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House Bill 337 – Provide one-time bonus award to eligible first responders
Sponsored by Representatives Craig Riedel (R – Defiance) and Phil Plummer (R – Dayton)
Through House Bill 337, full-time police officers, firefighters, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, county deputy sheriffs, BCI agents, jail officers, EMTs and volunteer firefighters would be eligible for $1000 and part-time first responders and volunteers would be eligible for $500.
Policy Committee
Mentioned previously, the Operating Budget was the legislatures primary focus, but OFCA was able to successfully advocate for the passaged of several OFCA priority bills prior to the legislature heading to summer recess. Here are several updates on such legislation:
Senate Bill 4 – Exempt EMS Line Operators from Public Records Laws
Sponsored by Senator Kristina Roegner (R – Hudson)
Senate Bill 4, providing the same protections to
telecommunicators that’s afforded to first responders as far as personal information being exempt from the public record, was passed and is effective September 7, 2021.
Senate Bill 21 – EMS Responders – Civil Action
Sponsored by Senators Nickie Antonio (D – Lakewood) & Nathan Manning (R – Munson Twp.)
Senate Bill 21, requiring the State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services to develop guidelines for the assessment, triage, and transport to hospitals of stroke patients by EMS personnel, was passed and is effective September 20, 2021.
Senate Bill 113 – Revise Fireworks Laws
Sponsored by Senators Mike Rulli (R – Salem) & Terry Johnson (R – McDermott)
Senate Bill 113 legalizes the sale and use of 1.4G fireworks. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by Governor DeWine. The Governor explained, “SB 113 would be a dramatic change in Ohio law, which would make Ohio one of the least restrictive states in regard to fireworks laws.” The legislature will consider a veto override when they return in the fall.
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 21