New rules for MHAS

NORWALK — The Huron County Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services, also known as MHAS, is reacting to two state law decisions that could potentially change the way the organization operates. Veto In July, Ohio legislators voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of line item 66 in the Ohio budget, disallowing many local governments from initiating replacement tax levies. Lawmakers claim taxpayers lack understanding of differences between "replacement" and "renewal" levies, according to Republican Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman. Huffman said the legislation "helps provide transparency to voters and allows for a greater understanding of how property tax dollars are being spent." "You can't call it a replacement levy if it's not really, it's actually lots of new money coming on," Huffman added. MHAS director Mircea Handru shares Huffman's sentiment concerning the reasoning behind the legislation. "The rationale is that the general public doesn't understand the difference between replacement and renewal," Handru said. "A replacement levy could significantly increase the property taxes whereas a renewal does not." The MHAS board passed a resolution in June to recommend a 10-year, .5-mill renewal levy be placed on the November ballot. Last May's election saw voters fail to pass a 10-year, .5-mill replacement and a .6-mill increase levy. The board said it placed that levy on the ballot in an effort to both sustain and expand services, according to a news release from the agency. "We heard and respect the residents of Huron County," Handru said. "Internally, we are reviewing all fiscal practices to ensure we are being responsible with the funding we currently have. We are committed to doing everything we can to sustain current services without increasing taxes." Handru wants residents to consider that the new levy will have no tax increase to taxpayers, even if tax valuations rise. The board would be collecting the same amount it has for "30 years." House Bill 58 Ohio House Bill 58, introduced in February, contains language that would require county mental health boards to inspect "each recovery housing residence annually" and within ten days "report it's findings" to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, according to a reading of the bill. Huron County currently has two facilities that fall under this description, according to Handru, and he doesn't anticipate the legislation to cause significant disruption to services provided by the group. Handru characterizes the changes as "more authority but also more work" for the organization. The bill is sponsored by State Rep. Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, and State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells, D-Columbus, with the intention to "improve the standards and accountability" of recovery houses, according to a news release. "Recovery housing plays a critical role in helping individuals rebuild their lives after addiction," Jarrells said. "By strengthening oversight and accountability, this legislation ensures that those in recovery receive the safe, stable housing they need to move forward." Key provisions in the bill include: • Certificate of need requirement for new or expanding recovery housing facilities. • Annual inspections and local oversight by addiction and mental health boards. • A structured complaint investigation process to address facility concerns. • A funding mechanism supported by application fees and penalties to sustain local inspections. A certificate of need is a regulatory mechanism that requires healthcare providers to obtain state approval before making significant changes to their facilities. This process is intended to ensure that healthcare services are provided efficiently and in accordance with community needs. According to Handru, the issuance of a certificate of need should give the community more control over where facilities are located and could give community members an outlet to express concerns over the number of facilities in an area. "Right now, they can just open without board approval, without state approval, without Ohio Recovery Housing approval," Handru said. "Some residents feel the state is over-saturated."