Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 5123.032 – Closure of a developmental center

(A) As used in this section, "developmental center" means any institution or facility of the department of developmental disabilities that, on or after January 30, 2004, is named, designated, or referred to as a developmental center.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any closure of a developmental center shall be subject to, and in accordance with, this section.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, at least ten days prior to making any official, public announcement that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers, the governor shall notify the general assembly in writing that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers. The governor shall notify the general assembly in writing of the prior announcement and that the governor intends to close the center identified in the prior announcement, and the notification to the general assembly shall constitute, for purposes of this section, the governor's official, public announcement that the governor intends to close that center. The notice required by this division shall identify by name each developmental center that the governor intends to close or, if the governor has not determined any specific developmental center to close, shall state the governor's general intent to close one or more developmental centers. When the governor notifies the general assembly as required by this division, the legislative service commission promptly shall conduct an independent study of the developmental centers of the department of developmental disabilities and of the department's operation of the centers, and the study shall address relevant criteria and factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
1. (1) The manner in which the closure of developmental centers in general would affect the safety, health, well-being, and lifestyle of the centers' residents and their family members and would affect public safety and, if the governor's notice identifies by name one or more developmental centers that the governor intends to close, the manner in which the closure of each center so identified would affect the safety, health, well-being, and lifestyle of the center's residents and their family members and would affect public safety;
2. (2) The availability of alternate facilities;
3. (3) The cost effectiveness of the facilities identified for closure;
4. (4) A comparison of the cost of residing at a facility identified for closure and the cost of new living arrangements;
5. (5) The geographic factors associated with each facility and its proximity to other similar facilities;
6. (6) The impact of collective bargaining on facility operations;
7. (7) The utilization and maximization of resources;
8. (8) Continuity of the staff and ability to serve the facility population;
9. (9) Continuing costs following closure of a facility;
10. (10) The impact of the closure on the local economy;
11. (11) Alternatives and opportunities for consolidation with other facilities;
12. (12) How the closing of a facility identified for closure relates to the department's plans for the future of developmental centers in this state;
13. (13) The effect of the closure of developmental centers in general upon the state's fiscal resources and fiscal status and, if the governor's notice identifies by name one or more developmental centers that the governor intends to close, the effect of the closure of each center so identified upon the state's fiscal resources and fiscal status.
(D) The legislative service commission shall complete the study required by division (C) of this section, and prepare a report that contains its findings, not later than sixty days after the governor makes the official, public announcement that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers as described in division (C) of this section. The commission shall provide a copy of the report to each member of the general assembly who requests a copy of the report.