Bill Text: OH SB45 | 2009-2010 | 128th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Regarding vermin infestations in apartments.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-10 - To Health, Human Services, & Aging [SB45 Detail]

Download: Ohio-2009-SB45-Introduced.html

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As Introduced

128th General Assembly Regular Session 2009-2010

S. B. No. 45

Senator Kearney 

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A BILL

To enact section 3701.67 of the Revised Code

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regarding vermin infestations in apartments.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 3701.67 of the Revised Code be	3
enacted to read as follows:	4

Sec. 3701.67.  (A) As used in this section:

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"Apartment building" means any building or buildings at least	6
seventy-five per cent of the units of which are residential	7
dwelling units rented or leased to tenants upon other than a	8
transient basis and does not include a "hotel," as that term is	9
defined in section 3731.01 of the Revised Code, or a college or	10
university dormitory.	11

"Director of health" or "director" means the director of the	12
Ohio department of health, or at the direction of the director,	13
any person or entity charged with enforcing the rules of the	14
department of health as provided in section 3701.56 of the Revised	15
Code.	16

"Vermin" means noxious, objectionable, or disgusting insects	17
or animals, including lice, bedbugs, cockroaches, mice, and rats.	18

(B) The owner of an apartment building that contains more	19
than thirty dwelling units shall eradicate vermin infestation from	20
the building.	21

(C) Any person may file a complaint alleging violations of	22
this section with the director of health. The director shall	23
promptly investigate each complaint.	24

(D) The director may take the following actions against an	25
owner found to be in violation of division (B) of this section:	26

(1) For the first violation, issue a warning letter;

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(2) For the second violation, impose a five-hundred-dollar	28
fine;	29

(3) For the third violation, impose a one-thousand-dollar	30
fine;	31

(4) For each violation beyond a third violation, impose a	32
fine equal to twice the amount of the most recently imposed fine.	33