OH SB277

Creates the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Agency with a board of directors including three state officials and six appointed members representing diverse stakeholder groups (union, consumer, business, actuary, economist, benefits specialist).

Establishes the Ohio Health Benefit Exchange Program with two components: an individual coverage exchange and a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) for qualified small employers with up to 50 employees (or 100 employees after January 1, 2016).

Requires the exchange to certify qualified health plans meeting federal standards, provide enrollment assistance through a navigator program, maintain a website with plan comparisons, and ensure affordable coverage options at multiple levels (catastrophic, bronze, silver, gold, platinum).

Grants the exchange executive director authority to hire staff, establish enrollment procedures, collect data on demographics and disparities, and ensure financial integrity through annual audits and accounting reports to federal authorities.

Exempts exchange agency employees from state civil service classification rules, allowing the board to establish compensation directly; also modifies small employer definitions and updates health insurance regulations under existing code sections 3924.01 and 124.14.