H.B. No. 261 Summary

• Defines "emergency medical services worker" as a PERS member employed full-time in a position requiring a certificate under Ohio law to practice as a first responder, EMT-basic, EMT-intermediate, or EMT-paramedic.

• Classifies emergency medical services workers as "PERS public safety officers" under the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, giving them public safety officer status.

• Allows current EMS workers meeting the definition to elect PERS public safety officer status by submitting notice to the retirement system within 90 days of the law's effective date; the election is irrevocable.

• Service credit earned before the first day of the first month following receipt of the election notice shall not be counted as public safety officer service credit.

• Repeals the existing section 145.01 and enacts amended definitions and new section 145.335 of the Revised Code.