The bill amends sections 173.39 and 173.391 of the Revised Code and enacts a new section, 173.394, to address the use of shared bathrooms in residential care facilities participating in the assisted living program. It specifies that the Department of Aging cannot deny certification to a residential care facility based on the presence of shared full bathrooms, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include ensuring that the shared bathroom is accessible from each resident's living quarters without requiring one resident to pass through another's space, offering at least one additional half bathroom on the same floor, and complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, residents must be informed of the shared bathroom arrangement prior to admission and must sign a consent form.

The bill also introduces definitions for terms related to bathroom facilities, such as "full bathroom," "half bathroom," and "fully enclosed shared bathroom facilities." It emphasizes that when memory care services are provided, the facility must utilize fully enclosed shared bathroom facilities. The existing sections 173.39 and 173.391 are repealed, and the new provisions aim to enhance the operational flexibility of residential care facilities while ensuring resident safety and informed consent.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 173.39, 173.391