Ohio chamber applauds two recently passed bills

By J.D. Davidson
The Center Square

Two bills that passed the Ohio General Assembly on the session’s final day drew praise from the state’s largest business group.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce said both Senate Bill 63 and Senate Bill 95 will help the state’s business climate by reducing legal actions and improving access to health care.

Both bills await a signature from Gov. Mike DeWine.

SB63 takes aim at lawsuits and limits a plaintiff’s ability to name codefendants in asbestos-related lawsuits.

“The passage of Senate Bill 63 is a major boost to Ohio’s business and legal climates, and we are grateful to the Ohio General Assembly for their efforts to bring this legislation to fruition,” Ohio Chamber President and CEO Steve Shivers said. “SB63 limits the practice of overnaming defendants in asbestos lawsuits without denying justice or impacting monetary awards for victims. By requiring plaintiff attorneys to disclose the basis for naming a defendant in asbestos-related lawsuits, businesses will no longer have to pay legal fees to remove themselves from lawsuits they never should have been brought into in the first place.”

SB95 allows Ohioans to fill prescriptions at pharmacies where the supervising pharmacist may be working remotely. It also creates a new licensed health care profession: certified mental health assistant. The new designation requires a two-year master' s-level training program.

“Expanding Ohioans’ access to pharmacies through telemedicine and investing in mental health and safety builds solid workplaces, a strong workforce, and strong communities,” Stivers said. “We are grateful to see these measures advanced to the governor.”