H.B. 409 Summary

• Each long-term care facility and hospital must establish a protection advisory board within 180 days, composed of 3-5 individuals with lived experience as residents/patients or family members, 1-3 advocates, and 2-4 health care professionals.

• Advisory boards must develop and periodically review policies and procedures governing restraint and care, requiring that any restraint be appropriate to the individual's age and medical condition, and police officers assisting with restraint must have trauma-informed care training and Ohio peace officer training academy certification.

• Facilities must adopt board-developed policies and submit them to the Ohio Department of Health as soon as practicable.

• Facilities must establish a 24/7 grievance process through designated employees or an ombudsperson to allow residents/patients and family members to file complaints regarding care, treatment, restraint use, and facility non-compliance with advisory board recommendations.

• The Department of Health must adopt rules establishing the grievance hearing process and penalties for violations by health care facilities.