Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 proposes extensive amendments to the Ohio Revised Code, focusing on various areas including residency requirements for elected officials, the establishment of "Responsible Fatherhood Month," and the definition of sex and gender. The bill mandates that all elected officials must reside within their respective districts, introduces new definitions related to biological sex, and prohibits the use of public funds for political activities. It also outlines regulations for private contractors operating correctional facilities for out-of-state prisoners, enhances cybersecurity measures for political subdivisions, and modifies the process for public contracts and disclosure statements for public officials. Additionally, the bill revises the oversight of Medicaid and agency rule-making processes, establishes new appropriation limitations, and introduces new legal language for clarity and compliance. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and streamline Ohio's legal framework while enhancing accountability and efficiency in governance.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 aims to enhance various aspects of governance and public service in Ohio, including the establishment of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Office of Correctional Facility Inspection Services. The bill introduces the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission to oversee law enforcement training, mandates ongoing professional training for peace officers, and clarifies certification requirements, including the ineligibility of individuals with felony convictions. It also updates the legislative review process for agency rules, enhances transparency in public meetings, and establishes the Ohio Family and Children First Cabinet Council to improve service delivery for families. Key provisions include the requirement for state agencies to review and potentially restate principles of law or policy, and the introduction of a framework for monitoring home care services for dependent adults. Overall, the bill seeks to improve accountability, coordination, and effectiveness in public services across Ohio.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 aims to streamline regulatory restrictions imposed by state agencies by mandating a 30% reduction in these restrictions over a specified timeline, with agencies required to achieve 10% by June 30, 2023, 20% by June 30, 2024, and 30% by June 30, 2025. The bill introduces new language clarifying that merely removing terms from rules does not eliminate a regulatory restriction unless it removes a requirement or prohibition. It also modifies the certification process for transformational mixed-use development projects, shifting responsibility to the director of development and establishing new criteria for tax credits, including a cap on preliminary approvals and a ranking system for applications. Additionally, the bill creates a microcredential assistance program, enhances affordable housing development, and introduces provisions for cultural and sports facilities, all aimed at promoting economic growth and community benefits in Ohio.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces a comprehensive framework for the financing and management of sports and cultural facilities in Ohio, emphasizing that state funds for construction cannot exceed fifteen percent of the estimated costs unless certain conditions are met, including substantial non-state funding. The bill establishes a performance grant program for major sports facilities, allowing state funds to cover up to twenty-five percent of construction costs if tied to transformational mixed-use projects. It also modifies employee leave policies, updates salary schedules for exempt employees, and introduces new provisions for public fund management, procurement processes, and the operation of public libraries. Additionally, the bill creates advisory councils for prescription drug affordability and establishes various funds for water quality and addiction assistance, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and support for public services in Ohio.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces a comprehensive set of amendments to various laws in Ohio, focusing on investment policies, public records management, public improvement contracts, and oil and gas leasing. Key provisions include the requirement for investing authorities to have a written investment policy approved by the auditor of state, the establishment of a linked deposit program to promote homeownership, and the introduction of automatic enrollment in the public employees deferred compensation program. The bill also enhances transparency in public records by prohibiting public offices from requiring requesters' identities and ensuring victims are not charged for accessing video records related to their cases. Additionally, it streamlines the bidding process for public improvement contracts, modifies requirements for oil and gas leases, and clarifies definitions related to public agency property appropriations. Overall, the bill aims to improve accountability, efficiency, and accessibility in public governance and resource management.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 modifies existing laws in Ohio regarding financial assistance for capital improvement projects, establishing new categories of eligible projects, including "eligible innovation projects," "eligible advanced energy projects," and "eligible logistics and distribution projects." The bill mandates that at least thirty percent of financial assistance awarded in a county over five years must be allocated based on population, limits annual allocations for new infrastructure to twenty percent, and requires projects to have a useful life of at least seven years. It also creates a local transportation improvement program fund for grants covering up to one hundred percent of project costs, increases the allocation percentage for villages and townships, and streamlines the management of unclaimed funds. Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for criminal background checks for direct-care workers and establishes a provider certification fund for long-term care services, while also amending zoning resolution procedures and procurement processes for regional transit authorities.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces significant modifications to various laws concerning county operations, including the eligibility criteria for county commissioners to operate ambulance services, which now requires a population threshold of sixty thousand for certain nonemergency patient transport services. The bill allows contracts with nonprofit organizations and private ambulance owners while emphasizing competitive procurement processes, with waivers permitted in emergencies. It also updates provisions related to the financing and construction of sports facilities, enabling counties to issue revenue bonds and levy taxes for facility maintenance without cooperative agreements. Additionally, the bill revises tax exemption processes, enhances accountability in tax collection, and updates the governance of boards overseeing behavioral health services, ensuring they reflect community demographics and prioritize service accessibility. Overall, the bill aims to streamline operations, improve service delivery, and enhance local governance.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces a comprehensive set of provisions aimed at enhancing the governance and operational efficiency of township services in Ohio, particularly concerning fire and police districts, municipal income tax regulations, and agricultural practices. The bill allows township boards to create fire and police districts, levy taxes, and includes a process for adding territories to these districts, while changing terminology from "appraised" to "market" value for tax calculations. It also establishes structured compensation and education requirements for fiscal officers, modifies zoning regulations, and introduces new provisions for municipal income tax, including withholding requirements for casino operators and video lottery sales agents. Additionally, the bill revises regulations for beekeeping, bakery registration, and the sale of soft drinks, ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and improve public participation in local governance.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces comprehensive changes to various agricultural and environmental regulations in Ohio, including updates to pesticide licensing, food safety, and oil and gas well operations. Key provisions include increasing the license fee for establishments from $50 to $200, establishing a food safety fund, and revising definitions related to pesticides while removing outdated language. The bill mandates that individuals applying pesticides for hire must possess a commercial applicator license and introduces a nonrefundable registration fee for pesticide products. Additionally, it enhances the regulatory framework for hemp cultivation, modifies the management of dangerous wild animals, and establishes a pork marketing program. The bill also addresses oil and gas well operations by creating a resolution and remediation fund for orphaned wells and streamlining the reimbursement process for landowners. Overall, the bill aims to improve regulatory oversight, enhance food safety, and ensure environmental protection in Ohio.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces a comprehensive set of amendments to various laws in Ohio, focusing on appeals processes, wildlife management, hunting regulations, fishing licenses, state parks, watercraft registration, mining certification, corporate governance, securities regulations, private higher education accountability, court fees, probate procedures, and juvenile court processes. Key provisions include the establishment of a technical advisory council for oil and gas, the creation of funds for abandoned mine reclamation and natural areas, updated definitions for wildlife management, increased fees for nonresident hunting permits, and enhanced transparency requirements for private institutions of higher education. The bill also mandates public availability of probate case information, introduces new fees for civil court actions to support legal aid, and allows probate courts to direct investigation costs for guardianship applications. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline regulations, enhance accountability, and improve management across multiple sectors in Ohio.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces comprehensive reforms to the juvenile justice system, focusing on the sealing and expungement of juvenile records, enhancing child protection measures, and clarifying the responsibilities of public children services agencies. The bill allows juvenile courts to seal records for individuals over eighteen who are not under court jurisdiction for delinquency complaints, eliminates application fees for sealing records, and mandates notification to prosecuting attorneys and victims during sealing proceedings. It expands the list of mandated reporters for suspected child abuse, clarifies investigation protocols for public children services, and strengthens confidentiality protections for reporters. Additionally, the bill updates definitions related to child welfare, modifies court record management procedures, and introduces penalties for the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images. Notably, it specifies that convicted felons under eighteen will be committed to the Department of Youth Services rather than adult facilities, ensuring a more rehabilitative approach for young offenders.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces comprehensive reforms to various aspects of Ohio's criminal justice, education, and family law systems. Key provisions include a framework for intervention in lieu of conviction for offenders with substance abuse or mental health issues, modifications to the eligibility criteria for sealing criminal records, and enhanced victim notification processes during prisoner transfers, including the establishment of "Roberta's Law." The bill also revises the structure of the state board of education by eliminating elected positions, mandates the development of rigorous academic standards, and introduces new assessment requirements for early education and English learners. Additionally, it streamlines the adoption process, clarifies definitions related to child welfare, and updates laws regarding property forfeiture and divorce proceedings. Overall, the bill aims to improve offender management, enhance educational standards, and ensure fair treatment in family law matters.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 introduces comprehensive amendments to Ohio's education laws, focusing on educational assessments, accountability, and financial reporting for school districts. The bill establishes that assessments will become public records on July 31 following the school year, with exceptions for certain questions, and introduces a new college and work-ready assessment system to replace existing graduation tests. It mandates detailed reporting of educational costs, including administrative and instructional expenses, and emphasizes student data confidentiality. Additionally, the bill enhances performance evaluation measures for schools, requiring the disaggregation of student achievement data and the establishment of new performance rating categories. It also modifies the governance of the state teachers' retirement system, introduces educational choice scholarships, and outlines a framework for nonchartered educational savings accounts, aiming to improve educational options and accountability while ensuring compliance with established standards.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 establishes a scholarship program for nonchartered nonpublic schools, allowing them to maintain autonomy from state regulations while ensuring compliance with certain requirements, including the potential removal from the program for noncompliance. The bill introduces an autism scholarship program, broadening eligibility to include guardians and custodians, and allows for multiple providers to implement individualized education programs. It modifies the Jon Peterson special needs scholarship program to include home-educated children under 22 and enhances flexibility in service delivery. Additionally, the bill creates provisions for county school financing districts, updates bidding processes for school contracts, and mandates financial literacy education in high schools. It also introduces various state diploma seals, clarifies educational requirements for children in treatment facilities, and addresses school attendance for students affected by relocation or homelessness. Lastly, it establishes guidelines for cellular phone usage in schools and enhances career-technical education offerings.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 aims to enhance educational opportunities and accountability in Ohio's school districts by introducing several key provisions. It mandates Southern State Community College to submit an annual report on the Ohio code-scholar program and establishes a pilot scholarship program for students in districts under federal supervision. The bill emphasizes non-discriminatory enrollment practices, modifies the role of fiscal officers in community schools, and allows for the opening of new internet-based community schools under specific criteria. It also introduces a five-year evaluation exemption for exemplary sponsors, mandates annual report cards for dropout prevention schools, and outlines financial management changes for school districts, including new cost calculation methods and fiscal oversight requirements. Notably, the bill includes provisions for community schools to report student enrollment statistics and allows for the formation of consortia for student transportation. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve governance, accountability, and financial management within Ohio's educational system.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 modifies the funding structure for educational programs in Ohio, particularly focusing on career-technical education, special education, and community schools. Key changes include updating fiscal year references for funding calculations from 2024 to 2026 and from 2026 to 2028, establishing new funding formulas for various student categories, and introducing an equity supplement for community schools. The bill also emphasizes accountability by requiring districts to report on fund usage and allows for adjustments in funding based on student enrollment and local capacity. Additionally, it introduces new definitions related to students with disabilities and modifies the calculation of wealth indices and enrollment reporting requirements to ensure accurate funding allocations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness and equity of educational funding in Ohio.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 establishes new criteria and funding mechanisms for community and independent STEM schools in Ohio, introducing a quality designation that requires schools to meet specific performance indicators and maintain this designation for two to four fiscal years. The bill outlines funding based on full-time equivalent student enrollment and includes provisions for vocational school facilities assistance, mandates in-service training for school personnel on youth suicide awareness and child sexual abuse prevention, and updates the teacher evaluation process. Additionally, it modifies attendance and truancy regulations, introduces new requirements for career colleges, and establishes the "Teach CS" grant program to increase qualified computer science teachers. Notably, the bill replaces references to "appraised value" with "market value" in various sections, reflecting a shift in property valuation for tax purposes.

Am. Sub. H. B. No. 96 aims to enhance higher education in Ohio through various initiatives, including the establishment of a competitive grant system for research, the creation of independent academic centers for civics at select universities, and the introduction of an undergraduate tuition guarantee program. The bill mandates that state institutions develop courses in American civic literacy and co-op internship programs, while also implementing new admission policies that guarantee spots for top-performing students. Additionally, it introduces regulations on financial interactions with the People's Republic of China, establishes an election integrity unit within the Secretary of State's office, and modifies election processes, including ballot presentation and candidate nomination procedures. Significant changes include the removal of specific physical location references for the civics centers and the introduction of provisions ensuring they are not charged indirect fees. Overall, the bill seeks to improve educational opportunities, governance, and election integrity in Ohio.

Amended Substitute House Bill No. 96 introduces comprehensive changes to Ohio's election and campaign finance laws, including new regulations for candidates seeking multiple offices, disqualification processes, and updated filing fees. The bill mandates that protests against a candidate's declaration must be resolved before the primary election and prohibits individuals from running for multiple offices simultaneously. It also revises the definition of political parties, campaign committees, and related entities, while enhancing transparency in campaign finance by requiring detailed reporting of contributions and expenditure