Handicapped Hunters; Medical Records Bills from Rep Ujvagi passed…
This in via email from the office of Ohio Representative Peter Ujvagi:
Governor’s Signature Next For Two Bills From Rep. Ujvagi
Legislature Approves Access for Handicapped Hunters; Medical Records
COLUMBUS – Two bills sponsored by State Representative Peter Ujvagi (D-Toledo) are now on their way to the Governor after being approved by the Ohio Legislature. One bill improves access for handicapped hunters in Ohio, while the other improves a patient’s access to their own medical records. Both pieces of legislation were recently approved by the Ohio House after receiving a favorable vote in the Ohio Senate.
Rep. Ujvagi’s House Bill 473 was folded into Senate Bill 209 and creates access lanes on various lands owned by the Division of Wildlife so that mobility-impaired individuals may shoot game from an electric-powered, all-purpose vehicle or a stationary road vehicle. It was unanimously approved by the Ohio House (94-0).
“I am pleased that mobility-impaired hunters will now be more able enjoy their pastime,” Rep. Ujvagi said. “This plan will help clear some of the obstacles in their way.”
Under the plan, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will construct three new access roads – for at least one wetland, one forestland and one grassland hunting area – in each of the state’s five districts. These new service roads will be restricted to Electric-Powered All-Purpose Vehicles (EPAPVs). The plan also extends the hunting zone to 100 yards on either side of the path, and it amends Ohio gun laws that prohibit the firing of a weapon from a vehicle in this specific use.
House Bill 62 also recently passed the Ohio House with a near unanimous vote (93-1) and awaits the Governor’s signature. It corrects an oversight in a law changed several years ago that limited a patient’s access to their medical records. The newly approved legislation allows you to designate a person to receive a copy of your medical records, replacing a tighter definition of who was eligible to have those documents.
The old law meant even an attorney representing a client could not obtain the medical records directly, leading to delays in court and Social Security hearings.
“This bill simply expands the definition of “patient representatives” back to a more user friendly meaning,” said Rep. Ujvagi. “This will help Ohio citizens obtain without cost one copy of their records when they need it most.
