Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Introducing HB 281: Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws in Ohio Hospitals

Client Alert
July 1, 2025

On May 20, 2025, House Bill (HB) 281 was introduced in the Public Safety Committee. HB 281 seeks to require licensed hospitals regulated by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) (per O.R.C. 3722) and licensed psychiatric hospitals regulated by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) (per O.R.C. 5119) to permit law enforcement to enter hospital facilities and enforce immigration laws.

Law enforcement includes any agent or officer of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), any other federal law enforcement officer, or any state or local law enforcement officer who is assisting a federal officer or agent of DHS (federal agents). When enforcing federal immigration laws, law enforcement would be permitted to (1) arrest any individual, including patients or family members present pursuant to a lawful judicial or administrative warrant; (2) interview any individual, including patients or family members present; (3) collect information or evidence, potentially including personal information or citizenship documentation; and (4) request hospital employees to provide any information or evidence that the hospital possesses to the extent permitted by federal or state law. If law enforcement is denied access to the hospital, the agent can file a report with the hospital’s respective Ohio licensing agency (ODH or OMHAS), which can cause the hospital to lose state funding and its status as a Medicaid provider.

Moving forward, HB 281 requires hospitals to adopt a written policy to establish standards and procedures to comply with law enforcement’s requests for information. Hospitals will need to think about how they want to structure their policies and procedures to comply with state law and also protect patients. HB 281 will dramatically impact hospitals’ ability to protect immigrant patients. One practical impact of HB 281 will be fewer patients, especially immigrant patients without legal status, seeking life-saving healthcare services at Ohio hospitals. Additionally, hospitals will be required to routinely deal with law enforcement while simultaneously providing care to patients.

To learn more about HB 281 and how the bill could impact your hospital, please contact BMD Healthcare Member Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com or Attorney Jordan Burdick at jaburdick@bmdllc.com.

HealthcareHospital LawImmigrationDaphne KackloudisJordan Burdick
Client Alert

CMS’s Rural Health Funding Announcement

October 27, 2025CMS has announced a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities. All states are eligible to apply for funding by November 5, 2025. Half of the funds will be distributed equally, with the remainder based on state-specific factors. The program supports evidence-based initiatives, workforce recruitment, and access to treatment services, with awards assessed annuallyClient Alert

Expanding Access to Care: Ohio’s Effort to Modernize APRN Practice Through Ohio SB 258 and HB 508

October 24, 2025Ohio is moving to expand access to healthcare through Senate Bill 258 and House Bill 508, which would modernize APRN practice by removing the outdated requirement for a physician contract. This change would allow nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists to provide care more efficiently, especially in underserved areas, while maintaining high-quality, cost-effective care.Client Alert

Cleveland Joins the Pay Transparency Movement: What Employers Need to Know

October 21, 2025Beginning October 27, 2025, all Cleveland employers with 15 or more employees will be prohibited from asking applicants about their pay history and will be required to include reasonable pay ranges in all job postings where the position will be performed, solicited, considered, or processed in Cleveland. The ordinance is intended to help close the gender wage gap and promote greater pay equity across the city.Client Alert

New $100,000 Fee on H-1B Petitions – Legal Immigration

September 23, 2025President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) imposing a $100,000 payment to accompany any new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on September 21, 2025 and will remain in place for 12 months (unless extended).Client Alert

Implications of Supreme Court Stay for Business Operations in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo

September 16, 2025On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily reinstated immigration officers’ authority to conduct brief stops based on factors such as location, work type, language, or appearance. This stay in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo allows enforcement actions to resume in California pending appeal. Employers in industries like construction, agriculture, landscaping, and day labor should prepare for increased worksite disruptions and review compliance protocols.
Older posts
Newer posts