Ohio Expands 9-1-1 Database to Provide Better Help to People with Disabilities During Emergencies
On October 20th, 2025 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed new legislation that makes it easier for people with disabilities to be identified in emergency situations, providing police, firefighters and paramedics with additional context during incident response.
House Bill 144, known as “Keith’s Law,” is an Ohio law that expands a voluntary statewide database for individuals with disabilities to share vital information with first responders. The law was signed into effect by Governor DeWine and aims to enhance emergency response by providing law enforcement and 9-1-1 systems with crucial details about a person’s disability before they arrive on scene.
Per Spectrum News, Keith’s Law is named after Keith Jesse, A K-9 Search Specialist and the father of a son with Autism, who was instrumental in advocating for the legislation. The law expands access to a disability database for first responders, helping them to better assist people with disabilities during emergencies.
Prior to Governor DeWine signing Keith’s Law, the voluntary database was only open to people with communication disabilities. Now, it is open to people with all types of disabilities. In addition to Keith, the bill was championed by State Representatives Gary Click and Brian Lorenz.
“This statewide database would be widely accessible to all Ohioans and carries the advantage of extending responsiveness across the state without being limited by the boundaries of various patchwork communities,” said Representative Gary Click, according to a press release announcing the signing of Keith’s Law.
The database is administered by Opportunities for Ohioans (OOD) with Disabilities in partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS).
To register for the 9-1-1 database, go to Smart911 or visit your county’s Emergency Management Agency website and create a safety profile for free. A safety profile includes the following information:
- Contact information for all household members
- Phone numbers (especially cell phones)
- Medical information (conditions, allergies, medications)
- Address and property details, including photos
- Emergency contacts
- Information about pets and service animals
- Vehicle information
Safety profiles are private and secure and will only ever be seen by 9-1-1 dispatchers when you make an emergency call from a phone listed in your profile, providing them with important details like medical history, addresses, and photos.
Your profile is active for any location that supports Smart911, and you will receive emergency alerts from your county’s system if you sign up for them.
For more information regarding the 9-1-1 database visit https://statescoop.com/ohio-expands-911-database-disabilities/