Senate Bill 230 Summary

• Expands Ohio law to permit electronic execution of wills, declarations (living wills), durable powers of attorney for health care, and transfer on death designation affidavits as alternatives to written execution.

• Electronic wills must be readable as text when signed, recorded with audio-visual documentation, and executed with two or more witnesses in physical or electronic presence (with specific requirements for vulnerable adults).

• Electronic declarations and durable powers of attorney for health care require electronic notarization or online notarization instead of traditional witnessing requirements.

• Electronic documents may be retrieved and copied in readable text format; electronic presence is defined as real-time communication between individuals in different locations and witnesses in electronic presence must be located in Ohio.

• Amends recording fees and procedures to accommodate electronic documents; requires Supreme Court to amend rules and procedures to implement these changes.