A bill providing the Department of Health the framework to deal with bioterrorism was reported by a Senate panel Tuesday despite concerns that its language goes too far in shielding from the public the names of businesses under investigation for the spread of disease.
The vote of the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee was split along party lines with all Republicans in favor and the three Democrats present in opposition.
A substitute version of the measure (SB 6) was adopted and amended in an attempt to alleviate the concerns of the Ohio Newspapers Association and other groups, but Democrats and those critical of the provision were not satisfied with the result. Nonetheless, the bill has been slated for a Wednesday floor vote in the Senate and a likely concurrence vote in the House.
The main aim of the bill, which is to set guidelines for the Department of Health and other governmental entities in dealing with terrorist attacks involving biological agents, has never been in question given the post-September 11 movement to shore up the nation's security.
Proponent testimony came from the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens) and Department of Public Safety Director Kenneth Morckel. Mr. Stewart said the goals of the measure include: the improvement of the state's preparedness for "tragic events," whether they be the result of terrorism or otherwise; the protection of personal health information; and a tightening of the discretionary authority of the state health director.