[Ohio-talk] From the Weekly Focus

[Eric Duffy]

The following comes from Kevin Miller, Director of the Ohio Rehabilitation
Services Commission. This appears in the latest Weekly Focus. I thought you
might find it of interest.

State Constitution Modernization Commission Meets
The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission (OCMC) subcommittee on
Education, Public Institutions and Miscellaneous & Local Government met with
RSC Legislative Liaison Stephen Wilson offering testimony along with
representatives of the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio
Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The full OCMC is composed of 32
members - twelve legislative members and 20 public members.
The OCMC, modeled after the 1970s Ohio Constitutional Revision Commission,
is charged under R.C. 103.61 with: 
•	Studying the Constitution of Ohio; 
•	Promoting an exchange of experiences and suggestions respecting
desired changes in the Constitution; 
•	Considering the problems pertaining to the amendment of the
Constitution; and 
•	Making recommendations from time to time to the general assembly for
the amendment of the Constitution.
Liaison Wilson provided those in attendance an overview of RSC operations
and our role in state government. The subcommittee focused their attention
on section § 7.01 titled: Insane, blind, and deaf and dumb. It reads: 
“Institutions for the benefit of the insane, blind, and deaf and dumb, shall
always be fostered and supported by the state; and be subject to such
regulations as may be prescribed by the General Assembly.”
Wilson caught the attention of the committee members when he stated that,
“This section certainly needs revised as these terms are outdated and
offensive.”
Members agreed with this sentiment and recommended that additional work be
done to modernize terms used in the original 1851 Ohio Constitution. 


I think we will let them know that we're ok with the word blind.

Eric