Ohio to Expand Domestic Violence Screenings at Urgent Care

Proposed legislation seeks to apply existing hospital domestic violence screening and documentation protocols to urgent care facilities.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Ohio to Expand Domestic Violence Screenings at Urgent Care

Live Poll

Should urgent care facilities be required to follow the same domestic violence reporting protocols as hospitals?

Ohio House Bill 566 aims to extend current domestic violence identification and documentation mandates from hospitals to outpatient urgent care providers. The legislation requires these facilities to adopt specific screening protocols for suspected victims.

Why it matters

The bill seeks to close a gap in medical oversight for domestic violence by ensuring that patients seeking care at walk-in clinics receive the same safety documentation and referral protections as those in hospital settings.

If enacted, House Bill 566 mandates that urgent care facilities establish domestic violence protocols within 90 days. The state is further required to offer comprehensive training to healthcare workers within one year of the legislation taking effect.

The players

Ohio House Health Committee

This is a standing committee of the Ohio House of Representatives that reviews legislation related to healthcare policy and medical standards.

The details

Under the proposal, urgent care staff would be required to follow procedures currently standard in hospitals, such as interviewing suspected victims separately and documenting injuries. The state will be tasked with developing these training protocols through a competitive bidding process or direct oversight by the health director.

The Ohio Domestic Violence Protocol for Health Care Providers was last revised in 2012.
The first House Health Committee hearing for House Bill 566 was held on May 20, 2026.
Facilities must adopt required domestic violence protocols within 90 days of the effective date.
The state must provide mandated training to healthcare workers within one year of the effective date.

Political Context

The bill expands the scope of the Ohio Domestic Violence Protocol for Health Care Providers to include walk-in clinics. Opposition may arise from facility operators concerned about the administrative costs and staff training burdens associated with this new regulatory requirement.

Residents visiting urgent care clinics may notice new intake procedures or separate interview practices if this bill becomes law. These measures are designed to increase the identification of domestic violence cases and ensure patients are connected with appropriate support resources.

The takeaway

Patients should be aware that these standardized screenings are intended to ensure their physical safety during medical appointments. Consistent documentation across all outpatient settings remains a critical component of state efforts to address domestic abuse.