The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code concerning the administration of family services programs in Ohio, particularly the Ohio parenting and pregnancy program. It deletes references to this program in section 5101.80 and reclassifies section 5101.804 to section 5101.91. The bill also modifies definitions and processes related to appeals for decisions made by family services agencies, introducing provisions for independent medical reviews in certain Medicaid appeals. Additionally, it updates the definitions of "agency" and "family services program," restructures program classifications, and aims to streamline the administration of family services while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Furthermore, the bill allows the Department of Job and Family Services to collaborate with private, not-for-profit entities to fund programs recommended by the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood. It expands eligibility criteria for the Ohio parenting and pregnancy program to include counseling on various options for pregnant individuals and mandates that funded entities provide a comprehensive range of services to pregnant women and parents of young children. The bill also requires these entities to submit annual reports on services provided and funding usage to the General Assembly. Additionally, it outlines the responsibilities of public children services agencies, including the administration of Title IV-E adoption assistance funds and the implementation of safety assessments, while repealing several existing sections of the Revised Code to enhance the effectiveness of child welfare services.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3125.18, 5101.35, 5101.80, 5101.801, 5101.804, 5101.805, 5153.16, 5101.91