OH SB144

Abolishes the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Commission, Consumer Advisory Committee, and Governor's Council on People with Disabilities and establishes a new state rehabilitation services council called the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Council.

Council consists of 12 member categories including individuals with disabilities, business representatives, educators, workforce board members, and advocacy organization representatives, with a majority required to be individuals with disabilities not employed by the agency.

Governor appoints all council members with initial staggered terms (five for 3 years, five for 2 years, five for 1 year) and limits most members to two consecutive 3-year terms, with council meeting at least four times annually.

Council examines vocational rehabilitation program eligibility and services, identifies state goals and priorities, evaluates program effectiveness, prepares annual reports to the U.S. Secretary of Education, and coordinates efforts with independent living councils and other disability-related entities.

Restores staggered terms for firefighter employee members on the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund board of trustees, with a successor firefighter member elected March 6, 2014, holding office until June 1, 2020.