Ohio2026Passed Legislature

HB144

Keith's Law: Expanding the Communication Disability Database

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:32 AM

In one sentence

This law expands a statewide database to include people with any disability that affects communication so emergency responders can access their information during emergencies.

Expands the existing database to include anyone diagnosed with a 'communication disability' or a 'disability that can impair communication'.
Requires state agencies to create and provide an electronic verification form for people to register or remove themselves from the database voluntarily.
Mandates that doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, or certified nurse practitioners sign forms to certify a diagnosis before someone is added.
Makes the database available to law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel through automated data systems and county 9-1-1 centers.

People diagnosed with conditions that impair their ability to receive, send, process, or understand communication concepts.
Parents of minor children or guardians who register a child or ward into the database on their behalf.
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel responding to calls.

Registration in the database is voluntary; people are not required to sign up.
Information stored in this database is private and cannot be viewed by the general public under state records laws.
The law does not specify how much funding will be used to build or maintain the system.

Plain language

Communication disability: A condition involving an impairment in a person's ability to receive, send, process, or understand concepts or verbal, nonverbal, or graphic symbol systems.
Disability that can impair communication: Specific conditions such as intellectual impairment, hearing loss, speech issues, visual impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, serious emotional disturbance, and other health conditions affecting interaction.

Official record

Source attached

Enact Keith’s Law regarding the communication disability database

Official activity