A proposed constitutional amendment that would establish minimum staffing levels for care for Ohio鈥檚 nursing homes is one step closer to making the ballot.
Backers say their 鈥�Nursing Facility Patients鈥� Bill of Rights鈥� would require the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Board of Nursing to establish minimum care standards for patients at skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.
The Attorney General鈥檚 office has determined the summary of the issue for the petitions they鈥檇 circulate is OK. If the Ballot Board gives its blessing, backers must collect nearly 443,000 signatures from half of Ohio鈥檚 counties. There wouldn鈥檛 be enough time for it to be on this fall鈥檚 ballot, but it could be on the ballot next year.
Cleveland area real estate agent Jesse Ruffin Jr. has been spearheading the effort to get statewide standards for these care facilities. In 2014, his wife became ill and was put in a nursing facility. Ruffin said the staff that was responsible for her care were taking care of too many patients at one time and were often working 12-hour shifts. His wife has since passed away. He has continued his effort to make changes in nursing home care standards. If the issue makes it on the ballot, and Ohio voters pass it, the law would be named, "Carolyn's Law."
Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit .
