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Senate Finance Committee favorably reports Substitute House Bill 7 after testimony on early‑childhood mental health and home visiting
Summary
The Senate Finance Committee adopted Amendment 3121 and voted to favorably report Substitute House Bill 7 (Strong Foundations Act) after witnesses urged adoption of DC:0-5 diagnostic codes, Medicaid reimbursement pathways for infant mental‑health services, and strengthened home visiting supports; the committee deferred appropriations to the next budget.
Chairman Dolan convened the Ohio Senate Finance Committee and called up Substitute House Bill 7, the Strong Foundations Act, for its third hearing and consideration under Amendment 3121.
The chair explained Amendment 3121 (effectively dash‑15) narrows some provisions from earlier drafts, makes changes to childcare registration and licensing effective July 1, 2025, clarifies that agencies should propose strategies rather than receive mandates that obligate immediate funding, and removes a provision allowing telehealth home visits. "So there'll be no Zoom home visits," the chair said, adding that the committee wants to confirm Help Me Grow is producing intended outcomes before allowing remote visits to substitute for in‑person nursing home visits.
Sen. Hicks Hudson questioned the amendment, asking for the rationale behind the July 1, 2025 start date, expressing concern that banning telehealth could limit access for some families, and objecting…
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