Representative Schmidt Introduces Two Measures to Protect the Health and Safety of Ohioans
COLUMBUS—State Representative Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) yesterday introduced two pieces of legislation that will protect the health and safety Ohioans.
The Parker Kahle Act will make changes to Ohio’s guardianship statues as it relates to children with special needs. Currently, families see interruptions in care as they seek to become guardians of a child with special needs that reaches the age of eighteen. The guardianship process takes time, and current law only allows it to begin at eighteen, resulting in a lack of ability to provide consent for certain care. The legislation will update these laws so that the process can begin 6 months prior to a child turning eighteen and keeps prior orders in place until a final order is provided.
“Knowing Parker’s story, this is commonsense legislation to allow a continuum of care for families with a child of special needs once they turn eighteen,” said Schmidt. “No service should be interrupted, and this bill modernizes the court process to ensure care continues as the child becomes an adult.”
The second bill will require fitness facilities, such as gyms, to employ personnel that are trained in using AEDs or performing CPR. While these facilities may have an AED and should have a plan for its use, there is nothing that requires the knowledge of using an AED. This legislation will ensure that whenever customers are on the premises of a facility, there is someone present that is (1) trained in using an AED if an AED is present, or (2) trained in CPR if no AED is present.
“Defibrillators only work when somebody knows how to use them,” noted Schmidt. “This bill will keep the public safe by ensuring fitness facilities have appropriately trained staff that knows how to use them. If there is a sudden cardiac event, seconds matter in saving lives and so does knowing how to properly perform life saving measures.”
Both pieces of legislation await a bill number and committee assignment.