The bill seeks to amend the Ohio Revised Code to establish a licensing framework for advanced practice respiratory therapists (APRTs), formally recognizing them as licensed health care professionals. It includes the insertion of "advanced practice respiratory therapists" into the list of licensed health care professionals, thereby ensuring they are regulated similarly to other providers. The bill also introduces provisions for liability protections for health care professionals providing care to indigent and uninsured individuals, as long as their actions do not constitute willful misconduct. This immunity aims to encourage volunteerism and care provision without the fear of legal repercussions.

In addition to the provisions for APRTs, the bill clarifies definitions related to drug offenses and controlled substances, updates regulations surrounding the sale and distribution of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products, and outlines the responsibilities of health care providers regarding patient access to medical records. It emphasizes the importance of supervision agreements between APRTs and physicians, establishes guidelines for prescriptive authority, and mandates continuing education requirements for license renewal. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the regulatory framework for health care professionals, improve patient safety, and expand access to telehealth and respiratory care services while ensuring compliance with established standards.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2305.234, 2925.01, 2925.23, 2925.55, 2925.56, 2929.42, 3701.048, 3701.74, 3715.872, 3719.121, 3719.13, 3719.81, 4729.01, 4729.51, 4731.22, 4731.25, 4743.09, 4755.48, 4761.01, 4761.03, 4761.032, 4761.06, 4761.061, 4761.07, 4761.09, 4761.13, 4761.14, 4761.17, 4761.30, 4761.99, 4765.51, 4769.01, 5123.47, 5164.95, 5903.12