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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 5155 | County Homes

 
 
 
Section
Section 5155.01 | Contracts for new buildings and additions.
 

(A) As used in this section, "appointing authority" has the same meaning as in section 124.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of county commissioners shall make all contracts for new buildings and for additions to existing buildings necessary for the county home. The board shall prescribe rules for the management and good government of the home.

(C)(1) If the superintendent or administrator of the county home is a public employee, the superintendent or administrator is the county home's appointing authority and may employ an administrative assistant and additional necessary personnel, at rates of wages to be fixed by the board of county commissioners, as may not be found available on the part of the residents of the facility.

(2) If the superintendent or administrator is not a public employee, the board is the appointing authority for any public employees of the county home. The superintendent or administrator may make recommendations to the board regarding the employment or removal of any public employee of the county home. The board is not the appointing authority for a county home employee who is not a public employee.

(D) The superintendent or administrator and administrative assistant shall be removed if either of them requires or permits residents or employees to render services for the private interests of the superintendent or administrator, the administrative assistant, any member of the board of county commissioners, any private interest, or any member of the board of county hospital trustees if that board has entered into an agreement or otherwise has operational control as provided in section 5155.011 of the Revised Code.

Section 5155.011 | Transfer of control of county home to county hospital trustees.
 

(A) As used in this chapter, "operator" means a board of county hospital trustees acting under an agreement, or pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of county commissioners, as provided in this section.

(B) The board of county commissioners may transfer operational control of the county home to the board of county hospital trustees of a county hospital located in the county by either of the following means:

(1) By adopting a resolution to transfer all operational control of the home to the board of county hospital trustees of that county hospital. The board of county hospital trustees also must adopt a resolution to accept the transfer of operational control. In transferring operational control, the board of county commissioners cannot and does not transfer ownership of any real or personal property of the county to the board of county hospital trustees.

(2) By entering into an agreement with the board of county hospital trustees of that county hospital to authorize the board of county hospital trustees to manage and operate the home on behalf of the board of county commissioners. Except as otherwise provided in the agreement, the operator shall carry out the duties of an operator authorized in this chapter in the same manner as otherwise would be required of the board of county commissioners. The agreement may specify duties set forth in this chapter that will be retained by the board of county commissioners instead of being carried out by the operator on behalf of the board. The board of county commissioners shall retain ownership of the county home under the agreement.

Section 5155.012 | Board may enter contract for management of county home.
 

A board of county commissioners may enter into a contract with a public or private entity to aid the board in the execution of its powers and duties for the management and good government of the county home.

Pursuant to such a contract, the board may authorize a public or private entity to select a superintendent or administrator for the county home. A superintendent or administrator may not be selected pursuant to a contract without the advice and consent of the board. An individual selected as a superintendent or administrator pursuant to a contract is not a public employee due to being selected to serve in that position or performing the duties of that position.

Section 5155.02 | Record of board's transactions respecting county home.
 

The clerk of the board of county commissioners or, if there is no clerk of the board, the county auditor shall keep a record of the board's transactions respecting the county home, and this record shall be kept in the manner provided by sections 305.10 and 305.11 of the Revised Code. The board of county commissioners may determine that the clerk or, if there is no clerk of the board, the county auditor shall keep a separate record of the board's transactions respecting the county home. If a separate record is kept, it shall be kept in the manner provided by sections 305.10 and 305.11 of the Revised Code. Either record shall at all reasonable times be open to public inspection.

The operator shall keep a record of its transactions regarding the county home in the manner provided in sections 305.10 and 305.11 of the Revised Code. The record shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times.

Section 5155.03 | Appointment of superintendent or administrator or contract with public or private entity.
 

(A) The board of county commissioners or operator shall do either of the following:

(1) Appoint a superintendent or administrator of the county home;

(2) In accordance with section 5155.012 of the Revised Code, enter into a contract with a public or private entity that agrees to select a superintendent or administrator with the advice and consent of the board.

(B) The superintendent or administrator may reside on the premises of the county home or another building contiguous to the county home. The superintendent or administrator and any administrative assistant shall each be allowed actual necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties. The superintendent or administrator shall perform the duties that the board or operator imposes and shall be governed in all respects by the board's or operator's rules.

(C) A superintendent or administrator appointed under division (A)(1) of this section shall receive the compensation the board or operator determines and shall be in the unclassified civil service.

(D) If the superintendent or administrator is a public employee, the board or operator may, by resolution, provide for the appointment by the superintendent or administrator of an assistant superintendent or administrator, who shall perform the duties at the county home prescribed by the superintendent or administrator. Otherwise, the board or operator may appoint an assistant superintendent or administrator.

(E) No member of the board or operator shall serve as superintendent or administrator, nor shall any commissioner or trustee be eligible to any other office in the county home, or receive any compensation as physician or otherwise, directly or indirectly, wherein the appointing power is vested in the board of county commissioners or board of county hospital trustees, as applicable.

Section 5155.04 | Bond.
 

Except as otherwise provided in section 3.061 of the Revised Code, before entering upon official duties, the superintendent or administrator of the county home shall give bond as the board of county commissioners or operator requires, with a surety acceptable to the board or operator, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of that office. The bond, with the approval of the board or operator and the oath of office of the superintendent or administrator, required by sections 3.22 and 3.23 of the Revised Code and by Section 7 of Article XV, Ohio Constitution, endorsed on it, shall be deposited with the county treasurer and kept in the treasurer's office.

Section 5155.08 | Leave without acknowledgement of supervisor.
 

Whenever a resident in any county home leaves such home without the acknowledgement of the superintendent or administrator thereof, such superintendent or administrator, if he believes it is for the public welfare that such resident should be returned to the home, may pursue and retake such resident. However, if the resident contends that the public welfare will not be furthered by his return, the superintendent or administrator shall file an affidavit, in the court of common pleas of the county in which such home is located in which he shall set forth the name and residence of such resident, the date on which such resident was received in the home, and the date on which the resident left such home without acknowledgement. Such affidavit shall state the reasons that it is for the public welfare that such resident should be returned to the home.

Section 5155.09 | Hearing.
 

When an affidavit has been filed as provided by section 5155.08 of the Revised Code, the resident shall be brought forthwith before the court of common pleas, whereupon a hearing shall be had as in a prosecution for misdemeanor. Such resident is entitled, on demand, to a jury trial, but if no such demand is made on his first appearance before the court such trial is deemed waived and the cause shall be heard by the court alone.

Section 5155.10 | Order to return resident to home.
 

If the court of common pleas is satisfied, upon a hearing being had as provided by section 5155.09 of the Revised Code, that it is for the public welfare that a resident of a county home who left without the acknowledgement of the superintendent or administrator should be returned to such home, the court shall so order and shall issue an order authorizing the superintendent or administrator to take and keep such resident in the home until the further order of the court.

Section 5155.11 | Duties of prosecuting attorney.
 

On the request of the superintendent or administrator of the county home the prosecuting attorney shall prepare the affidavit provided for by section 5155.08 of the Revised Code, and shall also represent the complainant at the hearing provided for by section 5155.09 of the Revised Code.

Section 5155.12 | Subpoena of witnesses.
 

Witnesses may be subpoenaed on a hearing under section 5155.09 of the Revised Code. They shall be entitled to receive the same fees and mileage as provided by section 2335.08 of the Revised Code. Such subpoenas may be served by the sheriff or the superintendent or administrator of the county home. The sheriff and the jurors shall receive the same fees and mileage as provided by sections 311.17 and 2313.22 of the Revised Code.

Section 5155.13 | Superintendent or administrator compensation and expenses.
 

The superintendent or administrator of the county home shall receive no extra compensation for his services under sections 5155.08 to 5155.12 of the Revised Code, except his actual expense in pursuing a resident who left the home, to be paid out of the county home fund.

Section 5155.14 | Reserve fund.
 

At the request of the superintendent or administrator of the county home, the board of county commissioners or operator shall set apart from the county home fund, a reserve fund not to exceed five thousand dollars at any time, which, upon the order of the board or operator shall be paid to the superintendent or administrator and expended as needed for emergency supplies and expenses. The superintendent or administrator shall keep an accurate account of the reserve fund, in a book to be provided at the expense of the county for that purpose, and all expenditures from it shall be audited by the board or operator. The county home fund shall be reimbursed by the superintendent or administrator, in full, for any items expended by the superintendent or administrator from the reserve fund, which items are not allowed by the board or operator. When, and as often as such amount is entirely disbursed, on the order of the board or operator, the county auditor shall pay to the superintendent or administrator the amount so appropriated.

Section 5155.15 | Vouchers for payments.
 

The county auditor shall receive vouchers given by the board of county commissioners, and countersigned by its clerk to any person other than the commissioners themselves, for labor, provisions, medical attendance, or supplies of any kind furnished to the facility, and shall give the person a warrant on the county treasurer for the proper amount. The treasurer shall pay such warrant from the county home fund, and the vouchers shall show the specific items allowed by the board, or shall be accompanied by a statement in writing showing the items.

Section 5155.16 | Annual report.
 

The superintendent or administrator or, if operational control has been transferred to an operator under section 5155.011 of the Revised Code, the operator of the county home shall submit to the board of county commissioners an annual report. The report shall show all of the following:

(A) The number of residents at the beginning of the year, the number admitted during the year, the number born in the home, and the total number of resident days for the year;

(B) The number of residents discharged, the number of deaths, the number removed to other counties, states, and institutions during the year, and the number of residents remaining;

(C) The daily average census;

(D) The total current expenses for the year;

(E) The amount of salaries paid during the year to the superintendent or administrator and the administrative assistant, and the amount of wages paid other employees;

(F) Any other information the board or operator requires.

Section 5155.19 | Monthly report.
 

The board of county commissioners or the operator may require the superintendent or administrator of the county home to submit to the board of county commissioners and, if applicable, to the operator a monthly report . The monthly report may contain any or all of the following:

(A) The number of residents at the beginning of each month;

(B) The number of residents admitted during the month;

(C) The number of residents discharged during the month;

(D) The number of deaths during the month;

(E) The total current expenses;

(F) Any other information the board or operator requires.

Section 5155.21 | Removal of resident.
 

The superintendent or administrator of the county home may remove any person who is a resident of the home and who has no legal settlement in the state, to the county and state where such person has a legal settlement.

Section 5155.22 | Admission to county home.
 

In any county having a county home, when the superintendent or administrator, after making the inquiry provided by law, is of the opinion that the person complained of is entitled to admission to such home, he shall forthwith complete a statement of facts showing cause for admission to the home. If it appears that such person is legally settled in the township or has no legal settlement in this state, or that such settlement is unknown, and the superintendent or administrator of the home is satisfied that such person should become a resident of the county home, the superintendent or administrator shall admit such person as a resident and shall receive and provide for him in such facility forthwith, or as soon as the physical condition of such person will so permit. The county shall not be liable for any relief furnished, or expenses incurred by the board of township trustees or by a municipal corporation.

Section 5155.23 | Possession of property of persons entering county homes.
 

When a person becomes a resident of a county home, and is possessed of or is the owner of property, real or personal, or has an interest in remainder, or is in any manner legally entitled to a gift, legacy, or bequest, the board of county commissioners or the superintendent or administrator of the county home shall seek to secure possession of such property by filing a petition in the probate court of the county in which the property is located, and the proceedings for sale, confirmation of sale, and execution of deed by such board or superintendent or administrator shall, in all respects, be conducted as provided by sections 2127.01 to 2127.43 of the Revised Code. The net proceeds of such sale shall be applied in whole or in part, under the special direction of the board or the superintendent or administrator to the maintenance of such person, so long as he remains a resident of a county home.

Section 5155.24 | Distributing proceeds of sale of property.
 

(A) The net proceeds arising from the sale of the property of a resident of a county home, under section 5155.23 of the Revised Code, shall be paid to the county treasurer, and by him placed to the credit of such person, to be paid out on the warrant of the county auditor, upon the order of the board of county commissioners. The superintendent or administrator of the county home shall open an account with the person and charge him with board, at a reasonable rate, and with items furnished for his exclusive use, which account shall be approved by the board.

(B) Personal funds received by a county home resident which are intended for the unrestricted use of the resident may be kept by the superintendent or administrator in such a manner that the resident shall have access to these funds at reasonable hours. The county home superintendent or administrator shall keep a complete record of the personal funds of each resident, including a listing of all deposits and withdrawals transacted. All deposits and withdrawals shall be substantiated by receipts.

Section 5155.25 | Balance paid resident upon discharge.
 

When a resident of a county home is discharged from a county home, and his property or effects have been disposed of and the proceeds applied as provided by sections 5155.23 and 5155.24 of the Revised Code, any balance due in favor of such person on the books of the facility shall be paid to him by the superintendent or administrator of such facility, or, in case of his death, shall be paid to his legal representative. When any such fund is exhausted or any balance is paid in manner prescribed by this section, the superintendent or administrator shall file with the probate court a complete statement showing receipts, itemized expenditures, and balance, and the court shall file such report with the records relating to the original order of sale of such person.

Section 5155.26 | Exempting property from possession proceedings.
 

A board of county commissioners shall not seek to take charge of property in the manner prescribed by section 5155.23 of the Revised Code if the guardian, spouse, heirs, or persons entitled to the residuary interest in such property give bond to the board or officers to their satisfaction, and if, at such times as the board requires, such persons pay into the hands of the superintendent or administrator of the county home, an amount sufficient to support the person while he remains a resident of the county home. The probate court may, at the time of hearing a petition for sale, in lieu of an order for sale, order the guardian, spouse, heirs, or persons entitled to a residuary interest in the property of such person, to make payments to the superintendent or administrator of the county home for the maintenance of such person, and failure to do so shall make any person so ordered punishable by the court as for contempt.

Section 5155.261 | Lien in lieu of taking property.
 

A board of county commissioners shall not be required to take charge of property in the manner prescribed by section 5155.23 of the Revised Code, if it determines that a lien may be taken on property of a person who becomes a resident of a county home. In such event a lien as provided in this section may be taken and, if taken, shall remain a lien until satisfied. For the period during which such person remains a resident of a county home, any income received from rentals on property on which such a lien is taken shall be applied to the payment of taxes on and upkeep of such property. Any balance remaining after the payment of such taxes and upkeep shall be paid to the county supplying maintenance to a resident of a county home and shall be applied toward such maintenance in the same manner described as to the proceeds of sale by sections 5155.24 and 5155.25 of the Revised Code.

When a person becomes a resident of a county home under this chapter, the name and residence of the recipient and spouse, the date of such occurrence, the legal description of all real estate owned by the recipient and spouse, and such other information as the board of county commissioners requires, shall be entered upon a certificate, signed by such recipient and his or her spouse, the form of which shall be prescribed by the board of county commissioners. When the certificate describes real estate owned by such recipient or spouse, the board of county commissioners shall file for recording and indexing a certificate, or a certified copy, in the real estate mortgage records in the office of the county recorder in every county in which real property of such recipient or spouse is situated. From the time of filing the certificate in the office of the recorder, the lien attaches to all real property of such recipient or spouse described therein for all amounts of board or items thereafter furnished and shall remain a lien until satisfied.

Upon filing the certificate in the office of the recorder, all persons are charged with notice of the lien and the rights of the board of county commissioners thereunder.

The recorders shall keep a record of every certificate filed showing its date, the time of filing, the name and residence of the recipient or spouse, and any release, waivers, or satisfaction of the lien. There shall be no fee for filing or recording any such certificate. As an incident of the lien the recipient and spouse, or either of them, shall take a life estate of the premises in all cases in which they could have conveyed, reserved, or received that right by deed at the time of application. Such life estate shall take priority with the lien of the board of county commissioners over subsequently acquired liens except tax liens, and except in those cases wherein the life estate is voluntarily waived by express waiver, by waste, nonpayment of taxes, or by transfer to persons other than those entitled to use or reside upon the premises. The rights to such property shall descend by devise or by operation of law subject to the lien of the board of county commissioners for both past and future payments and subject to the life estate of the recipient or spouse.

Upon transfer of such property to persons other than those entitled to use or reside thereon, the board of county commissioners may foreclose its lien upon any real property conveyed. The proceeds of sale in such proceeding shall be applied in the order provided by law.

All real property subject to the lien of the board of county commissioners upon the death of the persons entitled to use or reside in the premises, or upon waiver of the life estate by the survivor, may be sold in foreclosure proceedings or in the administration of the owner's estate and the proceeds applied as provided by law.

The board of county commissioners shall waive the priority of its lien to provide for the costs of the last illness as determined by the board of county commissioners, administration, attorney fees, administrator fees, a sum for the payment of the costs of burial, which shall be computed by deducting from five hundred dollars whatever amount is available for those purposes from all other sources, and a similar sum for the spouse of the decedent.

Section 5155.27 | Medical care contract.
 

The board of county commissioners or operator may contract with one or more competent physicians to furnish medical relief and medicines necessary for the residents of the county home, but no contract shall extend beyond one year. Medical statistics shall be kept by the facility. Those statistics shall show the nature and extent of the services rendered, to whom they were rendered, and the character of the diseases treated. The board or operator may discharge any such physician for proper cause. No medical relief shall be furnished by the county to persons in their own homes, except for persons who are not residents of the state or county for one year, or of a township or city for three months, and except under section 5155.22 of the Revised Code.

Section 5155.28 | Sub-acute detoxification services.
 

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "PASRR" means the preadmission screening and annual resident review of individuals with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities required by the "Social Security Act," 42 U.S.C. 1396r(e)(7).

(B) A county home or district home that is a nursing facility may provide sub-acute detoxification services to residents who have been determined by PASRR to be addicted to opioids. The sub-acute detoxification services shall include monitoring of such residents twenty-four hours a day by health care professionals.

Section 5155.31 | Closing of home - subsequent care.
 

(A) As used in this section, "county nursing home" means a facility that is owned and operated by the county or, if the board of county commissioners has transferred operational authority of the county home to a board of county hospital trustees, is operated by the board of county hospital trustees and that is used for the reception and care of individuals who by reason of illness or physical or mental impairment require skilled nursing care and of individuals who require personal assistance, as "mental impairment," "skilled nursing care," and "personal assistance" are defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whenever the buildings of a county home or a county nursing home have become unsuitable for habitation, or whenever the population of a county home or a county nursing home is too small for economical and efficient operation, or for any other reason made of record, the board of county commissioners may close the home or sell it to a third party, and provide for the care of its residents and of other persons afterwards determined eligible for county care by housing them in another county home, a home licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code, or private homes within the county that the board considers proper, and upon such terms as may be agreed upon by the boards of the respective counties.

(C) Whenever the board of county commissioners closes a county home or a county nursing home pursuant to division (B) of this section, the board may lease the county home to an individual, partnership, firm, association, or corporation for the establishment of a home licensed under Chapter 3721. of the Revised Code. Any lease granted under this division and any renewals of it shall not be for a longer period than five years. The form of any lease shall be approved by the prosecuting attorney.

Section 5155.32 | Screening of residents after closing of home.
 

After a county home has been closed as provided in section 5155.31 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners, or a person appointed by the board for that purpose, shall determine who is eligible for county care, and shall certify and convey persons determined eligible to the county home with which a contract has been made under such section, and shall perform all the duties of the superintendent or administrator of a county home so far as such duties relate to acceptance and discharge of persons determined eligible for county care. The board may appoint a person or a social or welfare agency to perform these duties for it.

Section 5155.33 | Sale or lease of county home farm.
 

After a county home has been closed as provided by section 5155.31 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners may sell or lease any part of the county home farm, and all receipts from such sales or leases shall be paid to the county treasurer and credited to the general county fund, and shall be subject to appropriation for such purposes as the board decides.

Section 5155.34 | District homes.
 

The boards of county commissioners of two or more counties may form themselves into a joint board of county commissioners for the purpose of establishing a "district home." For such purpose a joint board of county commissioners may use a county home site and buildings already established in one such county, or, it may purchase a new site and erect suitable buildings thereon, provided existing county homes in such counties, other than the one in which the established site is chosen, are to be closed and abandoned.

When an established site and buildings are used such joint board of county commissioners shall cause the value of the site and buildings to be properly appraised. The appraised value of an established site and buildings, or in case of the purchase of a new site and construction and of later betterments and additions, and the purchase of additional land, shall be apportioned among the counties of the district in proportion to the taxable property of each county as shown by their respective duplicates. After decision to establish a district home has been made the board of county commissioners of each county shall proceed to provide the necessary funds for the development and subsequent operations thereof.

If two counties create a district home the boards of county commissioners thereof shall constitute the board of trustees for the construction and subsequent management when ready for occupancy. If three or more counties join in establishing a district home, the board of trustees shall consist of one person appointed by the board of each county. The first appointment to such board of trustees shall be so arranged that the term of one trustee shall expire one year after the first Monday in February following the appointment, and one each year after such day. Subsequent appointments to the board of trustees shall be for the same number of years as there are counties in the district. Such trustees shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to receive necessary expenses entailed in the performance of their duties. Any appointed trustee may be removed by the joint board of county commissioners, for good and sufficient cause, after a hearing upon written charges. The board of trustees shall be responsible for the erection and subsequent management of the district home, when it is ready for occupancy. Such board of trustees shall appoint a superintendent or administrator and conduct the home in the manner prescribed by sections 5155.01 to 5155.33 of the Revised Code, insofar as such sections are applicable.

Section 5155.35 | Apportioning costs of district homes.
 

The expense of operating a district home shall be apportioned among the counties of the district in proportion to the amount of care given to former residents of the respective counties. The superintendent or administrator of such home shall keep exact records showing each day's enrollment and attendance of residents from each county, and shall report such enrollment and attendance monthly to the county auditor of each county of the district. The auditor and the county treasurer of the county in which the district home is located shall be the auditor and treasurer of the home. Preceding the occupancy of the district home, the board of trustees of the home as provided by section 5155.34 of the Revised Code shall prepare an estimate of each county's share of operating expense for the next six months. When such estimate has been filed with the auditor of each county such auditor shall draw a warrant on the treasurer for the payment of such estimated amount to the treasurer of the home, who shall credit such amount to the home fund. Semiannually thereafter, or more often if advisable, the auditors of the respective counties shall audit the accounts for the preceding period, balance the accounts of their respective counties according to the service rendered, review estimates of expenses for the next six months as submitted by the board of trustees, and agree on amounts to be transferred from the respective counties for operating expenses for the ensuing period of six months.

Section 5155.38 | Certification of long-term care beds.
 

As used in this section, "long-term care bed" has the same meaning as in section 3702.51 of the Revised Code.

The operator of each county home and each county nursing home shall, not later than November 1, 2009, certify to the director of health the number of long-term care beds that were in operation in the home on July 1, 1993. The certification shall be accompanied by any documentation requested by the director.