02/15/2024

House Bill 257

Lead Sponsors: Representative Jim Hoops and Representative Thaddeus Claggett

Status: Passed the House 73-3 (November 29, 2023), 2nd Hearing in Senate Government Oversight (June 26, 2024)

Description: The bill allows certain public bodies to hold and attend meetings and hearings by video conference, provided certain conditions are met. The body must adopt a policy regarding the notification of a virtual meeting, public access to the meeting, the voting procedure for virtual meetings, and more.

The bill uses the "public body" definition under the Open Meetings Law to define those entities that may meet virtually. However, it narrows the definition by explicitly prohibiting the following from meeting virtually:

• The General Assembly or any of its committees;
• Any court;
• The State Board of Education;
• The Board of Directors of the Bureau of Workers' Compensation;
• The Ohio Elections Commission;
• A board of county commissioners;
• A board of township trustees;
• The legislative authority of a municipality or charter county;
• Boards of education of traditional public schools;
• County boards of elections.

CCAO Position: No position (as of July 2024)

Other Notes: The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities testified as a proponent.