Chapter 339 | Hospitals

Section
Section 339.01 \| County acquisition or improvement of hospitals or outpatient health facility. Effective: September 28, 2018 Latest Legislation: House Bill 111 - 132nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in sections 339.01 to 339.17 of the Revised Code: (1) "Hospital facilities" has the meaning given in section 140.01 of the Revised Code. (2) "County hospital" includes all of the county hospital's branches and hospital facilities, wherever located. (3) "Outpatient health facility" means a facility where medical care and preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, or palliative items or services are provided to outpatients by or under the direction of a physician or dentist. (B) A board of county commissioners may purchase, acquire, lease, appropriate, and construct a county hospital or hospital facilities thereof. After a county hospital or hospital facilities have been fully completed and sufficiently equipped for occupancy, any subsequent improvements, enlargements, or rebuilding of any such facility shall be made by the board of county hospital trustees or a hospital commission appointed pursuant to section 339.14 of the Revised Code. (C)(1) A board of county commissioners, board of county hospital trustees, or hospital commission may purchase, acquire, lease, appropriate, or construct an outpatient health facility in another county to serve as a branch of the county hospital. The outpatient health facility may include office space for physicians. The facility shall be operated pursuant to the law that regulates the operation of the county hospital. (2) When a proposal to establish an outpatient health facility in another county is made by a board of hospital trustees or a hospital commission, all of the following apply: (a) The board of county hospital trustees or hospital commission shall give written notice to its board of county commissioners and to the board of county commissioners of the county where the facility is to be located. The board of county commissioners where the facility is to be located, by resolution adopted within forty days after receipt of the notice, may object to the proposed facility. The resolution shall include an explanation of the objection and may make any recommendations the board considers necessary. The board shall send a copy of the resolution to the board of county hospital trustees or the hospital commission and to the board of county commissioners of the county that proposes to locate the facility in the other county. (b) Except as provided in division (C)(2)(c) of this section, the board of county hospital trustees or the hospital commission may establish and operate the facility, unless the board of county commissioners of the county proposing to locate the facility in the other county, not later than twenty days after receiving a resolution of objection from the other county's board of county commissioners pursuant to division (C)(2)(a) of this section, adopts a resolution denying the trustees or commission the right to establish the facility. (c) If a board of county commissioners provides a subsidy for uncompensated care to a board of county hospital trustees or hospital commission, the board of county hospital trustees or hospital commission may establish and operate the outpatient health facility only if that board of county commissioners approves the establishment of the facility. (D) Notwithstanding division (C) of this section, a board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital, as defined in section 339.061 of the Revised Code, may purchase, acquire, lease, construct, own, operate, or manage hospital facilities in a county contiguous to a charter county. Such hospital facilities shall be operated pursuant to the law that regulates the operation of a charter county hospital. (E) A county hospital may be designated as a monument to commemorate the services of the soldiers, sailors, marines, and pioneers of the county.
Section 339.02 \| Board of county hospital trustees - qualifications. Effective: April 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 405 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section: (1) "Area served by the hospital" means the geographic area, whether or not included within the county, from which a county hospital regularly draws patients. (2) "Appointing authority" means the board of county commissioners, the probate judge of the county senior in point of service, and the judge, other than the probate judge of the county senior in point of service, of the court of common pleas of the county senior in point of service. (B) Unless a board of county hospital trustees for the county is in existence in accordance with this section, such board shall be created pursuant to this section after the board of county commissioners first determines by resolution to establish a county hospital. Copies of such resolution shall be certified to the probate judge of the county senior in point of service and to the judge, other than a probate judge, of the court of common pleas of the county senior in point of service. The appointing authority shall, within ten days after such certification, appoint a board of county hospital trustees. (C) In making appointments to a board of county hospital trustees, both of the following apply with respect to the individuals who may be appointed: (1) Members shall be electors and representative of the area served by the hospital, except that not more than two members may be electors of the area served by the hospital that is outside the county in which the hospital is located. (2) A physician may serve as a member, including a physician who is authorized to admit and treat patients at the hospital, except as follows: (a) Not more than two physicians may serve as members at the same time; (b) No physician who is employed by the hospital may serve as a member. (D) A board of county hospital trustees shall be composed of six members, unless the board of county commissioners determines that the board of trustees can more effectively function with eight or ten members in which case there may be eight or ten members, as designated by the board of county commissioners. (E) With respect to the initial appointment of members to a board of county hospital trustees, all of the following apply: (1) When the board is composed of six members, their terms of office shall be one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, one for five years, and one for six years from the first Monday of March thereafter. (2) When the board is composed of eight members, their terms of office shall be one for one year, one for two years, two for three years, one for four years, one for five years, and two for six years from the first Monday of March thereafter. (3) When the board is composed of ten members, their terms of office shall be two for one year, one for two years, two for three years, two for four years, one for five years, and two for six years from the first Monday of March thereafter. (F) Except as provided in division (G)(2) of this section, all of the following apply with respect to vacancies on a board of county hospital trustees: (1) Annually, on the first Monday of March, the appointing authority shall appoint or reappoint for a term of six years a sufficient number of members to replace those members whose terms have expired. The appointing authority shall be composed of five votes, with each of the three county commissioners receiving one vote, the probate judge of the county senior in point of service receiving one vote, and the judge, other than the probate judge of the county senior in point of service, of the court of common pleas of the county senior in point of service receiving one vote. (2) The appointing authority shall fill a vacancy not later than six months after the vacancy occurs. If the vacancy remains unfilled on that date, the remaining members of the board, by majority vote, shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy. (3) The appointing authority may fill a vacancy by seeking nominations from a selection committee consisting of one county commissioner designated by the board of county commissioners, the chair of the board of county hospital trustees, and the county hospital administrator. If nominations for filling a vacancy are sought from a selection committee, the committee shall nominate at least three individuals for the vacancy. The appointing authority may fill the vacancy by appointing one of the nominated individuals or by appointing another individual selected by the appointing authority. (4) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. (G)(1) The appointing authority in any county in which a board of county hospital trustees has been appointed may expand the number of members to eight or to ten. When the number of members is increased to eight, one shall be appointed for a three-year and one for a six-year term from the first Monday of March thereafter. When the number of members is increased from six to ten, the term for additional members shall be: one for one year, one for three years, one for four years, and one for six years from the first Monday of March thereafter. When the number of members is increased from eight to ten, the term for additional members shall be: one for one year and one for four years from the first Monday of March thereafter. Thereafter, except as provided in division (G)(2) of this section, upon the expiration of the term of office of each member, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner specified in division (F) of this section. (2) The appointing authority may reduce the number of members of a board of county hospital trustees to eight or to six. The reduction shall occur on expiration of a member's term of office, at which time no appointment shall be made. While the appointing authority is in the process of reducing the number of members, the board of county hospital trustees may consist of nine or seven members for one year. (3) In the case of a county hospital, when the number of board members is eight or ten, notwithstanding division (C)(1)(a) of this section, a third member may be an elector of the area served by the hospital that is outside the county in which the hospital is located. (H) Any member of a board of county hospital trustees may be removed from office by the appointing authority for neglect of duty, misconduct, or malfeasance in office. The member shall be informed in writing of the charges and afforded an opportunity for a hearing before the appointing authority. The appointing authority shall not remove a member from office for political reasons. (I) The board of county commissioners may provide members of a board of county hospital trustees a stipend for their service or require the members to serve without compensation. The members shall be allowed their necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including the cost of their participation in any continuing education programs or developmental programs that the members consider necessary. Allowable stipends and expenses shall be paid out of the funds provided for the county hospital. (J) The persons selected to be members of a board of county hospital trustees shall forthwith be notified, by mail, of their appointment. When a board is initially appointed, the notice shall state a time, not more than ten days later, when such board shall meet at the county seat of such county to organize. On the date stated, the board shall meet and organize. (K) A board of county hospital trustees shall organize by electing one of its number as chairperson and such other officers as specified in the board's rules. Four members of a six-member board constitute a quorum, five members constitute a quorum of an eight-member board, and six members constitute a quorum of a ten-member board. A board of county hospital trustees shall hold meetings at least quarterly, shall adopt necessary rules of procedure, and shall keep a record of its proceedings and a strict account of all its receipts, disbursements, and expenditures. On completion of the construction and equipping of a county hospital, the board shall file such account with the board of county commissioners and make final settlement with the board of county commissioners for the construction and equipping of the hospital. Members of the board of county hospital trustees may attend board meetings by means of communications equipment authorized under this division by rule of the board, including by video conference or teleconference. Notwithstanding division (C) of section 121.22 of the Revised Code, board members who attend a board meeting by means of authorized communications equipment shall be considered present in person at the meeting, shall be permitted to vote, and shall be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting. The board of county hospital trustees shall maintain a record of any vote or other action taken at a board meeting conducted by means of authorized communications equipment. The record also shall identify the members attending the board meeting by means of authorized communications equipment. The board of county hospital trustees shall adopt rules designating the communications equipment that is authorized for use during board meetings. The board also shall adopt rules that establish procedures and guidelines for using authorized communications equipment during board meetings and that ensure verification of the identity of any board members attending board meetings by such means. Last updated January 19, 2023 at 11:20 AM
Section 339.021 \| Designating county home as county hospital. Effective: November 15, 1991 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 233 - 119th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever the building and facilities of a county home are suitable for use as a hospital, the board of county commissioners may designate said county home a county hospital. Thereafter, Chapter 339. of the Revised Code shall govern the operation of such facility, provided, that the members of the board of county commissioners or their designees shall serve ex officio as members of the board of trustees. The appointment of the board of trustees provided in section 339.02 of the Revised Code shall be made within thirty days after the board of county commissioners designates the facility a county hospital. All funds appropriated to the county home, and the proceeds of all tax levies and bond issues for the use and benefit of the county home, may be expended for the county hospital. Whenever additional tax levies or bond issues are not required for the purchase, appropriation, construction, enlargement, improvement, or rebuilding of a county hospital at the time the board of county commissioners designates the facility a county hospital, the tax levy or bond issue required by sections 339.01 and 339.02 of the Revised Code may be dispensed with.
Section 339.03 \| Board of county hospital trustees - powers and duties. Effective: March 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 126 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of county hospital trustees shall have complete charge of the selection and purchase or lease of a site or sites for a county hospital, taking title or leasehold interest to such site or sites in the name of the county, the selection of plans and specifications, the determination and erection of all necessary buildings on such site or sites, and of the selection and installation of all necessary and proper furniture, fixtures, and equipment. The board of county hospital trustees may make capital improvements, including the purchase of equipment and vehicles, and may finance such improvements through hospital revenues or other hospital funds. The board of county hospital trustees may issue revenue obligations, pursuant to section 140.06 or 339.15 of the Revised Code, or revenue bonds pursuant to section 133.08 of the Revised Code. The board of county hospital trustees may construct an addition to the county hospital, acquire an existing structure for the purpose of leasing office space to local physicians, or lease real property to any person to construct facilities for providing medical services other than inpatient hospital services if the board of county hospital trustees determines that such purpose is reasonably related to the proper operation of the county hospital.
Section 339.04 \| County hospital building fund. Effective: October 4, 1984 Latest Legislation: House Bill 224 - 115th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Notwithstanding section 135.351 of the Revised Code, all funds, including any and all interest income, arising from a special tax levy or general obligation bond issue for the purchase, appropriation, or construction of a county hospital, and contributions thereto, shall be placed in the county treasury to the credit of a fund to be known as the "county hospital building fund." Such fund shall be paid out on the order of the board of county hospital trustees, certified by the chairman of the board.
Section 339.05 \| Adopting bidding procedures and purchasing policies for services, supplies and equipment. Effective: October 13, 2020 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 4 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) A board of county hospital trustees may adopt, annually, bidding procedures and purchasing or leasing policies provided through a joint purchasing arrangement sponsored by a nonprofit organization, for services, supplies, and equipment, that are routinely used in the operation of the hospital and that cost in excess of the amount specified in section 307.86 of the Revised Code as the amount above which purchases must be competitively bid. If a board of county hospital trustees adopts those policies and procedures, and if the board of county commissioners approves them, the board of county hospital trustees may follow those policies and procedures in lieu of following the competitive bidding procedures of sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code. (B) Notwithstanding section 307.86 of the Revised Code, the board of county hospital trustees is exempt from competitive bidding as required under that section if the board, by a unanimous vote of its members, makes a determination that a real and present emergency exists, and any of the following applies: (1) The estimated cost is less than one hundred thousand dollars. (2) There is actual physical damage to structures or equipment. (3) The product to be purchased is personal protective equipment and the purchase is completed during the period of the emergency declared by Executive Order 2020-01D, issued on March 9, 2020. The board shall enter the determination of emergency and the reasons for it in the minutes of its proceedings. (C) For purposes of this section, a vote is unanimous if all members of a board of county hospital trustees are present, or a lesser number of members of the board if not all members are present, provided that the number of members present constitutes a quorum. Board members participating in a vote by means of authorized communications equipment in accordance with section 339.02 of the Revised Code are considered to be present in person and may vote on matters under this section. (D) Whenever a contract of purchase, lease, or construction is exempted from competitive bidding because the estimated cost is less than one hundred thousand dollars, but the estimated cost is fifty thousand dollars or more, the board shall solicit informal estimates from not fewer than three persons who could perform the contract, before awarding the contract. With regard to each such contract, the board shall maintain a record of the informal estimates, including the name of each person from whom an informal estimate was solicited. The board shall maintain the record for the longer of at least one year after the contract is awarded or an amount of time required by the federal government. (E) "Personal protective equipment" means equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause workplace injuries and illnesses.
Section 339.06 \| Powers and duties of board of county hospital trustees. Effective: January 1, 2018 Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The board of county hospital trustees, upon completion of construction or leasing and equipping of a county hospital, shall assume and continue the operation of the hospital. (B) The board of county hospital trustees shall have the entire management and control of the county hospital. The board may in writing delegate its management and control of the county hospital to the administrator of the county hospital employed under section 339.07 of the Revised Code. The board shall establish such rules for the hospital's government, management, control, and the admission of persons as are expedient. (C) The board of county hospital trustees has control of the property of the county hospital, including management and disposal of surplus property other than real estate or an interest in real estate. (D) With respect to the use of funds by the board of county hospital trustees and its accounting for the use of funds, all of the following apply: (1) The board of county hospital trustees has control of all funds used in the county hospital's operation, including moneys received from the operation of the hospital, moneys appropriated for its operation by the board of county commissioners, and moneys resulting from special levies submitted by the board of county commissioners as provided for in section 5705.22 of the Revised Code. (2) Of the funds used in the county hospital's operation, all or part of any amount determined not to be necessary to meet current demands on the hospital may be invested by the board of county hospital trustees or its designee in any classifications of securities and obligations eligible for deposit or investment of county moneys pursuant to section 135.35 of the Revised Code, subject to the approval of the board's written investment policy by the county investment advisory committee established pursuant to section 135.341 of the Revised Code. If a county hospital is based in a county that has adopted a charter under Section 3 of Article X, Ohio Constitution, such funds may be invested by the board of county hospital trustees as provided in this division or in an ordinance adopted by the legislative authority of the county, in either case subject to approval by the county investment advisory committee, or as provided in section 339.061 of the Revised Code. (3) Annually, not later than sixty days before the end of the fiscal year used by the county hospital, the board of county hospital trustees shall submit its proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year to the board of county commissioners for that board's review. The board of county commissioners shall review and approve the proposed budget by the first day of the fiscal year to which the budget applies. If the board of county commissioners has not approved the budget by the first day of the fiscal year to which the budget applies, the budget is deemed to have been approved by the board on the first day of that fiscal year. (4) The board of county hospital trustees shall not expend funds received from taxes collected pursuant to any tax levied under section 5705.22 of the Revised Code or the amount appropriated to the county hospital by the board of county commissioners in the annual appropriation measure for the county until its budget for the applicable fiscal year is approved in accordance with division (C)(3) of this section. At any time the amount received from those sources differs from the amount shown in the approved budget, the board of county commissioners may require the board of county hospital trustees to revise the county hospital budget accordingly. (5) Funds under the control of the board of county hospital trustees may be disbursed by the board, consistent with the approved budget, for the uses and purposes of the county hospital; for the replacement of necessary equipment; for the acquisition, leasing, or construction of permanent improvements to county hospital property; or for making a donation authorized by division (E) of this section. Each disbursement of funds shall be made on a voucher signed by signatories designated and approved by the board of county hospital trustees. (6) The head of a board of county hospital trustees is not required to file an estimate of contemplated revenue and expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year under section 5705.28 of the Revised Code unless the board of county commissioners levies a tax for the county hospital, or such a tax is proposed, or the board of county hospital trustees desires that the board of county commissioners make an appropriation to the county hospital for the ensuing fiscal year. (7) All moneys appropriated by the board of county commissioners or from special levies by the board of county commissioners for the operation of the hospital, when collected shall be paid to the board of county hospital trustees on a warrant of the county auditor and approved by the board of county commissioners. (8) The board of county hospital trustees shall provide for the conduct of an annual financial audit of the county hospital. Not later than thirty days after it receives the final report of an annual financial audit, the board shall file a copy of the report with the board of county commissioners. (E) For the public purpose of improving the health, safety, and general welfare of the community, the board of county hospital trustees may donate to a nonprofit entity any of the following: (1) Moneys and other financial assets determined not to be necessary to meet current demands on the hospital; (2) Surplus hospital property, including supplies, equipment, office facilities, and other property that is not real estate or an interest in real estate; (3) Services rendered by the hospital. (F)(1) For purposes of division (F)(2) of this section, "bank" has the same meaning as in section 1101.01 of the Revised Code. (2) The board of county hospital trustees may enter into a contract for a secured line of credit with a bank if the contract meets all of the following requirements: (a) The term of the contract does not exceed one year, except that the contract may provide for the automatic renewal of the contract for up to four additional one-year periods if, on the date of automatic renewal, the aggregate outstanding draws remaining unpaid under the secured line of credit do not exceed fifty per cent of the maximum amount that can be drawn under the secured line of credit. (b) The contract provides that the bank shall not commence a civil action against the board of county commissioners, any member of the board, or the county to recover the principal, interest, or any charges or other amounts that remain outstanding on the secured line of credit at the time of any default by the board of county hospital trustees. (c) The contract provides that no assets other than those of the county hospital can be used to secure the line of credit. (d) The terms and conditions of the contract comply with all state and federal statutes and rules governing the extension of a secured line of credit. (3) Any obligation incurred by a board of county hospital trustees under division (F)(2) of this section is an obligation of that board only and not a general obligation of the board of county commissioners or the county within the meaning of division (Q) of section 133.01 of the Revised Code. (4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Revised Code, the board of county hospital trustees may secure the line of credit authorized under division (F)(2) of this section by the grant of a security interest in any part or all of its tangible personal property and intangible personal property, including its deposit accounts, accounts receivable, or both. (5) No board of county hospital trustees shall at any time have more than one secured line of credit under division (F)(2) of this section. (G) The board of county hospital trustees shall establish a schedule of charges for all services and treatment rendered by the county hospital. It may provide for the free treatment in the hospital of soldiers, sailors, and marines of the county, under such conditions and rules as it prescribes. (H) The board of county hospital trustees may designate the amounts and forms of insurance protection to be provided, and the board of county commissioners shall assist in obtaining such protection. The expense of providing the protection shall be paid from hospital operating funds. (I) The board of county hospital trustees may authorize a county hospital and each of its units, hospital board members, designated hospital employees, and medical staff members to be a member of and maintain membership in any local, state, or national group or association organized and operated for the promotion of the public health and welfare or advancement of the efficiency of hospital administration and in connection therewith to use tax funds for the payment of dues and fees and related expenses but nothing in this section prohibits the board from using receipts from hospital operation, other than tax funds, for the payment of such dues and fees. (J) The following apply to the board of county hospital trustees in relation to its employees and the employees of the county hospital: (1) The board shall adopt the wage and salary schedule for employees. (2) The board may employ the hospital's administrator pursuant to section 339.07 of the Revised Code, and the administrator may employ individuals for the hospital in accordance with that section. (3) The board may employ assistants as necessary to perform its clerical work, superintend properly the construction of the county hospital, and pay the hospital's expenses. Such employees may be paid from funds provided for the county hospital. (4) The board may hire, by contract or as salaried employees, such management consultants, accountants, attorneys, engineers, architects, construction managers, and other professional advisors as it determines are necessary and desirable to assist in the management of the programs and operation of the county hospital. Such professional advisors may be paid from county hospital operating funds. (5) Notwithstanding section 325.19 of the Revised Code, the board may grant to employees any fringe benefits the board determines to be customary and usual in the nonprofit hospital field in its community, including, but not limited to: (a) Additional vacation leave with full pay for full-time employees, including full-time hourly rate employees, after service of one year; (b) Vacation leave and holiday pay for part-time employees on a pro rata basis; (c) Leave with full pay due to death in the employee's immediate family, which shall not be deducted from the employee's accumulated sick leave; (d) Premium pay for working on holidays listed in section 325.19 of the Revised Code; (e) Moving expenses for new employees; (f) Discounts on hospital supplies and services. (6) The board may provide holiday leave by observing Martin Luther King day, Washington-Lincoln day, Columbus day, and Veterans' day on days other than those specified in section 1.14 of the Revised Code. (7) The board may grant to employees the insurance benefits authorized by section 339.16 of the Revised Code. (8) Notwithstanding section 325.19 of the Revised Code, the board may grant to employees, including hourly rate employees, such personal holidays as the board determines to be customary and usual in the hospital field in its community. (9) The board may provide employee recognition awards and hold employee recognition dinners. (10) The board may grant to employees the recruitment and retention benefits specified under division (K) of this section. (K) Notwithstanding sections 325.191 and 325.20 of the Revised Code, the board of county hospital trustees may provide, without the prior authorization of the board of county commissioners, scholarships for education in the health care professions, tuition reimbursement, and other staff development programs to enhance the skills of health care professionals for the purpose of recruiting or retaining qualified employees. The board of county hospital trustees may pay reasonable expenses for recruiting or retaining physicians and other appropriate health care practitioners. (L) The board of county hospital trustees may retain counsel and institute legal action in its own name for the collection of delinquent accounts. The board may also employ any other lawful means for the collection of delinquent accounts.
Section 339.061 \| Charter county hospitals; disposition of income. Effective: September 29, 2015 Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section, "charter county hospital" means a county hospital based in a county that has adopted a charter under Section 3 of Article X, Ohio Constitution. (B) The board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital shall hold and administer all money received from the operation of the county hospital, including money arising from rendering medical services to patients, whether received from the patient or on behalf of the patient, including inpatient and outpatient fees, laboratory and other procedure fees, physician services, and all other fees, deposits, charges, receipts, and income received as a result of the operation of the county hospital and medical staff. (C) The board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital shall invest money described in division (B) of this section pursuant to an investment policy adopted by the board in a public meeting. The investment policy does not take effect unless it is approved by the county investment advisory committee established pursuant to section 135.341 of the Revised Code. The investment policy shall provide for all of the following: (1) That all fiduciaries shall discharge their duties with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; (2) That at least twenty-five per cent of the average amount of the investment portfolio over the course of the preceding fiscal year shall be invested, as a reserve, in securities of the United States government or of its agencies or instrumentalities, the treasurer of state's Ohio subdivisions fund, obligations of this state or any political subdivision of this state, certificates of deposit of any national bank located in this state, written repurchase agreements with any eligible financial institution in this state that is a member of the federal reserve system or federal home loan bank, money market funds, or bankers acceptances maturing in two hundred seventy days or less that are eligible for purchase by the federal reserve system; (3) That money not required to be invested as a reserve under division (C)(2) of this section may be pooled with other institutional funds and invested in accordance with section 1715.52 of the Revised Code; (4) The establishment of an investment committee within the board of county hospital trustees, which shall meet at least quarterly, to review and recommend revisions to the board's investment policy and to advise the board on investments made under division (C) of this section for the purpose of assisting the board in meeting its obligations as a fiduciary under that division. The policy shall authorize the committee to retain the services of an investment advisor who meets both of the following qualifications: (a) The advisor is licensed by the division of securities under section 1707.141 of the Revised Code or is registered with the United States securities and exchange commission. (b) The advisor has experience in the management of investments of public funds, especially in the investment of state government investment portfolios, or is an institution eligible to be a public depository as described in section 135.03 of the Revised Code. (D) Title to investments made by a board of county hospital trustees with money described in division (B) of this section shall not be vested in the county but shall be held in trust by the board. (E) Authority provided by this section is supplemental to the authority granted under division (D) of section 339.06 of the Revised Code and authority granted under the ordinances or charter of the county.
Section 339.062 \| Intellectual property. Effective: October 29, 2019 Latest Legislation: House Bill 50 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section, "charter county hospital" means a county hospital based in a county that has adopted a charter under Section 3 of Article X, Ohio Constitution. (B) All rights to, interests in, and income from intellectual property, including discoveries, inventions, or patents, that result from research or investigation conducted in an experiment station, bureau, laboratory, research facility, or other facility of a charter county hospital, or by employees of any charter county hospital acting within the scope of their employment or with funding, equipment, or infrastructure provided by or through a charter county hospital, shall be the sole property of that charter county hospital. No individual, firm, association, corporation, or governmental agency that uses the facilities of a charter county hospital in connection with conducting research or investigation, and no employee of a charter county hospital participating in or making discoveries or inventions or obtaining patents when acting within the scope of the employee's employment, shall have any rights to, interests in, or income from such intellectual property, including discoveries, inventions, or patents, except as may, by determination of the board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital, be assigned, licensed, transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of, to those entities or employees in accordance with division (C) of this section or in accordance with rules adopted under division (D) of this section. (C) As may be determined from time to time by the board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital, the charter county hospital may retain, assign, license, transfer, sell, or otherwise dispose of, in whole or in part and upon such terms as the board may direct, any and all rights to, interests in, or income from any intellectual property, including discoveries, inventions, or patents, that the charter county hospital owns or may acquire. Such dispositions may be to any individual, firm, association, corporation, or governmental agency, or to an employee of the charter county hospital, as the board may direct. All income or proceeds derived or retained from such dispositions shall be applied to the general or special use of the charter county hospital as determined by its board. (D)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, including sections 102.03, 102.04, 2921.42, and 2921.43 of the Revised Code, the board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital shall adopt rules under section 339.06 of the Revised Code that set forth circumstances under which an employee of the charter county hospital may solicit or accept, and under which a person may give or promise to give to an employee, a financial interest in any individual, firm, association, corporation, or governmental agency to which the board has assigned, licensed, transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of the charter county hospital's rights to, interests in, or income from its intellectual property, including discoveries or inventions made or created by that employee or patents issued to that employee when acting within the scope of the employee's employment. (2) The rules shall include the following: (a) A requirement that each charter county hospital employee disclose to the board of county hospital trustees of the charter county hospital any financial interest the employee holds in any individual, firm, association, corporation, or governmental agency as described in division (D)(1) of this section; (b) A requirement that all disclosures made under division (D)(2)(a) of this section are reviewed by officials designated by the board. The officials designated under this division shall determine the information that shall be disclosed and safeguards that shall be applied in order to manage, reduce, or eliminate any actual or potential conflict of interest; (c) A requirement that in implementing division (D) of this section, all board members shall be governed by Chapter 102. and sections 2921.42 and 2921.43 of the Revised Code; (d) Guidelines to ensure that any financial interest held by any employee of the charter county hospital does not result in misuse of the employees or resources of the charter county hospital for the benefit of the individual, firm, association, corporation, or governmental agency in which the interest is held or does not otherwise interfere with duties and responsibilities of the employee who holds the interest. (3) Rules adopted under division (D) of this section may include other provisions, at the discretion of the board of county hospital trustees of the charter county hospital. (E) Notwithstanding division (D)(1) of this section, the Ohio ethics commission, at the request of the board of county hospital trustees of a charter county hospital, shall advise the board in the implementation of the board's rules adopted under division (D) of this section and address any matter that is outside the scope of those rules.
Section 339.07 \| Duties of administrator. Effective: September 29, 2013 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The board of county hospital trustees shall provide for the administration of the county hospital by directly employing a hospital administrator or by entering into a contract for the management of the hospital under which an administrator is provided. When an administrator is employed directly, the board shall adopt a job description delineating the administrator's powers and duties and the board may pay the administrator's salary and other benefits from funds provided for the hospital. (B) During the construction and equipping of the hospital, the administrator shall act in an advisory capacity to the board of county hospital trustees. After the hospital is completed, the administrator shall serve as the chief executive officer and shall carry out the administration of the county hospital according to the policies set forth by the board and any written delegation. The administrator shall administer the county hospital, make reports, and take any other action that the administrator determines is necessary for the operation of the hospital. At the end of each fiscal year, the administrator shall submit to the board a complete financial statement showing the receipts, revenues, and expenditures in detail for the entire fiscal year. The administrator shall ensure that the hospital has such physicians, nurses, and other employees as are necessary for the proper care, control, and management of the county hospital and its patients. The physicians, nurses, and other employees may be suspended or removed by the administrator at any time the welfare of the hospital warrants suspension or removal. The administrator may obtain physicians, nurses, and other employees by direct employment, entering into contracts, or granting authority to practice in the hospital. Persons employed directly shall be in the unclassified civil service, pursuant to section 124.11 of the Revised Code.
Section 339.08 \| Hospital trust fund. Effective: November 15, 1991 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 233 - 119th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of county hospital trustees may receive any gift, bequest, or devise of real or personal property in trust for the erection, improvement, or support of the county hospital, and administer the said property and the proceeds thereof in the manner required by law or the instrument creating such trust. Before receiving such trust property, the board shall give additional bond in such amount as the board of county commissioners or a court requires. Any corporation or association holding property in trust for the erection, improvement, or support of a county hospital may make application to the court of common pleas of such county for permission to resign from and relinquish the obligations of such trust. The court shall set a time for a hearing, and give notice of the hearing to the donors, if living, and to the next of kin of deceased donors, residing within the state, and notice shall also be given by publication in a newspaper published in and of general circulation within the county for three consecutive weeks. Upon hearing, with consent of the board of county hospital trustees and upon its giving such additional bond as is ordered, the court may authorize said trust property to be delivered over to said board of county hospital trustees as successor trustees. Upon delivering said trust property and making a full accounting of the administration of it to the satisfaction of the court, the former board may be discharged and any bonds or obligations for performance of its duties as such board shall be canceled. All money held in trust by the board shall be kept in a separate fund to be known as "the hospital trust fund." The board of county hospital trustees shall make a complete report of its administration of all property and funds held in trust to the board of county commissioners with its annual report of operation of the hospital.
Section 339.09 \| Hospital may be leased. Effective: March 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 126 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the county hospital has been fully completed and sufficiently equipped for occupancy, in lieu of sections 339.06 to 339.08 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners of any county, on adoption of a resolution under section 339.091 of the Revised Code, may, upon such terms as are agreed upon between the board and a constituted and empowered nonsectarian Ohio corporation, organized for charitable purposes and not for profit, a majority of whose members reside in the county, enter into an agreement to lease for use as a hospital or hospital facilities, the lands, the buildings, and equipment of any hospital owned by said county. Such lease may be from year to year or may provide for a term of not more than thirty years and may provide that such board has the option to renew such lease at the expiration thereof for a further term of not more than thirty years upon such terms as are provided for in such lease. In the event that said nonprofit corporation fails to faithfully and efficiently administer, maintain, and operate such hospital as a public hospital, admitting patients without regard to race, creed, or color, then, after an opportunity is given to be heard upon written charges, said agreement shall terminate and the control and management of said hospital, together with all additions, improvements, and equipment, shall revert to and become the property of the county to be operated as provided by law.
Section 339.091 \| Approval of agreement for operation of county hospital by electors. Effective: September 10, 2012 Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Before the board of county commissioners, board of county hospital trustees, or county hospital commission may enter into an initial agreement for the acquisition, operation, or lease under section 140.03, 140.05, 339.09, or 339.14 of the Revised Code of a county hospital operated by a board of county hospital trustees under section 339.06 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners shall review the agreement. If it finds that the agreement will meet the needs of the residents of the county for hospital service, the board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution authorizing the board of county commissioners, board of county hospital trustees, or county hospital commission to enter into the agreement. On adoption of the resolution, the board of county commissioners, board of county hospital trustees, or county hospital commission may enter into the agreement. The requirements of this section do not apply to an agreement if one or more hospitals classified as general hospitals by the director of health under section 3701.07 of the Revised Code are operating in the same county as the county hospital.
Section 339.10 \| Authority for board to form or acquire corporation, LLC, or participate in nonprofit enterprise or venture. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 222 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The board of county hospital trustees of a county hospital may do either of the following: (1) Form, or acquire control of, a domestic nonprofit corporation or a domestic nonprofit limited liability company; (2) Be a partner, member, owner, associate, or participant in a nonprofit enterprise or nonprofit venture. (B) A board of county hospital trustees of a county hospital forming, acquiring, or becoming involved with a nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, enterprise, or venture under division (A) of this section shall do so in furtherance of any of the following: (1) To support the county hospital's mission; (2) To provide for any or all health care or medical services, whether inpatient or outpatient services, diagnostic, treatment, care, or rehabilitation services, wellness services, services involving the prevention, detection, and control of disease, home health services or services provided at or through various facilities, education, training, and other necessary and related services for the health professions; (3) The management or operation of any hospital facility as defined in division (E) of section 140.01 of the Revised Code; (4) The management, operation, or participation in programs, projects, activities, and services useful to, connected with, supporting, or otherwise related to the health, wellness, and medical services and wellness programs provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section; (5) Any other activities that are in furtherance of the county hospital or the persons served by the county hospital or are necessary to perform the county hospital's mission and functions and respond to change in the health care industry as determined by the board of trustees. (C) A nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, enterprise, or venture that a board of county hospital trustees of a county hospital forms, acquires, or becomes involved with under this section shall be considered an entity separate for all purposes from the county hospital, a county, or other public entity and shall not be considered to be an agency, division, or department of a county or other public entity. Last updated July 14, 2021 at 8:41 AM
Section 339.11 \| Contract by board of county commissioners for care of indigent sick and disabled persons. Effective: April 6, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of county commissioners may enter into an agreement with one or more corporations or associations organized for charitable purposes or for the purpose of maintaining and operating a hospital in any county in which such hospital has been established, for the care of indigent persons who are sick or have disabilities, including indigent persons receiving the tuberculosis treatment specified in section 339.73 of the Revised Code. The document used to verify the agreement shall specify the terms that have been agreed upon by the board and such corporations or associations. Such board shall provide for the payment of the amount agreed upon in one payment, or installments, or so much from year to year as the parties stipulate. This section does not authorize the payment of public funds to a sectarian institution, except when the payment is made pursuant to sections 339.71 to 339.89 of the Revised Code. The board may employ the necessary and properly qualified employees to assist it in carrying out all responsibilities devolving upon such board by reason of any agreement entered into in accordance with this section. Last updated March 10, 2023 at 10:59 AM
Section 339.12 \| Agreement for acquiring general hospital from municipality. Effective: November 15, 1991 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 233 - 119th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of county commissioners may, upon such terms as are agreed upon between such board and the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, lease, acquire, operate, and maintain, as and for a county hospital, the lands, buildings, and equipment of a general hospital owned by any such municipal corporation in the county. The terms of such agreement may provide that operation and maintenance of said hospital shall be under the direction and control of a public university having a college of medicine and located within the county. For such purposes the board may expend any available funds belonging to the county, except the proceeds of a special tax, loan, or bond issue.
Section 339.13 \| Ratification of former acts. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If the board of county commissioners has, prior to June 18, 1925, leased the lands, buildings, and equipment of any such general hospital as provided by section 339.12 of the Revised Code, as and for a county hospital, and has expended money or funds to operate and maintain the hospital, such acts and expenditures of the board may be ratified and confirmed by resolution of the board, by and with the consent of the municipal corporation owning such general hospital. When such acts and expenditures have been so ratified and confirmed, all previous proceedings in connection therewith are valid and binding.
Section 339.14 \| County hospital commission. Effective: March 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 126 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Upon application to the board of county commissioners by an Ohio corporation or corporations, organized for charitable hospital purposes and not for profit, in this section called participating hospital corporations, the board of county commissioners may, after a determination that the preservation of the public health requires additional hospital facilities in the county, appoint a hospital commission of not less than three members, in this section called the county hospital commission. Not less than three members of such commission shall be appointed to represent the public, and there shall be appointed to the commission one additional member for each participating hospital corporation, and there may be appointed to the commission one additional member for each nonparticipating charitable hospital corporation in the county and one or more members for any joint township hospital district participating under an agreement pursuant to section 513.081 of the Revised Code. All members representing the county and hospital corporations shall be electors of the county. All members shall serve without compensation. Of the first three public members appointed to the commission one shall be appointed for a term of two years, one for a term of four years, and one for a term of six years. Thereafter, such public members shall be appointed for a term of six years as shall be any additional public members. Members representing participating and nonparticipating hospital corporations shall be appointed for a term of six years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the board of county commissioners for the unexpired term. (B) The county hospital commission after consultation with participating hospital corporations and agreement as to their respective needs and the needs of the public of the county for hospital service may, with the consent of the board of county commissioners, accept conveyances of real estate and interests in real estate, situated within the county, from any person and may, on adoption of a resolution by the board of county commissioners pursuant to section 339.091 of the Revised Code, enter into an agreement before or after such conveyance with such person or with one or more Ohio corporations organized for charitable hospital purposes or nonprofit corporation organized to provide services to corporations organized for charitable hospital purposes, to lease to such corporation or corporations upon such terms as may be agreed upon such real estate together with improvements thereof and buildings thereafter constructed thereon and furniture, fixtures, and equipment therein for use as a general hospital or a hospital facility, the lease shall be for a period not to exceed fifty years, renewable for a like term and may contain provisions for the sale of such property to the lessee upon the unanimous consent of the board of county commissioners for a purchase price representing not less than the actual cost to the county, less depreciation, computed at the rate customarily applied to similar structures; or such general hospital or hospital facilities may be leased pursuant to and upon terms as provided pursuant to section 140.05 of the Revised Code, or the commission may enter into agreements with respect thereto as provided in section 140.03 of the Revised Code, notwithstanding other provisions of this section. (C) If the land conveyed under division (B) of this section is adjacent to an existing hospital, the county hospital commission may, at the time of the acceptance of the conveyance or the leasing of the proposed hospital facilities, enter into an agreement with the owner of such existing hospital for the use of common walls in the construction of the county hospital, or hospital facilities or rights and interests may be acquired as provided in division (F) of section 140.05 of the Revised Code. (D) The county hospital commission may take all steps necessary for the acquisition or construction, equipment, enlarging, rebuilding, or other improvement, of hospital facilities and may request the board of county commissioners to submit to the electors of the county, in the manner provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, a bond issue to cover the costs of hospital facilities, as defined in section 140.01 of the Revised Code. (E) If a bond issue provided for above is approved by the vote of a majority of the electors voting on the issue, the board of elections for such county shall certify the results of such election as provided in section 133.18 of the Revised Code, and the board of county commissioners shall proceed with the authorization and issuance of the bonds or notes in anticipation thereof, in the manner provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code for the issuance of bonds and notes by boards of county commissioners. (F) The county hospital commission shall take title in the name of the county to any land conveyed pursuant to this section, and shall have final approval of all plans and specifications for the erection and equipping of the hospital facilities contemplated in this section. The commission may employ architects and such other assistants as may be required in the construction, including supervision, and pay the expenses thereof out of the funds provided for such hospital facilities. (G) All funds arising from a bond issue pursuant to this section shall be placed in the county treasury to the credit of a fund to be known as the "county hospital facility fund." Such fund shall be paid out on the order of the county hospital commission, certified by the chairperson or vice-chairperson and secretary or assistant secretary of the commission. (H) Before making a contract for the expenditure of money on any structure in excess of one thousand dollars, the county hospital commission shall advertise for bids in accordance with section 307.87 of the Revised Code and shall cause plans, specifications, and detailed drawings to be distributed among the bidders. (I) The county hospital commission has continuing jurisdiction of the hospital facilities constructed under this section provided that the lessee corporation shall be solely responsible for the administration, maintenance, and operation of the leased facilities including the selection of personnel. In the event the lessee corporation fails to administer, maintain, and operate the leased hospital facilities as a public general hospital or hospital facility, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, admitting patients without regard to race, creed, or color, then, after an opportunity is given by the county hospital commission to be heard on written charges, the lease shall be terminated by the county hospital commission, with the consent of the board of county commissioners, and the control and management of the hospital facilities together with all additions and equipment shall revert to the county to be operated as provided by law. (J) The hospital facilities, including furniture, fixtures, and equipment therein, constructed under this section are exempt from taxation. (K) Upon request of the county hospital commission, the board of county commissioners may issue unvoted bonds or notes in anticipation thereof in the manner provided in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code to pay costs of hospital facilities as defined in section 140.01 of the Revised Code. The bonds and notes authorized by this division shall be issuable only after there has been entered into a lease, pursuant to this section or section 140.05 of the Revised Code, of the hospital facilities to be financed thereby providing for rental payments which, together with rentals payable under any prior lease available therefor, shall be at least sufficient, as to amounts and times of payment, to provide funds necessary to cover interest charges on all bonds authorized under this division and to provide a sufficient amount for retirement or sinking fund to retire such bonds as they become due. Such bonds and notes shall not be considered in ascertaining the limitations on net indebtedness of section 133.07 of the Revised Code. No amendment of such lease shall have the effect of reducing the rental payments below the amount required to meet such interest and bond retirement requirements.
Section 339.15 \| Issuing revenue obligations. Effective: October 4, 1984 Latest Legislation: House Bill 224 - 115th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The hospital commission of any county or the board of county hospital trustees established pursuant to section 339.02 of the Revised Code may issue revenue obligations of the county pursuant to section 140.06 of the Revised Code.
Section 339.16 \| Fringe benefits for county hospital employees. Effective: March 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 126 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) A board of trustees of any county hospital may contract for, purchase, or otherwise procure on behalf of any or all of its employees, the employees of the hospital, or such employees and their immediate dependents the following types of fringe benefits: (1) Group or individual insurance contracts which may include life, sickness, accident, disability, annuities, endowment, health, medical expense, hospital, dental, surgical and related coverage or any combination thereof; (2) Group or individual contracts with health insuring corporations or other providers of professional services, care, or benefits duly authorized to do business in this state. (B) A board of trustees of any county hospital may contract for, purchase, or otherwise procure insurance contracts which provide protection for the trustees, the board's employees, and the employees of the hospital against liability, including professional liability, provided that this section or any insurance contract issued pursuant to this section shall not be construed as a waiver of or in any manner affect the immunity of the hospital or county. (C) All or any portion of the cost, premium, fees, or charges for the insurance benefits specified in divisions (A) and (B) of this section may be paid in such manner or combination of manners as the board of trustees may determine, including direct payment by an employee, and, if authorized in writing by an employee, by the board of trustees with moneys made available by deduction from or reduction in salary or wages or by the foregoing of a salary or wage increase. Notwithstanding sections 3917.01 and 3917.06 of the Revised Code, the board of trustees may purchase group life insurance authorized by this section by reason of payment of premiums therefor by the board of trustees from its funds, and such group life insurance may be issued and purchased if otherwise consistent with sections 3917.01 to 3917.06 of the Revised Code.
Section 339.17 \| Alternative statutory requirements. Effective: March 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 126 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Sections 140.03 and 140.05 of the Revised Code are alternatives to sections 339.02 to 339.13 of the Revised Code. Sections 339.02 to 339.14 of the Revised Code are not applicable with respect to hospital facilities and services provided for under leases or agreements entered into pursuant to section 140.03 or 140.05 of the Revised Code, except to the extent made applicable by section 140.03 or 140.05 of the Revised Code and the leases and agreements made thereunder. (B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, the requirements of section 339.091 of the Revised Code apply to an initial agreement with a board of county commissioners, board of county hospital trustees, or county hospital commission for the acquisition, operation, or lease of a county hospital operated by a board of county hospital trustees under section 339.06 of the Revised Code, entered into pursuant to section 140.03 or 140.05 of the Revised Code, but not to any amendment or renewal of such agreement.
Section 339.19 \| Continued existence and operation of certain county tuberculosis hospitals. Effective: June 29, 2001 Latest Legislation: House Bill 299 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Notwithstanding the amendment of sections 339.38, 339.39, 339.42, and 339.43 of the Revised Code, the repeal of sections 339.20, 339.21, 339.22, 339.23, 339.231, 339.24, 339.25, 339.26, 339.27, 339.28, 339.29, 339.30, 339.31, 339.32, 339.33, 339.34, 339.35, 339.36, 339.37, 339.40, 339.41, 339.45, 339.46, and 339.99 of the Revised Code, and any other changes made by Substitute Senate Bill No. 173 of the 123rd general assembly relative to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of a county tuberculosis hospital, a county tuberculosis hospital that was operating under those sections on the effective date of that act, October 10, 2000, may continue to exist and operate on and after that date as though the provisions of those sections were neither amended nor repealed and had remained in full force and effect.
Section 339.71 \| Tuberculosis control unit definitions. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As used in this section and sections 339.72 to 339.89 of the Revised Code: (A) "Active tuberculosis" means tuberculosis that has been demonstrated by clinical, bacteriological, or radiographic evidence to be present in an individual who has not completed an appropriate course of antituberculosis medication, regardless of the stage of communicability of the tuberculosis, and includes both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. (B) "Communicable tuberculosis" means active pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis that has been determined, through examination of a culture of specimens obtained from the individual's respiratory tract, to be in a stage at which it can be transmitted to another individual. (C) "Extrapulmonary tuberculosis" means tuberculosis that affects tissues of the body other than the lungs. (D) "Laryngeal tuberculosis" means tuberculosis that affects the larynx. (E) "Physician" means an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery. (F) "Pulmonary tuberculosis" means tuberculosis that affects the lungs. (G) "Tuberculosis" means the infectious disease occurring in humans that is caused by one of the following microorganisms: (1) Mycobacterium tuberculosis; (2) Mycobacterium bovis; (3) Mycobacterium africanum.
Section 339.72 \| Designation of tuberculosis control unit. Effective: June 30, 2005 Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Each board of county commissioners shall provide for the county to be served by a tuberculosis control unit by designating a county tuberculosis control unit or by entering into an agreement with one or more boards of county commissioners of other counties under which the boards jointly designate a district tuberculosis control unit. The entity designated as the county or district tuberculosis control unit may be any of the following: (1) A communicable disease control program operated by a board of health of a city or general health district pursuant to section 3709.22 of the Revised Code; (2) A tuberculosis clinic established by a board of county commissioners pursuant to section 339.76 of the Revised Code; (3) A hospital that provides tuberculosis clinic services under a contract with a board of county commissioners pursuant to section 339.75 of the Revised Code. (B) The entity designated under division (A) of this section as the tuberculosis control unit shall accept that designation and fulfill its duties as the tuberculosis control unit specified under sections 339.71 to 339.89 of the Revised Code.
Section 339.73 \| Treatment to be available to all persons with tuberculosis. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each county or district tuberculosis control unit shall ensure that tuberculosis treatment is made available to all individuals with tuberculosis who reside in the area served by the unit. In making treatment available, the tuberculosis control unit may provide the treatment or make referrals for receipt of treatment from other entities. The unit may make referrals for receipt of temporary housing. The tuberculosis treatment provided under this section is limited to cases of active tuberculosis and infected contacts and includes provision of antituberculosis medication, conduct of an investigation under section 339.80 of the Revised Code, provision of appropriate follow-up services for confirmed and suspected cases of active tuberculosis, and provision of services by a physician through a course of therapy that meets the standards for tuberculosis treatment established by the United States centers for disease control and prevention or the American thoracic society. The tuberculosis control unit shall serve all residents within its jurisdiction, regardless of the length of time that the individual has resided in the area or the individual's income and resources. An individual who receives tuberculosis treatment shall disclose to the tuberculosis control unit the identity of any third party against whom the individual has or may have a right of recovery for the treatment provided. The board of county commissioners is the payor of last resort for tuberculosis treatment and shall pay for treatment only to the extent that payment is not made through third-party benefits.
Section 339.74 \| Tuberculosis record bureau. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each county or district tuberculosis control unit shall establish a tuberculosis record bureau, appoint a director thereof, and appoint such assistants as are required to maintain adequate records with respect to all known cases of tuberculosis within the area served by the unit.
Section 339.75 \| County commissioners may contract for treatment. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of county commissioners of any county may contract with the board of health of a city or general health district or any hospital or other health care facility for the provision of the tuberculosis treatment specified under section 339.73 of the Revised Code. The board shall pay to the board of health or health care facility with which it contracts the amount provided in the contract.
Section 339.76 \| Tuberculosis clinics established by county commissioners. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The board of county commissioners of any county may establish and maintain one or more tuberculosis clinics in the county and may employ physicians, public health nurses, and other persons for the operation of such clinics or other means as are provided for the prevention, cure, and treatment of tuberculosis. The board may provide by tax levies, or otherwise, the necessary funds for such clinics to be established, maintained, and operated. Clinics so established shall be under the control of the board of county commissioners, and shall be supervised by a board of three trustees, similar in all respects to and with all the powers enjoyed by a board of trustees of a county hospital, or by a city or general district board of health within the county, as the board of county commissioners designates. The boards of county commissioners of two or more counties may join together to establish a joint county tuberculosis clinic. Clinics so established shall be under the control of the joint boards of county commissioners of the member counties and shall be supervised by a board of trustees, such board to consist of an equal number of trustees from each of the member counties, with all of the powers enjoyed by a board of trustees of a county hospital, or by a city or general health district board of health within the county where the clinic is located, as the member boards of county commissioners shall designate. The cost of the establishment and the maintenance of such clinics shall be distributed among the member counties as agreed upon by such members, and such costs shall be paid from the respective county general funds, or from tax levies, or both.
Section 339.78 \| Reporting confirmed case of tuberculosis to county or district tuberculosis control unit. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) When a physician completes diagnostic studies confirming that an individual has tuberculosis, the physician shall report the confirmed case of tuberculosis to the county or district tuberculosis control unit. A physician shall make a report to the tuberculosis control unit prior to completion of diagnostic studies if the signs and symptoms demonstrated by an individual are sufficient for the physician to suspect that the individual has tuberculosis. At any time it is determined that an individual's tuberculosis is resistant to one or more drugs, the physician shall make a report to the unit. The physician attending an individual with tuberculosis shall document the individual's adherence to the treatment regimen that the physician prescribes and make a report to the tuberculosis control unit if the individual does not adhere to the regimen. In each report made under this division, the physician shall provide all information that the tuberculosis control unit requests. The information shall be provided at intervals specified by the tuberculosis control unit. (B) In addition to accepting reports made by physicians under division (A) of this section, a county or district tuberculosis control unit shall accept reports made as follows: (1) The administrator of a hospital, clinic, or other facility that is providing services to an individual who is confirmed to have or is suspected of having tuberculosis shall report the case to the tuberculosis control unit; (2) The administrator of a laboratory that performs tests for tuberculosis on human specimens shall report to the tuberculosis control unit each positive tuberculosis test result obtained; (3) Any person who suspects that an individual has tuberculosis may report that suspicion to the tuberculosis control unit.
Section 339.79 \| Reporting case of tuberculosis that is resistant to one or more drugs. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A county or district tuberculosis control unit shall make a report to the Ohio department of health each time the unit receives a report under section 339.78 of the Revised Code of a suspected or confirmed case of tuberculosis or a case of tuberculosis that is resistant to one or more drugs. If the report pertains to an individual who is not a resident of this state, the department shall make a report to the state or local public health agency that serves the state in which the individual resides.
Section 339.80 \| Investigations. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a county or district tuberculosis control unit receives a report under section 339.78 of the Revised Code of a confirmed or suspected case of tuberculosis, the unit shall conduct an investigation that includes personal contact with the individual with tuberculosis. The investigation shall commence not later than three working days after the unit receives the report.
Section 339.81 \| Confidential information. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any information, data, and reports with respect to a case of tuberculosis that are furnished to, or procured by, a county or district tuberculosis control unit or the department of health shall be confidential and used only for statistical, scientific, and medical research for the purpose of controlling tuberculosis in this state. No physician, hospital, or other entity furnishing information, data, or reports pursuant to this chapter shall by reason of such furnishing be deemed to have violated any confidential relationship, be held to answer for willful betrayal of a professional confidence, or be held liable in damages to any person.
Section 339.82 \| Duties of individual diagnosed with active or communicable tuberculosis. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Except as provided in section 339.89 of the Revised Code, all of the following apply to individuals with tuberculosis: (A)(1) An individual who has been diagnosed as having active tuberculosis shall complete the entire tuberculosis treatment regimen prescribed for the individual by a physician. The regimen prescribed shall include a course of antituberculosis medication, recommendations for management of tuberculosis, and instructions for following contagion precautions to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. (2) If an individual fails to take prescribed antituberculosis medication in accordance with division (A)(1) of this section, the county or district tuberculosis control unit shall establish a procedure under which the individual is required to be witnessed ingesting the antituberculosis medication by individuals designated by the unit. The individual shall take the medication in accordance with the procedure. (B) An individual with communicable tuberculosis who is not hospitalized or otherwise confined shall not attend any public gathering or be in any public place that the county or district tuberculosis control unit determines cannot be maintained in a manner adequate to protect others from the spread of the disease. An individual with communicable tuberculosis who cannot be maintained outside of a hospital in a manner adequate to protect others from the spread of the disease shall submit to hospitalization and remain hospitalized. (C) An individual with active tuberculosis who intends to travel or relocate shall notify the county or district tuberculosis control unit. The unit shall notify the Ohio department of health when an individual with active tuberculosis relocates. The department shall notify the tuberculosis control unit of the tuberculosis control district to which the individual intends to travel or relocate or the appropriate public health authority of the state to which the individual intends to travel or relocate.
Section 339.83 \| Notice to individual diagnosed with active or communicable tuberculosis. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a county or district tuberculosis control unit becomes aware that an individual with active or communicable tuberculosis is not in compliance with section 339.82 of the Revised Code, the unit shall inform the individual that section 339.82 of the Revised Code requires compliance and that the unit may issue an order under section 339.84 of the Revised Code compelling the individual to comply.
Section 339.84 \| Order compelling compliance with duties. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If an individual fails to comply with section 339.82 of the Revised Code, the county or district tuberculosis control unit may issue an order compelling the individual to comply.
Section 339.85 \| Injunctions. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If an individual fails to comply with an order issued under section 339.84 of the Revised Code, the county or district tuberculosis control unit may apply to the probate court of the appropriate county for an injunction prohibiting the individual from continuing to violate the unit's order. If the tuberculosis control unit believes that an individual's failure to comply with its order involves an immediate danger to the public health, the unit may request that the court issue an injunction without granting the individual an opportunity for a prior hearing or that the court hold an expedited hearing on the matter.
Section 339.86 \| Detaining noncomplying individual. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) If an individual fails to comply with an injunction issued under section 339.85 of the Revised Code, the county or district tuberculosis control unit may request that the probate court of the appropriate county issue an order under which the unit is granted the authority to detain the individual in a hospital or other place to be examined or treated for tuberculosis. In the request, the unit shall provide the following information: (1) The name of the individual; (2) The purpose of making the request for detention; (3) An individualized assessment that contains a description of the circumstances and behavior of the individual that constitutes the basis for making the request; (4) A recommendation for the length of time that the individual should be detained; (5) A recommendation of a hospital or other place to be used for the detention. (B) The court may issue an order for detention for an initial period of not more than one hundred eighty days. At the end of the initial period of detention, the court shall review the case and may extend the order for subsequent periods of not more than ninety days. At the end of each subsequent period of detention, the court shall review the case. When the court receives satisfactory evidence that the individual subject to the order no longer has active tuberculosis, the court shall terminate the order for detention. (C) An individual who has been detained under this section may provide the tuberculosis control unit with the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of relatives and friends to be notified of the detention, and the unit shall notify all or a reasonable number of those individuals. An individual who has been detained shall not be subject to forcible administration of antituberculosis medication. The individual may, at any time, submit a request to the tuberculosis control unit to be released from detention. During any proceeding pertaining to an individual's detention or proposed detention, the individual has the right to be represented by counsel. If the individual is indigent, the individual may apply for court-appointed counsel. The court may appoint counsel for the individual if it determines that the individual is indigent.
Section 339.87 \| Emergency detention order. Effective: October 10, 2000 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) When a tuberculosis control unit has reasonable grounds to believe that an individual who has, or is suspected of having, active tuberculosis poses a substantial danger to the health of other individuals, the tuberculosis control unit may issue an emergency detention order directing a sheriff or other law enforcement officer to remove the individual to a hospital or other place to be examined and treated for tuberculosis. (B) Not later than the end of the third business day after detention of an individual under division (A) of this section, the tuberculosis control unit shall apply to the probate court of the county from which the individual was removed for a detention order under division (B) of section 339.86 of the Revised Code. If a request is not filed in that time, the individual shall be immediately released. An individual released for this reason shall not be detained by a subsequent order under division (A) of this section unless the tuberculosis control unit first obtains an order from the probate court pursuant to division (B) of section 339.86 of the Revised Code.
Section 339.88 \| Expenses of detaining noncomplying individual. Effective: June 30, 2005 Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The expenses incurred for detention under section 339.86 or 339.87 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the individual detained or if the individual is indigent, by the board of county commissioners of the county from which the individual was removed.
Section 339.89 \| Spiritual treatment in lieu of medical treatment for tuberculosis. Effective: February 12, 2004 Latest Legislation: House Bill 6 - 125th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Sections 339.71 to 339.88 of the Revised Code, and the rules for tuberculosis adopted under section 3701.146 of the Revised Code, do not require a person to undergo testing, medical treatment, or detention in a hospital or other place for treatment if the person, or, in the case of a child, the child's parents, rely exclusively on spiritual treatment through prayer, in lieu of medical treatment, in accordance with a recognized, religious method of healing. The person may be quarantined or otherwise safely isolated in the home or another place that is suitable to the health of the person and has been approved by the tuberculosis control unit as a place that provides appropriate protection to other persons and the community.