The Ohio facilities construction commission may provide assistance under the exceptional needs school facilities program established by section 3318.37 of the Revised Code to any school district for the purpose of the relocation or replacement of classroom facilities required as a result of any contamination of air, soil, or water that impacts the occupants of the facility.

The commission shall make a determination in accordance with guidelines adopted by the commission regarding eligibility and funding for projects under this section. The commission may contract with an independent environmental consultant to conduct a study to assist the commission in making the determination.

If the federal government or other public or private entity provides funds for restitution of costs incurred by the state or school district in the relocation or replacement of the classroom facilities, the school district shall use such funds in excess of the school district's share to refund the state for the state's contribution to the environmental contamination portion of the project. The school district may apply an amount of such restitution funds up to an amount equal to the school district's portion of the project, as defined by the commission, toward paying its portion of that project to reduce the amount of bonds the school district otherwise must issue to receive state assistance under sections 3318.01 to 3318.20 of the Revised Code.

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

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.128, SB 316, §101.01, eff. 9/24/2012.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 6/30/2011.