OH HB173

Creates the Ohio Family Stability Commission within the Department of Job and Family Services to consider issues affecting family stability and recommend legislation and rules to address them.

Commission composition includes 6 members of the general assembly (3 appointed by senate president with at least 1 from minority party; 3 appointed by house speaker with at least 1 from minority party), 3-5 governor-appointed members, and up to 5 additional private citizens with relevant expertise.

Chair and vice-chair positions alternate annually between House and Senate members in even and odd-numbered years; all legislative and government members serve without compensation while private citizens receive per diem payments per section 124.15 of the Revised Code.

Commission must submit recommendations to the general assembly and governor no later than one year after enactment and biennially thereafter addressing divorce rates, out-of-wedlock conceptions/abortions/births, domestic violence, child abuse, child custody/support issues, marriage barriers, and substance abuse effects on families.

Department of Job and Family Services provides staffing assistance without requiring new personnel hires; commission monitors legislative and rule-making activities derived from its recommendations.