There is a new state law that will help first responders assist individuals with disabilities when responding to countywide 9-1-1 calls.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed the new law in October.
Investigative agents with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities shared details at a recent board meeting.
Kyle Walton said the law was named after Keith Jesse, an individual with disabilities as well as an advocate.
“He had this idea that ‘I think we need a way to improve interaction between individuals with disabilities and law enforcement,’” Walton said.
Jesse pitched the idea for a database available to first responders in case of emergencies, he said.
House Bill 144, also known as Keith’s Law, modifies the state’s Communication Disability Law by broadening the scope of the existing voluntary statewide registry to include individuals diagnosed with various disabilities, not just communication disabilities.
Individuals diagnosed with a disability, as well as parents or legal guardians of minors with disabilities, will be able to submit a disability verification form. This information will be included in a database, accessed by countywide 9-1-1 systems that opt in, to inform local law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and firefighters about an individual’s disability when responding to a 9-1-1 call, enabling them to respond with greater awareness and preparation.
“It aims to help both individuals and first responders in those emergency situations,” Walton said.
The goal is to have the database operational by January, he said.
Individuals with disabilities can voluntarily register, he said.
Logan Lanson said the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities was revising the form. Once completed, it will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Information will be kept confidential.
The form will include the name of the person, the parent of a minor child, personal information and medical diagnoses including sensory sensitivity, communication needs and behavior triggers.
“It’s just so law enforcement or other first responders are able to more effectively assist someone who might not be used to situations like that,” Lanson said.
“It’s just another example of advocacy that we’d like to provide to inspire individuals to create things like this on their own,” Walton said.
Cheryl Schroeder also explained that the Blue Envelope Program, which also provides assistance during emergency situations, was already in place.
She explained participants can carry a blue envelope in their vehicle glove compartment with name, emergency contact information and information about themselves along with tips for the deputy or officer.
The envelopes also can be kept at home, she said.
Vehicle decals are also available in the packets to alert first responders.
Keith’s Law is primarily for traffic stops while the Blue Envelope Program is for emergency responders, Schroeder said.
These envelopes are available for free through the county Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Learned the Holiday Gift-Giving Program that helps families in need received twice as many requests this year from families connected to the county agency.
Last year, they had 86 families sign up with 191 families in 2025. The program is in its 38th year. It provides food, health, hygiene, coats, hats, gloves and other essentials.
That put us in a position where internal donations did not keep up with demand, so for the first time in history, the Wood Lane Foundation was coming to the board asking for financial assistance, said Superintendent Brent Baer.
The board approved a contribution of $10,000 to the foundation.
Board President Tim Brown thanked the staff members who had built this program with their contributions.
• Approved spending $49,230 in dues to the Ohio Association of County Boards for 2026, up $20,720, or 42%, from 2025.
“This is one of the aspects of our growth and enrollment,” Baer said.
• Learned Wood Lane School enrolled 12 new students this year and is anticipating 40 students by the end of this school year, with a probable wait list next year, said Principal Emily Sisco.
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