Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to enhance state governance and accountability, including new provisions for residency requirements for elected officials, the designation of June as "Responsible Fatherhood Month," and the establishment of definitions related to sex and gender. The bill introduces new sections and modifies existing ones, such as the oversight of correctional facilities housing out-of-state prisoners, and mandates compliance with cybersecurity measures for political subdivisions. It also revises the process for public contracts, disclosure requirements for public officials, and the oversight of the Medicaid program, while ensuring transparency in rule-making and agency operations. Notably, the bill includes provisions for the joint committee on agency rule review to evaluate proposed rules and their fiscal impacts, aiming to streamline regulations and improve public service delivery.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces a series of amendments aimed at enhancing the efficiency and accountability of various state functions in Ohio. Key provisions include the modification of state appropriation limitations to be based on the previous fiscal year's general revenue fund appropriations, the establishment of the governor's office of faith-based and community initiatives, and the creation of a correctional facility inspection services office within the attorney general's office. The bill also updates training and certification requirements for peace officers, mandates ongoing professional training, and clarifies the legislative review process for proposed agency rules. Additionally, it enhances transparency in public meetings, streamlines services for families and children, and establishes a framework for state agencies to review and restate principles of law or policy. Notably, the bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration among state agencies and includes provisions for monitoring home care services and improving service delivery for vulnerable populations.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 aims to streamline regulatory processes and enhance economic development in Ohio by mandating state agencies to reduce regulatory restrictions by 30% by June 30, 2025, while also requiring an inventory of existing restrictions. The bill introduces new definitions and criteria for "transformational mixed-use development" projects, overseen by the director of development, and establishes a points system for evaluating tax credit applications based on economic impact. It also creates a microcredential assistance program to support training for low-income individuals, modifies tax credit processes for various development projects, and establishes funds for brownfield remediation and affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for a residential development revolving loan program targeting rural areas and mandates transparency in grant application processes.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive changes to the regulation and funding of cultural and sports facilities in Ohio, defining new terms such as "Ohio cultural facility" and "transformational major sports facility mixed-use project." The bill establishes criteria for these facilities, including ownership and funding requirements, and introduces a performance grant mechanism that allows state funds to cover up to 25% of construction costs for major sports facilities as part of mixed-use projects. It also mandates that state funds cannot exceed 15% of initial construction costs without significant non-state contributions and outlines the establishment of the Ohio cultural and sports facility performance grant fund. Additionally, the bill revises employee leave policies, updates wage schedules for exempt employees, and modifies procurement processes for state agencies, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and employee benefits while ensuring accountability in the use of public funds.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 amends various laws related to public finance, investment policies, public records, and public contracting in Ohio. It establishes qualifications for trustees of securities, clarifies investment eligibility for county authorities, and mandates written investment policies for investing authorities. The bill introduces provisions for the homeownership savings linked deposit program, modifies compensation for justices, and changes the governance of the public employees deferred compensation program. It enhances privacy protections for public records, particularly concerning sensitive information, and streamlines public contracting processes by removing certain affirmative action requirements while ensuring fair treatment of contractors. Additionally, it outlines new regulations for the leasing of state-owned land for oil and gas exploration, emphasizing confidentiality and good faith in leasing practices. Overall, the bill aims to improve the management of public funds, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability in public contracting and investment practices.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to laws governing oil and gas leases, public agency property appropriations, and economic development in Ohio. Key provisions include the tolling of lease terms during litigation, the prohibition of oil and gas development on nature preserves, and the establishment of a Facilities Establishment Fund to streamline funding for development projects. The bill also enhances the certification process for self-employed providers of community-based long-term care services, mandates criminal records checks for direct-care positions, and modifies the handling of unclaimed funds, including new definitions and escheatment timelines. Additionally, it updates tax credit reservation processes for qualified projects and revises zoning resolution amendment procedures, aiming to improve efficiency and accountability across various sectors.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 proposes significant changes to the processes governing regional transit authorities, property tax levies, and the operation of mental health and addiction services in Ohio. Key provisions include the requirement for regional transit authorities to follow specific procedures when extending property tax levies to newly added territories, with the tax rate expressed in terms of "market value" instead of "appraised value." The bill also raises the population threshold for counties to operate nonemergency patient transport services from forty thousand to sixty thousand and introduces new provisions for cooperative agreements related to sports facilities. Additionally, it updates terminology from "mental health and addiction services" to "behavioral health," enhances the governance of boards overseeing these services, and mandates transparency and accountability in operations. Overall, the bill aims to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and ensure fair taxation practices.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 proposes a series of amendments to various laws concerning community development, local governance, municipal income tax regulations, and campaign finance in Ohio. Key provisions include establishing procurement goals for minority and EDGE business enterprises, clarifying definitions related to community facilities and costs, and modifying the tax levy process for parks and joint hospital districts. The bill also updates the compensation structure for township fiscal officers, introduces new requirements for municipal income tax filings, and enhances transparency in campaign finance by prohibiting false statements about candidates. Notably, it changes references from "appraised value" to "market value" in tax-related contexts and outlines stricter regulations for campaign materials. Overall, the bill aims to improve governance, streamline tax processes, and enhance accountability in public contracting and campaign finance.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to various agricultural and regulatory practices in Ohio, including the establishment of a pork marketing program, modifications to pesticide regulations, and updates to beekeeping laws. Key provisions include increased licensing fees for fertilizer manufacturers and seed labelers, the introduction of a food safety fund, and the establishment of new definitions related to beekeeping. The bill also enhances the regulatory framework for commercial dog breeding and pet stores, requiring licenses and compliance with state laws. Additionally, it modifies the notice of commencement requirements in construction projects and clarifies regulations surrounding retail installment contracts and age verification for online content deemed harmful to juveniles. Overall, the bill aims to streamline regulatory processes while ensuring public safety and animal welfare.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 aims to enhance various regulatory frameworks in Ohio, focusing on oil and gas operations, wildlife management, and higher education accountability. The bill mandates liability insurance for oil and gas well owners, establishes a fund for orphaned well remediation, and introduces stricter hunting license requirements, including educational prerequisites. It also clarifies definitions related to securities and investment practices, creates the Ohio investor recovery fund for victims of securities violations, and imposes transparency measures on private higher education institutions and their online program managers, including the requirement to identify themselves when providing services and prohibiting them from controlling student financial aid. Additionally, the bill outlines annual reporting requirements for these institutions and specifies that fees collected for court projects cannot be used for out-of-state training.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces a comprehensive set of amendments to various laws concerning court fees, judicial resource management, child welfare, juvenile justice, and gaming regulations. Key provisions include the imposition of additional filing fees for civil actions to support legal aid and public defender services, the requirement for probate courts to make case dockets available online, and the expansion of mandated reporters for child abuse to include home visiting service employees. The bill also enhances the process for sealing juvenile records, clarifies definitions related to gaming and bingo, and establishes stricter regulations against the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. Additionally, it mandates detailed abortion reporting by physicians and expands the scope of falsification offenses related to various state programs. Overall, the bill aims to improve funding for legal services, enhance child protection measures, and streamline judicial processes.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces a comprehensive set of amendments to various laws in Ohio, focusing on illegal conveyance of weapons and drugs, the management of offenders, adoption processes, child welfare funding, and child support enforcement. Key provisions include reclassifying illegal conveyance of communications devices as a misdemeanor unless the offender is an employee, establishing mandatory prison terms for certain violations, and enhancing penalties for theft by public officials. The bill also clarifies definitions related to drug paraphernalia, sets strict guidelines for body cavity and strip searches, and modifies the process for notifying victims about prisoner transfers. Additionally, it streamlines adoption procedures, allows for the establishment of a putative father registry, and restructures the state board of education by eliminating elected positions. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance accountability, and improve the management of offenders and child welfare initiatives.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 proposes significant amendments to Ohio's education laws, focusing on the appointment of state board of education members, teacher certification in nonpublic schools, and the assessment framework for K-12 education. The bill allows the governor to appoint board members for the remainder of their term, updates funding references for educator certification, and establishes new certification standards based on specialized knowledge or training. It mandates the development of diagnostic assessments for early grades, emphasizes stakeholder consultation, and introduces a new college and work-ready assessment system to replace existing graduation tests. Additionally, the bill enhances financial transparency for school districts, outlines performance evaluation criteria for schools, and modifies reporting requirements to ensure accountability and protect student privacy. Notably, it removes previous assessment requirements for certain grades and introduces provisions for online learning and community schools, aiming to improve educational standards and operational accountability across Ohio.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 proposes significant amendments to various aspects of Ohio's educational and retirement systems, including the qualifications and appointment processes for the state teachers retirement board, which now requires board members to have specific qualifications and increases the number of investment experts. The bill introduces provisions for educational choice scholarships and nonchartered educational savings accounts, establishing eligibility criteria and a framework for administration. It also enhances the autism scholarship program, allowing for multiple providers and a broader range of services. Additionally, the bill updates high school graduation requirements to include financial literacy, modifies reading instruction policies, and introduces new diploma seals recognizing various student achievements. Overall, the legislation aims to improve educational standards, enhance financial accountability, and expand opportunities for students with disabilities.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to Ohio's educational laws, particularly focusing on the provisions for children in homes or facilities, school attendance for students under twenty-two, community schools, and career-technical education. The bill allows homes or facilities to provide fewer instructional hours if necessary for a child's treatment, mandates notification to school districts upon a child's admission and discharge, and clarifies tuition responsibilities for various custody situations. It also prohibits cellular phone use during instructional hours with exceptions, establishes new performance evaluation criteria for community schools, and introduces a pilot scholarship program for students in federally supervised districts. Additionally, the bill emphasizes accountability in community schools by requiring annual reports, outlining operational standards, and detailing conditions for closure of underperforming schools. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance educational access, safety, and accountability across Ohio's educational landscape.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces significant amendments to the financial management and funding structures for school districts in Ohio, particularly those facing fiscal challenges. The bill establishes a dropout prevention and recovery advisory council, allows community schools with drug recovery programs to be classified as dropout prevention schools, and sets guidelines for competency-based educational programs. It imposes a cap on administrative spending, mandates financial recovery plans for districts in fiscal distress, and updates the criteria for declaring fiscal caution from a five-year to a three-year assessment. The bill also revises funding calculations for various educational services, including special education and career-technical education, while introducing new definitions and reporting requirements to enhance financial accountability and support for economically disadvantaged students. Notably, it modifies fiscal year references from 2024 to 2026 and 2025 to 2027, ensuring that funding mechanisms align with current educational needs.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to the Revised Code regarding special education, gifted services, funding for educational service centers, community schools, and vocational education in Ohio. Key provisions include the requirement for county boards of developmental disabilities to certify special education enrollment figures, the establishment of a "community school of quality" designation with specific performance metrics, and the introduction of new funding formulas for joint vocational school districts. The bill also modifies the approval process for career-technical education programs, mandates training for school personnel on youth suicide prevention, and allows nonlicensed individuals to teach under certain conditions. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for school districts to adopt policies addressing student absenteeism and truancy, while also enhancing transportation regulations for eligible students. Overall, the legislation aims to improve educational outcomes, accountability, and resource allocation across various educational settings in Ohio.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to various aspects of education and governance in Ohio, focusing on school bus operations, higher education, and election integrity. Key provisions include stricter driver qualifications for school vehicles, enhanced criminal background checks for educational staff, and the establishment of new educational programs such as the "Teach CS" grant and the Ohio work ready grant program. The bill also mandates annual reporting by the chancellor of higher education, introduces an undergraduate tuition guarantee program, and creates independent academic centers for civics at select universities. Additionally, it establishes an election integrity unit within the Secretary of State's office to investigate election law violations and streamline voter registration processes. Notably, the bill sets an effective date for certain provisions as October 3, 2023, and includes updated language to clarify various roles and responsibilities within the education and electoral systems.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to Ohio's election and campaign finance laws, focusing on enhancing the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process. Key provisions include new procedures for removing ineligible voters from the voter registration database, a structured compensation system for board of elections members adjusted for inflation, and the establishment of an elections revenue fund. The bill modifies ballot formatting, including the removal of certain offices and the introduction of a rotation system for candidate names, while also streamlining the candidacy process by adjusting signature requirements and clarifying party affiliation. Additionally, it imposes stricter regulations on campaign contributions, particularly from state employees, and mandates detailed financial reporting for campaign committees. The legislation aims to improve transparency, accountability, and compliance within Ohio's electoral framework.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive reforms to Ohio's election and campaign finance laws, including the establishment of a new Ohio Election Integrity Commission with specific member qualifications and restrictions on political activities. The bill prohibits foreign contributions to political campaigns, sets strict guidelines for campaign fund reimbursements, and enhances accountability through mandatory reporting and complaint handling processes. It