October 12, 2025 Legislative Update
Legislative Update
October 12, 2025
Jan Lanier, JD, RN
Business as usual
Legislators returned to the statehouse as expected in mid-September and picked up where they left off in July. The senate upheld the house’s veto override of budget bill language that limits the levy options political subdivisions can utilize. More overrides have been promised by House Speaker Matt Huffman (Lima) before the end of October.
Another anticipated override would restore budget language that allows millions of dollars in state support to go to families of students in non-chartered non-public schools. (Source: Gongwer-Ohio (10/2/25) Lawmakers eye additional budget veto overrides. Gongwer New Service).
Senate President Rob McColley (Napoleon) believes any veto override proposals from the house will be supported by his chamber.
Much of the house members’ attention has been on more direct action to decrease property tax burdens, but even those proposals may not satisfy the individuals who want to see property taxes eliminated entirely. The threat of a citizen led proposal on the 2026 ballot may motivate legislators to take the issues seriously, but a genuine “solution” seems illusive so far. Governor Mike DeWine’s Property Tax Reform Working Group issued its report by the end of September as required, but it contained no major breakthrough ideas.
An important issue being largely ignored by the majority party is the requirement to produce a new Congressional District map no later than November 30th. So far, the September 30th deadline for the general assembly to act passed with no votes; and with the October 31st deadline looming, the Ohio Redistricting Commission has not yet been scheduled to meet. The only maps submitted thus far have come from the democrats (SB 259 and HB 442) and the general public.
Personnel changes to governor’s cabinet.
Two key department directors Maureen Corcoran, Medicaid; and Lee Ann Cornyn, Behavioral Health recently submitted their resignations. Director Corcoran will leave by the end of October and Director Cornyn left October 8th. No information about possible new appointees is available at this time. (Sources: Gongwer-Ohio (9/18/25 State Medicaid director to step down. Gongwer News Service; Gongwer-Ohio (10/2/25) Behavioral health director to leave post. Gongwer News Service).
Bills of interest—New and old
Although legislators were on break, that did not mean they weren’t introducing multiple new bills. Generally, most of these new bills have been referred to a standing committee and hearings have begun. Of particular interest to nurses are long awaited bills championed by the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (OAAPN) that would align Ohio with 27 other states that have made it possible for APRNs to practice without a collaborating or supervising physician. SB 258 sponsored by senators George Lang (R-West Chester) and Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) and its companion bill HB 449 sponsored by representatives Timothy Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) and Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) address the standard care agreement (SCA) with a collaborating practitioner. The bills allow the SCA requirement to apply only until the APRN has completed 2,000 hours of clinical practice with a collaborating practitioner. The senate bill has been referred to the senate health committee while the house bill awaits committee referral. Another bill on this topic was introduced by representatives Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) and Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) (HB 508). Both representatives are advanced practice nurses. Their bill requires 5,000 hours of practice under an SCA with a collaborating practitioner. It has also not been referred to a committee. How these bills will impact each other remains to be seen.
OAAPN president Eric Snyder issued the following statement. “HB 508 was introduced by Rep. Gross and Rep. Baker on October 18th to advance our initiative to remove the standard care agreement for APRNs in Ohio. The new bill reflects a strategic pivot with our lobbyist and continued partnership with HB 449 sponsors Rep Barhorst and Rep. McClain to keep legislative momentum strong. We’ll share updates and action opportunities as HB 508 and SB 258 progress. Thank you for your support and advocacy.”
ANA-Ohio hopes to work collaboratively with OAAPN as the bills move through the legislative process.
Another bill with nurse co-sponsors is HB 474. Representatives Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) and Rachel Baker introduced the bill on 9/29, and it was referred to the health committee on 10/1. The bill requires long-term care facilities caring for patients with cognitive impairment to provide annual educational programs for their nurse aides that include two hours of dementia-specific training that meets certain requirements. The director of the Department of Health has rule-making authority specific to this provision. Failure to comply can result in fines, a plan of correction, and/or license revocation.
HB 462 sponsored by Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) reflects a needed change to Ohio law that was originally identified by school nurses. Introduced on 9/23 and referred to the house health committee on 10/1, the bill had its first hearing on 10/8 with a second hearing for proponent testimony scheduled for 10/15. According to the sponsor, the bill recognizes the need for easy-to-use treatment of anaphylaxis. Since 2014, Ohio law has made epinephrine autoinjectors (EpiPens) readily available to provide life-saving treatment for students should an allergic reaction occur while they are at school. However, over the past ten years more child friendly options for administering this life-saving drug have emerged. In August of 2024, a nasal delivery device received FDA approval; however, Ohio law currently addresses only an autoinjector. Passage of this bill will allow parents to choose a nasal delivery device if they believe that would be best for their child.
HB 485 sponsored by Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) was introduced 9/29 and referred to the education committee on 10/1. Sponsor testimony was heard on 10/7. In her testimony, Rep. Miller said, “The bill requires schools to show a scientifically accurate, age-appropriate video on early human development to students in grades 3-12. “ (A link to the video entitled “Meet Baby Olivia” was included in her testimony https://ohiohouse.gov/legislation/136/hb485/committee) The bill requires public schools to incorporate at a minimum two educational resources into their health education curriculum. (1) a high-definition ultrasound video at least three minutes in duration showing formation of a child’s critical organs including the brain, heart, and limbs and (2) “Meet Baby Olivia”, an animated video showing the process of fertilization and the early stages of human development in the womb noting significant milestones at each stage of pregnancy. Parents can opt not to have their children view the video.
SB 274 sponsored by republican senators Andy Brenner (Delaware) and Jerry Cirino (Kirtland) was introduced 9/30 and referred to the health committee on 10/1. The bill would repeal current Ohio law that allows certain mental health services to be provided to minor children age 14-18. To date, the committee has not scheduled the bill for a hearing. A companion bill has been before the house (HB 172) since 3/12 when Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Kirtland) introduced what he describes as a follow up to The Parents Bill of Rights Act passed by the previous general assembly ( the 135th). Under the Bill of Rights, “the general assembly maintains that a parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the patent’s child” unless a school administrator or mental health professional determines that there is abuse or neglect by the parent against the child. The house health committee heard sponsor testimony on 4/2 on its bill, but the proposal had not been scheduled for further committee consideration until recently. (10/15 proponent testimony is on the committee’s agenda). As noted above, Ohio law currently provides that mental health services may be provided to minors 14 years of age & older without knowledge or consent of a parent or guardian for up to a maximum of 6 sessions or 30 days. The exception applies only to outpatient services & does not include the use of medication. According to Rep. Newman in his sponsor testimony, allowing the current exception to remain in Ohio law juxtaposed against the Parents Bill of Right creates confusion for parents and others. The introduction of the senate bill may signal renewed interest in moving the issue.
HB 257 sponsored by Reps. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) and Michele Grim (D-Toledo) has been identified as a priority for the house health committee, which Rep. Schmidt chairs. The proposal deals with medical debt, and the impact it has on an individual’s credit score. However, the bill does not eliminate medical debt. It addresses financial challenges many Ohioans face when medical debt ruins their credit reports and subsequent wage garnishments are initiated. The bill prohibits garnishment and lowers the maximum interest rate for medical debt to 3% per year. The bill is a priority for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. In response to opponents’ concerns, the sponsors agreed to amend the bill to tighten the definition of “medical debt”; however, that did not satisfy those who cite conflicts the bill creates with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Committee members also believe the bill has broader implications that have not been adequately explored. “The cost of lending will increase, and accessibility of lending would go down”, said committee member Rep. Brian Stewart (R- Ashville). (Sources: Gongwer-Ohio (9/16/25) Health chair sets priorities for Wednesday return. Gongwer News Service) & Gongwer-Ohio (9/17/25) Medical debt bill could impact those without debt, opponents say. Gongwer News Service). \
HB 52 dealing with the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) is now before the senate health committee after passing the house on 6/18 with only one “no” vote (Rep. Diseree Tims (D-Dayton). Forty-six house members had signed on as cosponsors of the bill by the time it left the house. The bill was referred to the senate health committee on 6/25, and the committee held its first hearing 10/8. In her testimony before the committee, the bill’s sponsor (Rep. Kellie Deeter herself a CRNA) provided an historical overview of the role CRNAs play in the practice of anesthesia delivery in multiple situations. Generally, 37% of the anesthetics administered in Ohio are delivered by CRNAs as the sole providers. Fifty-three percent (53%) are delivered by care teams made up of CRNAs and anesthesiologists. The bill does not expand CRNA practice but consolidates the language in the revised code dealing with CRNAs and provides a more consistent regulatory framework. It retains language requiring the physical presence of a physician during all phases of anesthesia care. Stakeholders, some of whom have opposed previous legislative proposals on this subject, are either supporters or neutral on HB 52 reflecting genuine consensus behind the bill.
Developments to note:
Republican Reps. Kellie Deeter and Meredith Craig (Wooster) formed a new caucus focused on protecting and strengthening rural health. The co-chairs said the caucus will promote the viability of rural hospitals. Although federal legislation (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) was a consideration in forming the caucus, “there is utility in us rallying around this as a caucus to discuss things beyond the funding and making rural hospitals sustainable beyond the five-year fund… .” ( Ohio’s budget –HB 96—created the Rural Ohio Hospital Tax Pilot Program and the federal bill established the Rural Health Fund which allocated $50 billion for states to support rural hospitals). Rep. Craig noted that rural health was a major topic during Ohio’s budget process and that has “always been top of mind working in health care policy.” (Source: Gongwer-Ohio (9/12/25) New caucus to explore rural hospital viability. Gongwer News Service). According to Rep. Deeter, “The caucus is also considering how to ensure a ‘reasonable timeline for practitioners to be credentialed by Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial payers so they can more quickly see and bill patients.” (Ibid. ) ’The caucus has about 20 members three of whom are democrats. They include Reps. Adam Holmes, Angie King, David Thomas, Gary Click, Jodi Salvo, Justin Pizzulli, Kevin Ritter, Marilyn John, Mark Hiner, Melanie Miller. Monica Robb Blaisdel, Nick Santucci, Tim Barhorst, Ty Moore all republicans, and Reps. Anita Somani, Dani Isaacsohn, and Rachel Baker democrats.
New house member
House democrats named Ashley Bryant Bailey to fill the vacancy in Cincinnati’s 26th house district that occurred when former Rep. Sedrick Denson resigned in August. Rep. Bryand Bailey was already running for the seat in 2026. She is the senior advisor to the nation’s leading organization Higher Heights for America, dedicated to building Black women’s political power. Her priorities include access to quality health care, strengthening public education, creating good paying jobs, and advancing equity across economic development. She attended the University of Cincinnati and resides in Cincinnati with her husband and two daughters. (Source : Gongwer-Ohio (9/12/25) Bryant Bailey selected for 26th District vacancy. Gongwer News Service.)
