Ohio Gov. Inks Bill to Improve Workers’ Comp

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft has signed into law Substitute House Bill 223, which reportedly improves the climate for workers’ compensation in Ohio. The Governor called upon the General Assembly to pass the bill during his State of the State address in January.

“This bill will help to reduce the number of workplace injuries caused by alcohol and drug impairment, and I commend the General Assembly for its concerted action in passing this legislation to improve the workers’ compensation climate in Ohio,” the Governor said. “I look forward to working with members of the Legislature when they return in the fall to pass House Bill 498, the intentional tort reform bill.”

Substitute House Bill 223, sponsored by state Representative Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville), specifies conditions under which chemical testing of an employee may establish a rebuttable presumption that the employee’s injury was caused by use of alcohol or an unprescribed controlled substance.

The bill goes into effect 90 days after it is signed by the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State.