Bill > HB472

This bill aims to reduce barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness by waiving fees for essential identification documents and vital records, and allowing homeless shelters and related agencies to store important personal documents for them. Specifically, it exempts individuals experiencing homelessness from paying fees for certified copies of birth records, birth certificates, and replacement birth certificates, as well as for certified records of name changes and certificates of divorce, annulment, or dissolution of marriage. The bill also allows for the waiver of fees for identification cards for individuals experiencing homelessness. To qualify for these waivers, individuals must be verified as experiencing homelessness by a designated agency or professional, and generally cannot have received a waiver for the same document within the preceding twelve months. Furthermore, the bill permits homeless shelters and nonprofit agencies that provide case management services to store physical or digital copies of an individual's social security card, birth certification, or birth record, with the individual's consent and the agency's commitment to protecting these documents and allowing timely access upon request. The legislation also mandates reporting on the number of fee waivers granted to track the impact of these provisions.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb472