Chapter 197 | Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission

Section 197.01 | Definitions.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Genocide" means an internationally recognized crime where the following acts are committed against a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group's members with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the group:

(1) Killing;

(2) Causing serious bodily or mental harm;

(3) Deliberately inflicting life conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, in whole or in part;

(4) Imposing measures intended to prevent births;

(5) Forcibly transferring a group's children to another group.

(B) "Holocaust" means the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators. Other victims, including the Roma and Sinti, also known as Gypsies, homosexuals, Poles, people with disabilities, and Jehovah's Witnesses, were also persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime.

Section 197.03 | Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

There is hereby created the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission.

Section 197.04 | Commission membership.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission shall consist of fifteen members as follows:

(1) Two members shall be members of the house of representatives appointed by the governor after consultation with the speaker of the house of representatives, with one member being from the majority party and one member being from the minority party, to serve a term of the remainder of the general assembly during which the representative is appointed.

(2) Two members shall be members of the senate appointed by the governor after consultation with the president of the senate, with one member being from the majority party and one member being from the minority party, to serve a term of the remainder of the general assembly during which the senator is appointed.

(3) Three nonvoting ex officio members, to serve until the ex officio member ceases to hold the applicable office:

(a) The director of education and workforce;

(b) The chancellor of higher education;

(c) The director of veterans services.

(4) Eight members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, to serve a term of three years, as follows:

(a) At least three members shall be involved in Holocaust and genocide memorial and education or have a personal connection or experience with the Holocaust or genocide.

(b) At least three members shall have expertise regarding the Holocaust and investigation, analysis, or research regarding genocide.

(B) Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided under division (A) of this section. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any appointed member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration of that member's term until the member's successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

Last updated September 5, 2023 at 5:22 PM

Section 197.05 | Commission meetings, officers, rules.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) The Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission shall meet not less than six times during a calendar year.

(B) On the first meeting, the commission shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and other officers from the voting members.

(C) The commission shall adopt rules governing the commission.

Section 197.06 | Quorum.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

Eight voting members of the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission constitute a quorum of the commission. No action of the commission shall be taken without the affirmative vote of eight voting members.

Section 197.07 | Reimbursement.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

Members of the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

Section 197.08 | Commission duties.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

The Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission shall do the following:

(A) Gather and disseminate Holocaust and genocide information throughout this state;

(B) Take inventory of current statewide Holocaust and genocide memorial and education programs and initiatives, and propose programming to fill program and initiative gaps;

(C) Secure appropriate recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of Holocaust and genocide survivors, liberators, and Ohioans active in rescue and resettlement efforts, and make their stories accessible for educational purposes;

(D) Promote public awareness of issues relating to Holocaust and genocide memorial and education through public education programs;

(E) Partner with public and private organizations that serve Holocaust and genocide survivors, veterans, and liberators, including the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and humanity center, the national veterans memorial and museum, the Maltz museum of Jewish heritage, the national museum of the United States air force, and local, state, national, or international historical societies, museums, and memorials for educational purposes;

(F) Advise and educate the governor, general assembly, and state departments and agencies regarding the nature, magnitude, and priorities of Holocaust and genocide memorial and education, and develop policies and programs to address those needs;

(G) Seek opportunities to provide resources for schools to teach effectively about the Holocaust and genocide;

(H) Review and approve grants that are administered or subcontracted by the commission or the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education office established under section 197.11 of the Revised Code;

(I) Coordinate with and provide information regarding available state services to meet the needs of Holocaust and genocide survivors, liberators, educators, students, and public safety and law enforcement;

(J) Review and approve the annual report prepared by the office under section 197.13 of the Revised Code.

Section 197.11 | Holocaust and genocide memorial and education office.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

There is hereby created the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education office to serve the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission.

Section 197.12 | Director.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

The director of the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education office shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission. The director shall, with the commission's approval, appoint employees as necessary to carry out the duties of the office. The employees shall serve at the director's pleasure.

Section 197.13 | Office duties.

• Effective: December 29, 2020
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 133rd General Assembly

The Holocaust and genocide memorial and education office shall do the following:

(A) Advise and provide information to the Holocaust and genocide memorial and education commission on statewide programs and new opportunities to further Holocaust and genocide memorial and education;

(B) Serve as a clearinghouse to review, comment on, and propose initiatives submitted to the office that meet Holocaust and genocide memorial and education needs;

(C) Apply for and accept grants and gifts from public and private sources to be administered by the office or subcontracted to local public or nonprofit agencies that shall use the grants and gifts for the purpose intended;

(D) Monitor and evaluate all programs subcontracted to local public or nonprofit agencies and ensure that any grants or gifts are being used for the purpose intended;

(E) Endeavor to ensure that Holocaust and genocide survivors, liberators, educators, and others involved in Holocaust and genocide education and memorial have access to decision-making bodies in local, state, national, and international departments, agencies, and genocide education and memorial organizations;

(F)(1) Establish advisory committees for special subjects, as needed, to facilitate and maximize community participation and subject matter expertise in the operation of the commission;

(2) Advisory committees shall be comprised of members representing community organizations, charitable institutions, elementary and secondary schools, higher education institutions, faith-based organizations, public officials, and other persons as determined by the office.

(G) Establish relationships with local and state governments, federal officials, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to promote and ensure the highest standards of Holocaust and genocide memorial and education;

(H) Submit a written annual report of the office's activities, accomplishments, and recommendations to the commission.