Page 14 - InCommand Volume 31

Legislative Update - State
By Steve Agenbraod, Legislative Committee Chair; Michelle Fitzgibbon, Executive Director and Legislative Agent; and Alexandra Denney, Director of Legislative Affairs
We want to thank all
the OFCA members who have helped shape our organization’s response to this crisis.
The past several months have proved challenging as our state, and nation, grapples with response and recovery from Coronavirus. At the Ohio Statehouse there has been no shortage of opinions on the various actions that should, or should not, be taken to combat the pandemic.
Beginning in March with the directives from Governor DeWine and Director Acton, as well as the tireless work from our EMS and health care professionals, Ohio was able to stem the tide of COVID-19. As the days of quarantining turned into weeks, many legislators and their constituents grew frustrated with the impact to our state economy and infringement on personal rights.
In response, the Ohio House took swift steps toward asserting its power, including beginning the Economic Recovery Task Force that heard from countless business owners demanding that their company be allowed to reopen as soon as possible. The House also took legislative steps by passing language limiting the authority of ODH orders and decriminalizing violations of those orders.
Other legislation introduced included bills that would allow businesses to open if they provided the same products and services that a big box stores does, which were allowed to remain open. This legislation comes in reaction to many small business owners of flower shops or jewelry stores saying it was unfair that they had to close while consumers can still access those products at a large chain store.
Senate Bill 308 was introduced that would provide civil immunity for emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including EMS personnel. As set out
in the bill, this immunity would extend through April 1, 2021, however if the prevalence or threat of the virus is still present, bill sponsor Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said they will consider extending the period of immunity.
A slew of other bills were also introduced at the Statehouse impacting first responders related to the COVID-19 response. These bills include:
• HOUSE BILL 563 – Representative Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg; HOUSE BILL 599 – Representative Gil Blair, D-Mineral Ridge and Representative Michael O’Brien, D-Warren
• Permits ODH, a local health department, or a hospital to disclose to EMS
or other emergency medical services worker if a person they transported was positive for COVID-19
• HOUSE BILL 594 - Representative Jeffrey Crossman, D-Parma and Representative Brian Baldridge, R-Winchester
• Allows EMS (police & fire) who retired in the past year to continue receiving
their retirement payments if they become re-employed by their department during the state of emergency
• HOUSE BILL 571 – Representative Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus
• Makes COVID-19 contracted by a peace office, firefighter, or emergency
medical work an occupational disease under Workers’ Compensation Law
14 InCommand JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org