Complete Story
01/13/2025
LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Recapping 2024 as the New Ohio General Assembly Convenes
The 136th Ohio General Assembly officially began on January 6, 2025, with newly elected legislators taking their oaths of office and chamber activities getting underway.
In the first half of 2025, the Ohio House and Senate will primarily focus on developing, refining, and passing the state’s biennial budget. During this time, OAPA will confirm our strategic advocacy priorities and build relationships with legislators and other stakeholders, under the leadership of a new lobbyist and Government Affairs Chair.
Looking back at the 135th Ohio General Assembly, it concluded at the end of 2024 in a chaotic "lame duck" session, with a multitude of amendments and frenetic passing of bills. We emailed members in mid-December covering the top impacts to Ohio PAs. Here is the update now that one legislative session has ended and a new one has begun.
House Bill 73
What was it?
This piece of legislation, which related to prescribing off-label medications and requiring their dispensing, presented multiple significant risks to patient safety and Ohio's healthcare practice integrity. It passed the House in June 2023. An amended version passed the Senate in December 2024. The House rejected the Senate's amended version of the bill, however, some provisions ultimately found their way into HB 315. Governor DeWine signed HB 315 into law on January 2, with some line-item vetoes. We might expect a new version of HB 73 to be reintroduced in the new legislative session.
What did OAPA do?
OAPA lobbied against this bill and submitted opposition testimony, in collaboration with, and support of, the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacy. Find out more about our actions on HB 73 in these news articles.
Senate Bill 196
What is it?
This bill that extends global signature authority for APRNs passed through the House Health Services Provider Committee, the full House chamber, and concurrence in the Senate in quick succession, followed by Governor DeWine signing the bill into law days later on December 19.
What did OAPA do?
This bill was successful due to APRNs showing up in numbers to lobby for this bill, contacting their respective legislators, and speaking with a powerful, collective voice. OAPA supported the bill and our APRN colleagues, however, OAPA Immediate Past President Matthew Freado gave two rounds of in-person testimony petitioning for PAs to be added to the bill. Despite not achieving the amendments we requested prior to passage, OAPA's efforts have laid the groundwork for potential future legislation and increased lawmaker awareness of the education, training, and value of Ohio PAs.
Senate Bill 60
What is it?
This piece of legislation creating a new licensed certified mental health assistant (CMHA) profession was, frustratingly, amended into Senate Bill 95 during the December 10 House Health Services Provider Committee meeting. Senate Bill 95 was favorably passed in the first half of that committee meeting, prior to Senate Bill 60 actually being formally introduced to the committee. This action by the legislators eliminated any opportunity for opponents, including OAPA, to provide testimony to the House prior to a vote. Such action is taken when a bill may have difficulty standing alone, like SB 60, so it is amended into a popular piece of legislation, like SB 95, to help ensure passage. SB 95 then passed the House chamber and the Senate concurred in the House amendments. The Governor signed SB 95 into law on January 8.
What did OAPA do?
OAPA lobbied against SB 60, noting that PAs are equipped to help address the behavioral healthcare workforce demand if several current Ohio laws could be repealed or amended, a much more efficient and timely action than developing a first of its kind CMHA profession. Vice President Michell McDiffett gave several rounds of opponent testimony when the bill was in the Senate. OAPA would have been pleased to continue that effort had SB 60 not been amended into SB 95 unexpectedly.
In 2025, we need Ohio's 6,000+ PAs to come together and join in our lobbying efforts. Stay tuned to our website for the latest in legislative activity. With your energy and participation, we can make this our most impactful year yet!
The OAPA PAC is a nonpartisan political action committee that engages with and provides financial support for candidates and elected officials who help to advance PA practice through legislation that is favorable to the profession.
*Please note that PAC contributions are not deductible as a charitable contribution by law.
