As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session H. B. No. 612
2023-2024
Representative Forhan
Cosponsor: Representative Gross
A BILL
To enact sections 124.77 and 3304.25 of the Revised 1
Code to require state officers and employees to 2
complete annual training on engaging with 3
individuals who are neurodivergent. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 124.77 and 3304.25 of the Revised 5
Code be enacted to read as follows: 6
Sec. 124.77. (A) As used in this section, "statewide 7
elected officer" means the governor, lieutenant governor, 8
secretary of state, auditor of state, attorney general, and 9
treasurer of state. 10
(B) All of the following individuals annually shall 11
complete the training program created under section 3304.25 of 12
the Revised Code that covers topics on engaging with individuals 13
who are neurodivergent, including individuals who have an autism 14
spectrum disorder: 15
(1) Members of the general assembly; 16
(2) General assembly staff, including all officers and 17
H. B. No. 612 Page 2
As Introduced
employees of either house of the general assembly who act on 18
behalf of a member of the general assembly or on behalf of a 19
committee or either house of the general assembly; 20
(3) Employees of each legislative agency; 21
(4) Statewide elected officers; 22
(5) Employees of each statewide elected officer; 23
(6) The head of each state agency; 24
(7) Employees of each state agency; 25
(8) The justices of the supreme court, judges of the 26
courts of appeals, judges of the courts of common pleas, judges 27
of the municipal courts, and judges of the county courts; 28
(9) Employees of each court and any judicial agency. 29
(C) The appointing authority of an employee listed under 30
division (B) of this section shall establish the date by which 31
the employee annually shall complete the training program 32
described under that division. 33
Sec. 3304.25. The executive director of the opportunities 34
for Ohioans with disabilities agency shall create a training 35
program that covers topics on engaging with individuals who are 36
neurodivergent, including individuals who have an autism 37
spectrum disorder. The executive director shall offer the 38
training program multiple times throughout a year and may make 39
it available through electronic means. 40