The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - A Franklin County judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking a new rule that county mental retardation boards say drives up the costs of caring for the disabled.

Common Pleas Judge Richard Sheward on Tuesday issued the order for 14 days to delay the rate increases. He scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday.

The lawsuit filed Monday by the Delaware County Board of Mental Retardation and several people with disabilities and their advocates contends the state has set rates that will require county boards to pay exorbitant prices for services that cost far less before the rule took effect.

"This is one of those cases where I sense there is more than meets the eye here," Sheward said. Tuesday's hearing will determine whether to freeze rates until the case is heard, which could be months from now.

New rates for care provided by county boards, schools or private agencies went into effect in January.