Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that exempts personal information of certain persons from public records law.

Highlights:

• Defines "public record" as records kept by any public office, including, but not limited to, state, county, city, village, township, and school district units, and records pertaining to the delivery of educational services by an alternative school in this state kept by the nonprofit or for-profit entity operating the alternative school (Sec. 1-1).

• Requires all public records responsive to a request to be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to the requester at all reasonable times during regular business hours upon request by any person (Sec. 1.B-1).

• Specifies if a request is ultimately denied, in part or in whole, the public office or the person responsible for the requested public record will provide the requester with an explanation, including legal authority, setting forth why the request was denied (Sec. 1-3).

• Specifies if a public office denies a request to release a restricted portion of a body-worn camera or dashboard camera recording, any person may file a mandamus action or a complaint with the clerk of the court of claims, requesting the court to order the release of all or portions of the recording (Sec. 149.43-2).

• Authorizes a public office to limit the number of records requested by a person that the office will physically deliver by United States mail or by another delivery service to ten per month unless the person certifies to the office in writing that the person does not intend to use or forward the requested records, or the information contained in them, for commercial purposes (Sec. 149.43.c.i).

• Prohibits a person from orally or in writing, directly or indirectly, or through an agent or other person from fraudulently holding the person's self out or representing the person's self or any of the person's partners or associates as authorized by a claimant or employer to take charge of, or represent the claimant or employer in respect of, any claim or matter in connection therewith before the bureau of workers' compensation or the industrial commission or its district or staff hearing officers (Sec. 4123.88.A).

• Requires an individual to include all of the following in the written request (Sec. 4123.88.D-3):

• The individual's name, title, and signature;

• The name and title of the individual's employer; and

• A statement that the disclosure of the information sought is in the public interest.

• Requires the adjutant general to designate members of the Ohio national guard, who are participating in duties related to remotely piloted aircraft, including, but not limited to, pilots, sensor operators, and mission intelligence personnel, duties related to special forces operations, or duties related to cybersecurity, as designated public service workers (Sec. 5913.01.A-11).

Full Bill Text