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Proponent describes registry to share disability, medical and calming information with dispatchers in ‘Keith’s Law’ testimony
Summary
An Ashtabula County official testified in favor of the bill labeled in the transcript as House Bill 1 44 ("Keith’s Law"), describing a voluntary registry that shares disability, medical, mobility and calming-method details with dispatch and first responders and recounting cases where the registry aided response.
Chair Johnson recognized Jim Kimberley of the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities to provide proponent testimony on the bill identified in the transcript as House Bill 1 44, described in testimony as "Keith’s Law." Kimberley, an investigative agent and former law enforcement officer, recounted out-of-state incidents in which police shootings involved people later reported to have developmental disabilities; he used these examples to argue that first responders need readily available information about a person’s diagnoses, communication needs, mobility and calming methods.
Kimberley described Ashtabula County’s voluntary registry, which allows individuals or guardians to submit identifying information (name, nickname, address, physical description), diagnoses, communication and sensory needs, mobility information, known triggers, life‑threatening medical conditions, calming strategies, and emergency contact details. That information is entered into the dispatch agency’s CAD (computer‑aided dispatch) system so alerts appear when an individual's name or address is entered on a call for service. Kimberley said the county’s program has been in place about two years and has produced reunifications and improved on‑scene responses in specific cases.
Kimberley urged passage of the bill, saying it would help first responders tailor responses to people with disabilities and potentially prevent tragedies; the committee accepted his testimony and concluded the session on the item.
