(A) There is hereby created the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency. The agency is the designated state unit authorized under the "Rehabilitation Act of 1973," 87 Stat. 355, 29 U.S.C. 701, as amended, to provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities.

(B) The governor shall appoint an executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency to serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall fix the executive director's compensation. The executive director shall devote the executive director's entire time to the duties of the executive director's office, shall hold no other office or position of trust and profit, and shall engage in no other business during the executive director's term of office. The governor may grant the executive director the authority to appoint, remove, and discipline without regard to sex, race, creed, color, age, or national origin, such other professional, administrative, and clerical staff members as are necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the agency.

The executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency is the executive and administrative officer of the agency. Whenever the Revised Code imposes a duty on or requires an action of the agency, the executive director shall perform the duty or action on behalf of the agency. The executive director may establish procedures for all of the following:

(1) The governance of the agency;

(2) The conduct of agency employees and officers;

(3) The performance of agency business;

(4) The custody, use, and preservation of agency records, papers, books, documents, and property.

(C) The executive director shall have exclusive authority to administer the daily operation and provision of vocational rehabilitation services under this chapter. In exercising that authority, the executive director may do all of the following:

(1) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(2) Prepare and submit an annual report to the governor;

(3) Certify any disbursement of funds available to the agency for vocational rehabilitation services;

(4) Take appropriate action to guarantee rights of vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities;

(5) Consult with and advise other state agencies and coordinate programs for eligible individuals with disabilities;

(6) Comply with the requirements for match as part of budget submission;

(7) Establish research and demonstration projects;

(8) Accept, hold, invest, reinvest, or otherwise use gifts to further vocational rehabilitation services;

(9) For the purposes of the business enterprise program administered under sections 3304.28 to 3304.35 of the Revised Code:

(a) Establish and manage small business entities owned or operated by individuals who are blind;

(b) Purchase insurance;

(c) Accept computers.

(10) Enter into contracts and other agreements for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

(D) The executive director, by rule adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall establish a fee schedule for vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 361.50.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 221, §1, eff. 8/18/2019.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Renumbered from § 3304.14 by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Former section renumbered as § 3304.16 by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.127, HB 2, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2009.

Effective Date: 07-30-1980 .