When Governor Mike DeWine declared a State of Emergency in Ohio on March 9, 2020, few anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic would persist into 2021. As a result, when the General Assembly passed HB 197, Ohio’s Emergency COVID-19 Response Law, in late March, its provisions extending Ohio’s licensure deadlines and permitting virtual public meetings contained a sunset date of Dec. 1, 2020.
Although this sunset deadline has passed, COVID-19 remains rampant. So that Ohioans can continue to socially distance and flatten the curve without fear of penalty, Governor DeWine signed HB 404 into law on Nov. 23, 2020. Under HB 404, the expiration date for almost all Ohio licenses and registrations, including drivers licenses, has been extended. If an Ohio license or registration is set to expire between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2021, then, with limited exception, it is now valid until July 1, 2021. HB 404 also allows public bodies, such as municipal councils and school boards, to continue holding virtual meetings through July 1, 2021. Finally, HB 404 addresses certain administrative matters concerning the state’s reallocation of federal coronavirus funds and K-12 educational issues.
If you would like more information concerning HB 404 or how Ohio’s COVID-19 related laws impact you and your business, please contact Melissa Yasinow (may@kjk.com or 216.736.7205), Demetrius Robinson (djr@kjk.com or 614.427.5749), or any of our business professionals.