The bill amends the Revised Code to update regulations for household sewage treatment systems in Ohio, focusing on enhancing public health and safety while providing flexibility for local health authorities. Key changes include the requirement for the director of health to adopt rules for the approval of sewage treatment systems by local health boards, conduct site evaluations, and establish standards for design, installation, and maintenance. Notably, soil evaluations are not mandatory unless there is a public health concern, although property owners can still request them. The bill also allows health boards to inspect systems based on complaints or probable cause instead of mandating annual inspections.

Additional amendments establish criteria for the registration of installers and service providers, and require health boards to maintain compliance records. The bill emphasizes public health considerations when health boards adopt stricter local rules, necessitating documentation of the economic impact of such regulations. It also introduces a sewage treatment system appeals board for property owners to contest health board decisions and repeals conflicting sections of the Revised Code to streamline the regulatory framework. Overall, the bill aims to improve the management and oversight of sewage treatment systems while ensuring public health protections.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3718.02, 3718.021, 3718.11, 6111.44, 6111.441