As Introduced

124th General Assembly
Regular Session
2001-2002
S. B. No. 221


SENATORS Goodman, Mumper, Ryan, Coughlin, DiDonato, Furney, Hagan, Brady, Spada, Randy Gardner



A BILL
To amend sections 109.73, 959.99, 1717.06, and1
2151.421 and to enact sections 959.131, 959.132,2
and 959.133 of the Revised Code to prohibit3
specified acts with respect to a companion animal,4
to establish a procedure for the care of an5
impounded companion animal during the pendency of6
charges against a person who violates the7
prohibition, to require training for humane agents,8
to increase the penalty for committing certain9
offenses against animals if the commission of the10
offense also involves criminal trespass, and to11
establish requirements concerning the reporting by12
certain authorities of abuse or neglect of animals13
or children.14


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1.  That sections 109.73, 959.99, 1717.06, and15
2151.421 be amended and sections 959.131, 959.132, and 959.133 of16
the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:17

       Sec. 109.73.  (A) The Ohio peace officer training commission18
shall recommend rules to the attorney general with respect to all19
of the following:20

       (1) The approval, or revocation of approval, of peace21
officer training schools administered by the state, counties,22
municipal corporations, public school districts, technical college23
districts, and the department of natural resources;24

       (2) Minimum courses of study, attendance requirements, and25
equipment and facilities to be required at approved state, county,26
municipal, and department of natural resources peace officer27
training schools;28

       (3) Minimum qualifications for instructors at approved29
state, county, municipal, and department of natural resources30
peace officer training schools;31

       (4) The requirements of minimum basic training that peace32
officers appointed to probationary terms shall complete before33
being eligible for permanent appointment, which requirements shall34
include a minimum of fifteen hours of training in the handling of35
the offense of domestic violence, other types of domestic36
violence-related offenses and incidents, and protection orders and37
consent agreements issued or approved under section 2919.26 or38
3113.31 of the Revised Code, a minimum of six hours of crisis39
intervention training, and a specified amount of training in the40
handling of missing children and child abuse and neglect cases,41
and the time within which such basic training shall be completed42
following such appointment to a probationary term;43

       (5) The requirements of minimum basic training that peace44
officers not appointed for probationary terms but appointed on45
other than a permanent basis shall complete in order to be46
eligible for continued employment or permanent appointment, which47
requirements shall include a minimum of fifteen hours of training48
in the handling of the offense of domestic violence, other types49
of domestic violence-related offenses and incidents, and50
protection orders and consent agreements issued or approved under51
section 2919.26 or 3113.31 of the Revised Code, a minimum of six52
hours of crisis intervention training, and a specified amount of53
training in the handling of missing children and child abuse and54
neglect cases, and the time within which such basic training shall55
be completed following such appointment on other than a permanent56
basis;57

       (6) Categories or classifications of advanced in-service58
training programs for peace officers, including programs in the59
handling of the offense of domestic violence, other types of60
domestic violence-related offenses and incidents, and protection61
orders and consent agreements issued or approved under section62
2919.26 or 3113.31 of the Revised Code, in crisis intervention,63
and in the handling of missing children and child abuse and64
neglect cases, and minimum courses of study and attendance65
requirements with respect to such categories or classifications;66

       (7) Permitting persons who are employed as members of a67
campus police department appointed under section 1713.50 of the68
Revised Code, who are employed as police officers by a qualified69
nonprofit corporation police department pursuant to section70
1702.80 of the Revised Code, or who are appointed and commissioned71
as railroad police officers or hospital police officers pursuant72
to sections 4973.17 to 4973.22 of the Revised Code to attend73
approved peace officer training schools, including the Ohio peace74
officer training academy, and to receive certificates of75
satisfactory completion of basic training programs, if the private76
college or university that established the campus police77
department, qualified nonprofit corporation police department,78
railroad company, or hospital sponsoring the police officers pays79
the entire cost of the training and certification and if trainee80
vacancies are available;81

       (8) Permitting undercover drug agents to attend approved82
peace officer training schools, other than the Ohio peace officer83
training academy, and to receive certificates of satisfactory84
completion of basic training programs, if, for each undercover85
drug agent, the county, township, or municipal corporation that86
employs that undercover drug agent pays the entire cost of the87
training and certification;88

       (9)(a) The requirements for basic training programs for89
bailiffs and deputy bailiffs of courts of record of this state and90
for criminal investigators employed by the state public defender91
that those persons shall complete before they may carry a firearm92
while on duty;93

       (b) The requirements for any training received by a bailiff94
or deputy bailiff of a court of record of this state or by a95
criminal investigator employed by the state public defender prior96
to June 6, 1986, that is to be considered equivalent to the97
training described in division (A)(9)(a) of this section.98

       (10) Establishing minimum qualifications and requirements99
for certification for dogs utilized by law enforcement agencies;100

       (11) Establishing minimum requirements for certification of101
persons who are employed as correction officers in a full-service102
jail, five-day facility, or eight-hour holding facility or who103
provide correction services in such a jail or facility;104

       (12) Establishing requirements for the training of agents of105
a county humane society under section 1717.06 of the Revised Code,106
including, without limitation, a requirement that the agents107
receive instruction that is approved by the Ohio state university108
college of veterinary medicine on the topic of animal husbandry109
practices.110

       (B) The commission shall appoint an executive director, with111
the approval of the attorney general, who shall hold office during112
the pleasure of the commission. The executive director shall113
perform such duties as may be assigned by the commission. The114
executive director shall receive a salary fixed pursuant to115
Chapter 124. of the Revised Code and reimbursement for expenses116
within the amounts available by appropriation. The executive117
director may appoint officers, employees, agents, and consultants118
as the executive director considers necessary, prescribe their119
duties, and provide for reimbursement of their expenses within the120
amounts available for reimbursement by appropriation and with the121
approval of the commission.122

       (C) The commission may do all of the following:123

       (1) Recommend studies, surveys, and reports to be made by124
the executive director regarding the carrying out of the125
objectives and purposes of sections 109.71 to 109.77 of the126
Revised Code;127

       (2) Visit and inspect any peace officer training school that128
has been approved by the executive director or for which129
application for approval has been made;130

       (3) Make recommendations, from time to time, to the131
executive director, the attorney general, and the general assembly132
regarding the carrying out of the purposes of sections 109.71 to133
109.77 of the Revised Code;134

       (4) Report to the attorney general from time to time, and to135
the governor and the general assembly at least annually,136
concerning the activities of the commission;137

       (5) Establish fees for the services the commission offers138
under sections 109.71 to 109.79 of the Revised Code, including,139
but not limited to, fees for training, certification, and testing.140

       (6) Perform such other acts as are necessary or appropriate141
to carry out the powers and duties of the commission as set forth142
in sections 109.71 to 109.77 of the Revised Code.143

       Sec. 959.131. (A) As used in this section:144

       (1) "Companion animal" means any animal that is kept inside145
a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless of where it146
is kept. "Companion animal" does not include livestock.147

       (2) "Cruelty," "torment," and "torture" have the same148
meanings as in section 1717.01 of the Revised Code.149

       (3) "Residential dwelling" means a structure or shelter or150
the portion of a structure or shelter that is used by one or more151
humans for the purpose of a habitation.152

       (4) "Practice of veterinary medicine" has the same meaning as153
in section 4741.01 of the Revised Code.154

       (B) No person shall knowingly torture, torment, needlessly155
mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit156
an act of cruelty against a companion animal.157

       (C) No person who confines or who is the custodian or158
caretaker of a companion animal shall negligently do any of the159
following:160

       (1) Torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly161
beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against162
the companion animal;163

       (2) Fail to provide the companion animal with sufficient164
quantities of wholesome food and potable water;165

       (3) Fail to provide the companion animal with adequate166
ventilation and circulation of wholesome air;167

       (4) Fail to provide the companion animal with access to168
adequate shelter from heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, excessive169
direct sunlight, or other adverse environmental conditions if it170
is reasonable to expect that without that shelter the companion171
animal would become sick or suffer;172

       (5) Fail to provide the companion animal with adequate173
exercise;174

       (6) Confine the companion animal in a primary enclosure that175
does not have adequate space in which the companion animal may176
stand up to its full height, stretch out, turn around, and lie177
down comfortably.178



       (D) Divisions (B) and (C) of this section do not apply to180
any of the following:181

       (1) A companion animal used in scientific research as182
approved by and conducted in accordance with the authority183
exercised by an institutional animal care and use committee184
pursuant to 9 C.F.R. 2.31;185

       (2) The lawful practice of veterinary medicine by a person186
who has been issued a license, temporary permit, or registration187
certificate to do so under Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code;188

       (3) Dogs being used or intended for use for hunting or field189
trial purposes, provided that the dogs are being treated in190
accordance with usual and commonly accepted practices for the care191
of hunting dogs.192

       (E) All fines collected by a clerk of court for any193
violation of this section shall be forwarded by the clerk to the194
county treasurer of the county in which the court is located. The195
county treasurer shall pay the fine moneys to the county humane196
society that participated in the investigation or prosecution of197
the violation. The county humane society shall use the fine198
moneys to provide the training that is required for humane agents199
under section 1717.06 of the Revised Code.200

       Sec. 959.132. (A) As used in this section:201

       (1) "Companion animal" has the same meaning as in section202
959.131 of the Revised Code.203

       (2) "Impounding agency" means the county humane society,204
animal shelter, or law enforcement agency that, in accordance with205
division (B) or (C) of this section, either has impounded a206
companion animal or has made regular visits to the place where a207
companion animal is kept to determine whether it is provided with208
necessities.209

       (3) "Officer" means any law enforcement officer, agent of a210
county humane society, dog warden, assistant dog warden, or other211
person appointed to act as an animal control officer for a county,212
municipal corporation, or township in accordance with state law,213
an ordinance, or a resolution.214

       (B) An officer may impound a companion animal if the officer215
has probable cause to believe that it or other companion animals216
that are harbored by the same person on the premises are the217
subject of a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code and218
if the officer has lawful access to the companion animal at the219
time of the impoundment. The officer shall give written notice of220
the impoundment by posting the notice on the door of the residence221
on the premises at which the companion animal was impounded, by222
giving it in person to the owner, custodian, caretaker, or223
harborer of the companion animal, or by otherwise posting the224
notice in a conspicuous place on the premises where the companion225
animal was seized.226

       (C) If charges are filed under section 959.131 of the227
Revised Code against the custodian, caretaker, or harborer of a228
companion animal, but the companion animal that is the subject of229
the charges is not impounded, the court in which the charges are230
pending may order the owner or person having custody of the231
companion animal to provide to the companion animal the232
necessities described in division (C)(2) to (6) of section233
959.131 of the Revised Code until the final disposition of the234
charges. If the court issues an order of that nature, the court235
also may authorize an officer or another person to visit the place236
where the companion animal is being kept, at the times and under237
the conditions that the court may set, to determine whether the238
companion animal is receiving those necessities and to remove and239
impound the companion animal if the companion animal is not240
receiving those necessities.241

       (D) An owner, custodian, caretaker, or harborer of one or242
more companion animals that have been impounded under this section243
may file a written request for a hearing with the clerk of the244
court in which charges are pending that were filed under section245
959.131 of the Revised Code and that involve the impounded246
companion animals. If a hearing is requested, the court shall247
conduct a hearing not later than twenty-one days following receipt248
of the request. At the hearing, the impounding agency has the249
burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that probable250
cause exists to find that the defendant is guilty of a violation251
of section 959.131 of the Revised Code. A hearing that is252
conducted under division (D) of this section shall be combined253
whenever possible with any hearing involving the same pending254
charges that is authorized and conducted under division (E) of255
this section.256

        If the court finds at the conclusion of the hearing that257
probable cause does not exist for finding that the defendant258
committed a violation and that the defendant otherwise has a right259
to possession of the impounded companion animals, the court shall260
order the animals to be returned to the defendant.261

        If the court finds at the conclusion of the hearing that262
probable cause exists for finding the defendant guilty of a263
violation with respect to one or more of the impounded companion264
animals, the court shall do one of the following with respect to265
each impounded companion animal:266

       (1) Allow the impounding agency to retain custody of the267
companion animal pending resolution of the underlying charges;268

        (2) Order the companion animal to be returned to the269
defendant under any conditions and restrictions that the court270
determines are appropriate to ensure that the companion animal271
receives humane and adequate care and treatment.272

       (E)(1) At any time that one or more charges are pending273
under section 959.131 of the Revised Code, an impounding agency274
may file a motion in the court in which the charges are pending275
requesting that the defendant post a deposit to cover the costs of276
caring, during the pendency of the charges, for any impounded277
companion animals seized or removed from the defendant's custody278
if the reasonably necessary projected costs of the care that will279
be provided prior to the final resolution of the charges are280
estimated to be in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars.281
The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit that sets forth an282
estimate of the reasonably necessary costs that the impounding283
agency expects to incur in providing that care, which may include,284
but are not limited to, the necessary cost of veterinary care,285
medications, food, water, and board for the companion animals286
during the pendency of the charges.287

       (2) Within ten days after the date on which a motion is288
filed under division (E)(1) of this section, the court shall289
conduct a hearing. Except as otherwise provided in division290
(E)(5) of this section, at the hearing, the impounding agency has291
the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that292
there is probable cause to find that the defendant is guilty of a293
violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code and that the294
reasonably necessary cumulative costs of caring during the295
pendency of the charges for the companion animals seized or296
removed from the defendant's custody or control are reasonably297
projected to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars.298

       (3) If the court finds at the conclusion of the hearing that299
probable cause does not exist for finding that the defendant300
committed a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code and301
that the defendant otherwise has a right to possession of the302
companion animals, the court shall order the animals to be303
returned to the defendant. If the court finds at the conclusion304
of the hearing that probable cause exists for finding that the305
defendant committed a violation of that section, but that the306
reasonably necessary costs for caring during the pendency of the307
charges for the companion animals seized or removed from the308
defendant's custody or control are reasonably projected to be one309
thousand five hundred dollars or less, the court shall deny the310
petitioner's motion to require the defendant to pay a deposit.311

        If the court finds at the conclusion of the hearing that312
probable cause exists for finding the defendant guilty of the313
violation with respect to one or more of the impounded companion314
animals and for determining that the reasonably necessary315
projected costs of caring for the companion animals exceed one316
thousand five hundred dollars during the pendency of the charges,317
the court shall do one of the following:318

       (a) Order the defendant to post a deposit with the clerk of319
the court in a form and in an amount that the court determines is320
sufficient to cover the cost of care of the companion animals321
from the date of impoundment until the date of the disposition of322
the charges;323

       (b) Order one or more of the companion animals to be324
returned to the defendant under any conditions and restrictions325
that the court determines to be appropriate to ensure that the326
companion animals receive humane and adequate care and treatment;327

        (c) Deny the motion of the impounding agency requesting328
the defendant to post a deposit, but permit the impounding agency329
to retain custody of one or more of the companion animals pending330
resolution of the underlying charges.331

       (4) The court may order the defendant to forfeit the right332
of possession and ownership in one or more of the companion333
animals to the impounding agency if the defendant fails to comply334
with the conditions set forth in an order of the court that is335
rendered under division (E)(3) of this section. If the order that336
was not complied with required the defendant to post a deposit,337
forfeiture of the companion animals relieves the defendant of any338
further obligation to post the deposit.339

       (5)(a) A hearing that is conducted under division (D) of this340
section shall be combined whenever possible with any hearing341
involving the same pending charges that is authorized and342
conducted under division (E) of this section. However, division343
(E)(5)(b) of this section applies when both of the hearings are344
conducted and combining them is not possible.345

       (b) At a hearing conducted under division (E) of this346
section, an impounding agency shall not be required to prove that347
there is probable cause to find that the defendant is guilty of a348
violation of section 959.131 of the Revised Code if the court349
already has made a finding concerning probable cause at a separate350
hearing conducted under division (D) of this section. In such an351
event, the probable cause finding made at the hearing conducted352
under division (D) of this section shall be used for purposes of353
the hearing conducted under division (E) of this section. 354

       (F)(1) If the defendant is found guilty of violating355
section 959.131 of the Revised Code or any other offense relating356
to the care or treatment of a companion animal and the defendant357
posted a deposit pursuant to division (E) of this section, the358
court shall determine the amount of the reasonably necessary359
costs that the impounding agency incurred in caring for the360
companion animal during the pendency of the charges. The court361
shall order the clerk of the court to pay that amount of the362
deposit to the impounding agency and to dispose of any amount of363
the deposit that exceeds that amount in the following order:364

       (a) Pay any fine imposed on the defendant relative to the365
violation;366

       (b) Pay any costs ordered against the defendant relative to367
the violation;368

       (c) Return any remaining amount to the defendant.369

       (2) If the defendant is found not guilty of violating370
section 959.131 of the Revised Code or any other offense relating371
to the care or treatment of a companion animal, the court shall372
order the clerk of court to return the entire amount of the373
deposit to the defendant, and the impounding agency shall return374
the companion animal to the defendant. If the companion animal375
cannot be returned, the court shall order the impounding agency to376
pay to the defendant an amount determined by the court to be equal377
to the reasonable market value of the companion animal at the time378
that it was impounded plus statutory interest as defined in379
section 1343.03 of the Revised Code from the date of the380
impoundment. In determining the reasonable market value of the381
companion animal, the court may consider the condition of the382
companion animal at the time that the companion animal was383
impounded and any change in the condition of the companion animal384
after it was impounded.385

       (G) An impounding agency that impounds a companion animal386
under this section shall pay a person who provides veterinary care387
to the companion animal during the impoundment for the cost of the388
veterinary care regardless of whether the impounding agency is389
reimbursed for the payment under this section or section 959.99 of390
the Revised Code.391

       Sec. 959.133. No person shall violate section 959.02, 959.03,392
959.13, or 959.131 of the Revised Code while committing a393
violation of section 2911.21 of the Revised Code.394

       Sec. 959.99.  (A) Whoever violates section 959.01, 959.18,395
or 959.19 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.396

       (B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever397
violates section 959.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a398
misdemeanor of the second degree. If the value of the animal399
killed or the injury done amounts to three hundred dollars or400
more, whoever violates section 959.02 of the Revised Code is401
guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.402

       (C) Whoever violates section 959.03, 959.06, 959.12, 959.15,403
or 959.17 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the404
fourth degree.405

       (D) Whoever violates division (A) of section 959.13 of the406
Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. In407
addition, the court may order the offender to forfeit the animal408
or livestock and may provide for its disposition, including, but409
not limited to, the sale of the animal or livestock. If an animal410
or livestock is forfeited and sold pursuant to this division, the411
proceeds from the sale first shall be applied to pay the expenses412
incurred with regard to the care of the animal from the time it413
was taken from the custody of the former owner. The balance of the414
proceeds from the sale, if any, shall be paid to the former owner415
of the animal.416

       (E)(1) Whoever violates division (B) of section 959.131 of417
the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree on418
a first offense and a felony of the fifth degree on each419
subsequent offense.420

       (2) Whoever violates section 959.01 of the Revised Code or421
division (C) of section 959.131 of the Revised Code is guilty of a422
misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense and a423
misdemeanor of the first degree on each subsequent offense.424

       (3)(a) A court may order a person who is convicted of or425
pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised426
Code to forfeit to an impounding agency, as defined in section427
959.132 of the Revised Code, any or all of the companion animals428
in that person's ownership or care. The court also may prohibit429
or place limitations on the person's ability to own or care for430
any companion animals for a specified or indefinite period of431
time.432

       (b) A court may order a person who is convicted of or433
pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 of the Revised434
Code to reimburse an impounding agency for the reasonably435
necessary costs incurred by the agency for the care of a companion436
animal that the agency impounded as a result of the investigation437
or prosecution of the violation, provided that the costs were not438
otherwise paid under section 959.132 of the Revised Code.439

       (4) If a court has reason to believe that a person who is440
convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 959.131 of441
the Revised Code suffers from a mental or emotional disorder that442
contributed to the violation, the court may impose as a community443
control sanction or as a condition of probation a requirement that444
the offender undergo psychological evaluation or counseling. The445
court shall order the offender to pay the costs of the evaluation446
or counseling.447

       (F) Whoever violates section 959.14 of the Revised Code is448
guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense449
and a misdemeanor of the first degree on each subsequent offense.450

       (F)(G) Whoever violates section 959.05 or 959.20 of the451
Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.452

       (G)(H) Whoever violates section 959.16 of the Revised Code453
is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree for a first offense and454
a felony of the third degree on each subsequent offense.455

       (I) Whoever violates section 959.133 of the Revised Code is456
guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.457

       Sec. 1717.06.  A county humane society organized under458
section 1717.05 of the Revised Code may appoint agents, who are459
residents of the county or municipal corporation for which the460
appointment is made, for the purpose of prosecuting any person461
guilty of an act of cruelty to persons or animals. Such agents462
may arrest any person found violating sections 1717.01 to 1717.14,463
inclusive, of the Revised Code,this chapter or any other law for464
protecting persons or animals or preventing acts of cruelty465
thereto. Upon making suchan arrest the agent forthwith shall466
convey the person arrested before some court or magistrate having467
jurisdiction of the offense, and there make complaint against him468
the person on oath or affirmation of the offense.469

       All appointments of agents under this section shall be470
approved by the mayor of the municipal corporation for which they471
are made. If the society exists outside a municipal corporation,472
such appointments shall be approved by the probate judge of the473
county for which they are made. SuchThe mayor or probate judge474
shall keep a record of such appointments.475

       In order to qualify for appointment as a humane agent under476
this section, a person first shall successfully complete a477
minimum of twenty hours of training on issues relating to the478
investigation and prosecution of cruelty to and neglect of479
animals. The training shall comply with rules recommended by the480
peace officer training commission under section 109.73 of the481
Revised Code and shall include, without limitation, instruction482
regarding animal husbandry practices. A person who has been483
appointed as a humane agent under this section prior to the484
effective date of this amendment may continue to act as a humane485
agent for a period of time on and after the effective date of this486
amendment without completing the training. However, on or before487
December 31, 2004, a person who has been appointed as a humane488
agent under this section prior to the effective date of this489
amendment shall successfully complete the training and submit490
proof of its successful completion to the appropriate appointing491
mayor or probate judge in order to continue to act as a humane492
agent after December 31, 2004.493

       Sec. 2151.421.  (A)(1)(a) No person described in division494
(A)(1)(b) of this section who is acting in an official or495
professional capacity and knows or suspects that a child under496
eighteen years of age or a mentally retarded, developmentally497
disabled, or physically impaired child under twenty-one years of498
age has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or499
mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that500
reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child, shall fail to501
immediately report that knowledge or suspicion to the public502
children services agency or a municipal or county peace officer in503
the county in which the child resides or in which the abuse or504
neglect is occurring or has occurred.505

       (b) Division (A)(1)(a) of this section applies to any person506
who is an attorney; physician, including a hospital intern or507
resident; dentist; podiatrist; practitioner of a limited branch of508
medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the Revised Code;509
registered nurse; licensed practical nurse; visiting nurse; other510
health care professional; licensed psychologist; licensed school511
psychologist; speech pathologist or audiologist; coroner;512
administrator or employee of a child day-care center;513
administrator or employee of a residential camp or child day camp;514
administrator or employee of a certified child care agency or515
other public or private children services agency; school teacher;516
school employee; school authority; person engaged in social work517
or the practice of professional counseling; agent of a county518
humane society; or a person rendering spiritual treatment through519
prayer in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized520
religion.521

       (2) An attorney or a physician is not required to make a522
report pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section concerning any523
communication the attorney or physician receives from a client or524
patient in an attorney-client or physician-patient relationship,525
if, in accordance with division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02 of526
the Revised Code, the attorney or physician could not testify with527
respect to that communication in a civil or criminal proceeding,528
except that the client or patient is deemed to have waived any529
testimonial privilege under division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02530
of the Revised Code with respect to that communication and the531
attorney or physician shall make a report pursuant to division532
(A)(1) of this section with respect to that communication, if all533
of the following apply:534

       (a) The client or patient, at the time of the communication,535
is either a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally536
retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired person537
under twenty-one years of age.538

       (b) The attorney or physician knows or suspects, as a result539
of the communication or any observations made during that540
communication, that the client or patient has suffered or faces a541
threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury,542
disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates543
abuse or neglect of the client or patient.544

       (c) The attorney-client or physician-patient relationship545
does not arise out of the client's or patient's attempt to have an546
abortion without the notification of her parents, guardian, or547
custodian in accordance with section 2151.85 of the Revised Code.548

       (B) Anyone, who knows or suspects that a child under549
eighteen years of age or a mentally retarded, developmentally550
disabled, or physically impaired person under twenty-one years of551
age has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or552
mental wound, injury, disability, or other condition of a nature553
that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child, may554
report or cause reports to be made of that knowledge or suspicion555
to the public children services agency or to a municipal or county556
peace officer.557

       (C) Any report made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this558
section shall be made forthwith either by telephone or in person559
and shall be followed by a written report, if requested by the560
receiving agency or officer. The written report shall contain:561

       (1) The names and addresses of the child and the child's562
parents or the person or persons having custody of the child, if563
known;564

       (2) The child's age and the nature and extent of the child's565
known or suspected injuries, abuse, or neglect or of the known or566
suspected threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, including any567
evidence of previous injuries, abuse, or neglect;568

       (3) Any other information that might be helpful in569
establishing the cause of the known or suspected injury, abuse, or570
neglect or of the known or suspected threat of injury, abuse, or571
neglect.572

       Any person, who is required by division (A) of this section573
to report known or suspected child abuse or child neglect, may574
take or cause to be taken color photographs of areas of trauma575
visible on a child and, if medically indicated, cause to be576
performed radiological examinations of the child.577

       (D)(1) Upon the receipt of a report concerning the possible578
abuse or neglect of a child or the possible threat of abuse or579
neglect of a child, the municipal or county peace officer who580
receives the report shall refer the report to the appropriate581
public children services agency.582

       (2) On receipt of a report pursuant to this division or583
division (A) or (B) of this section, the public children services584
agency shall comply with section 2151.422 of the Revised Code.585

       (E) No township, municipal, or county peace officer shall586
remove a child about whom a report is made pursuant to this587
section from the child's parents, stepparents, or guardian or any588
other persons having custody of the child without consultation589
with the public children services agency, unless, in the judgment590
of the officer, and, if the report was made by physician, the591
physician, immediate removal is considered essential to protect592
the child from further abuse or neglect. The agency that must be593
consulted shall be the agency conducting the investigation of the594
report as determined pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised595
Code.596

       (F)(1) Except as provided in section 2151.422 of the Revised597
Code, the public children services agency shall investigate,598
within twenty-four hours, each report of known or suspected child599
abuse or child neglect and of a known or suspected threat of child600
abuse or child neglect that is referred to it under this section601
to determine the circumstances surrounding the injuries, abuse, or602
neglect or the threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, the cause of603
the injuries, abuse, neglect, or threat, and the person or persons604
responsible. The investigation shall be made in cooperation with605
the law enforcement agency and in accordance with the memorandum606
of understanding prepared under division (J) of this section. A607
failure to make the investigation in accordance with the608
memorandum is not grounds for, and shall not result in, the609
dismissal of any charges or complaint arising from the report or610
the suppression of any evidence obtained as a result of the report611
and does not give, and shall not be construed as giving, any612
rights or any grounds for appeal or post-conviction relief to any613
person. The public children services agency shall report each614
case to a central registry which the department of job and family615
services shall maintain in order to determine whether prior616
reports have been made in other counties concerning the child or617
other principals in the case. The public children services agency618
shall submit a report of its investigation, in writing, to the law619
enforcement agency.620

       (2) The public children services agency shall make any621
recommendations to the county prosecuting attorney or city622
director of law that it considers necessary to protect any623
children that are brought to its attention.624

       (3) During the course of an investigation pursuant to625
division (F)(1) of this section, any person who discovers or626
suspects that an animal is the victim of cruelty, as defined in627
section 1717.01 of the Revised Code, or of a violation of section628
959.13 or 959.131 of the Revised Code or observes conditions that629
reasonably indicate that the abuse or neglect of an animal is630
occurring immediately shall report that knowledge or suspicion631
either to a county humane society or one of its agents, a dog632
warden, or a county peace officer in the county in which the abuse633
or neglect is occurring or is suspected to have occurred.634

       (G)(1)(a) Except as provided in division (H)(3) of this635
section, anyone or any hospital, institution, school, health636
department, or agency participating in the making of reports under637
division (A) of this section, anyone or any hospital, institution,638
school, health department, or agency participating in good faith639
in the making of reports under division (B) of this section, any640
person participating in the making of reports under division641
(F)(3) of this section, and anyone participating in good faith in642
a judicial proceeding resulting from the reports, shall be immune643
from any civil or criminal liability for injury, death, or loss to644
person or property that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as645
a result of the making of the reports or the participation in the646
judicial proceeding.647

       (b) Notwithstanding section 4731.22 of the Revised Code, the648
physician-patient privilege shall not be a ground for excluding649
evidence regarding a child's injuries, abuse, or neglect, or the650
cause of the injuries, abuse, or neglect in any judicial651
proceeding resulting from a report submitted pursuant to this652
section.653

       (2) In any civil or criminal action or proceeding in which654
it is alleged and proved that participation in the making of a655
report under this section was not in good faith or participation656
in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report made under this657
section was not in good faith, the court shall award the658
prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs and, if a659
civil action or proceeding is voluntarily dismissed, may award660
reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the party against whom the661
civil action or proceeding is brought.662

       (H)(1) Except as provided in divisions (H)(4), (M), and (N)663
of this section, a report made under this section is confidential.664
The information provided in a report made pursuant to this section665
and the name of the person who made the report shall not be666
released for use, and shall not be used, as evidence in any civil667
action or proceeding brought against the person who made the668
report. In a criminal proceeding, the report is admissible in669
evidence in accordance with the Rules of Evidence and is subject670
to discovery in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure.671

       (2) No person shall permit or encourage the unauthorized672
dissemination of the contents of any report made under this673
section.674

       (3) A person who knowingly makes or causes another person to675
make a false report under division (B) of this section that676
alleges that any person has committed an act or omission that677
resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child is678
guilty of a violation of section 2921.14 of the Revised Code.679

       (4) If a report is made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of680
this section and the child who is the subject of the report dies681
for any reason at any time after the report is made, but before682
the child attains eighteen years of age, the public children683
services agency or municipal or county peace officer to which the684
report was made or referred, on the request of the child fatality685
review board, shall submit a summary sheet of information686
providing a summary of the report to the review board of the687
county in which the deceased child resided at the time of death.688
On the request of the review board, the agency or peace officer689
may, at its discretion, make the report available to the review690
board.691

       (5) A public children services agency shall advise a person692
alleged to have inflicted abuse or neglect on a child who is the693
subject of a report made pursuant to this section in writing of694
the disposition of the investigation. The agency shall not695
provide to the person any information that identifies the person696
who made the report, statements of witnesses, or police or other697
investigative reports.698

       (I) Any report that is required by this section shall result699
in protective services and emergency supportive services being700
made available by the public children services agency on behalf of701
the children about whom the report is made, in an effort to702
prevent further neglect or abuse, to enhance their welfare, and,703
whenever possible, to preserve the family unit intact. The agency704
required to provide the services shall be the agency conducting705
the investigation of the report pursuant to section 2151.422 of706
the Revised Code.707

       (J)(1) Each public children services agency shall prepare a708
memorandum of understanding that is signed by all of the709
following:710

       (a) If there is only one juvenile judge in the county, the711
juvenile judge of the county or the juvenile judge's712
representative;713

       (b) If there is more than one juvenile judge in the county,714
a juvenile judge or the juvenile judges' representative selected715
by the juvenile judges or, if they are unable to do so for any716
reason, the juvenile judge who is senior in point of service or717
the senior juvenile judge's representative;718

       (c) The county peace officer;719

       (d) All chief municipal peace officers within the county;720

       (e) Other law enforcement officers handling child abuse and721
neglect cases in the county;722

       (f) The prosecuting attorney of the county;723

       (g) If the public children services agency is not the county724
department of job and family services, the county department of725
job and family services.726

       (2) A memorandum of understanding shall set forth the normal727
operating procedure to be employed by all concerned officials in728
the execution of their respective responsibilities under this729
section and division (C) of section 2919.21, division (B)(1) of730
section 2919.22, division (B) of section 2919.23, and section731
2919.24 of the Revised Code and shall have as two of its primary732
goals the elimination of all unnecessary interviews of children733
who are the subject of reports made pursuant to division (A) or734
(B) of this section and, when feasible, providing for only one735
interview of a child who is the subject of any report made736
pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section. A failure to737
follow the procedure set forth in the memorandum by the concerned738
officials is not grounds for, and shall not result in, the739
dismissal of any charges or complaint arising from any reported740
case of abuse or neglect or the suppression of any evidence741
obtained as a result of any reported child abuse or child neglect742
and does not give, and shall not be construed as giving, any743
rights or any grounds for appeal or post-conviction relief to any744
person.745

       (3) A memorandum of understanding shall include all of the746
following:747

       (a) The roles and responsibilities for handling emergency748
and nonemergency cases of abuse and neglect;749

       (b) Standards and procedures to be used in handling and750
coordinating investigations of reported cases of child abuse and751
reported cases of child neglect, methods to be used in752
interviewing the child who is the subject of the report and who753
allegedly was abused or neglected, and standards and procedures754
addressing the categories of persons who may interview the child755
who is the subject of the report and who allegedly was abused or756
neglected.757

       (K)(1) Except as provided in division (K)(4) of this758
section, a person who is required to make a report pursuant to759
division (A) of this section may make a reasonable number of760
requests of the public children services agency that receives or761
is referred the report to be provided with the following762
information:763

       (a) Whether the agency has initiated an investigation of the764
report;765

       (b) Whether the agency is continuing to investigate the766
report;767

       (c) Whether the agency is otherwise involved with the child768
who is the subject of the report;769

       (d) The general status of the health and safety of the child770
who is the subject of the report;771

       (e) Whether the report has resulted in the filing of a772
complaint in juvenile court or of criminal charges in another773
court.774

       (2) A person may request the information specified in775
division (K)(1) of this section only if, at the time the report is776
made, the person's name, address, and telephone number are777
provided to the person who receives the report.778

       When a municipal or county peace officer or employee of a779
public children services agency receives a report pursuant to780
division (A) or (B) of this section the recipient of the report781
shall inform the person of the right to request the information782
described in division (K)(1) of this section. The recipient of783
the report shall include in the initial child abuse or child784
neglect report that the person making the report was so informed785
and, if provided at the time of the making of the report, shall786
include the person's name, address, and telephone number in the787
report.788

       Each request is subject to verification of the identity of789
the person making the report. If that person's identity is790
verified, the agency shall provide the person with the information791
described in division (K)(1) of this section a reasonable number792
of times, except that the agency shall not disclose any793
confidential information regarding the child who is the subject of794
the report other than the information described in those795
divisions.796

       (3) A request made pursuant to division (K)(1) of this797
section is not a substitute for any report required to be made798
pursuant to division (A) of this section.799

       (4) If an agency other than the agency that received or was800
referred the report is conducting the investigation of the report801
pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code, the agency802
conducting the investigation shall comply with the requirements of803
division (K) of this section.804

       (L) The director of job and family services shall adopt805
rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to806
implement this section. The department of job and family services807
may enter into a plan of cooperation with any other governmental808
entity to aid in ensuring that children are protected from abuse809
and neglect. The department shall make recommendations to the810
attorney general that the department determines are necessary to811
protect children from child abuse and child neglect.812

       (M) No later than the end of the day following the day on813
which a public children services agency receives a report of814
alleged child abuse or child neglect, or a report of an alleged815
threat of child abuse or child neglect, that allegedly occurred in816
or involved an out-of-home care entity, the agency shall provide817
written notice of the allegations contained in and the person818
named as the alleged perpetrator in the report to the819
administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer of820
the out-of-home care entity that is the subject of the report821
unless the administrator, director, or other chief administrative822
officer is named as an alleged perpetrator in the report. If the823
administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer of824
an out-of-home care entity is named as an alleged perpetrator in a825
report of alleged child abuse or child neglect, or a report of an826
alleged threat of child abuse or child neglect, that allegedly827
occurred in or involved the out-of-home care entity, the agency828
shall provide the written notice to the owner or governing board829
of the out-of-home care entity that is the subject of the report.830
The agency shall not provide witness statements or police or other831
investigative reports.832

       (N) No later than three days after the day on which a public833
children services agency that conducted the investigation as834
determined pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code makes835
a disposition of an investigation involving a report of alleged836
child abuse or child neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of837
child abuse or child neglect, that allegedly occurred in or838
involved an out-of-home care entity, the agency shall send written839
notice of the disposition of the investigation to the840
administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer and841
the owner or governing board of the out-of-home care entity. The842
agency shall not provide witness statements or police or other843
investigative reports.844

       Section 2.  That existing sections 109.73, 959.99, 1717.06,845
and 2151.421 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.846