As Introduced

130th General Assembly Regular Session 2013-2014

H. B. No. 488

Representatives Dovilla, Landis 

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A BILL

To amend sections 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15, 4731.36,

1

4743.04, 5902.02, 5903.03, 5903.10, 5903.11,

2

5903.12, 5903.121, 5907.01, and 5907.04 and to

3

enact sections 3333.164, 3345.42, 3345.43,

4

3345.44, 3345.46, 5903.01, 5903.04, and 5903.05 of

5

the Revised Code to require state institutions of

6

higher education to award credit for military

7

training, and to make other changes regarding

8

state support and benefits for veterans and their

9

spouses.

10

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1.  That sections 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15, 4731.36,	11
4743.04, 5902.02, 5903.03, 5903.10, 5903.11, 5903.12, 5903.121,	12
5907.01, and 5907.04 be amended and sections 3333.164, 3345.42,	13
3345.43, 3345.44, 3345.46, 5903.01, 5903.04, and 5903.05 of the	14
Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:	15

Sec. 3333.164. (A) As used in this section, "state	16
institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in	17
section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.	18

(B) Not later than December 31, 2014, the chancellor of the	19
Ohio board of regents shall do all of the following with regard to	20
the awarding of college credit for military training, experience,	21
and coursework:	22

(1) Develop a set of standards and procedures for state	23
institutions of higher education to utilize in the granting of	24
college credit for military training, experience, and coursework;	25

(2) Create a military articulation and transfer assurance	26
guide for college credit that is earned through military training,	27
experience, and coursework. The chancellor shall use the current	28
articulation and transfer policy adopted pursuant to section	29
3333.16 of the Revised Code as a model in developing this guide.	30

(3) Create a web site that contains information related to	31
the awarding of college credit for military training, experience,	32
and coursework. The web site shall include both of the following:	33

(a) Standardized resources that address frequently asked	34
questions regarding the awarding of such credit and related	35
issues.	36

(b) A statewide database that shows how specified military	37
training, experience, and coursework translates to college credit.	38

(4) Develop a statewide training program that prepares	39
faculty and staff of state institutions of higher education to	40
evaluate various military training, experience, and coursework and	41
to award appropriate equivalent credit. The training program shall	42
incorporate the best practices of awarding credit for military	43
experiences, including both the recommendations of the American	44
council on education and the standards developed by the council	45
for adult and experiential learning.	46

(C) Beginning on July 1, 2015, state institutions of higher	47
education shall ensure that appropriate equivalent credit is	48
awarded for military training, experience, and coursework that	49
meet the standards developed by the chancellor pursuant to this	50
section.	51

Sec. 3345.42.  Not later than December 31, 2014, the board of	52
trustees of each state institution of higher education, as defined	53
in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, shall do both of the	54
following:	55

(A) Designate at least one person employed by the institution	56
to serve as the contact person for veterans affairs. This person	57
shall assist and advise veterans on issues related to earning	58
college credit for military training, experience, and coursework.	59

(B) Adopt a policy regarding the support and assistance the	60
institution will provide to veterans.	61

The chancellor of the Ohio board of regents shall provide	62
guidance to state institutions of higher education in their	63
compliance with this section, including the recommendation of	64
standardized policies on support and assistance to veterans.	65

Sec. 3345.43. (A) Not later than December 31, 2014, and	66
continuing thereafter, each state institution of higher education,	67
as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, shall provide	68
a student who is either a veteran or a service member with	69
priority for course registration.	70

(B) As used in this section:

71

(1) "Service member" means a person who is serving in the	72
armed forces of the United States.	73

(2) "Veteran" means any person who has completed service in	74
the armed forces, including the national guard of any state or a	75
reserve component of the armed forces, and who has been discharged	76
under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been	77
transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.	78

Sec. 3345.44. Not later than December 31, 2014, the board of	79
trustees or managing authority of each state institution of higher	80
education, as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code,	81
shall establish an appeals procedure for students who are veterans	82
for resolving disputes regarding the awarding of college credit	83
for military experience.	84

Sec. 3345.46. (A) On or after December 31, 2014, no state	85
institution of higher education, as defined in section 3345.011 of	86
the Revised Code, shall charge a student who is a veteran or a	87
service member any fee for the evaluation of, transcription of, or	88
application for college credit for military experience.	89

(B) As used in this section:

90

(1) "Service member" means a person who is serving in the	91
armed forces of the United States.	92

(2) "Veteran" means any person who has completed service in	93
the armed forces, including the national guard of any state or a	94
reserve component of the armed forces, and who has been discharged	95
under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been	96
transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.	97

Sec. 4729.12.  An identification card issued by the state	98
board of pharmacy under section 4729.08 of the Revised Code	99
entitles the individual to whom it is issued to practice as a	100
pharmacist or as a pharmacy intern in this state until the next	101
annual renewal date.	102

Identification cards shall be renewed annually on the	103
fifteenth day of September, according to the standard renewal	104
procedure of Chapter 4745. of the Revised Code.	105

Each pharmacist and pharmacy intern shall carry the	106
identification card or renewal identification card while engaged	107
in the practice of pharmacy. The license shall be conspicuously	108
exposed at the principal place where the pharmacist or pharmacy	109
intern practices pharmacy.	110

A pharmacist or pharmacy intern who desires to continue in	111
the practice of pharmacy shall file with the board an application	112
in such form and containing such data as the board may require for	113
renewal of an identification card. An application filed under this	114
section may not be withdrawn without the approval of the board. If	115
the board finds that the applicant's card has not been revoked or	116
placed under suspension and that the applicant has paid the	117
renewal fee, has continued pharmacy education in accordance with	118
the rules of the board, and is entitled to continue in the	119
practice of pharmacy, the board shall issue a renewal	120
identification card to the applicant.	121

When an identification card has lapsed for more than sixty	122
days but application is made within three years after the	123
expiration of the card, the applicant shall be issued a renewal	124
identification card without further examination if the applicant	125
meets the requirements of this section and pays the fee designated	126
under division (E)(A)(5) of section 4729.15 of the Revised Code.	127

Sec. 4729.13.  A pharmacist who fails to make application to	128
the state board of pharmacy for a renewal identification card	129
within a period of three years from the expiration of the	130
identification card must pass an examination for registration;	131
except that a pharmacist whose registration has expired, but who	132
has continually practiced pharmacy in another state under a	133
license issued by the authority of that state, may obtain a	134
renewal identification card upon payment to the executive director	135
of the board the fee designated under division (F)(A)(6) of	136
section 4729.15 of the Revised Code.	137

Sec. 4729.15. The(A) Except as provided in division (B) of	138
this section, the state board of pharmacy shall charge the	139
following fees:	140

(A)(1) For applying for a license to practice as a	141
pharmacist, an amount adequate to cover all rentals, compensation	142
for proctors, and other expenses of the board related to	143
examination except the expenses of procuring and grading the	144
examination, which fee shall not be returned if the applicant	145
fails to pass the examination;	146

(B)(2) For the examination of an applicant for licensure as a	147
pharmacist, an amount adequate to cover any expenses to the board	148
of procuring and grading the examination or any part thereof,	149
which fee shall not be returned if the applicant fails to pass the	150
examination;	151

(C)(3) For issuing a license and an identification card to an	152
individual who passes the examination described in section 4729.07	153
of the Revised Code, an amount that is adequate to cover the	154
expense;	155

(D)(4) For a pharmacist applying for renewal of an	156
identification card within sixty days after the expiration date,	157
ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents, which fee shall not be	158
returned if the applicant fails to qualify for renewal;	159

(E)(5) For a pharmacist applying for renewal of an	160
identification card that has lapsed for more than sixty days, but	161
for less than three years, one hundred thirty-five dollars, which	162
fee shall not be returned if the applicant fails to qualify for	163
renewal;	164

(F)(6) For a pharmacist applying for renewal of an	165
identification card that has lapsed for more than three years,	166
three hundred thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents, which fee	167
shall not be returned if the applicant fails to qualify for	168
renewal;	169

(G)(7) For a pharmacist applying for a license and	170
identification card, on presentation of a pharmacist license	171
granted by another state, three hundred thirty-seven dollars and	172
fifty cents, which fee shall not be returned if the applicant	173
fails to qualify for licensure.	174

(H)(8) For a license and identification card to practice as a	175
pharmacy intern, twenty-two dollars and fifty cents, which fee	176
shall not be returned if the applicant fails to qualify for	177
licensure;	178

(I)(9) For the renewal of a pharmacy intern identification	179
card, twenty-two dollars and fifty cents, which fee shall not be	180
returned if the applicant fails to qualify for renewal;	181

(J)(10) For issuing a replacement license to a pharmacist,	182
twenty-two dollars and fifty cents;	183

(K)(11) For issuing a replacement license to a pharmacy	184
intern, seven dollars and fifty cents;	185

(L)(12) For issuing a replacement identification card to a	186
pharmacist, thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents, or pharmacy	187
intern, seven dollars and fifty cents;	188

(M)(13) For certifying licensure and grades for reciprocal	189
licensure, ten dollars;	190

(N)(14) For making copies of any application, affidavit, or	191
other document filed in the state board of pharmacy office, an	192
amount fixed by the board that is adequate to cover the expense,	193
except that for copies required by federal or state agencies or	194
law enforcement officers for official purposes, no charge need be	195
made;	196

(O)(15) For certifying and affixing the seal of the board, an	197
amount fixed by the board that is adequate to cover the expense,	198
except that for certifying and affixing the seal of the board to a	199
document required by federal or state agencies or law enforcement	200
officers for official purposes, no charge need be made;	201

(P)(16) For each copy of a book or pamphlet that includes	202
laws administered by the state board of pharmacy, rules adopted by	203
the board, and chapters of the Revised Code with which the board	204
is required to comply, an amount fixed by the board that is	205
adequate to cover the expense of publishing and furnishing the	206
book or pamphlet.	207

(B)(1) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, the fees	208
described in divisions (A)(1) to (13) of this section do not apply	209
to an individual who is on active duty in the armed forces of the	210
United States or to an individual who served in the armed forces	211
of the United States and presents a valid copy of the individual's	212
DD-214 form or an equivalent document issued by the United States	213
department of defense indicating that the individual is an	214
honorably discharged veteran.	215

(2) The state board of pharmacy may establish limits with	216
respect to the individuals for whom fees are not applicable under	217
division (B)(1) of this section.	218

Sec. 4731.36.  (A) Sections 4731.01 to 4731.47 of the Revised	219
Code shall not prohibit service in case of emergency, domestic	220
administration of family remedies, or provision of assistance to	221
another individual who is self-administering drugs.	222

Sections 4731.01 to 4731.47 of the Revised Code shall not	223
apply to any of the following:	224

(1) A commissioned medical officer of the armed forces of the	225
United States armed forces, as defined in section 5903.11 of the	226
Revised Code, or an employee of the veterans administration of the	227
United States or the United States public health service in the	228
discharge of the officer's or employee's professional duties;	229

(2) A dentist authorized under Chapter 4715. of the Revised	230
Code to practice dentistry when engaged exclusively in the	231
practice of dentistry or when administering anesthetics in the	232
practice of dentistry;	233

(3) A physician or surgeon in another state or territory who	234
is a legal practitioner of medicine or surgery therein when	235
providing consultation to an individual holding a certificate to	236
practice issued under this chapter who is responsible for the	237
examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the patient who is the	238
subject of the consultation, if one of the following applies:	239

(a) The physician or surgeon does not provide consultation in	240
this state on a regular or frequent basis.	241

(b) The physician or surgeon provides the consultation	242
without compensation of any kind, direct or indirect, for the	243
consultation.	244

(c) The consultation is part of the curriculum of a medical	245
school or osteopathic medical school of this state or a program	246
described in division (A)(2) of section 4731.291 of the Revised	247
Code.	248

(4) A physician or surgeon in another state or territory who	249
is a legal practitioner of medicine or surgery therein and	250
provided services to a patient in that state or territory, when	251
providing, not later than one year after the last date services	252
were provided in another state or territory, follow-up services in	253
person or through the use of any communication, including oral,	254
written, or electronic communication, in this state to the patient	255
for the same condition;	256

(5) A physician or surgeon residing on the border of a	257
contiguous state and authorized under the laws thereof to practice	258
medicine and surgery therein, whose practice extends within the	259
limits of this state. Such practitioner shall not either in person	260
or through the use of any communication, including oral, written,	261
or electronic communication, open an office or appoint a place to	262
see patients or receive calls within the limits of this state.	263

(6) A board, committee, or corporation engaged in the conduct	264
described in division (A) of section 2305.251 of the Revised Code	265
when acting within the scope of the functions of the board,	266
committee, or corporation;	267

(7) The conduct of an independent review organization	268
accredited by the superintendent of insurance under section	269
3922.13 of the Revised Code for the purpose of external reviews	270
conducted under Chapter 3922. of the Revised Code.	271

As used in division (A)(1) of this section, "armed forces of	272
the United States" means the army, air force, navy, marine corps,	273
coast guard, and any other military service branch that is	274
designated by congress as a part of the armed forces of the United	275
States.	276

(B)(1) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, this	277
chapter does not apply to a person who holds a current,	278
unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery or	279
osteopathic medicine and surgery in another state when the person,	280
pursuant to a written agreement with an athletic team located in	281
the state in which the person holds the license, provides medical	282
services to any of the following while the team is traveling to or	283
from or participating in a sporting event in this state:	284

(a) A member of the athletic team;

285

(b) A member of the athletic team's coaching, communications,	286
equipment, or sports medicine staff;	287

(c) A member of a band or cheerleading squad accompanying the	288
athletic team;	289

(d) The athletic team's mascot.

290

(2) In providing medical services pursuant to division (B)(1)	291
of this section, the person shall not provide medical services at	292
a health care facility, including a hospital, an ambulatory	293
surgical facility, or any other facility in which medical care,	294
diagnosis, or treatment is provided on an inpatient or outpatient	295
basis.	296

(C) Sections 4731.51 to 4731.61 of the Revised Code do not	297
apply to any graduate of a podiatric school or college while	298
performing those acts that may be prescribed by or incidental to	299
participation in an accredited podiatric internship, residency, or	300
fellowship program situated in this state approved by the state	301
medical board.	302

(D) This chapter does not apply to an oriental medicine	303
practitioner or acupuncturist who complies with Chapter 4762. of	304
the Revised Code.	305

(E) This chapter does not prohibit the administration of	306
drugs by any of the following:	307

(1) An individual who is licensed or otherwise specifically	308
authorized by the Revised Code to administer drugs;	309

(2) An individual who is not licensed or otherwise	310
specifically authorized by the Revised Code to administer drugs,	311
but is acting pursuant to the rules for delegation of medical	312
tasks adopted under section 4731.053 of the Revised Code;	313

(3) An individual specifically authorized to administer drugs	314
pursuant to a rule adopted under the Revised Code that is in	315
effect on April 10, 2001, as long as the rule remains in effect,	316
specifically authorizing an individual to administer drugs.	317

(F) The exemptions described in divisions (A)(3), (4), and	318
(5) of this section do not apply to a physician or surgeon whose	319
certificate to practice issued under this chapter is under	320
suspension or has been revoked or permanently revoked by action of	321
the state medical board.	322

Sec. 4743.04.  (A) The renewal of a license or other	323
authorization to practice a trade or profession issued under Title	324
XLVII of the Revised Code is subject to the provisions of section	325
5903.10 of the Revised Code relating to service in the armed	326
forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed	327
forces of the United States, including the Ohio national guard or	328
the national guard of any other state.	329

(B) Continuing education requirements applicable to the	330
licensees under Title XLVII of the Revised Code are subject to the	331
provisions of section 5903.12 of the Revised Code relating to	332
active duty military service.	333

(C) A department, agency, or office of this state or of any	334
political subdivision of this state that issues a license or	335
certificate to practice a trade or profession may, pursuant to	336
rules adopted by the department, agency, or office, issue a	337
temporary license or certificate to practice the trade or	338
profession to a person whose spouse is on active military duty in	339
this state.	340

(D) The issuance of a license or other authorization to	341
practice a trade or profession issued under Title XLVII of the	342
Revised Code is subject to the provisions of section 5903.03 of	343
the Revised Code relating to service in the armed forces of the	344
United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the	345
United States, including the Ohio national guard or the national	346
guard of any other state.	347

Sec. 5902.02.  The duties of the director of veterans	348
services shall include the following:	349

(A) Furnishing the veterans service commissions of all	350
counties of the state copies of the state laws, rules, and	351
legislation relating to the operation of the commissions and their	352
offices;	353

(B) Upon application, assisting the general public in	354
obtaining records of vital statistics pertaining to veterans or	355
their dependents;	356

(C) Adopting rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised	357
Code pertaining to minimum qualifications for hiring, certifying,	358
and accrediting county veterans service officers, pertaining to	359
their required duties, and pertaining to revocation of the	360
certification of county veterans service officers;	361

(D) Adopting rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised	362
Code for the education, training, certification, and duties of	363
veterans service commissioners and for the revocation of the	364
certification of a veterans service commissioner;	365

(E) Developing and monitoring programs and agreements	366
enhancing employment and training for veterans in single or	367
multiple county areas;	368

(F) Developing and monitoring programs and agreements to	369
enable county veterans service commissions to address	370
homelessness, indigency, and other veteran-related issues	371
individually or jointly;	372

(G) Developing and monitoring programs and agreements to	373
enable state agencies, individually or jointly, that provide	374
services to veterans, including the veterans' homes operated under	375
Chapter 5907. of the Revised Code and the director of job and	376
family services, to address homelessness, indigency, employment,	377
and other veteran-related issues;	378

(H) Establishing and providing statistical reporting formats	379
and procedures for county veterans service commissions;	380

(I) Publishing electronically a listing of county veterans	381
service offices and county veterans service commissioners. The	382
listing shall include the expiration dates of commission members'	383
terms of office and the organizations they represent; the names,	384
addresses, and telephone numbers of county veterans service	385
offices; and the addresses and telephone numbers of the Ohio	386
offices and headquarters of state and national veterans service	387
organizations.	388

(J) Establishing a veterans advisory committee to advise and	389
assist the department of veterans services in its duties. Members	390
shall include a member of the national guard association of the	391
United States who is a resident of this state, a member of the	392
military officers association of America who is a resident of this	393
state, a state representative of congressionally chartered	394
veterans organizations referred to in section 5901.02 of the	395
Revised Code, a representative of any other congressionally	396
chartered state veterans organization that has at least one	397
veterans service commissioner in the state, three representatives	398
of the Ohio state association of county veterans service	399
commissioners, who shall have a combined vote of one, three	400
representatives of the state association of county veterans	401
service officers, who shall have a combined vote of one, one	402
representative of the county commissioners association of Ohio,	403
who shall be a county commissioner not from the same county as any	404
of the other county representatives, a representative of the	405
advisory committee on women veterans, a representative of a labor	406
organization, and a representative of the office of the attorney	407
general. The department of veterans services shall submit to the	408
advisory committee proposed rules for the committee's operation.	409
The committee may review and revise these proposed rules prior to	410
submitting them to the joint committee on agency rule review.	411

(K) Adopting, with the advice and assistance of the veterans	412
advisory committee, policy and procedural guidelines that the	413
veterans service commissions shall adhere to in the development	414
and implementation of rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines	415
for the administration of Chapter 5901. of the Revised Code. The	416
department of veterans services shall adopt no guidelines or rules	417
regulating the purposes, scope, duration, or amounts of financial	418
assistance provided to applicants pursuant to sections 5901.01 to	419
5901.15 of the Revised Code. The director of veterans services may	420
obtain opinions from the office of the attorney general regarding	421
rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines of the veterans	422
service commissions and may enforce compliance with Chapter 5901.	423
of the Revised Code.	424

(L) Receiving copies of form DD214 filed in accordance with	425
the director's guidelines adopted under division (L) of this	426
section from members of veterans service commissions appointed	427
under section 5901.02 and from county veterans service officers	428
employed under section 5901.07 of the Revised Code;	429

(M) Developing and maintaining and improving a resource, such	430
as a telephone answering point or a web site, by means of which	431
veterans and their dependents, through a single portal, can access	432
multiple sources of information and interaction with regard to the	433
rights of, and the benefits available to, veterans and their	434
dependents. The director of veterans services may enter into	435
agreements with state and federal agencies, with agencies of	436
political subdivisions, with state and local instrumentalities,	437
and with private entities as necessary to make the resource as	438
complete as is possible.	439

(N) Planning, organizing, advertising, and conducting	440
outreach efforts, such as conferences and fairs, at which veterans	441
and their dependents may meet, learn about the organization and	442
operation of the department of veterans services and of veterans	443
service commissions, and obtain information about the rights of,	444
and the benefits and services available to, veterans and their	445
dependents;	446

(O) Advertising, in print, on radio and television, and	447
otherwise, the rights of, and the benefits and services available	448
to, veterans and their dependents;	449

(P) Developing and advocating improved benefits and services	450
for, and improved delivery of benefits and services to, veterans	451
and their dependents;	452

(Q) Searching for, identifying, and reviewing statutory and	453
administrative policies that relate to veterans and their	454
dependents and reporting to the general assembly statutory and	455
administrative policies that should be consolidated in whole or in	456
part within the organization of the department of veterans	457
services to unify funding, delivery, and accounting of statutory	458
and administrative policy expressions that relate particularly to	459
veterans and their dependents;	460

(R) Encouraging veterans service commissions to innovate and	461
otherwise to improve efficiency in delivering benefits and	462
services to veterans and their dependents and to report successful	463
innovations and efficiencies to the director of veterans services;	464

(S) Publishing and encouraging adoption of successful	465
innovations and efficiencies veterans service commissions have	466
achieved in delivering benefits and services to veterans and their	467
dependents;	468

(T) Establishing advisory committees, in addition to the	469
veterans advisory committee established under division (K) of this	470
section, on veterans issues;	471

(U) Developing and maintaining a relationship with the United	472
States department of veterans affairs, seeking optimal federal	473
benefits and services for Ohio veterans and their dependents, and	474
encouraging veterans service commissions to maximize the federal	475
benefits and services to which veterans and their dependents are	476
entitled;	477

(V) Developing and maintaining relationships with the several	478
veterans organizations, encouraging the organizations in their	479
efforts at assisting veterans and their dependents, and advocating	480
for adequate state subsidization of the organizations;	481

(W) Requiring the several veterans organizations that receive	482
funding from the state annually, not later than the thirtieth day	483
of July, to report to the director of veterans services and	484
prescribing the form and content of the report;	485

(X) Reviewing the reports submitted to the director under	486
division (W) of this section within thirty days of receipt and	487
informing the veterans organization of any deficiencies that exist	488
in the organization's report and that funding will not be released	489
until the deficiencies have been corrected and a satisfactory	490
report submitted;	491

(Y) Advising the director of budget and management when a	492
report submitted to the director under division (W) of this	493
section has been reviewed and determined to be satisfactory;	494

(Z) Furnishing copies of all reports that the director of	495
veterans services has determined have been submitted	496
satisfactorily under division (W) of this section to the	497
chairperson of the finance committees of the general assembly;	498

(AA) Investigating complaints against county veterans	499
services commissioners and county veterans service officers if the	500
director reasonably believes the investigation to be appropriate	501
and necessary;	502

(BB) Developing and maintaining a web site that is accessible	503
by veterans and their dependents and provides a link to the web	504
site of each state agency that issues a license, certificate, or	505
other authorization permitting an individual to engage in an	506
occupation or occupational activity;	507

(CC) Encouraging state agencies to conduct outreach efforts	508
through which veterans and their dependents can learn about	509
available job and education benefits;	510

(DD) Informing state agencies about changes in statutes and	511
rules that affect veterans and their dependents;	512

(EE) Assisting licensing agencies in adopting rules under	513
section 5903.03 of the Revised Code;	514

(FF) Taking any other actions required by this chapter.

515

Sec. 5903.01. As used in this chapter:

516

"Armed forces" means the armed forces of the United States,	517
including the army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, or	518
any reserve components of those forces; the national guard of any	519
state; the commissioned corps of the United States public health	520
service; the merchant marine service during wartime; such other	521
service as may be designated by congress; or the Ohio organized	522
militia when engaged in full-time national guard duty for a period	523
of more than thirty days.	524

"License" means a license, certificate, permit, or other	525
authorization issued or conferred by a licensing agency under	526
which a licensee may engage in a profession, occupation, or	527
occupational activity.	528

"Licensee" means a person to whom all of the following apply:

529

(A) The person has been issued a license by a licensing	530
agency.	531

(B) The person has been a member of the armed forces.

532

(C) The person has served on active duty, whether inside or	533
outside the United States, for a period in excess of thirty-one	534
days.	535

"Licensing agency" means any state department, division,	536
board, commission, agency, or other state governmental unit	537
authorized by the Revised Code to issue a license.	538

"Member" means any person who is serving in the armed forces.

539

"Merchant marine" includes the United States army transport	540
service and the United States naval transport service.	541

"Veteran" means any person who has completed service in the	542
armed forces, including the national guard of any state, or a	543
reserve component of the armed forces, who has been discharged	544
under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been	545
transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.	546

Sec. 5903.03.  (A) As used in this section:

547

(1) "License" and "licensing agency" have the meanings	548
defined in section 5903.12 of the Revised Code.	549

(2) "Military, "military program of training" means a	550
training program of the armed forces of the United States or a	551
reserve component of the armed forces of the United States,	552
including the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any	553
other state.	554

(B) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the	555
contrary, a licensing agency shall consider an applicant for a	556
license:	557

(1) To have met the educational requirement for that license	558
if the applicant has completed a military program of training and	559
has been awarded a military primary specialty at a level that is	560
substantially equivalent to or exceeds the educational requirement	561
for that license; and	562

(2) To have met the experience requirement for that license	563
if the applicant has served in that military primary specialty	564
under honorable conditions for a period of time that is	565
substantially equivalent to or exceeds the experience requirement	566
for that license.	567

(C) Each licensing agency, not later than June 30, 2014,	568
shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding	569
which military programs of training, military primary specialties,	570
and lengths of service are substantially equivalent to or exceed	571
the educational and experience requirements for each license that	572
agency issues.	573

Sec. 5903.04.  Each licensing agency shall adopt rules under	574
Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to establish and implement all of	575
the following:	576

(A) A process to obtain from each applicant documentation and	577
additional information necessary to determine if the applicant is	578
a member or veteran, or the spouse or surviving spouse of a member	579
or veteran;	580

(B) A process to record, track, and monitor applications that	581
have been received from a member, veteran, or the spouse or	582
surviving spouse of a member or veteran; and	583

(C) A process to prioritize and expedite certification or	584
licensing for each applicant who is a member, veteran, or the	585
spouse or a surviving spouse of a member or veteran.	586

In establishing these processes, the licensing agency shall	587
include any special accommodations that may be appropriate for	588
applicants facing imminent deployment.	589

Sec. 5903.05. A licensing agency shall apply for approval to	590
the state approving agency at the Ohio department of veterans	591
services as required under 38 U.S.C. 3672(a) to enable an eligible	592
person or veteran to receive education benefits through the United	593
States department of veterans affairs.	594

Sec. 5903.10.  (A) A holder of an expired license or	595
certificate from this state or any political subdivision or agency	596
of the state to practice a trade or profession shall be granted a	597
renewal of the license or certificate by the issuing board or	598
authority at the usual cost without penalty and without	599
re-examination if not otherwise disqualified because of mental or	600
physical disability and if either of the following applies:	601

(1) The license or certificate was not renewed because of the	602
holder's service in the armed forces of the United States or a	603
reserve component of the armed forces of the United States,	604
including the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any	605
other state.	606

(2) The license or certificate was not renewed because the	607
holder's spouse served in the armed forces of the United States or	608
a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States,	609
including the Ohio national guard or the national guard of any	610
other state, and the service resulted in the holder's absence from	611
this state.	612

(B) A renewal shall not be granted under division (A) of this	613
section unless the holder or the holder's spouse, whichever is	614
applicable, has presented satisfactory evidence of the service	615
member's discharge under honorable conditions or release under	616
honorable conditions from active duty or national guard duty	617
within six months after the discharge or release.	618

Sec. 5903.11.  (A) Any federally funded employment and	619
training program administered by any state agency including, but	620
not limited to, the "Workforce Investment Act of 1998," 112 Stat.	621
936, codified in scattered sections of 29 U.S.C., as amended,	622
shall include a veteran priority system to provide maximum	623
employment and training opportunities to veterans and eligible	624
persons within each targeted group as established by federal law	625
and state and federal policy in the service area. Disabled	626
veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, other veterans, and	627
eligible persons shall receive preference over nonveterans within	628
each targeted group in the provision of employment and training	629
services available through these programs as required by this	630
section.	631

(B) Each state agency shall refer qualified applicants to job	632
openings and training opportunities in programs described in	633
division (A) of this section in the following order of priority:	634

(1) Special disabled veterans;

635

(2) Veterans of the Vietnam era;

636

(3) Disabled veterans;

637

(4) All other veterans;

638

(5) Other eligible persons;

639

(6) Nonveterans.

640

(C) Each state agency providing employment and training	641
services to veterans and eligible persons under programs described	642
in division (A) of this section shall submit an annual written	643
report to the speaker of the house of representatives and the	644
president of the senate on the services that it provides to	645
veterans and eligible persons. Each such agency shall report	646
separately on all entitlement programs, employment or training	647
programs, and any other programs that it provides to each class of	648
persons described in divisions (B)(1) to (6) of this section. Each	649
such agency shall also report on action taken to ensure compliance	650
with statutory requirements. Compliance and reporting procedures	651
shall be in accordance with the reporting procedures then in	652
effect for all employment and training programs described in	653
division (A) of this section, with the addition of veterans as a	654
separate reporting module.	655

(D) All state agencies that administer federally funded	656
employment and training programs described in division (A) of this	657
section for veterans and eligible persons shall do all of the	658
following:	659

(1) Ensure that veterans are treated with courtesy and	660
respect at all state governmental facilities;	661

(2) Give priority in referral to jobs to qualified veterans	662
and other eligible persons;	663

(3) Give priority in referral to and enrollment in training	664
programs to qualified veterans and other eligible persons;	665

(4) Give preferential treatment to special disabled veterans	666
in the provision of all needed state services;	667

(5) Provide information and effective referral assistance to	668
veterans and other eligible persons regarding needed benefits and	669
services that may be obtained through other agencies.	670

(E) As used in this section:

671

(1) "Special disabled veteran" means a veteran who is	672
entitled to, or who but for the receipt of military pay would be	673
entitled to, compensation under any law administered by the	674
department of veterans affairs for a disability rated at thirty	675
per cent or more or a person who was discharged or released from	676
active duty because of a service-connected disability.	677

(2) "Veteran of the Vietnam era" means an eligible veteran	678
who served on active duty for a period of more than one hundred	679
eighty days, any part of which occurred from August 5, 1964,	680
through May 7, 1975, and was discharged or released therefrom with	681
other than a dishonorable discharge or a person who was discharged	682
or released from active duty for a service-connected disability if	683
any part of the active duty was performed from August 5, 1964,	684
through May 7, 1975.	685

(3) "Disabled veteran" means a veteran who is entitled to, or	686
who but for the receipt of military retirement pay would be	687
entitled to compensation, under any law administered by the	688
department of veterans affairs and who is not a special disabled	689
veteran.	690

(4) "Eligible veteran" means a person who served on active	691
duty for more than one hundred eighty days and was discharged or	692
released from active duty with other than a dishonorable discharge	693
or a person who was discharged or released from active duty	694
because of a service-connected disability.	695

(5) "Other eligible person" means one of the following:

696

(a) The spouse of any person who died of a service-connected	697
disability;	698

(b) The spouse of any member of the armed forces serving on	699
active duty who at the time of the spouse's application for	700
assistance under any program described in division (A) of this	701
section is listed pursuant to the "Act of September 6, 1966," 80	702
Stat. 629, 37 U.S.C.A. 556, and the regulations issued pursuant	703
thereto, as having been in one or more of the following categories	704
for a total of ninety or more days:	705

(i) Missing in action;

706

(ii) Captured in line of duty by a hostile force;

707

(iii) Forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a	708
foreign government or power.	709

(c) The spouse of any person who has a total disability	710
permanent in nature resulting from a service-connected disability	711
or the spouse of a veteran who died while such a disability was in	712
existence.	713

(6) "Veteran" means either of the following:

714

(a) Any persona veteran as defined in section 5903.01 of the	715
Revised Code who was a member of the armed forces of the United	716
States for a period of one hundred eighty days or more or; a	717
person who was discharged or released from active duty because of	718
a service-connected disability;	719

(b) Aor a person who served as a member of the United States	720
merchant marine and to whom either of the following applies:	721

(i)(a) The person has an honorable report of separation from	722
active duty military service, form DD214 or DD215.; or	723

(ii)(b) The person served in the United States merchant	724
marine between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, and died	725
on active duty while serving in a war zone during that period of	726
service.	727

(7) "Armed forces of the United States" means the army, air	728
force, navy, marine corps, coast guard, and any other military	729
service branch that is designated by congress as a part of the	730
armed forces of the United States.	731

(8) "Employment program" means a program which provides	732
referral of individuals to employer job openings in the federal,	733
state, or private sector.	734

(9)(8) "Training program" means any program that upgrades the	735
employability of qualified applicants.	736

(10)(9) "Entitlement program" means any program that enlists	737
specific criteria in determining eligibility, including but not	738
limited to the existence in special segments of the general	739
population of specific financial needs.	740

(11)(10) "Targeted group" means a group of persons designated	741
by federal law or regulations or by state law to receive special	742
assistance under an employment and training program described in	743
division (A) of this section.	744

(12) "United States merchant marine" includes the United	745
States army transport service and the United States naval	746
transport service.	747

Sec. 5903.12.  (A) As used in this section:

748

(1) "Continuing education" means continuing education	749
required of a licensee by law and includes, but is not limited to,	750
the continuing education required of licensees under sections	751
3737.881, 3781.10, 4701.11, 4715.141, 4715.25, 4717.09, 4723.24,	752
4725.16, 4725.51, 4730.14, 4730.49, 4731.281, 4734.25, 4735.141,	753
4736.11, 4741.16, 4741.19, 4751.07, 4755.63, 4757.33, 4759.06,	754
4761.06, and 4763.07 of the Revised Code.	755

(2) "License" means a license, certificate, permit, or other	756
authorization issued or conferred by a licensing agency under	757
which a licensee may engage in a profession, occupation, or	758
occupational activity.	759

(3) "Licensee" means a person to whom all of the following	760
apply:	761

(a) The person has been issued a license by a licensing	762
agency.	763

(b) The person has been a member of the armed forces of the	764
United States, the Ohio national guard, the Ohio military reserve,	765
the Ohio naval militia, the national guard of any other state, or	766
a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States.	767

(c) The person has served on active duty, whether inside or	768
outside the United States, for a period in excess of thirty-one	769
days.	770

(4) "Licensing agency" means any state department, division,	771
board, commission, agency, or other state governmental unit	772
authorized by the Revised Code to issue a license.	773

(5) "Reporting period" means the period of time during which	774
a licensee must complete the number of hours of continuing	775
education required of the licensee by law.	776

(B) A licensee may submit an application to a licensing	777
agency, stating that the licensee requires an extension of the	778
current reporting period because the licensee has served on active	779
duty as described in division (A)(3)(c) of this section during the	780
current or a prior reporting period. The licensee shall submit	781
proper documentation certifying the active duty service and the	782
length of that active duty service. Upon receiving the application	783
and proper documentation, the licensing agency shall extend the	784
current reporting period by an amount of time equal to the total	785
number of months that the licensee spent on active duty during the	786
current reporting period. For purposes of this division, any	787
portion of a month served on active duty shall be considered one	788
full month.	789

Sec. 5903.121. A "licensing agency," as defined in section	790
5903.12 of the Revised Code, shall consider relevant education,	791
training, or service completed by a licensee as a member of the	792
armed forces of the United States or reserve components thereof,	793
the Ohio national guard, the Ohio military reserve, the Ohio naval	794
militia, or the national guard of any other state in determining	795
whether a licensee has fulfilled required continuing education.	796

Sec. 5907.01. (A) As used in this chapter:

797

(1) "Armed forces of the United States" has the same meaning	798
as in section 5903.11 of the Revised Codemeans the army, air	799
force, navy, marine corps, coast guard, and any other military	800
service branch that is designated by congress as a part of the	801
armed forces of the United States.	802

(2) "Domiciliary" means a separate area within the Ohio	803
veterans' home providing domiciliary care.	804

(3) "Domiciliary care" means providing shelter, food, and	805
necessary medical care on an ambulatory self-care basis to	806
eligible veterans who do not need the nursing services provided in	807
nursing homes.	808

(4) "Nursing home" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01	809
of the Revised Code.	810

(5) "Veteran" has the same meaning as in section 5901.01 of	811
the Revised Code.	812

(B) There are hereby established the Ohio veterans' homes	813
within the department of veterans services. The department shall	814
maintain and operate state veterans' homes as administered under	815
the state veterans' home programs defined in Title 38 of the	816
United States Code.	817

Sec. 5907.04. SubjectAs used in this section, "armed forces	818
of the United States" means the army, air force, navy, marine	819
corps, coast guard, and any other military service branch that is	820
designated by congress as a part of the armed forces of the United	821
States.	822

Subject to the following paragraph, all veterans, who served	823
during a period of conflict as determined by the United States	824
department of veterans affairs or any person who is awarded either	825
the armed forces expeditionary medal established by presidential	826
executive order 10977 dated December 4, 1961, or the Vietnam	827
service medal established by presidential executive order 11231	828
dated July 8, 1965, who have been honorably discharged or	829
separated under honorable conditions therefrom, or any discharged	830
members of the Polish and Czechoslovakian armed forces who served	831
in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States in World War	832
II who have been citizens of the United States for at least ten	833
years, provided that the above-mentioned persons have been	834
citizens of this state for one year or more at the date of making	835
application for admission, are disabled by disease, wounds, or	836
otherwise, and are by reason of such disability incapable of	837
earning their living, and all members of the Ohio national guard	838
or naval militia who have lost an arm or leg, or their sight, or	839
become permanently disabled from any cause, while in the line and	840
discharge of duty, and are not able to support themselves, may be	841
admitted to a veterans' home under such rules as the director of	842
veterans services adopts.	843

A veteran who served in the armed forces of the United States	844
as defined in division (E)(7) of section 5903.11 of the Revised	845
Code is eligible for admission to a veterans' home under the	846
preceding paragraph only if the person has the characteristics	847
defined in division (B)(1) of section 5901.01 of the Revised Code.	848

Veterans' homes may reserve a bed during the temporary	849
absence of a resident or patient from the home, including a	850
nursing home within it, under conditions prescribed by the	851
director, to include hospitalization for an acute condition,	852
visits with relatives and friends, and participation in	853
therapeutic programs outside the home. A home shall not reserve a	854
bed for more than thirty days, except that absences for more than	855
thirty days due to hospitalization may be authorized.	856

Section 2.  That existing sections 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15,	857
4731.36, 4743.04, 5902.02, 5903.03, 5903.10, 5903.11, 5903.12,	858
5903.121, 5907.01, and 5907.04 of the Revised Code are hereby	859
repealed.	860

Section 3.  The Director of Veterans Services shall implement	861
divisions (BB) to (EE) of section 5902.02 of the Revised Code not	862
later than December 31, 2014.	863

Section 4.  A licensing agency that is required to adopt	864
rules under section 5903.04 of the Revised Code shall adopt	865
initial rules not later than December 31, 2014.	866

Section 5. State agencies that are required to apply for	867
approval to the State Approving Agency at the Ohio Department of	868
Veterans Services under section 5903.05 of the Revised Code shall	869
do so initially not later than December 31, 2014.	870

Section 6.  Section 4731.36 of the Revised Code is presented	871
in this act as a composite of the section as amended by both Sub.	872
H.B. 251 and Sub. S.B. 141 of the 129th General Assembly. The	873
General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of	874
section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be	875
harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds	876
that the composite is the resulting version of the section in	877
effect prior to the effective date of the section as presented in	878
this act.	879