Legislation to Simplify Appointing Process of Hospital Boards Heads to Governor

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives yesterday concurred with Senate amendments to legislation, sponsored by State Representatives Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) and Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), which clarifies the nature of the appointing authority to the boards of trustees for local county hospitals.

Under current law, hospital trustees are appointed by an “appointing authority” comprised of the Board of Commissioners, the senior Common Pleas Court Judge, and the Probate Judge. 

House Bill 405 clarifies explicitly that the appointing authority is comprised of three county commissioners each having one vote, the senior Common Pleas Judge having one vote, and the Probate Judge, if they are separate people, having one vote.

“We have worked to give hospitals the upper hand in prioritizing their work,” Johnson said. “They shouldn’t have to be worried about any legal implications of their boards.” 

H.B. 405 has also included provisions relating to county hospitals in counties that have adopted a charter form of government. The current statutes regarding county hospital appointing authorities are silent regarding how they apply in charter counties.

H.B. 405 now heads to the Governor to be signed.