In accordance with Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 119.032, each state agency is required to review its rules a minimum of once every five years. The intent of the law is to ensure that rules are clearly written and that program requirements are accurate, up-to-date and clearly expressed. To the extent possible, unnecessary paperwork will be eliminated and local agencies will be given increased flexibility. The purpose of a rule review is to determine whether a rule should be continued without amendment, be amended or be rescinded, taking into consideration each rule's scope and purpose.

The following rules were recently reviewed: Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 5101:4-6-26, 5101:4-6-27. No changes were made affecting the eligibility of applicants or recipients, or to the way county agencies administer programs.

If no revisions are made to these rules prior to finalization by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, they will become effective on a permanent basis on March 1, 2011. If changes are necessary, a copy of the revised rule will be forwarded to you at that time.

The following is a brief description of the changes made to the rules:

OAC 5101:4-6-26 Food assistance: group living arrangements.

The title was changed, and the rule was put into plain language and question and answer format to improve clarity.

OAC 5101:4-6-27 Food assistance: shelters for battered women and their children.

All references to "AG" were changed to "assistance group" and the rule was put into plain language and question and answer format to improve clarity.

Instructions: The following chart identifies the material that should be removed from the Food Assistance Certification Handbook and the material that should be added.

MBC/tam