ODH legislation may expand state's power during public health emergencies

     The Ohio Department of Health may soon introduce legislation that would give them additional authority in the event of public health emergencies.   If introduced the legislation would be drafted from the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. This proposal would allow the governor to appoint a council to advise administration on coordinating government offices' responses to emergencies, train medical personnel to treat infections diseases, evacuate residents and appoint emergency judges to execute quarantine orders.  The legislation would also allow hospitals and nursing homes be used for treatment and vaccination centers and grant access to some patient medical files.