WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 906

Establish the Healthy Aging Task Force

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jodi Salvo and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes a Healthy Aging Task Force to study aging's impact on housing, care, economy, and health, and issue policy recommendations for Ohio.

Referred to committee
#aging #healthandhumanservices
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 906

Overview

HB 906 proposes establishing the Healthy Aging Task Force within the Ohio Department of Aging to study and make recommendations on policies and actions that promote healthy aging in Ohio. The task force would evaluate how population aging affects housing, infrastructure, the economy, health care, and long-term care, and it would issue legislative recommendations.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a formal, multidisciplinary body to analyze the aging population in Ohio and develop short-term and long-term actions to improve health, independence, and quality of life for older adults.
  • Address how aging trends influence various systems (housing, transportation, workforce, health care, long-term care) and identify actionable policy options.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment and membership
    • The Healthy Aging Task Force to be housed in the Department of Aging.
    • Members include:
    • 3 Senate members (2 from the majority, 1 from the minority)
    • 3 House members (2 from the majority, 1 from the minority)
    • Directors or designees from Aging, Health, Behavioral Health, and Developmental Disabilities
    • 13 additional gubernatorial-appointed members representing:
      • An unpaid family caregiver
      • An older adult living in the community
      • An older adult in a nursing or long-term care setting
      • Urban and rural Area Agency on Aging representatives
      • A residential care facility representative
      • A physician with geriatrics expertise
      • A aging/gerontology or population health researcher
      • An organization advocating for older adults
      • A business representative
      • A home care services representative
      • A representative reflecting rural/Appalachian aging perspectives
  • Appointments and governance
    • The Director of Aging appoints members with emphasis on geographic, professional, and experiential diversity and public-private balance.
    • Appointments to be made within 30 days of the act and the task force to meet within 30 days after all appointments.
    • The Director of Aging or designee serves as chair.
    • Members serve without compensation; out-of-pocket mileage reimbursement available for non-public-agency members.
  • Scope of work
    • The task force will evaluate evidence and develop recommendations across five dimensions of healthy aging:
    • Empowering healthy life strategies (physical, mental, social well-being; disease prevention; reducing isolation; promoting healthy behaviors; maintaining independence).
    • Impacts of population aging on housing, transportation, recreation, design, and environmental factors that affect mobility and aging in place.
    • Economic and workforce implications (labor participation, unpaid caregiving, productivity, employer impacts).
    • Health care system effects (access, quality, capacity, workforce, service coordination, cost, sustainability).
    • Long-term care system effects (nursing and residential care facilities, home- and community-based supports, workforce, transitions of care, quality outcomes).
  • Public engagement
    • The task force must collect expert and public perspectives and provide opportunities for public testimony and stakeholder input, including hearings or listening sessions.
  • Timeline and report
    • A comprehensive report due by September 30, 2027, to the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and relevant aging-committee chairs.
    • After filing, the task force may continue meeting and advising on implementation through December 31, 2027, then it would cease to exist.
  • Support and resources
    • The Department of Aging will provide staffing, meeting space, and administrative support.

Who would be affected

  • State agencies (Aging, Health, Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities) through participation and staffing.
  • Legislators and policymakers considering aging-related legislation.
  • Older adults and caregivers across Ohio, including those in urban, rural, and Appalachian areas, and those in community settings or long-term care.
  • Private sector stakeholders (businesses, home care providers, residential facilities) and organizations advocating for older adults.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Appointments within 30 days of enactment; first meeting within 30 days after all appointments are secured.
  • Report due by September 30, 2027.
  • Potential continued activity through December 31, 2027, with dissolution of the task force thereafter.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.