2011 Ohio Revised Code
Title [1] I STATE GOVERNMENT
Chapter 124: DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - PERSONNEL
124.94 [Subject to Referendum; See Note] Ohio commission for excellence in public service.

(A) There is hereby created the Ohio commission for excellence in public service, which shall consist of at least seven and not more than eleven voting members. The director may appoint additional participants and establish advisory committees for the commission, but any additional participants shall not be voting members.

(B) Within forty days after the effective date of this section, the director of administrative services shall appoint the voting members of the commission. In making the appointments, the director shall consult with organizations that have both of the following:

(1) Memberships consisting of, and that represent the professional or labor interests of, employees of state agencies, state institutions of higher education, or political subdivisions of this state;

(2) Memberships that employ public service employees, including municipal leagues and municipal league organizations, which include mayors’ associations and municipal finance officers, county auditors, judges, county commissioners, county prosecutors, county sheriffs, township trustees, school boards, and school superintendents.

(C) The commission shall consult with public and private organizations located internationally, nationally, and within this state and with members or employees in this state that have been recognized as having expertise and competencies in best practices that foster healthy workplace conditions for both employees and employers.

(D) The commission may partner with existing organizations to perform its functions in order to maximize resources and demonstrate lean and efficient practices. The commission may organize itself with capability to contract or employ and to have fiscal authority to receive funds from private or public entities, contract for services, provide grants, and establish cost matching or gain sharing programs. Members of the commission shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(E) The commission shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish and guide programs that foster best practices for developing and maintaining healthy working relationships in public service workplaces in state and local governments in this state;

(2) Emphasize approaches that encourage involvement of direct-service employees and their supervisors in identifying and implementing division (E)(1) of this section.

(3) Promote programs that offer scholarships or other financial aid, provide certification or other accreditation, and provide recognition through awards or other means to individuals and organizations that achieve excellence in division (E)(1) of this section.

(F) The programs described in division (E)(3) of this section shall be promoted in public and private high schools, colleges and universities, amongst associations of governmental officials, and amongst public employee organizations in order to teach best practices under division (E)(1) of this section.

(G) The commission annually shall prepare a report on the activities and finances of the commission beginning not later than one year and three months after a majority of the initial membership of the commission is appointed. The commission shall post the report in a conspicuous location on the commission’s web site.

Added by 129th General Assembly File No. 10, SB 5, § 1. This enacment is subject to referendum in the Nov. 8, 2011 election.