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Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) Repairs Fund Application Open for Eligible Applicants

Client Alert

The Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) Repairs Fund Application is open for eligible organizations and/or operators of recovery housing facilities throughout the state of Ohio!

Funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMHAS) and the Ohio Department of Development (ODD), this opportunity is open for non-ORH certified recovery housing operators seeking to gain certification through ORH and help expand housing opportunities throughout the state of Ohio. Eligible applicants include operators:

  1. who meet the Ohio statutory definition of “Recovery Housing.” See R.C. §340.01(A)(3);
  2. are not currently certified by ORH; and
  3. are owned by the organization operating the recovery house or by the county ADM board.

Eligible applicants may apply for up to $10,000.00 per property (refunded by ORH subsequent to repairs), and funds must be used for physical improvements identified during the ORH certification and inspection processes. The application as well as other certification criteria can be found on the ORH website.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for this funding opportunity, or need any assistance in the ORH application and/or certification processes, please contact Monica Andress at (330) 253-9153 or mbandress@bmdllc.com.


Client Alert: AAA Introduces AI-Assisted Arbitrator for Certain Disputes

The American Arbitration Association has introduced an AI-assisted arbitration platform designed to streamline certain document-based disputes. While a human arbitrator still makes the final decision, the technology can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate case resolution. Companies should weigh these benefits against considerations such as transparency, risk, and contractual requirements before adopting AI-assisted arbitration.

Quiet Hours Texts and TCPA Claims: Consent Remains King as Courts Divide on Text Messages

Businesses face increasing TCPA lawsuits over off-hours marketing texts, but recent court decisions highlight strong defenses. Clear consumer consent and updated terms and conditions can defeat many claims, while a growing number of courts are finding that text messages are not “telephone calls” under the statute. Proactive compliance measures, including clickwrap agreements and forum-selection clauses, are critical to reducing risk.

New Ohio Reporting Requirements for Non-Residential Contractors

Ohio’s E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act, effective March 19, 2026, requires all nonresidential construction companies, subcontractors, and labor brokers to use E-Verify to confirm employee work eligibility on projects across the state. The law applies regardless of company size and carries financial penalties and potential restrictions on future state contracts for noncompliance. Some uncertainty remains around requirements for existing employees, making early compliance planning important.

DOT Non-Domiciled CDL Rule

A new rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will significantly narrow eligibility for non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) beginning March 16, 2026. The rule limits eligibility to holders of H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas and eliminates Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as qualifying proof of work authorization. As a result, many lawfully present and work-authorized immigrants, including refugees, asylees, DACA recipients, and Temporary Protected Status holders, will no longer be able to obtain or renew a non-domiciled CDL. The change is expected to affect roughly 194,000 drivers nationwide and has prompted multiple legal challenges, including a pending emergency stay request before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule Now in Effect

FinCEN’s new Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, effective March 1, 2026, requires certain real estate transfers to be reported to combat financial crimes. Transfers of residential property to entities or trusts without financing may require a Real Estate Report.