Here is a compendium of current issues that affect Ohio’s public entities, plus McGown & Markling news of note.
A jury has indicted the former Superintendent of Gallia County Local School District for thirteen (13) counts of criminal charges related to having an unlawful interest in a public contract, theft, and conflict of interest. Jude E. Meyers served as superintendent from 2014 until mid-2021, with the allegations against Meyers stemming from February 1, 2015, […]
2022 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 583 (“H.B. 583”), effective September 23, 2022, enables public and/or chartered nonpublic schools to employ substitute teachers according to their school-specific education requirements. H.B. 583 establishes the General Assembly the Substitute Teacher Shortages Study Committee “to examine the shortage of substitute teachers and consider ways to address its causes.” H.B. also serves […]
2022 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 238 designates July 28th as Buffalo Soldiers Day. This day commemorates the formation of the first regular Army regiments comprised of African American soldiers in 1866. To read this bill, click here. Authors: Matthew John Markling and the McGown & Markling Team. Note: This blog entry does not constitute – nor does […]
As of May 30, 2022, the passing of 2022 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 229 (1) exempts historical reenactment camp operators from the recreational and camping operation license requirements; and (2) grants camp operators qualified immunity from harm arising from the inherent risk of camping. Pursuant to Sec. 3729.05(G), reenactment camp operators are now exempt from the recreational […]
As of May 30, 2022, the General Assembly adopted 2022 Am.Sub.S.B. No. 181 (“S.B. 181”), which precludes schools, interscholastics, and/or athletic organizations from regulating religious apparel worn by participants during interscholastic athletics or extracurricular activities. R.C. 3313.5317(A). Pursuant to R.C. 3313.5317(B), schools and organizations may limit religious apparel only if wearing the apparel poses a […]
The Ohio Ethics Commission just published its newest newsletter, “The Voice of Ethics,” which can be viewed here. Past newsletters from the Ohio Ethics Commission can be viewed here. McGown & Markling is often asked to opine on various ethics issues, but the best ethics advice comes straight from the Ohio Ethics Commission itself. To request an […]
As of May 30, 2022, the General Assembly enacted 2022 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 4, which requires public social service agencies to inform law enforcement of abuse and neglect reports and update existing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in compliance with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS). Pursuant to Sec. 2151.4211(E)(2)(c)(ii), public social services agencies […]
In Attorney General Opinion 2022 Ohio Atty.Gen.Ops. No. 2022-007, the Attorney General opined that the positions of township fiscal officer and member of a board of education for a local school district within the same geographic area are compatible, provided the person holding both positions refrain from: participating in the preparation and presentation of the […]