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The Legislative Service Commission staff updates the Revised Code on an ongoing basis, as it completes its act review of enacted legislation. Updates may be slower during some times of the year, depending on the volume of enacted legislation.

Chapter 3712 | Hospice Care

 
 
 
Section
Section 3712.01 | Hospice care definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Hospice care program" means a coordinated program of home, outpatient, and inpatient care and services that is operated by a person or public agency and that provides the following care and services to hospice patients, including services as indicated below to hospice patients' families, through a medically directed interdisciplinary team, under interdisciplinary plans of care established pursuant to section 3712.06 of the Revised Code, in order to meet the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and other special needs that are experienced during the final stages of illness, dying, and bereavement:

(1) Nursing care by or under the supervision of a registered nurse;

(2) Physical, occupational, or speech or language therapy, unless waived by the department of health pursuant to rules adopted under division (A) of section 3712.03 of the Revised Code;

(3) Medical social services by a social worker under the direction of a physician;

(4) Services of a home health aide;

(5) Medical supplies, including drugs and biologicals, and the use of medical appliances;

(6) Physician's services;

(7) Short-term inpatient care, including both palliative and respite care and procedures;

(8) Counseling for hospice patients and hospice patients' families;

(9) Services of volunteers under the direction of the provider of the hospice care program;

(10) Bereavement services for hospice patients' families.

"Hospice care program" does not include a pediatric respite care program or a pediatric transition care program.

(B) "Hospice patient" means a patient, other than a pediatric respite care patient, who has been diagnosed as terminally ill, has an anticipated life expectancy of six months or less, and has voluntarily requested and is receiving care from a person or public agency licensed under this chapter to provide a hospice care program.

(C) "Hospice patient's family" means a hospice patient's immediate family members, including a spouse, brother, sister, child, or parent, and any other relative or individual who has significant personal ties to the patient and who is designated as a member of the patient's family by mutual agreement of the patient, the relative or individual, and the patient's interdisciplinary team.

(D) "Interdisciplinary team" means a working unit composed of professional and lay persons that includes at least a physician, a registered nurse, a social worker, a member of the clergy or a counselor, and a volunteer.

(E) "Palliative care" means specialized care for a patient of any age who has been diagnosed with a serious or life-threatening illness that is provided at any stage of the illness by an interdisciplinary team working in consultation with other health care professionals, including those who may be seeking to cure the illness, and that aims to do all of the following:

(1) Relieve the symptoms, stress, and suffering resulting from the illness;

(2) Improve the quality of life of the patient and the patient's family;

(3) Address the patient's physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs;

(4) Facilitate patient autonomy, access to information, and medical decision making.

(F) "Physician" means a person authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(G) "Attending physician" means the physician identified by the hospice patient, pediatric respite care patient, hospice patient's family, or pediatric respite care patient's family as having primary responsibility for the medical care of the hospice patient or pediatric respite care patient.

(H) "Registered nurse" means a person registered under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code to practice professional nursing.

(I) "Social worker" means a person licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code to practice as a social worker or independent social worker.

(J) "Pediatric respite care program" means a program operated by a person or public agency that provides inpatient respite care and related services, including all of the following services, only to pediatric respite care patients and, as indicated below, pediatric respite care patients' families, in order to meet the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and other special needs that are experienced during or leading up to the final stages of illness, dying, and bereavement:

(1) Short-term inpatient care, including both palliative and respite care and procedures;

(2) Nursing care by or under the supervision of a registered nurse;

(3) Physician's services;

(4) Medical social services by a social worker under the direction of a physician;

(5) Medical supplies, including drugs and biologicals, and the use of medical appliances;

(6) Counseling for pediatric respite care patients and pediatric respite care patients' families;

(7) Bereavement services for respite care patients' families.

"Pediatric respite care program" does not include a pediatric transition care program or hospice care program.

(K) "Pediatric transition care program" means a program operated by a person or public agency that arranges for the provision of health care and related services in a private home setting, including all of the following services, only to pediatric transition care patients, who are not related by birth or adoption to the person that arranges for the provision of health care and related services, and, as indicated below, the parents of pediatric transition care patients, in order to meet the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and other special needs of children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening diseases and conditions:

(1) Inpatient care and procedures;

(2) Skilled nursing care;

(3) Nursing care by or under the supervision of a registered nurse;

(4) Physician's services;

(5) Medical supplies, including drugs and biologicals, and the use of medical appliances;

(6) For a pediatric transition care patients' parents, counseling, education, and visitation to promote reunification.

"Pediatric transition care program" does not include a hospice care program or a pediatric respite care program.

(L) "Pediatric respite care patient" means a patient, other than a hospice patient, who is less than twenty-seven years of age and to whom all of the following conditions apply:

(1) The patient has been diagnosed with a disease or condition that is life-threatening and is expected to shorten the life expectancy that would have applied to the patient absent the patient's diagnosis, regardless of whether the patient is terminally ill.

(2) The diagnosis described in division (L)(1) of this section occurred while the patient was less than eighteen years of age.

(3) The patient, or the parent or guardian of the patient if the patient is under eighteen years of age or under guardianship, has voluntarily requested and is receiving care from a person or public agency licensed under this chapter to provide a pediatric respite care program.

(M) "Pediatric transition care patient" means a patient, other than a hospice patient, who is less than twenty-seven years of age and to whom all of the following conditions apply:

(1) The patient has been diagnosed with a disease or condition that is life-threatening and is expected to shorten the life expectancy that would have applied to the patient absent the patient's diagnosis, regardless of whether the patient is terminally ill.

(2) The diagnosis described in division (M)(1) of this section occurred when the patient was less than eighteen years of age.

(3) The patient, or the parent or guardian of the patient if the patient is under eighteen years of age or under guardianship, has voluntarily requested and is receiving care from a person or public agency registered under this chapter to provide a pediatric transition care program.

(N) "Pediatric respite care patient's family" means a pediatric respite care patient's family members, including a spouse, brother, sister, child, or parent, and any other relative or individual who has significant personal ties to the patient and who is designated as a member of the patient's family by mutual agreement of the patient, the relative or individual, and the patient's interdisciplinary team.

(O) "Skilled nursing care" means procedures that require technical skills and knowledge beyond those the untrained person possesses and that are commonly employed in providing for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of the ill or otherwise incapacitated. "Skilled nursing care" includes the following:

(1) Irrigations, catheterizations, application of dressings, and supervision of special diets;

(2) Objective observation of changes in the patient's condition as a means of analyzing and determining the nursing care required and the need for further medical diagnosis and treatment;

(3) Special procedures contributing to rehabilitation;

(4) Administration of medication by any method ordered by a physician, such as hypodermically, rectally, or orally, including observation of the patient after receipt of the medication;

(5) Carrying out other treatments prescribed by the physician that involve a similar level of complexity and skill in administration.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 12:42 PM

Section 3712.03 | Director of health; powers and duties.
 

(A) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of health shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules:

(1) Providing for the licensing of persons or public agencies providing hospice care programs within this state by the department of health and for the suspension and revocation of licenses;

(2) Establishing a license fee and license renewal fee for hospice care programs, neither of which shall, except as provided in division (B) of this section, exceed six hundred dollars. The fees shall cover the three-year period during which an existing license is valid as provided in division (B) of section 3712.04 of the Revised Code.

(3) Establishing an inspection fee for hospice care programs not to exceed, except as provided in division (B) of this section, one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars;

(4) Establishing requirements for hospice care program facilities and services;

(5) Establishing procedures a hospice care program must follow while investigating a sign of suspected diversion of controlled substances containing opioids pursuant to division (B)(5) of section 3712.062 of the Revised Code;

(6) Establishing requirements for reporting to a local law enforcement agency pursuant to division (B)(6) of section 3712.062 of the Revised Code the results of an investigation of suspected diversion;

(7) Providing for a waiver of the requirement for the provision of physical, occupational, or speech or language therapy contained in division (A)(2) of section 3712.01 of the Revised Code when the requirement would create a hardship because such therapy is not readily available in the geographic area served by the provider of a hospice care program;

(8) Providing for the granting of licenses to provide hospice care programs to persons and public agencies that are accredited or certified to provide such programs by an entity whose standards for accreditation or certification equal or exceed those provided for licensure under this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(9) Establishing interpretive guidelines for each rule adopted under this section.

(B) Subject to the approval of the controlling board, the director may establish fees in excess of the maximum amounts specified in this section, provided that the fees do not exceed those amounts by greater than fifty per cent.

(C) The department of health shall:

(1) Grant, suspend, and revoke licenses for hospice care programs in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(2) Make such inspections as are necessary to determine whether hospice care program facilities and services meet the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under it; and

(3) Implement and enforce provisions of this chapter and rules adopted under it as such provisions apply to hospice care programs.

Section 3712.031 | Adoption of rules.
 

(A) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of health shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules:

(1) Providing for the licensing of persons or public agencies providing pediatric respite care programs within this state by the department of health and for the suspension and revocation of licenses;

(2) Establishing a license fee and license renewal fee for pediatric respite care programs, neither of which shall, except as provided in division (B) of this section, exceed six hundred dollars. The fees shall cover the three-year period during which an existing license is valid as provided in division (B) of section 3712.041 of the Revised Code.

(3) Establishing an inspection fee not to exceed, except as provided in division (B) of this section, one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars;

(4) Establishing requirements for pediatric respite care program facilities and services;

(5) Providing for the granting of licenses to provide pediatric respite care programs to persons and public agencies that are accredited or certified to provide such programs by an entity whose standards for accreditation or certification equal or exceed those provided for licensure under this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(6) Establishing interpretive guidelines for each rule adopted under this section.

(B) Subject to the approval of the controlling board, the director of health may establish fees in excess of the maximum amounts specified in this section, provided that the fees do not exceed those amounts by greater than fifty per cent.

(C) The department of health shall:

(1) Grant, suspend, and revoke licenses for pediatric respite care programs in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(2) Make such inspections as are necessary to determine whether pediatric respite care program facilities and services meet the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under it; and

(3) Implement and enforce provisions of this chapter and rules adopted under it as such provisions apply to pediatric respite care programs.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 12:43 PM

Section 3712.032 | Adoption of rules for pediatric transition care programs.
 

(A) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of health shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules:

(1) Providing for the registration of persons and public agencies that provide pediatric transition care programs within this state and for the suspension and revocation of registrations;

(2) Establishing fees for initial registration and registration renewal for pediatric transition care programs, neither of which shall, except as provided in division (B) of this section, exceed six hundred dollars during a three-year period that a registration is valid as provided in section 3712.042 of the Revised Code;

(3) Establishing an inspection fee, which shall not, except as provided in division (B) of this section, exceed one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars;

(4) Establishing emergency and safety requirements for pediatric transition care programs;

(5) Providing for pediatric transition care program registration under this chapter of persons and public agencies that are accredited or certified by an organization that the director determines has standards for accreditation or certification that are equal to or exceed those set forth in this chapter and the rules adopted under it.

(B) Subject to the approval of the controlling board, the director may establish fees in excess of the maximum amounts specified in this section, provided that the fees do not exceed those amounts by greater than fifty per cent.

(C) The department of health shall:

(1) Grant, suspend, and revoke registrations for pediatric transition care programs in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(2) Make such inspections as are necessary to determine whether pediatric transition care program homes and services meet the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(3) Implement and enforce provisions of this chapter and rules adopted under it as such provisions apply to pediatric transition care programs.

(D) Notwithstanding any provision of section 121.95 of the Revised Code to the contrary, a regulatory restriction contained in a rule adopted under this section is not subject to sections 121.95 to 121.953 of the Revised Code.

(E) Rules adopted under section 3712.031 of the Revised Code do not apply to pediatric transition care programs.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 5:58 PM

Section 3712.04 | Hospice care program license.
 

(A) Every person or public agency that proposes to provide a hospice care program shall apply to the department of health for a license. Application shall be made on forms prescribed and provided by the department, shall include such information as the department requires, and shall be accompanied by the license fee established by rules of the director of health adopted under division (A) of section 3712.03 of the Revised Code.

The department shall grant a license to the applicant if the applicant is in compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under it.

(B) A license granted under this section shall be valid for three years. Application for renewal of a license shall be made at least ninety days before the expiration of the license in the same manner as for an initial license, except that, if the program provides hospice care and services in a hospice patient's home, the application for renewal shall include written evidence demonstrating that the applicant is in compliance with section 3712.062 of the Revised Code. The department shall renew the license if the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under it.

(C) Subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the department may suspend or revoke a license if the licensee made any material misrepresentation in the application for the license or no longer meets the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under it.

(D) A hospital, nursing home, home for the aged, county medical care facility, or other health facility or agency that provides a hospice care program shall be licensed to provide a hospice care program under this section.

(E) A nursing home licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code that does not hold itself out to be a hospice, does not hold itself out as providing a hospice care program, does not use the term hospice to describe or refer to its activities or facilities, and that does not provide all of the services enumerated in division (A) of section 3712.01 of the Revised Code is not subject to the licensing provisions of this chapter.

Section 3712.041 | License for pediatric respite care program.
 

(A) Every person or public agency that proposes to provide a pediatric respite care program shall apply to the department of health for a license. Application shall be made on forms prescribed and provided by the department, shall include such information as the department requires, and shall be accompanied by the license fee established by rules adopted by the director of health under division (A) of section 3712.031 of the Revised Code.

The department shall grant a license to the applicant if the applicant is in compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under it.

(B) A license granted under this section shall be valid for three years. Application for renewal of a license shall be made at least ninety days before the expiration of the license in the same manner as for an initial license. The department shall renew the license if the applicant meets the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under it.

(C) Subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the department may suspend or revoke a license if the licensee made any material misrepresentation in the application for the license or no longer meets the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under it.

Section 3712.042 | Registration for pediatric transition care programs.
 

(A) Every person or public agency that proposes to provide a pediatric transition care program shall register with the department of health. Registration shall be made on forms prescribed and provided by the department and shall include such information as the department requires.

The department shall register a pediatric transition care program if the program is in compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under it.

(B) A registration under this section shall be valid for three years. Registration renewal shall be made at least ninety days before the expiration of the registration in the same manner as for an initial registration. The department shall renew the registration if the pediatric transition care program meets the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under it.

(C) Subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the department may suspend or revoke a registration if the registration holder made any material misrepresentation related to the registration or no longer meets the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted under it.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 6:02 PM

Section 3712.05 | Unlicensed hospice care programs.
 

(A) No person or public agency, other than a person or public agency licensed pursuant to section 3712.04 of the Revised Code, shall hold itself out as providing a hospice care program, or provide a hospice care program, or use the term "hospice" or any term containing "hospice" to describe or refer to a health program, facility, or agency.

A hospital, home providing nursing care, or home health agency that provides services under contract with a person or public agency providing a hospice care program licensed under section 3712.04 of the Revised Code or a terminal care facility for the homeless that has entered into an agreement under section 3712.07 of the Revised Code shall not be considered as providing a hospice care program in violation of this division.

This division does not apply to the activities of regional, state, or national nonprofit organizations of which providers of hospice care programs, individuals interested in hospice care programs, or both, are members and that do not provide or represent that they provide hospice care programs.

As used in this division, "person" does not include a member of an interdisciplinary team, as defined in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code, or any individual who is employed by a person or public agency licensed under section 3712.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of health shall petition the court of common pleas of any county in which a person or public agency, without a license granted under section 3712.04 of the Revised Code, is holding itself out as providing a hospice care program, is providing a hospice care program, or is representing a health program, facility, or agency as a hospice care program, for an order enjoining that person or public agency from conducting those activities without a license. The court has jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief upon a showing that the respondent named in the petition is conducting those activities without a license.

Any person or public agency may request the department to petition the court for injunctive relief under this division, and the department shall do so if it determines that the person or public agency named in the request is violating division (A) of this section.

Section 3712.051 | Unlicensed pediatric respite care programs; injunctions.
 

(A) As used in this division, "person" does not include a member of an interdisciplinary team, as defined in section 3712.01 of the Revised Code, or any individual who is employed by a person or public agency licensed under section 3712.041 of the Revised Code.

Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no person or public agency, other than a person or public agency licensed pursuant to section 3712.041 of the Revised Code, shall hold itself out as providing a pediatric respite care program, or provide a pediatric respite care program, or use the term "pediatric respite care program" or any term containing "pediatric respite care" to describe or refer to a health program, facility, or agency.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) A hospital;

(2) A nursing home or residential care facility, as those terms are defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) A home health agency, if it provides services under contract with a person or public agency providing a pediatric respite care program licensed under section 3712.041 of the Revised Code;

(4) A regional, state, or national nonprofit organization whose members are providers of pediatric respite care programs, individuals interested in pediatric respite care programs, or both, as long as the organization does not provide or represent that it provides pediatric respite care programs;

(5) A person or government entity certified under section 5123.161 of the Revised Code as a supported living provider;

(6) A residential facility licensed under section 5123.19 of the Revised Code;

(7) A respite care home certified under section 5126.05 of the Revised Code;

(8) A person providing respite care under a family support services program established under section 5126.11 of the Revised Code;

(9) A person or government entity providing respite care under a medicaid waiver component that the department of developmental disabilities administers pursuant to section 5166.21 of the Revised Code.

(C) The department of health shall petition the court of common pleas of any county in which a person or public agency, without a license granted under section 3712.041 of the Revised Code, is holding itself out as providing a pediatric respite care program, is providing a pediatric respite care program, or is representing a health program, facility, or agency as a pediatric respite care program, for an order enjoining that person or public agency from conducting those activities without a license. The court has jurisdiction to grant injunctive relief upon a showing that the respondent named in the petition is conducting those activities without a license.

Any person or public agency may request the department to petition the court for injunctive relief under this division, and the department shall do so if it determines that the person or public agency named in the request is violating division (A) of this section.

Section 3712.06 | Provision of services.
 

Any person or public agency licensed under section 3712.04 of the Revised Code to provide a hospice care program shall:

(A) Provide a planned and continuous hospice care program, the medical components of which shall be under the direction of a physician;

(B) Ensure that care is available twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week;

(C) Establish an interdisciplinary plan of care for each hospice patient and the patient's family that:

(1) Is coordinated by one designated individual who shall ensure that all components of the plan of care are addressed and implemented;

(2) Addresses maintenance of patient-family participation in decision making; and

(3) Is periodically reviewed by the patient's attending physician and by the patient's interdisciplinary team.

(D) Have an interdisciplinary team or teams that provide or supervise the provision of care and establish the policies governing the provision of the care;

(E) Provide bereavement counseling for hospice patients' families;

(F) Not discontinue care because of a hospice patient's inability to pay for the care;

(G) Maintain central clinical records on all hospice patients under its care; and

(H) Provide care in individuals' homes, on an outpatient basis, and on a short-term inpatient basis.

A provider of a hospice care program may include pharmacist services among the other services that are made available to its hospice patients.

A provider of a hospice care program may arrange for another person or public agency to furnish a component or components of the hospice care program pursuant to a written contract. When a provider of a hospice care program arranges for a hospital, a home providing nursing care, or home health agency to furnish a component or components of the hospice care program to its patient, the care shall be provided by a licensed, certified, or accredited hospital, home providing nursing care, or home health agency pursuant to a written contract under which:

(1) The provider of a hospice care program furnishes to the contractor a copy of the hospice patient's interdisciplinary plan of care that is established under division (C) of this section and specifies the care that is to be furnished by the contractor;

(2) The regimen described in the established plan of care is continued while the hospice patient receives care from the contractor, subject to the patient's needs, and with approval of the coordinator of the interdisciplinary team designated pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section;

(3) All care, treatment, and services furnished by the contractor are entered into the hospice patient's medical record;

(4) The designated coordinator of the interdisciplinary team ensures conformance with the established plan of care; and

(5) A copy of the contractor's medical record and discharge summary is retained as part of the hospice patient's medical record.

Any hospital contracting for inpatient care shall be encouraged to offer temporary limited privileges to the hospice patient's attending physician while the hospice patient is receiving inpatient care from the hospital.

(I) Notify a veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or representative on behalf of the veteran, seeking services from the hospice care agency that the veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse, may be eligible for health care or financial benefits through the United States department of veterans affairs and provide the veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or representative with information about congressionally chartered veterans service organizations or the county veterans service office that can assist with investigating and applying for benefits through the United States department of veterans affairs. As used in this division, "veteran" has the same meaning as in section 5901.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 14, 2022 at 3:18 PM

Section 3712.061 | Pediatric respite care program; requirements.
 

(A) Any person or public agency licensed under section 3712.041 of the Revised Code to provide a pediatric respite care program shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide a planned and continuous pediatric respite care program, the medical components of which shall be under the direction of a physician;

(2) Ensure that care commensurate with a pediatric respite care patient's needs is available twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week;

(3) Establish an interdisciplinary plan of care for each pediatric respite care patient and the patient's family that:

(a) Is coordinated by one designated individual who shall ensure that all components of the plan of care are addressed and implemented;

(b) Addresses maintenance of patient-family participation in decision making related to the patient's health care and well-being; and

(c) Is reviewed by the patient's attending physician and by the patient's interdisciplinary team immediately prior to or on admission to each session of respite care.

(4) Have an interdisciplinary team or teams that provide or supervise the provision of pediatric respite care program services and establish the policies governing the provision of the services;

(5) Maintain central clinical records on all pediatric respite care patients under its care.

(B) A provider of a pediatric respite care program may include pharmacist services among the other services that are made available to its pediatric respite care patients.

(C) A provider of a pediatric respite care program may arrange for another person or public agency to furnish a component or components of the pediatric respite care program pursuant to a written contract. When a provider of a pediatric respite care program arranges for a home health agency to furnish a component or components of the pediatric respite care program to its patient, the care shall be provided by a home health agency pursuant to a written contract under which:

(1) The provider of a pediatric respite care program furnishes to the contractor a copy of the pediatric respite care patient's interdisciplinary plan of care that is established under division (A)(3) of this section and specifies the care that is to be furnished by the contractor;

(2) The regimen described in the established plan of care is continued while the pediatric respite care patient receives care from the contractor, subject to the patient's needs, and with approval of the coordinator of the interdisciplinary team designated pursuant to division (A)(3)(a) of this section;

(3) All care, treatment, and services furnished by the contractor are entered into the pediatric respite care patient's medical record;

(4) The designated coordinator of the interdisciplinary team ensures conformance with the established plan of care; and

(5) A copy of the contractor's medical record and discharge summary is retained as part of the pediatric respite care patient's medical record.

Last updated March 15, 2023 at 12:45 PM

Section 3712.062 | Policies to prevent diversion of opioids in hospice care programs.
 

(A) Each hospice care program licensed under this chapter that provides hospice care and services in a hospice patient's home shall establish a written policy establishing procedures to be followed in preventing the diversion of controlled substances containing opioids that are prescribed to its hospice patients. The policy shall include procedures for the disposal of any such drugs prescribed to a hospice patient as part of the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care that are relinquished to the program after the patient's death or that otherwise are no longer needed by the patient. The policy shall require that the disposal be documented by a program employee and conducted in any of the following ways:

(1) Performed by a program employee and witnessed by the patient or patient's family member;

(2) Performed by the patient or patient's family member and witnessed by a program employee;

(3) Performed by a program employee and witnessed by another program employee.

(B) As part of a hospice patient's interdisciplinary plan of care required by section 3712.06 of the Revised Code, each hospice care program that provides hospice care and services in the patient's home shall do all of the following:

(1) Before providing hospice care and services, distribute a copy of the written policy established under division (A) of this section to the patient and patient's family and discuss the procedures included in the policy with the patient and patient's family;

(2) Assess the patient, the patient's family, and the care environment for any risk factors associated with diversion;

(3) Maintain records of controlled substances containing opioids prescribed to the patient and included in the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care, including accurate counts of the numbers dispensed and used;

(4) Monitor the use and consumption of controlled substances containing opioids prescribed to the patient and included in the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care, including prescription refills, for signs of diversion;

(5) Investigate any sign of suspected diversion in accordance with rules adopted under division (A)(5) of section 3712.03 of the Revised Code.

(6) Report the results of an investigation of suspected diversion to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the territory in which the hospice patient's home is located in accordance with rules adopted under division (A)(6) of section 3712.03 of the Revised Code;

(7) Before providing hospice care and services, inform the patient and the patient's family that the hospice care program will dispose of any controlled substances containing opioids that are no longer needed by the patient and were included in the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care;

(8) After the patient's death or when no longer needed by the patient, request, in writing, that the patient or patient's family relinquish to the program for disposal any remaining controlled substances containing opioids that were included in the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care to the program;

(9) Report to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the territory in which the hospice patient's home is located the quantity and type of any remaining controlled substances containing opioids that were included in the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care and were not relinquished to the program by the patient or patient's family.

(C) If a hospice care program complies with divisions (B)(8) and (9) of this section, none of the following shall be liable in damages to any person or government entity in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from an action or omission relative to this section unless the action or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct: the program; a program employee, officer, or director; or a prescriber of controlled substances containing opioids that were included in the patient's interdisciplinary plan of care.

(D) No person who receives a written request under division (B)(8) of this section shall fail to relinquish controlled substances containing opioids that were included in a patient's interdisciplinary plan of care.

(E) Following a report from a hospice program under division (B)(9) of this section, the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the territory in which the hospice patient's home is located shall investigate and dispose of the remaining controlled substances containing opioids that were reported to the agency pursuant to division (B)(9) of this section.

(F) After a review of the written evidence submitted under division (B) of section 3712.04 of the Revised Code with an application for license renewal, if the department determines that the program is not in compliance with this section, the department may suspend the program's license for not more than six months and impose a fine not to exceed twenty thousand dollars.

(G) Not later than one year after the effective date of this section, the director of health shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing standards and procedures for the submission and review of the written evidence required by division (B) of section 3712.04 of the Revised Code for renewal of a hospice care program license.

Section 3712.063 | Requirements for pediatric transition care programs.
 

All of the following apply to a person or public agency registered under section 3712.042 of the Revised Code to provide a pediatric transition care program:

(A) The program shall ensure that the medical care components of the program are under the direction of a physician.

(B) When a program arranges for a home health agency to furnish a component or components of the program to a pediatric transition care patient, the care shall be provided by a home health agency pursuant to a written contract that includes both of the following conditions:

(1) All care, treatment, and services furnished by the contractor are entered into the patient's medical record.

(2) The program ensures conformance with the patient's established plan of care and physician orders.

(C) Care commensurate with a pediatric transition care patient's needs shall be available twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week.

(D) The program shall maintain in the home central clinical records on all pediatric transition care patients.

(E) The program shall maintain in the home birth certificates, certified guardianship letters of authority, or other documentation related to health care decision-making, as applicable, for any pediatric transition care patient who receives care for longer than thirty days, unless, on written request by the program, this requirement is waived by the director of health.

(F) The program shall not provide pediatric transition care services to more than fifteen pediatric transition care patients at any time, unless, on written request by the program, additional patients are authorized by the director of health.

Last updated March 16, 2023 at 6:16 PM

Section 3712.07 | Terminal care facilities for the homeless.
 

(A) As used in this section, "terminal care facility for the homeless" means a facility that provides accommodations to homeless individuals who are terminally ill.

(B) A person or public agency licensed under this chapter to provide a hospice care program may enter into an agreement with a terminal care facility for the homeless under which hospice care program services may be provided to individuals residing at the facility, if all of the following apply:

(1) Each resident of the facility has been diagnosed by a physician as having a terminal condition and an anticipated life expectancy of six months or less;

(2) No resident of the facility has a relative or other person willing or capable of providing the care necessary to cope with the resident's terminal illness or is financially capable of hiring a person to provide such care;

(3) Each resident of the facility is under the direct care of a physician;

(4) No resident of the facility requires the staff of the facility to administer medication by injection;

(5) The facility does not receive any remuneration, directly or indirectly, from the residents;

(6) The facility does not receive any remuneration, directly or indirectly, from the medicaid program or the medicare program;

(7) The facility meets all applicable state and federal health and safety standards, including standards for fire prevention, maintenance of safe and sanitary conditions, and proper preparation and storage of foods.

(C) Hospice care program services may be provided at a terminal care facility for the homeless only by the personnel of the person or public agency that has entered into an agreement with the facility under this section.

(D) A terminal care facility for the homeless that has entered into an agreement under this section may assist its residents with the self-administration of medication if the medication has been prescribed by a physician and is not administered by injection. In the event that a resident has entered the final stages of dying and is no longer mentally alert, the facility may administer medication to that resident if the medication has been prescribed by a physician and is not administered by injection. Determinations of whether an individual has entered the final stages of dying and is no longer mentally alert shall be based on directions from the personnel who provide hospice care program services at the facility.

Section 3712.08 | No new inpatient hospice care program in nursing home facility.
 

The department of health shall not issue a license to conduct a new inpatient hospice care program if the program is to be conducted by a nursing home licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code.

Section 3712.09 | Criminal records check.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for employment with a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program in a full-time, part-time, or temporary position that involves providing direct care to an older adult or pediatric respite care patient. "Applicant" does not include a person who provides direct care as a volunteer without receiving or expecting to receive any form of remuneration other than reimbursement for actual expenses.

(2) "Criminal records check" has the same meaning as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Older adult" means a person age sixty or older.

(B)(1) Except as provided in division (I) of this section, the chief administrator of a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program shall request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of each applicant. If an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division does not present proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date the criminal records check is requested or provide evidence that within that five-year period the superintendent has requested information about the applicant from the federal bureau of investigation in a criminal records check, the chief administrator shall request that the superintendent obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check of the applicant. Even if an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under this division presents proof of having been a resident of this state for the five-year period, the chief administrator may request that the superintendent include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check.

(2) A person required by division (B)(1) of this section to request a criminal records check shall do both of the following:

(a) Provide to each applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under that division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a standard fingerprint impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section, and obtain the completed form and impression sheet from the applicant;

(b) Forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation.

(3) An applicant provided the form and fingerprint impression sheet under division (B)(2)(a) of this section who fails to complete the form or provide fingerprint impressions shall not be employed in any position for which a criminal records check is required by this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in rules adopted by the director of health in accordance with division (F) of this section and subject to division (C)(2) of this section, no hospice care program or pediatric respite care program shall employ a person in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult or pediatric respite care patient if the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:

(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code.

(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (C)(1)(a) of this section.

(2)(a) A hospice care program or pediatric respite care program may employ conditionally an applicant for whom a criminal records check request is required under division (B) of this section prior to obtaining the results of a criminal records check regarding the individual, provided that the program shall request a criminal records check regarding the individual in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section not later than five business days after the individual begins conditional employment. In the circumstances described in division (I)(2) of this section, a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program may employ conditionally an applicant who has been referred to the hospice care program or pediatric respite care program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults or pediatric respite care patients and for whom, pursuant to that division, a criminal records check is not required under division (B) of this section.

(b) A hospice care program or pediatric respite care program that employs an individual conditionally under authority of division (C)(2)(a) of this section shall terminate the individual's employment if the results of the criminal records check requested under division (B) of this section or described in division (I)(2) of this section, other than the results of any request for information from the federal bureau of investigation, are not obtained within the period ending thirty days after the date the request is made. Regardless of when the results of the criminal records check are obtained, if the results indicate that the individual has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, the program shall terminate the individual's employment unless the program chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section. Termination of employment under this division shall be considered just cause for discharge for purposes of division (D)(2) of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code if the individual makes any attempt to deceive the program about the individual's criminal record.

(D)(1) Each hospice care program or pediatric respite care program shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under division (B) of this section.

(2) A hospice care program or pediatric respite care program may charge an applicant a fee not exceeding the amount the program pays under division (D)(1) of this section. A program may collect a fee only if both of the following apply:

(a) The program notifies the person at the time of initial application for employment of the amount of the fee and that, unless the fee is paid, the person will not be considered for employment;

(b) The medicaid program does not reimburse the program the fee it pays under division (D)(1) of this section.

(E) The report of a criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under this section is not a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person other than the following:

(1) The individual who is the subject of the criminal records check or the individual's representative;

(2) The chief administrator of the program requesting the criminal records check or the administrator's representative;

(3) The administrator of any other facility, agency, or program that provides direct care to older adults or pediatric respite care patients that is owned or operated by the same entity that owns or operates the hospice care program or pediatric respite care program;

(4) A court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with a denial of employment of the applicant or dealing with employment or unemployment benefits of the applicant;

(5) Any person to whom the report is provided pursuant to, and in accordance with, division (I)(1) or (2) of this section.

(F) The director of health shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section. The rules shall specify circumstances under which a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program may employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section but meets personal character standards set by the director.

(G) The chief administrator of a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program shall inform each individual, at the time of initial application for a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult or pediatric respite care patient, that the individual is required to provide a set of fingerprint impressions and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted if the individual comes under final consideration for employment.

(H) In a tort or other civil action for damages that is brought as the result of an injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by an individual who a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program employs in a position that involves providing direct care to older adults or pediatric respite care patients, all of the following shall apply:

(1) If the program employed the individual in good faith and reasonable reliance on the report of a criminal records check requested under this section, the program shall not be found negligent solely because of its reliance on the report, even if the information in the report is determined later to have been incomplete or inaccurate;

(2) If the program employed the individual in good faith on a conditional basis pursuant to division (C)(2) of this section, the program shall not be found negligent solely because it employed the individual prior to receiving the report of a criminal records check requested under this section;

(3) If the program in good faith employed the individual according to the personal character standards established in rules adopted under division (F) of this section, the program shall not be found negligent solely because the individual prior to being employed had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section.

(I)(1) The chief administrator of a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant if the applicant has been referred to the program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults or pediatric respite care patients and both of the following apply:

(a) The chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a report of the results of a criminal records check regarding the applicant that has been conducted by the superintendent within the one-year period immediately preceding the applicant's referral;

(b) The report of the criminal records check demonstrates that the person has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, or the report demonstrates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more of those offenses, but the hospice care program or pediatric respite care program chooses to employ the individual pursuant to division (F) of this section.

(2) The chief administrator of a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program is not required to request that the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation conduct a criminal records check of an applicant and may employ the applicant conditionally as described in this division, if the applicant has been referred to the program by an employment service that supplies full-time, part-time, or temporary staff for positions involving the direct care of older adults or pediatric respite care patients and if the chief administrator receives from the employment service or the applicant a letter from the employment service that is on the letterhead of the employment service, dated, and signed by a supervisor or another designated official of the employment service and that states that the employment service has requested the superintendent to conduct a criminal records check regarding the applicant, that the requested criminal records check will include a determination of whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (C)(1) of this section, that, as of the date set forth on the letter, the employment service had not received the results of the criminal records check, and that, when the employment service receives the results of the criminal records check, it promptly will send a copy of the results to the hospice care program or pediatric respite care program. If a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program employs an applicant conditionally in accordance with this division, the employment service, upon its receipt of the results of the criminal records check, promptly shall send a copy of the results to the hospice care program or pediatric respite care program, and division (C)(2)(b) of this section applies regarding the conditional employment.

Section 3712.10 | Palliative care in inpatient facilities.
 

(A) In addition to providing palliative care to hospice patients, a hospice care program may provide palliative care in an inpatient facility or unit operated by the program to patients who are not hospice patients, but only if the care is provided to each patient on a short-term basis and the care is medically necessary for the patient receiving the care.

Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter describing a hospice care program as being authorized to provide care and services only to hospice patients, the provision of palliative care under this division is considered a component of the activities authorized by the hospice care program's license.

(B) The director of health shall adopt rules governing the provision of palliative care under division (A) of this section to patients who are not hospice patients. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C) Nothing in this chapter precludes an entity that holds a license for a hospice care program, including a program that exercises the authority described in division (A) of this section, from owning, being owned by, or otherwise being affiliated with an entity that provides palliative care to patients who are not hospice patients.

Section 3712.11 | Construction of chapter.
 

Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as meaning that palliative care may be provided only by or as a component of a hospice care program or pediatric respite care program.

Section 3712.99 | Penalties.
 

(A) Any person who violates division (A) of section 3712.05 or division (A) of section 3712.051 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense; on each subsequent offense the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(B) Any person who violates division (D) of section 3712.062 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.