Ohio Senate Bill for the Mentally Retarded (125 SB 4)

A bill to help protect the mentally retarded in Ohio, 125 SB 4, originally supported by Governor Bob Taft, is now on the verge of a possible veto, due to a controversial amendment recently added to the bill. The amendment temporarily (or possibly indefinitely) halts the governor from shutting down two state institutions for the mentally retarded, by requiring that independent studies of the proposed closures be performed by a committee of legislatures and experts, who would then make a recommendation to Governor Taft. The bill was passed by the senate and the house in May 2003. State Senator Robert Spada (R), sponsor of the bill, understands the governor's need to balance the budget, but feels he must balance that need with the needs of families. 

The bill adopted measures recommended by a task force appointed by Governor Taft. The governor appointed the task force following a Cincinnati Enquirer investigation that found that 80 to 120 mentally retarded people die each year from neglect or abuse in Ohio. The bill creates harsher penalties against providers who fail to report abuse of mentally retarded individuals. The proposed bill also allows the mentally retarded to have interpreters and videotaped testimony in the courtroom when they are victims of abuse or neglect.