Government Affairs

Pennsylvania’s Inclusion Completes Prescription Monitor on Ohio’s Bordering States

03.07.2017 in Administrative Agency Law, Government Affairs, Professional Licensure Defense

The Ohio Pharmacy Board recently announced that Ohio’s mandatory prescription drug tracking system, OARRS, now permits Ohio’s prescribers and pharmacists to review Pennsylvania’s counterpart system. Linking to Pennsylvania’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PA PDMP) means that Ohio healthcare providers can now access patient information on controlled…

How Legislation Affects Small Project School Funding

27.06.2017 in Government Affairs

Legislation creating the School Facilities Option Program passed the Senate unanimously, and is reported out of House Education Committee favorably. As some schools do not qualify for the primary funding of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission for a larger facilities project, sponsor Senator Randy Gardner…

Legislation: Workers’ Compensation Overhaul

13.06.2017 in Administrative Agency Law, Government Affairs

House Bill 269 if passed would change the name of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to the Office of Worker Safety and Rehabilitation. State Representative Mike Henne (R, Clayton) claims the Bill as introduced would overhaul the system while remaining neutral in affecting worker…

Initial Claim Does Not Limit Damages for Construction Delay

31.05.2017 in Administrative Agency Law, Case Results, Government Affairs

A Court of Appeals ruled that a contractor may recover proven damages, even though the initial claim was for less than the court ultimately awarded. An electrical contractor experienced impact damages when the general contractor repeatedly missed deadlines for temporary building enclosure. The electrical contractor…

Electric Separation Statute Enforced

31.05.2017 in Case Results, Government Affairs

In a precedent-setting decision, the Ohio Supreme Court held that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio failed to enforce Ohio’s Corporate Separation Plan Statute by allowing a utility to offer non-utility electrical services in a competitive market. A provider of competitive retail electric service challenged…

Fanduel WANTS Fantasy Sports Regulated in Ohio!

25.05.2017 in Administrative Agency Law, Government Affairs

Fanduel sent me an e-mail the other night. They want me to “tell Ohio lawmakers that Ohioans support fantasy sports.”  They even had a link for me to click on, “a simple tool to contact my legislators.”  Fanduel does not want to see fantasy sports…

Ohio Pharmacy Board Begins Licensure Process for Opioid Treatment Facilities

18.05.2017 in Administrative Agency Law, Government Affairs

On May 12, 2017 the Ohio Pharmacy Board’s new Rules regulating Office-Based Opioid Treatment facilities became effective. Earlier this year Ohio passed Senate Bill 319, requiring all non-exempt physicians who treat more than thirty patients for opioid dependence or addiction with a controlled substance to…

Ohio Department of Commerce Names New Superintendent of Financial Institutions

12.05.2017 in Government Affairs, Professional Licensure Defense

On March 29, the Ohio Department of Commerce announced Kevin R. Allard as the new Superintendent of the Division of Financial Institutions (the “Division”) effective immediately. Allard took over as Interim Superintendent this past December after the sudden resignation of Charles Dolezal, who had held…

Be Prepared to Have your Medical Marijuana Cultivator Application Denied

09.05.2017 in Government Affairs, Medical Marijuana

The Ohio State Bar Association hosted a Medical Marijuana Rules continuing legal education course on May 2, 2017. John Izzo and Levi Tkach of Graff & McGovern attended.  Speakers included Steven W. Schierholt, Executive Director, State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy; Justin Hunt, Chief Operating…

Numerous Ohio Construction Projects Receive Funding

02.05.2017 in Administrative Agency Law, Government Affairs

Numerous state agencies sought and received construction funding to start the new 2017 project season, such as University projects on the release agenda of the Ohio Controlling Board. Cleveland State University will spend $17 million on the Fenn Hall Addition. The University of Akron will…