Ohio Senate Passes Bill Providing Workers Compensation to Correctional Officers Exposed to Hazardous Materials

COLUMBUS—State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) announced that the Ohio Senate unanimously passed House Bill 81 yesterday, which would allow medical assessments for detention facility employees who come into contact with another person’s bodily fluids in the course of their duties. "House Bill 81 applies to the safety of the correctional officers at Lucasville," Johnson said. "I have long worked to get them covered medically for exposure to blood, body fluids and hazardous materials. I am glad we could get this bill passed and to the Governor's desk." House Bill 81 will require the Bureau of Worker Compensation to pay for medical evaluations after detention facility personnel have been exposed to bodily fluids in the course of fulfilling their duties. This coverage already extends to first responders but has previously not applied to detention center personnel. H.B. 81 now goes to Governor DeWine for signature. For more information on H.B. 81, click here.