Test
Autopsy if asked for it and paid for by the family
TBD.
In House Criminal Justice Committee.
House Bill 281
Yuko
Mental health professionals transport to hospital
Independent counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists and certain RNs could "pink slip" patients."
TBD.
In House Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 316
Slesnick
Sexual health
HIV Aids prevention education in schools.
TBD. In House Education Committee.
PASSED!
House Bill 318
Sykes
Postpone income tax cut
Last of 5 scheduled cuts would be halted and would restore 14.7 million to Ohio Department of Mental Health.
Need these funds for behavioral health services.
Passed House and Senate on Dec. 17, 2009.
House Bill 333
Stewart
Compassionate assistance for rape emergencies
Increases required help in hospitals.
TBD. In House Health Committee.
House Bill 429
Harris & Lehner
Domestic Violence-penalties, remedies
Increases penalties for domestic violence.
TBD.
In House Criminal Justice Committee.
House Bill 442
Yuko
Complementary or alternative health services
Would allow unlicensed individuals to practice psychology.
OPA is opposed.

Senate Bill 15
Miller, D.
Health insurance-prohibit discrimination-mental illness/substance abuse
Comprehensive parity would be required by state regulated insurance plans.
OPA supports this bill.
In Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee.
Senate Bill 67
Faber
Sexually violent predators monitored by GPS devices
Also includes mandatory civil commitment to psychiatric hospital.
OPA is studying this. No funding attached.
In Criminal Justice Committee.
Senate Bill 144
Miller, R.
Ohio Family Stability Commission
Would establish four-year commission to decrease divorce, unwed motherhood and domestic violence.
TBD. Passed Senate Heath, Human Services and Aging Committee on Jan. 28, 2010.



Ohio Psychological Association
395 E. Broad St. #310
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-0034 or (800) 783-1983
Fax: (614) 224-2059
OPA MCE
Phone: (614) 224-9620 or (888) 672-6231
Fax: (614) 224-6702