130th Ohio General Assembly
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Am. S. B. No. 178As Passed by the House
As Passed by the House

125th General Assembly
Regular Session
2003-2004
Am. S. B. No. 178


SENATORS Spada, Austria, Amstutz, Carey, Harris, Jacobson, Padgett, Armbruster

REPRESENTATIVES Allen, Aslanides, Brown, Calvert, Carmichael, Cates, Clancy, Collier, Core, Daniels, DeBose, Domenick, Driehaus, C. Evans, D. Evans, Faber, Fessler, Flowers, Gibbs, Gilb, Grendell, Hagan, Hollister, Hughes, Kearns, Key, Kilbane, Martin, McGregor, Niehaus, Oelslager, Olman, S. Patton, T. Patton, Peterson, Price, Raga, Raussen, Redfern, Reidelbach, Reinhard, Schaffer, Schlichter, Schmidt, Schneider, Seitz, Setzer, J. Stewart, Strahorn, Taylor, Wagner, Walcher, Webster, Widener, Willamowski, Williams



A BILL
To amend sections 109.572, 313.12, 2108.50, 2151.421, 2311.14, 2930.03, 5120.173, 5123.081, 5123.50, 5123.51, 5123.61, 5123.99, 5126.28, 5126.30, and 5126.33 and to enact sections 2108.521, 2152.821, 2903.341, 2930.061, 2945.482, 2945.491, 5123.032, 5123.541, 5123.542, 5123.614, 5126.058, 5126.331, 5126.332, and 5126.333 of the Revised Code to implement the recommendations of the MR/DD Victims of Crime Task Force, to make related changes in the law, to provide a mechanism for the closing of developmental centers of the Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities that involves independent studies and public hearings, and to declare an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 109.572, 313.12, 2108.50, 2151.421, 2311.14, 2930.03, 5120.173, 5123.081, 5123.50, 5123.51, 5123.61, 5123.99, 5126.28, 5126.30, and 5126.33 be amended and sections 2108.521, 2152.821, 2903.341, 2930.061, 2945.482, 2945.491, 5123.032, 5123.541, 5123.542, 5123.614, 5126.058, 5126.331, 5126.332, and 5126.333 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 109.572. (A)(1) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to section 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 5104.012, 5104.013, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;
(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.
(2) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 5123.081 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in any position with the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, pursuant to section 5126.28 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in any position with a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or pursuant to section 5126.281 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in a direct services position with an entity contracting with a county board for employment, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(2)(a) of this section.
(3) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 173.41, 3712.09, 3721.121, or 3722.151 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check with respect to any person who has applied for employment in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(3)(a) of this section.
(4) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a home health agency as a person responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(4)(a) of this section.
(5) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 5111.95 or 5111.96 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a waiver agency participating in a department of job and family services administered home and community-based waiver program or an independent provider participating in a department administered home and community-based waiver program in a position that involves providing home and community-based waiver services to consumers with disabilities, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.041, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.12, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(5)(a) of this section.
(6) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a home health agency in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(6)(a) of this section.
(7) When conducting a criminal records check upon a request pursuant to section 3319.39 of the Revised Code for an applicant who is a teacher, in addition to the determination made under division (A)(1) of this section, the superintendent shall determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense specified in section 3319.31 of the Revised Code.
(8) When conducting a criminal records check on a request pursuant to section 2151.86 of the Revised Code for a person who is a prospective foster caregiver or who is eighteen years old or older and resides in the home of a prospective foster caregiver, the superintendent, in addition to the determination made under division (A)(1) of this section, shall determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of:
(a) Section 2909.02 or 2909.03 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to section 2909.02 or 2909.03 of the Revised Code.
(9) Not later than thirty days after the date the superintendent receives the request, completed form, and fingerprint impressions, the superintendent shall send the person, board, or entity that made the request any information, other than information the dissemination of which is prohibited by federal law, the superintendent determines exists with respect to the person who is the subject of the request that indicates that the person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) of this section, as appropriate. The superintendent shall send the person, board, or entity that made the request a copy of the list of offenses specified in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) of this section, as appropriate. If the request was made under section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with regard to an applicant who may be both responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child and involved in providing direct care to an older adult, the superintendent shall provide a list of the offenses specified in divisions (A)(4) and (6) of this section.
(B) The superintendent shall conduct any criminal records check requested under section 173.41, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code as follows:
(1) The superintendent shall review or cause to be reviewed any relevant information gathered and compiled by the bureau under division (A) of section 109.57 of the Revised Code that relates to the person who is the subject of the request, including any relevant information contained in records that have been sealed under section 2953.32 of the Revised Code;
(2) If the request received by the superintendent asks for information from the federal bureau of investigation, the superintendent shall request from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has with respect to the person who is the subject of the request and shall review or cause to be reviewed any information the superintendent receives from that bureau.
(C)(1) The superintendent shall prescribe a form to obtain the information necessary to conduct a criminal records check from any person for whom a criminal records check is required by section 173.41, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code. The form that the superintendent prescribes pursuant to this division may be in a tangible format, in an electronic format, or in both tangible and electronic formats.
(2) The superintendent shall prescribe standard impression sheets to obtain the fingerprint impressions of any person for whom a criminal records check is required by section 173.41, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code. Any person for whom a records check is required by any of those sections shall obtain the fingerprint impressions at a county sheriff's office, municipal police department, or any other entity with the ability to make fingerprint impressions on the standard impression sheets prescribed by the superintendent. The office, department, or entity may charge the person a reasonable fee for making the impressions. The standard impression sheets the superintendent prescribes pursuant to this division may be in a tangible format, in an electronic format, or in both tangible and electronic formats.
(3) Subject to division (D) of this section, the superintendent shall prescribe and charge a reasonable fee for providing a criminal records check requested under section 173.41, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code. The person making a criminal records request under section 173.41, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code shall pay the fee prescribed pursuant to this division. A person making a request under section 3701.881 of the Revised Code for a criminal records check for an applicant who may be both responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child and involved in providing direct care to an older adult shall pay one fee for the request.
(4) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation may prescribe methods of forwarding fingerprint impressions and information necessary to conduct a criminal records check, which methods shall include, but not be limited to, an electronic method.
(D) A determination whether any information exists that indicates that a person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (A)(1)(a) or (b), (A)(2)(a) or (b), (A)(3)(a) or (b), (A)(4)(a) or (b), (A)(5)(a) or (b), (A)(6), (A)(7)(a) or (b), or (A)(8)(a) or (b) of this section that is made by the superintendent with respect to information considered in a criminal records check in accordance with this section is valid for the person who is the subject of the criminal records check for a period of one year from the date upon which the superintendent makes the determination. During the period in which the determination in regard to a person is valid, if another request under this section is made for a criminal records check for that person, the superintendent shall provide the information that is the basis for the superintendent's initial determination at a lower fee than the fee prescribed for the initial criminal records check.
(E) As used in this section:
(1) "Criminal records check" means any criminal records check conducted by the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with division (B) of this section.
(2) "Home and community-based waiver services" and "waiver agency" have the same meanings as in section 5111.95 of the Revised Code.
(3) "Independent provider" has the same meaning as in section 5111.96 of the Revised Code.
(4) "Minor drug possession offense" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.
(5) "Older adult" means a person age sixty or older.
Sec. 313.12. (A) When any person dies as a result of criminal or other violent means, by casualty, by suicide, or in any suspicious or unusual manner, or when any person, including a child under two years of age, dies suddenly when in apparent good health, or when any mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person dies regardless of the circumstances, the physician called in attendance, or any member of an ambulance service, emergency squad, or law enforcement agency who obtains knowledge thereof arising from his the person's duties, shall immediately notify the office of the coroner of the known facts concerning the time, place, manner, and circumstances of the death, and any other information which that is required pursuant to sections 313.01 to 313.22 of the Revised Code. In such cases, if a request is made for cremation, the funeral director called in attendance shall immediately notify the coroner.
(B) As used in this section, "mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 2108.50.  (A) An Subject to section 2108.521 of the Revised Code, an autopsy or post-mortem examination may be performed upon the body of a deceased person by a licensed physician or surgeon if consent has been given in the order named by one of the following persons of sound mind and eighteen years of age or older in a written instrument executed by the person or on the person's behalf at the person's express direction:
(1) The deceased person during the deceased person's lifetime;
(2) The decedent's spouse;
(3) If there is no surviving spouse, if the address of the surviving spouse is unknown or outside the United States, if the surviving spouse is physically or mentally unable or incapable of giving consent, or if the deceased person was separated and living apart from such surviving spouse, then a person having the first named degree of relationship in the following list in which a relative of the deceased person survives and is physically and mentally able and capable of giving consent may execute consent:
(a) Children;
(b) Parents;
(c) Brothers or sisters.
(4) If there are no surviving persons of any degree of relationship listed in division (A)(3) of this section, any other relative or person who assumes custody of the body for burial.;
(5) A person authorized by written instrument executed by the deceased person to make arrangements for burial.;
(6) A person who, at the time of death of the deceased person, was serving as guardian of the person for the deceased person.
(B) Consent to an autopsy or post-mortem examination given under this section may be revoked only by the person executing the consent and in the same manner as required for execution of consent under this section.
(C) As used in this section, "written instrument" includes a telegram or cablegram.
Sec. 2108.521.  (A) If a mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person dies, if the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities or a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities has a good faith reason to believe that the deceased person's death occurred under suspicious circumstances, if the coroner was apprised of the circumstances of the death, and if the coroner after being so apprised of the circumstances declines to conduct an autopsy, the department or the board may file a petition in a court of common pleas seeking an order authorizing an autopsy or post-mortem examination under this section.
(B) Upon the filing of a petition under division (A) of this section, the court may conduct, but is not required to conduct, a hearing on the petition. The court may determine whether to grant the petition without a hearing. The department or board, and all other interested parties, may submit information and statements to the court that are relevant to the petition, and, if the court conducts a hearing, may present evidence and testimony at the hearing. The court shall order the requested autopsy or post-mortem examination if it finds that, under the circumstances, the department or board has demonstrated a need for the autopsy or post-mortem examination. The court shall order an autopsy or post-mortem examination in the circumstances specified in this division regardless of whether any consent has been given, or has been given and withdrawn, under section 2108.50 of the Revised Code, and regardless of whether any information was presented to the coroner pursuant to section 313.131 of the Revised Code or to the court under this section regarding an autopsy being contrary to the deceased person's religious beliefs.
(C) An autopsy or post-mortem examination ordered under this section may be performed upon the body of the deceased person by a licensed physician or surgeon. The court may identify in the order the person who is to perform the autopsy or post-mortem examination. If an autopsy or post-mortem examination is ordered under this section, the department or board that requested the autopsy or examination shall pay the physician or surgeon who performs the autopsy or examination for costs and expenses incurred in performing the autopsy or examination.
Sec. 2151.421.  (A)(1)(a) No person described in division (A)(1)(b) of this section who is acting in an official or professional capacity and knows or suspects that a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired child under twenty-one years of age has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child, shall fail to immediately report that knowledge or suspicion to the entity or persons specified in this division. Except as provided in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, the person making the report shall make it to the public children services agency or a municipal or county peace officer in the county in which the child resides or in which the abuse or neglect is occurring or has occurred. In the circumstances described in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, the person making the report shall make it to the entity specified in that section.
(b) Division (A)(1)(a) of this section applies to any person who is an attorney; physician, including a hospital intern or resident; dentist; podiatrist; practitioner of a limited branch of medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the Revised Code; registered nurse; licensed practical nurse; visiting nurse; other health care professional; licensed psychologist; licensed school psychologist; independent marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapist; speech pathologist or audiologist; coroner; administrator or employee of a child day-care center; administrator or employee of a residential camp or child day camp; administrator or employee of a certified child care agency or other public or private children services agency; school teacher; school employee; school authority; person engaged in social work or the practice of professional counseling; agent of a county humane society; or a person rendering spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religion; superintendent, board member, or employee of a county board of mental retardation; investigative agent contracted with by a county board of mental retardation; or employee of the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
(2) An attorney or a physician is not required to make a report pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section concerning any communication the attorney or physician receives from a client or patient in an attorney-client or physician-patient relationship, if, in accordance with division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code, the attorney or physician could not testify with respect to that communication in a civil or criminal proceeding, except that the client or patient is deemed to have waived any testimonial privilege under division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code with respect to that communication and the attorney or physician shall make a report pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section with respect to that communication, if all of the following apply:
(a) The client or patient, at the time of the communication, is either a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired person under twenty-one years of age.
(b) The attorney or physician knows or suspects, as a result of the communication or any observations made during that communication, that the client or patient has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the client or patient.
(c) The attorney-client or physician-patient relationship does not arise out of the client's or patient's attempt to have an abortion without the notification of her parents, guardian, or custodian in accordance with section 2151.85 of the Revised Code.
(B) Anyone, who knows or suspects that a child under eighteen years of age or a mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or physically impaired person under twenty-one years of age has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or other condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child may report or cause reports to be made of that knowledge or suspicion to the entity or persons specified in this division. Except as provided in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, a person making a report or causing a report to be made under this division shall make it or cause it to be made to the public children services agency or to a municipal or county peace officer. In the circumstances described in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, a person making a report or causing a report to be made under this division shall make it or cause it to be made to the entity specified in that section.
(C) Any report made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section shall be made forthwith either by telephone or in person and shall be followed by a written report, if requested by the receiving agency or officer. The written report shall contain:
(1) The names and addresses of the child and the child's parents or the person or persons having custody of the child, if known;
(2) The child's age and the nature and extent of the child's known or suspected injuries, abuse, or neglect or of the known or suspected threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, including any evidence of previous injuries, abuse, or neglect;
(3) Any other information that might be helpful in establishing the cause of the known or suspected injury, abuse, or neglect or of the known or suspected threat of injury, abuse, or neglect.
Any person, who is required by division (A) of this section to report known or suspected child abuse or child neglect, may take or cause to be taken color photographs of areas of trauma visible on a child and, if medically indicated, cause to be performed radiological examinations of the child.
(D)(1) When a municipal or county peace officer receives a report concerning the possible abuse or neglect of a child or the possible threat of abuse or neglect of a child, upon receipt of the report, the municipal or county peace officer who receives the report shall refer the report to the appropriate public children services agency.
(2) When a public children services agency receives a report pursuant to this division or division (A) or (B) of this section, upon receipt of the report, the public children services agency shall comply with section 2151.422 of the Revised Code.
(E) No township, municipal, or county peace officer shall remove a child about whom a report is made pursuant to this section from the child's parents, stepparents, or guardian or any other persons having custody of the child without consultation with the public children services agency, unless, in the judgment of the officer, and, if the report was made by physician, the physician, immediate removal is considered essential to protect the child from further abuse or neglect. The agency that must be consulted shall be the agency conducting the investigation of the report as determined pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code.
(F)(1) Except as provided in section 2151.422 of the Revised Code, the public children services agency shall investigate, within twenty-four hours, each report of known or suspected child abuse or child neglect and of a known or suspected threat of child abuse or child neglect that is referred to it under this section to determine the circumstances surrounding the injuries, abuse, or neglect or the threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, the cause of the injuries, abuse, neglect, or threat, and the person or persons responsible. The investigation shall be made in cooperation with the law enforcement agency and in accordance with the memorandum of understanding prepared under division (J) of this section. A failure to make the investigation in accordance with the memorandum is not grounds for, and shall not result in, the dismissal of any charges or complaint arising from the report or the suppression of any evidence obtained as a result of the report and does not give, and shall not be construed as giving, any rights or any grounds for appeal or post-conviction relief to any person. The public children services agency shall report each case to a central registry which the department of job and family services shall maintain in order to determine whether prior reports have been made in other counties concerning the child or other principals in the case. The public children services agency shall submit a report of its investigation, in writing, to the law enforcement agency.
(2) The public children services agency shall make any recommendations to the county prosecuting attorney or city director of law that it considers necessary to protect any children that are brought to its attention.
(G)(1)(a) Except as provided in division (H)(3) of this section, anyone or any hospital, institution, school, health department, or agency participating in the making of reports under division (A) of this section, anyone or any hospital, institution, school, health department, or agency participating in good faith in the making of reports under division (B) of this section, and anyone participating in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from the reports, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability for injury, death, or loss to person or property that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as a result of the making of the reports or the participation in the judicial proceeding.
(b) Notwithstanding section 4731.22 of the Revised Code, the physician-patient privilege shall not be a ground for excluding evidence regarding a child's injuries, abuse, or neglect, or the cause of the injuries, abuse, or neglect in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report submitted pursuant to this section.
(2) In any civil or criminal action or proceeding in which it is alleged and proved that participation in the making of a report under this section was not in good faith or participation in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report made under this section was not in good faith, the court shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs and, if a civil action or proceeding is voluntarily dismissed, may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to the party against whom the civil action or proceeding is brought.
(H)(1) Except as provided in divisions (H)(4), (M), and (N) of this section, a report made under this section is confidential. The information provided in a report made pursuant to this section and the name of the person who made the report shall not be released for use, and shall not be used, as evidence in any civil action or proceeding brought against the person who made the report. In a criminal proceeding, the report is admissible in evidence in accordance with the Rules of Evidence and is subject to discovery in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(2) No person shall permit or encourage the unauthorized dissemination of the contents of any report made under this section.
(3) A person who knowingly makes or causes another person to make a false report under division (B) of this section that alleges that any person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child is guilty of a violation of section 2921.14 of the Revised Code.
(4) If a report is made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section and the child who is the subject of the report dies for any reason at any time after the report is made, but before the child attains eighteen years of age, the public children services agency or municipal or county peace officer to which the report was made or referred, on the request of the child fatality review board, shall submit a summary sheet of information providing a summary of the report to the review board of the county in which the deceased child resided at the time of death. On the request of the review board, the agency or peace officer may, at its discretion, make the report available to the review board.
(5) A public children services agency shall advise a person alleged to have inflicted abuse or neglect on a child who is the subject of a report made pursuant to this section in writing of the disposition of the investigation. The agency shall not provide to the person any information that identifies the person who made the report, statements of witnesses, or police or other investigative reports.
(I) Any report that is required by this section, other than a report that is made to the state highway patrol as described in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, shall result in protective services and emergency supportive services being made available by the public children services agency on behalf of the children about whom the report is made, in an effort to prevent further neglect or abuse, to enhance their welfare, and, whenever possible, to preserve the family unit intact. The agency required to provide the services shall be the agency conducting the investigation of the report pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code.
(J)(1) Each public children services agency shall prepare a memorandum of understanding that is signed by all of the following:
(a) If there is only one juvenile judge in the county, the juvenile judge of the county or the juvenile judge's representative;
(b) If there is more than one juvenile judge in the county, a juvenile judge or the juvenile judges' representative selected by the juvenile judges or, if they are unable to do so for any reason, the juvenile judge who is senior in point of service or the senior juvenile judge's representative;
(c) The county peace officer;
(d) All chief municipal peace officers within the county;
(e) Other law enforcement officers handling child abuse and neglect cases in the county;
(f) The prosecuting attorney of the county;
(g) If the public children services agency is not the county department of job and family services, the county department of job and family services;
(h) The county humane society.
(2) A memorandum of understanding shall set forth the normal operating procedure to be employed by all concerned officials in the execution of their respective responsibilities under this section and division (C) of section 2919.21, division (B)(1) of section 2919.22, division (B) of section 2919.23, and section 2919.24 of the Revised Code and shall have as two of its primary goals the elimination of all unnecessary interviews of children who are the subject of reports made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section and, when feasible, providing for only one interview of a child who is the subject of any report made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section. A failure to follow the procedure set forth in the memorandum by the concerned officials is not grounds for, and shall not result in, the dismissal of any charges or complaint arising from any reported case of abuse or neglect or the suppression of any evidence obtained as a result of any reported child abuse or child neglect and does not give, and shall not be construed as giving, any rights or any grounds for appeal or post-conviction relief to any person.
(3) A memorandum of understanding shall include all of the following:
(a) The roles and responsibilities for handling emergency and nonemergency cases of abuse and neglect;
(b) Standards and procedures to be used in handling and coordinating investigations of reported cases of child abuse and reported cases of child neglect, methods to be used in interviewing the child who is the subject of the report and who allegedly was abused or neglected, and standards and procedures addressing the categories of persons who may interview the child who is the subject of the report and who allegedly was abused or neglected.
(K)(1) Except as provided in division (K)(4) of this section, a person who is required to make a report pursuant to division (A) of this section may make a reasonable number of requests of the public children services agency that receives or is referred the report to be provided with the following information:
(a) Whether the agency has initiated an investigation of the report;
(b) Whether the agency is continuing to investigate the report;
(c) Whether the agency is otherwise involved with the child who is the subject of the report;
(d) The general status of the health and safety of the child who is the subject of the report;
(e) Whether the report has resulted in the filing of a complaint in juvenile court or of criminal charges in another court.
(2) A person may request the information specified in division (K)(1) of this section only if, at the time the report is made, the person's name, address, and telephone number are provided to the person who receives the report.
When a municipal or county peace officer or employee of a public children services agency receives a report pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section the recipient of the report shall inform the person of the right to request the information described in division (K)(1) of this section. The recipient of the report shall include in the initial child abuse or child neglect report that the person making the report was so informed and, if provided at the time of the making of the report, shall include the person's name, address, and telephone number in the report.
Each request is subject to verification of the identity of the person making the report. If that person's identity is verified, the agency shall provide the person with the information described in division (K)(1) of this section a reasonable number of times, except that the agency shall not disclose any confidential information regarding the child who is the subject of the report other than the information described in those divisions.
(3) A request made pursuant to division (K)(1) of this section is not a substitute for any report required to be made pursuant to division (A) of this section.
(4) If an agency other than the agency that received or was referred the report is conducting the investigation of the report pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code, the agency conducting the investigation shall comply with the requirements of division (K) of this section.
(L) The director of job and family services shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section. The department of job and family services may enter into a plan of cooperation with any other governmental entity to aid in ensuring that children are protected from abuse and neglect. The department shall make recommendations to the attorney general that the department determines are necessary to protect children from child abuse and child neglect.
(M) No later than the end of the day following the day on which a public children services agency receives a report of alleged child abuse or child neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of child abuse or child neglect, that allegedly occurred in or involved an out-of-home care entity, the agency shall provide written notice of the allegations contained in and the person named as the alleged perpetrator in the report to the administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer of the out-of-home care entity that is the subject of the report unless the administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer is named as an alleged perpetrator in the report. If the administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer of an out-of-home care entity is named as an alleged perpetrator in a report of alleged child abuse or child neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of child abuse or child neglect, that allegedly occurred in or involved the out-of-home care entity, the agency shall provide the written notice to the owner or governing board of the out-of-home care entity that is the subject of the report. The agency shall not provide witness statements or police or other investigative reports.
(N) No later than three days after the day on which a public children services agency that conducted the investigation as determined pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code makes a disposition of an investigation involving a report of alleged child abuse or child neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of child abuse or child neglect, that allegedly occurred in or involved an out-of-home care entity, the agency shall send written notice of the disposition of the investigation to the administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer and the owner or governing board of the out-of-home care entity. The agency shall not provide witness statements or police or other investigative reports.
Sec. 2152.821. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim" includes any of the following persons:
(a) A mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person who was a victim of a violation identified in division (B)(1) of this section or an act that would be an offense of violence if committed by an adult;
(b) A mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person against whom was directed any conduct that constitutes, or that is an element of, a violation identified in division (B)(1) of this section or an act that would be an offense of violence if committed by an adult.
(B)(1) In any proceeding in juvenile court involving a complaint, indictment, or information in which a child is charged with a violation of section 2903.16, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.21, 2907.23, 2907.24, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, or 2907.323 of the Revised Code or an act that would be an offense of violence if committed by an adult and in which an alleged victim of the violation or act was a mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person, the juvenile judge, upon motion of the prosecution, shall order that the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim be taken by deposition. The prosecution also may request that the deposition be videotaped in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section. The judge shall notify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim whose deposition is to be taken, the prosecution, and the attorney for the child who is charged with the violation or act of the date, time, and place for taking the deposition. The notice shall identify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who is to be examined and shall indicate whether a request that the deposition be videotaped has been made. The child who is charged with the violation or act shall have the right to attend the deposition and the right to be represented by counsel. Depositions shall be taken in the manner provided in civil cases, except that the judge in the proceeding shall preside at the taking of the deposition and shall rule at that time on any objections of the prosecution or the attorney for the child charged with the violation or act. The prosecution and the attorney for the child charged with the violation or act shall have the right, as at an adjudication hearing, to full examination and cross-examination of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim whose deposition is to be taken.
If a deposition taken under this division is intended to be offered as evidence in the proceeding, it shall be filed in the juvenile court in which the action is pending and is admissible in the manner described in division (C) of this section. If a deposition of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim taken under this division is admitted as evidence at the proceeding under division (C) of this section, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be required to testify in person at the proceeding.
At any time before the conclusion of the proceeding, the attorney for the child charged with the violation or act may file a motion with the judge requesting that another deposition of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim be taken because new evidence material to the defense of the child charged has been discovered that the attorney for the child charged could not with reasonable diligence have discovered prior to the taking of the admitted deposition. Any motion requesting another deposition shall be accompanied by supporting affidavits. Upon the filing of the motion and affidavits, the court may order that additional testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim relative to the new evidence be taken by another deposition. If the court orders the taking of another deposition under this provision, the deposition shall be taken in accordance with this division. If the admitted deposition was a videotaped deposition taken in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section, the new deposition also shall be videotaped in accordance with that division. In other cases, the new deposition may be videotaped in accordance with that division.
(2) If the prosecution requests that a deposition to be taken under division (B)(1) of this section be videotaped, the juvenile judge shall order that the deposition be videotaped in accordance with this division. If a juvenile judge issues an order to video tape the deposition, the judge shall exclude from the room in which the deposition is to be taken every person except the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, the judge, one or more interpreters if needed, the attorneys for the prosecution and the child who is charged with the violation or act, any person needed to operate the equipment to be used, one person chosen by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition, and any person whose presence the judge determines would contribute to the welfare and well-being of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition. The person chosen by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be a witness in the proceeding and, both before and during the deposition, shall not discuss the testimony of the victim with any other witness in the proceeding. To the extent feasible, any person operating the recording equipment shall be restricted to a room adjacent to the room in which the deposition is being taken, or to a location in the room in which the deposition is being taken that is behind a screen or mirror so that the person operating the recording equipment can see and hear, but cannot be seen or heard by, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition during the deposition.
The child who is charged with the violation or act shall be permitted to observe and hear the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition on a monitor, shall be provided with an electronic means of immediate communication with the attorney of the child who is charged with the violation or act during the testimony, and shall be restricted to a location from which the child who is charged with the violation or act cannot be seen or heard by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition, except on a monitor provided for that purpose. The mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition shall be provided with a monitor on which the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim can observe, while giving testimony, the child who is charged with the violation or act. The judge, at the judge's discretion, may preside at the deposition by electronic means from outside the room in which the deposition is to be taken; if the judge presides by electronic means, the judge shall be provided with monitors on which the judge can see each person in the room in which the deposition is to be taken and with an electronic means of communication with each person in that room, and each person in the room shall be provided with a monitor on which that person can see the judge and with an electronic means of communication with the judge. A deposition that is videotaped under this division shall be taken and filed in the manner described in division (B)(1) of this section and is admissible in the manner described in this division and division (C) of this section. If a deposition that is videotaped under this division is admitted as evidence at the proceeding, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be required to testify in person at the proceeding. No deposition videotaped under this division shall be admitted as evidence at any proceeding unless division (C) of this section is satisfied relative to the deposition and all of the following apply relative to the recording:
(a) The recording is both aural and visual and is recorded on film or videotape, or by other electronic means.
(b) The recording is authenticated under the Rules of Evidence and the Rules of Criminal Procedure as a fair and accurate representation of what occurred, and the recording is not altered other than at the direction and under the supervision of the judge in the proceeding.
(c) Each voice on the recording that is material to the testimony on the recording or the making of the recording, as determined by the judge, is identified.
(d) Both the prosecution and the child who is charged with the violation or act are afforded an opportunity to view the recording before it is shown in the proceeding.
(C)(1) At any proceeding in relation to which a deposition was taken under division (B) of this section, the deposition or a part of it is admissible in evidence upon motion of the prosecution if the testimony in the deposition or the part to be admitted is not excluded by the hearsay rule and if the deposition or the part to be admitted otherwise is admissible under the Rules of Evidence. For purposes of this division, testimony is not excluded by the hearsay rule if the testimony is not hearsay under Evidence Rule 801; the testimony is within an exception to the hearsay rule set forth in Evidence Rule 803; the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who gave the testimony is unavailable as a witness, as defined in Evidence Rule 804, and the testimony is admissible under that rule; or both of the following apply:
(a) The child who is charged with the violation or act had an opportunity and similar motive at the time of the taking of the deposition to develop the testimony by direct, cross, or redirect examination.
(b) The judge determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that, if the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who gave the testimony in the deposition were to testify in person at the proceeding, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim would experience serious emotional trauma as a result of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim's participation at the proceeding.
(2) Objections to receiving in evidence a deposition or a part of it under division (C) of this section shall be made as provided in civil actions.
(3) The provisions of divisions (B) and (C) of this section are in addition to any other provisions of the Revised Code, the Rules of Juvenile Procedure, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, or the Rules of Evidence that pertain to the taking or admission of depositions in a juvenile court proceeding and do not limit the admissibility under any of those other provisions of any deposition taken under division (B) of this section or otherwise taken.
(D) In any proceeding in juvenile court involving a complaint, indictment, or information in which a child is charged with a violation listed in division (B)(1) of this section or an act that would be an offense of violence if committed by an adult and in which an alleged victim of the violation or offense was a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person, the prosecution may file a motion with the juvenile judge requesting the judge to order the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to be taken in a room other than the room in which the proceeding is being conducted and be televised, by closed circuit equipment, into the room in which the proceeding is being conducted to be viewed by the child who is charged with the violation or act and any other persons who are not permitted in the room in which the testimony is to be taken but who would have been present during the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim had it been given in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted. Except for good cause shown, the prosecution shall file a motion under this division at least seven days before the date of the proceeding. The juvenile judge may issue the order upon the motion of the prosecution filed under this division, if the judge determines that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is unavailable to testify in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted in the physical presence of the child charged with the violation or act for one or more of the reasons set forth in division (F) of this section. If a juvenile judge issues an order of that nature, the judge shall exclude from the room in which the testimony is to be taken every person except a person described in division (B)(2) of this section. The judge, at the judge's discretion, may preside during the giving of the testimony by electronic means from outside the room in which it is being given, subject to the limitations set forth in division (B)(2) of this section. To the extent feasible, any person operating the televising equipment shall be hidden from the sight and hearing of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, in a manner similar to that described in division (B)(2) of this section. The child who is charged with the violation or act shall be permitted to observe and hear the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony on a monitor, shall be provided with an electronic means of immediate communication with the attorney of the child who is charged with the violation or act during the testimony, and shall be restricted to a location from which the child who is charged with the violation or act cannot be seen or heard by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, except on a monitor provided for that purpose. The mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony shall be provided with a monitor on which the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim can observe, while giving testimony, the child who is charged with the violation or act.
(E) In any proceeding in juvenile court involving a complaint, indictment, or information in which a child is charged with a violation listed in division (B)(1) of this section or an act that would be an offense of violence if committed by an adult and in which an alleged victim of the violation or offense was a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person, the prosecution may file a motion with the juvenile judge requesting the judge to order the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to be taken outside of the room in which the proceeding is being conducted and be recorded for showing in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted before the judge, the child who is charged with the violation or act, and any other persons who would have been present during the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim had it been given in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted. Except for good cause shown, the prosecution shall file a motion under this division at least seven days before the date of the proceeding. The juvenile judge may issue the order upon the motion of the prosecution filed under this division, if the judge determines that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is unavailable to testify in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted in the physical presence of the child charged with the violation or act, due to one or more of the reasons set forth in division (F) of this section. If a juvenile judge issues an order of that nature, the judge shall exclude from the room in which the testimony is to be taken every person except a person described in division (B)(2) of this section. To the extent feasible, any person operating the recording equipment shall be hidden from the sight and hearing of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, in a manner similar to that described in division (B)(2) of this section. The child who is charged with the violation or act shall be permitted to observe and hear the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony on a monitor, shall be provided with an electronic means of immediate communication with the attorney of the child who is charged with the violation or act during the testimony, and shall be restricted to a location from which the child who is charged with the violation or act cannot be seen or heard by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, except on a monitor provided for that purpose. The mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony shall be provided with a monitor on which the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim can observe, while giving testimony, the child who is charged with the violation or act. No order for the taking of testimony by recording shall be issued under this division unless the provisions set forth in divisions (B)(2)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section apply to the recording of the testimony.
(F) For purposes of divisions (D) and (E) of this section, a juvenile judge may order the testimony of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to be taken outside of the room in which a proceeding is being conducted if the judge determines that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is unavailable to testify in the room in the physical presence of the child charged with the violation or act due to one or more of the following circumstances:
(1) The persistent refusal of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to testify despite judicial requests to do so;
(2) The inability of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to communicate about the alleged violation or offense because of extreme fear, failure of memory, or another similar reason;
(3) The substantial likelihood that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim will suffer serious emotional trauma from so testifying.
(G)(1) If a juvenile judge issues an order pursuant to division (D) or (E) of this section that requires the testimony of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim in a juvenile court proceeding to be taken outside of the room in which the proceeding is being conducted, the order shall specifically identify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to whose testimony it applies, the order applies only during the testimony of the specified mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim, and the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony shall not be required to testify at the proceeding other than in accordance with the order. The authority of a judge to close the taking of a deposition under division (B)(2) of this section or a proceeding under division (D) or (E) of this section is in addition to the authority of a judge to close a hearing pursuant to section 2151.35 of the Revised Code.
(2) A juvenile judge who makes any determination regarding the admissibility of a deposition under divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the videotaping of a deposition under division (B)(2) of this section, or the taking of testimony outside of the room in which a proceeding is being conducted under division (D) or (E) of this section shall enter the determination and findings on the record in the proceeding.
Sec. 2311.14.  (A)(1) Whenever because of a hearing, speech, or other impairment a party to or witness in a legal proceeding cannot readily understand or communicate, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to assist such person. Before appointing any interpreter under this division for a party or witness who is a mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person, the court shall evaluate the qualifications of the interpreter and shall make a determination as to the ability of the interpreter to effectively interpret on behalf of the party or witness that the interpreter will assist, and the court may appoint the interpreter only if the court is satisfied that the interpreter is able to effectively interpret on behalf of that party or witness.
(2) This section is not limited to a person who speaks a language other than English. It also applies to the language and descriptions of any mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person who cannot be reasonably understood, or who cannot understand questioning, without the aid of an interpreter. The interpreter may aid the parties in formulating methods of questioning the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability and in interpreting the answers of the person.
(B) Before entering upon his official duties, the interpreter shall take an oath that he the interpreter will make a true interpretation of the proceedings to the party or witness, and that he the interpreter will truly repeat the statements made by such party or witness to the court, to the best of his the interpreter's ability. If the interpreter is appointed to assist a mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person as described in division (A)(2) of this section, the oath also shall include an oath that the interpreter will not prompt, lead, suggest, or otherwise improperly influence the testimony of the witness or party.
(C) The court shall determine a reasonable fee for all such interpreter service which shall be paid out of the same funds as witness fees.
(D) As used in this section, "mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 2903.341. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "MR/DD caretaker" means any MR/DD employee or any person who assumes the duty to provide for the care and protection of a mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person on a voluntary basis, by contract, through receipt of payment for care and protection, as a result of a family relationship, or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. "MR/DD caretaker" includes a person who is an employee of a care facility and a person who is an employee of an entity under contract with a provider. "MR/DD caretaker" does not include a person who owns, operates, or administers a care facility or who is an agent of a care facility unless that person also personally provides care to persons with mental retardation or a developmental disability.
(2) "Mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
(3) "MR/DD employee" has the same meaning as in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code.
(B) No MR/DD caretaker shall create a substantial risk to the health or safety of a mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person. An MR/DD caretaker does not create a substantial risk to the health or safety of a mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person under this division when the MR/DD caretaker treats a physical or mental illness or defect of the mentally retarded person or developmentally disabled person by spiritual means through prayer alone, in accordance with the tenets of a recognized religious body.
(C) No person who owns, operates, or administers a care facility or who is an agent of a care facility shall condone, or knowingly permit, any conduct by an MR/DD caretaker who is employed by or under the control of the owner, operator, administrator, or agent that is in violation of division (B) of this section and that involves a mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person who is under the care of the owner, operator, administrator, or agent. A person who relies upon treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone, in accordance with the tenets of a recognized religious denomination, shall not be considered endangered under this division for that reason alone.
(D)(1) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of division (B) or (C) of this section that the actor's conduct was committed in good faith solely because the actor was ordered to commit the conduct by a person to whom one of the following applies:
(a) The person has supervisory authority over the actor.
(b) The person has authority over the actor's conduct pursuant to a contract for the provision of services.
(2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of division (C) of this section that the person who owns, operates, or administers a care facility or who is an agent of a care facility and who is charged with the violation is following the individual service plan for the involved mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person or that the admission, discharge, and transfer rule set forth in the Administrative Code is being followed.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of division (C) of this section that the actor did not have readily available a means to prevent either the harm to the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability or the death of such a person and the actor took reasonable steps to summon aid.
(E)(1) Except as provided in division (E)(2) or (E)(3) of this section, whoever violates division (B) or (C) of this section is guilty of patient endangerment, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(2) If the offender previously has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a violation of this section, patient endangerment is a felony of the fourth degree.
(3) If the violation results in serious physical harm to the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability, patient endangerment is a felony of the third degree.
Sec. 2930.03.  (A) A person or entity required or authorized under this chapter to give notice to a victim shall give the notice to the victim by any means reasonably calculated to provide prompt actual notice. Except when a provision requires that notice is to be given in a specific manner, a notice may be oral or written.
(B) Except for receipt of the initial information and notice required to be given to a victim under divisions (A) and (B) of section 2930.04, section 2930.05, and divisions (A) and (B) of section 2930.06 of the Revised Code, a victim who wishes to receive any notice authorized by this chapter shall make a request for the notice to the prosecutor or the custodial agency that is to provide the notice, as specified in this chapter. If the victim does not make a request as described in this division, the prosecutor or custodial agency is not required to provide any notice described in this chapter other than the initial information and notice required to be given to a victim under divisions (A) and (B) of section 2930.04, section 2930.05, and divisions (A) and (B) of section 2930.06 of the Revised Code.
(C) A person or agency that is required to furnish notice under this chapter shall give the notice to the victim at the address or telephone number provided to the person or agency by the victim. A victim who requests to receive notice under this chapter as described in division (B) of this section shall inform the person or agency of the name, address, or telephone number of the victim and of any change to that information.
(D) A person or agency that has furnished information to a victim in accordance with any requirement or authorization under this chapter shall notify the victim promptly of any significant changes to that information.
(E) Divisions (A) to (D) of this section do not apply regarding a notice that a prosecutor is required to provide under section 2930.061 of the Revised Code. A prosecutor required to provide notice under that section shall provide the notice as specified in that section.
Sec. 2930.061.  (A) If a person is charged in a complaint, indictment, or information with any crime or specified delinquent act or with any other violation of law, and if the case involves a victim that the prosecutor in the case knows is a mentally retarded person or a developmentally disabled person, in addition to any other notices required under this chapter or under any other provision of law, the prosecutor in the case shall send written notice of the charges to the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The written notice shall specifically identify the person so charged.
(B) As used in this section, "mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 2945.482. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim" includes a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person who was a victim of a violation identified in division (B)(1) of this section or an offense of violence or against whom was directed any conduct that constitutes, or that is an element of, a violation identified in division (B)(1) of this section or an offense of violence.
(B)(1) In any proceeding in the prosecution of a charge of a violation of section 2903.16, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2905.03, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.23, 2907.24, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, or 2907.323 of the Revised Code or an offense of violence and in which an alleged victim of the violation or offense was a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person, the judge of the court in which the prosecution is being conducted, upon motion of an attorney for the prosecution, shall order that the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim be taken by deposition. The prosecution also may request that the deposition be videotaped in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section. The judge shall notify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim whose deposition is to be taken, the prosecution, and the defense of the date, time, and place for taking the deposition. The notice shall identify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who is to be examined and shall indicate whether a request that the deposition be videotaped has been made. The defendant shall have the right to attend the deposition and the right to be represented by counsel. Depositions shall be taken in the manner provided in civil cases, except that the judge shall preside at the taking of the deposition and shall rule at the time on any objections of the prosecution or the attorney for the defense. The prosecution and the attorney for the defense shall have the right, as at trial, to full examination and cross-examination of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim whose deposition is to be taken. If a deposition taken under this division is intended to be offered as evidence in the proceeding, it shall be filed in the court in which the action is pending and is admissible in the manner described in division (C) of this section.
If a deposition of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim taken under this division is admitted as evidence at the proceeding under division (C) of this section, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be required to testify in person at the proceeding.
At any time before the conclusion of the proceeding, the attorney for the defense may file a motion with the judge requesting that another deposition of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim be taken because new evidence material to the defense has been discovered that the attorney for the defense could not with reasonable diligence have discovered prior to the taking of the admitted deposition. If the court orders the taking of another deposition under this provision, the deposition shall be taken in accordance with this division. If the admitted deposition was a videotaped deposition taken in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section, the new deposition shall be videotaped in accordance with that division. In other cases, the new deposition may be videotaped in accordance with that division.
(2) If the prosecution requests that a deposition to be taken under division (B)(2) of this section be videotaped, the judge shall order that the deposition be videotaped in accordance with this division. If a judge issues an order that the deposition be videotaped, the judge shall exclude from the room in which the deposition is to be taken every person except the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, the judge, one or more interpreters if needed, the attorneys for the prosecution and the defense, any person needed to operate the equipment to be used, one person chosen by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition, and any person whose presence the judge determines would contribute to the welfare and well-being of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition. The person chosen by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be a witness in the proceeding and, both before and during the deposition, shall not discuss the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim with any other witness in the proceeding. To the extent feasible, any person operating the recording equipment shall be restricted to a room adjacent to the room in which the deposition is being taken, or to a location in the room in which the deposition is being taken that is behind a screen or mirror, so that the person operating the recording equipment can see and hear, but cannot be seen or heard by, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition during the deposition.
The defendant shall be permitted to observe and hear the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition on a monitor, shall be provided with an electronic means of immediate communication with the defendant's attorney during the testimony, and shall be restricted to a location from which the defendant cannot be seen or heard by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition, except on a monitor provided for that purpose. The mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the deposition shall be provided with a monitor on which the victim can observe, during the testimony, the defendant. The judge, at the judge's discretion, may preside at the deposition by electronic means from outside the room in which the deposition is to be taken. If the judge presides by electronic means, the judge shall be provided with monitors on which the judge can see each person in the room in which the deposition is to be taken and with an electronic means of communication with each person, and each person in the room shall be provided with a monitor on which that person can see the judge and with an electronic means of communication with the judge. A deposition that is videotaped under this division shall be taken and filed in the manner described in division (B)(1) of this section and is admissible in the manner described in this division and division (C) of this section, and, if a deposition that is videotaped under this division is admitted as evidence at the proceeding, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be required to testify in person at the proceeding. No deposition videotaped under this division shall be admitted as evidence at any proceeding unless division (C) of this section is satisfied relative to the deposition and all of the following apply relative to the recording:
(a) The recording is both aural and visual and is recorded on film or videotape, or by other electronic means.
(b) The recording is authenticated under the Rules of Evidence and the Rules of Criminal Procedure as a fair and accurate representation of what occurred, and the recording is not altered other than at the direction and under the supervision of the judge in the proceeding.
(c) Each voice on the recording that is material to the testimony on the recording or the making of the recording, as determined by the judge, is identified.
(d) Both the prosecution and the defendant are afforded an opportunity to view the recording before it is shown in the proceeding.
(C)(1) At any proceeding in a prosecution in relation to which a deposition was taken under division (B) of this section, the deposition or a part of it is admissible in evidence upon motion of the prosecution if the testimony in the deposition or the part to be admitted is not excluded by the hearsay rule and if the deposition or the part to be admitted otherwise is admissible under the Rules of Evidence. For purposes of this division, testimony is not excluded by the hearsay rule if the testimony is not hearsay under Evidence Rule 801; the testimony is within an exception to the hearsay rule set forth in Evidence Rule 803; the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who gave the testimony is unavailable as a witness, as defined in Evidence Rule 804, and the testimony is admissible under that rule; or both of the following apply:
(a) The defendant had an opportunity and similar motive at the time of the taking of the deposition to develop the testimony by direct, cross, or redirect examination.
(b) The judge determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that, if the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who gave the testimony in the deposition were to testify in person at the proceeding, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim would experience serious emotional trauma as a result of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim's participation at the proceeding.
(2) Objections to receiving in evidence a deposition or a part of it under division (C) of this section shall be made as provided in civil actions.
(3) The provisions of divisions (B) and (C) of this section are in addition to any other provisions of the Revised Code, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, or the Rules of Evidence that pertain to the taking or admission of depositions in a criminal proceeding and do not limit the admissibility under any of those other provisions of any deposition taken under division (B) of this section or otherwise taken.
(D) In any proceeding in the prosecution of any charge of a violation listed in division (B)(1) of this section or an offense of violence and in which an alleged victim of the violation or offense was a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person, the prosecution may file a motion with the judge requesting the judge to order the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to be taken in a room other than the room in which the proceeding is being conducted and be televised, by closed circuit equipment, into the room in which the proceeding is being conducted to be viewed by the jury, if applicable, the defendant, and any other persons who are not permitted in the room in which the testimony is to be taken but who would have been present during the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim had it been given in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted. Except for good cause shown, the prosecution shall file a motion under this division at least seven days before the date of the proceeding. The judge may issue the order upon the motion of the prosecution filed under this section, if the judge determines that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is unavailable to testify in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted in the physical presence of the defendant for one or more of the reasons set forth in division (F) of this section. If a judge issues an order of that nature, the judge shall exclude from the room in which the testimony is to be taken every person except a person described in division (B)(2) of this section. The judge, at the judge's discretion, may preside during the giving of the testimony by electronic means from outside the room in which it is being given, subject to the limitations set forth in division (B)(2) of this section. To the extent feasible, any person operating the televising equipment shall be hidden from the sight and hearing of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, in a manner similar to that described in division (B)(2) of this section. The defendant shall be permitted to observe and hear the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony on a monitor, shall be provided with an electronic means of immediate communication with the defendant's attorney during the testimony, and shall be restricted to a location from which the defendant cannot be seen or heard by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, except on a monitor provided for that purpose. The mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony shall be provided with a monitor on which the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim can observe, during the testimony, the defendant.
(E) In any proceeding in the prosecution of any charge of a violation listed in division (B)(1) of this section or an offense of violence and in which an alleged victim of the violation or offense was a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim, the prosecution may file a motion with the judge requesting the judge to order the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to be taken outside of the room in which the proceeding is being conducted and be recorded for showing in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted before the judge, the jury, if applicable, the defendant, and any other persons who would have been present during the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim had it been given in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted. Except for good cause shown, the prosecution shall file a motion under this division at least seven days before the date of the proceeding. The judge may issue the order upon the motion of the prosecution filed under this division, if the judge determines that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is unavailable to testify in the room in which the proceeding is being conducted in the physical presence of the defendant, for one or more of the reasons set forth in division (F) of this section. If a judge issues an order of that nature, the judge shall exclude from the room in which the testimony is to be taken every person except a person described in division (B)(2) of this section. To the extent feasible, any person operating the recording equipment shall be hidden from the sight and hearing of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, in a manner similar to that described in division (B)(2) of this section. The defendant shall be permitted to observe and hear the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who is giving the testimony on a monitor, shall be provided with an electronic means of immediate communication with the defendant's attorney during the testimony, and shall be restricted to a location from which the defendant cannot be seen or heard by the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony, except on a monitor provided for that purpose. The mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony shall be provided with a monitor on which the victim can observe, during the testimony, the defendant. No order for the taking of testimony by recording shall be issued under this division unless the provisions set forth in divisions (B)(2)(a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section apply to the recording of the testimony.
(F) For purposes of divisions (D) and (E) of this section, a judge may order the testimony of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to be taken outside the room in which the proceeding is being conducted if the judge determines that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is unavailable to testify in the room in the physical presence of the defendant due to one or more of the following:
(1) The persistent refusal of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to testify despite judicial requests to do so;
(2) The inability of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to communicate about the alleged violation or offense because of extreme fear, failure of memory, or another similar reason;
(3) The substantial likelihood that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim will suffer serious emotional trauma from so testifying.
(G)(1) If a judge issues an order pursuant to division (D) or (E) of this section that requires the testimony of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim in a criminal proceeding to be taken outside of the room in which the proceeding is being conducted, the order shall specifically identify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to whose testimony it applies, the order applies only during the testimony of the specified mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim, and the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim giving the testimony shall not be required to testify at the proceeding other than in accordance with the order.
(2) A judge who makes any determination regarding the admissibility of a deposition under divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the videotaping of a deposition under division (B)(2) of this section, or the taking of testimony outside of the room in which a proceeding is being conducted under division (D) or (E) of this section shall enter the determination and findings on the record in the proceeding.
Sec. 2945.491.  (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Mentally retarded person" and "developmentally disabled person" have the same meanings as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim" includes a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person who was a victim of a felony violation identified in division (B)(1) of this section or a felony offense of violence or against whom was directed any conduct that constitutes, or that is an element of, a felony violation identified in division (B)(1) of this section or a felony offense of violence.
(B)(1) At a trial on a charge of a felony violation of section 2903.16, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.21, 2907.23, 2907.24, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, or 2907.323 of the Revised Code or an offense of violence and in which an alleged victim of the violation or offense was a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person, the court, upon motion of the prosecutor in the case, may admit videotaped preliminary hearing testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim as evidence at the trial, in lieu of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim appearing as a witness and testifying at trial, if all of the following apply:
(a) The videotape of the testimony was made at the preliminary hearing at which probable cause of the violation charged was found.
(b) The videotape of the testimony was made in accordance with division (C) of section 2937.11 of the Revised Code.
(c) The testimony in the videotape is not excluded by the hearsay rule and otherwise is admissible under the Rules of Evidence. For purposes of this division, testimony is not excluded by the hearsay rule if the testimony is not hearsay under Evidence Rule 801, the testimony is within an exception to the hearsay rule set forth in Evidence Rule 803, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who gave the testimony is unavailable as a witness, as defined in Evidence Rule 804, and the testimony is admissible under that rule, or both of the following apply:
(i) The accused had an opportunity and similar motive at the preliminary hearing to develop the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim by direct, cross, or redirect examination.
(ii) The court determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that if the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim who gave the testimony at the preliminary hearing were to testify in person at the trial, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim would experience serious emotional trauma as a result of the victim's participation at the trial.
(2) If a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim of an alleged felony violation of section 2903.16, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.21, 2907.23, 2907.24, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, or 2907.323 of the Revised Code or an alleged felony offense of violence testifies at the preliminary hearing in the case, if the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim at the preliminary hearing was videotaped pursuant to division (C) of section 2937.11 of the Revised Code, and if the defendant in the case files a written objection to the use, pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section, of the videotaped testimony at the trial, the court, immediately after the filing of the objection, shall hold a hearing to determine whether the videotaped testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim should be admissible at trial under division (B)(1) of this section and, if it is admissible, whether the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim should be required to provide limited additional testimony of the type described in this division. At the hearing held pursuant to this division, the defendant and the prosecutor in the case may present any evidence that is relevant to the issues to be determined at the hearing, but the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be required to testify at the hearing.
After the hearing, the court shall not require the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to testify at the trial, unless it determines that both of the following apply:
(a) That the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim at trial is necessary for one or more of the following reasons:
(i) Evidence that was not available at the time of the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim at the preliminary hearing has been discovered.
(ii) The circumstances surrounding the case have changed sufficiently to necessitate that the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim testify at the trial.
(b) That the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim at the trial is necessary to protect the right of the defendant to a fair trial.
The court shall enter its finding and the reasons for it in the journal. If the court requires the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim to testify at the trial, the testimony of the victim shall be limited to the new evidence and changed circumstances, and the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not otherwise be required to testify at the trial. The required testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim may be given in person or, upon motion of the prosecution, may be taken by deposition in accordance with division (B) of section 2945.482 of the Revised Code provided the deposition is admitted as evidence under division (C) of that section, may be taken outside of the courtroom and televised into the courtroom in accordance with division (D) of that section, or may be taken outside of the courtroom and recorded for showing in the courtroom in accordance with division (E) of that section.
(3) If videotaped testimony of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim is admitted at trial in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section, the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim shall not be compelled in any way to appear as a witness at the trial, except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section.
(C) An order issued pursuant to division (B) of this section shall specifically identify the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim concerning whose testimony it pertains. The order shall apply only during the testimony of the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled victim it specifically identifies.
Sec. 5120.173. Any person who is required to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child under eighteen years of age pursuant to division (A) of section 2151.421 of the Revised Code, and any person who is permitted to report or cause a report to be made of suspected abuse or neglect of a child under eighteen years of age pursuant to division (B) of that section, any person who is required to report suspected abuse or neglect of a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability pursuant to division (C) of section 5123.61 of the Revised Code, and any person who is permitted to report suspected abuse or neglect of a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability pursuant to division (F) of that section and who makes or causes the report to be made, shall direct that report to the state highway patrol if the child or the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability is an inmate in the custody of a state correctional institution. If the state highway patrol determines after receipt of the report that it is probable that abuse or neglect of the inmate occurred, the patrol shall report its findings to the department of rehabilitation and correction, to the court that sentenced the inmate for the offense for which the inmate is in the custody of the department, and to the chairman and vice-chairman of the correctional institution inspection committee established by section 103.71 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5123.032. (A) As used in this section, "developmental center" means any institution or facility of the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities that, on or after the effective date of this section, is named, designated, or referred to as a developmental center.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after the effective date of this section, any closure of a developmental center shall be subject to, and in accordance with, this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the governor announced on or after January 1, 2003, and prior to the effective date of this section the intended closure of a developmental center and if the closure identified in the announcement has not occurred prior to the effective date of this section, the closure identified in the announcement shall be subject to the criteria set forth in this section as if the announcement had been made on or after the effective date of this section, except for the time at which the notice to the general assembly must be provided as identified in division (C) of this section.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after the effective date of this section, at least ten days prior to making any official, public announcement that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers, the governor shall notify the general assembly in writing that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the governor announced on or after January 1, 2003, and prior to the effective date of this section the intended closure of a developmental center and if the closure identified in the announcement has not occurred prior to the effective date of this section, not later than ten days after the effective date of this section, the governor shall notify the general assembly in writing of the prior announcement and that the governor intends to close the center identified in the prior announcement, and the notification to the general assembly shall constitute, for purposes of this section, the governor's official, public announcement that the governor intends to close that center.
The notice required by this division shall identify by name each developmental center that the governor intends to close or, if the governor has not determined any specific developmental center to close, shall state the governor's general intent to close one or more developmental centers. When the governor notifies the general assembly as required by this division, the legislative service commission promptly shall conduct an independent study of the developmental centers of the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities and of the department's operation of the centers, and the study shall address relevant criteria and factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The manner in which the closure of developmental centers in general would affect the safety, health, well-being, and lifestyle of the centers' residents and their family members and would affect public safety and, if the governor's notice identifies by name one or more developmental centers that the governor intends to close, the manner in which the closure of each center so identified would affect the safety, health, well-being, and lifestyle of the center's residents and their family members and would affect public safety;
(2) The availability of alternate facilities;
(3) The cost effectiveness of the facilities identified for closure;
(4) A comparison of the cost of residing at a facility identified for closure and the cost of new living arrangements;
(5) The geographic factors associated with each facility and its proximity to other similar facilities;
(6) The impact of collective bargaining on facility operations;
(7) The utilization and maximization of resources;
(8) Continuity of the staff and ability to serve the facility population;
(9) Continuing costs following closure of a facility;
(10) The impact of the closure on the local economy;
(11) Alternatives and opportunities for consolidation with other facilities;
(12) How the closing of a facility identified for closure relates to the department's plans for the future of developmental centers in this state;
(13) The effect of the closure of developmental centers in general upon the state's fiscal resources and fiscal status and, if the governor's notice identifies by name one or more developmental centers that the governor intends to close, the effect of the closure of each center so identified upon the state's fiscal resources and fiscal status.
(D) The legislative service commission shall complete the study required by division (C) of this section, and prepare a report that contains its findings, not later than sixty days after the governor makes the official, public announcement that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers as described in division (C) of this section. The commission shall provide a copy of the report to each member of the general assembly who requests a copy of the report.
Not later than the date on which the legislative service commission is required to complete the report under this division, the mental retardation and developmental disabilities developmental center closure commission is hereby created as described in division (E) of this section. The officials with the duties to appoint members of the closure commission, as described in division (E) of this section, shall appoint the specified members of the closure commission, and, as soon as possible after the appointments, the closure commission shall meet for the purposes described in that division. Upon completion of the report and the creation of the closure commission under this division, the legislative service commission promptly shall provide a copy of the report to the closure commission and shall present the report as described in division (E) of this section.
(E)(1) A mental retardation and developmental disabilities developmental center closure commission shall be created at the time and in the manner specified in division (D) of this section. The closure commission consists of six members. One member shall be the director of the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. One member shall be the director of the department of health. One member shall be a private executive with expertise in facility utilization, in economics, or in both facility utilization and economics, jointly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The member appointed for expertise in facility utilization, economics, or both may not be a member of the general assembly and may not have a developmental center identified for closure by the governor in the county in which the member resides. One member shall be a member of the board of the Ohio civil service employees' association, jointly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. One member shall be either a family member of a resident of a developmental center or a representative of a mental retardation and developmental disabilities advocacy group, jointly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The member appointed who is a family member of a developmental center resident or a representative of an advocacy group may not be a member of the general assembly. One member shall be a member of the law enforcement community, appointed by the governor. The officials with the duties to appoint members of the closure commission shall make the appointments, and the closure commission shall meet, within the time periods specified in division (D) of this section. The members of the closure commission shall serve without compensation. At the closure commission's first meeting, the members shall organize and appoint a chairperson and vice-chairperson.
The closure commission shall meet as often as is necessary for the purpose of making the recommendations to the governor that are described in this division. The closure commission's meetings shall be open to the public, and the closure commission shall accept public testimony. The legislative service commission shall appear before the closure commission and present the report the legislative service commission prepared under division (D) of this section. The closure commission shall meet for the purpose of making recommendations to the governor, which recommendations may include all of the following:
(a) Whether any developmental center should be closed;
(b) If the recommendation described in division (E)(1)(a) of this section is that one or more developmental centers should be closed, which center or centers should be closed;
(c) If the governor's notice described in division (C) of this section identifies by name one or more developmental centers that the governor intends to close, whether the center or centers so identified should be closed.
(2) The mental retardation and developmental disabilities developmental center closure commission, not later than sixty days after it receives the report of the legislative service commission under division (D) of this section, shall prepare a report containing its recommendations to the governor. The closure commission shall send a copy of the report to the governor and to each member of the general assembly who requests a copy of the report. Upon receipt of the closure commission's report, the governor shall review and consider the commission's recommendation. The governor shall do one of the following:
(a) Follow the recommendation of the commission;
(b) Close no developmental center;
(c) Take other action that the governor determines is necessary for the purpose of expenditure reductions or budget cuts and state the reasons for the action.
The governor's decision is final. Upon the governor's making of the decision, the closure commission shall cease to exist. Another closure commission shall be created under this section each time the governor subsequently makes an official, public announcement that the governor intends to close one or more developmental centers.
Sec. 5123.081.  (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for appointment to or employment with the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, a person who is being transferred to the department and an employee who is being recalled or reemployed after a layoff.
(2) "Criminal records check" has the same meaning as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.
(3) "Minor drug possession offense" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) The director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to conduct a criminal records check with respect to each applicant, except that the director is not required to request a criminal records check for an employee of the department who is being considered for a different position or is returning after a leave of absence or seasonal break in employment, as long as the director has no reason to believe that the employee has committed any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section.
If the applicant does not present proof that the applicant has been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date upon which the criminal records check is requested, the director shall request that the superintendent of the bureau obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as a part of the criminal records check for the applicant. If the applicant presents proof that the applicant has been a resident of this state for that five-year period, the director may request that the superintendent of the bureau include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check. For purposes of this division, an applicant may provide proof of residency in this state by presenting, with a notarized statement asserting that the applicant has been a resident of this state for that five-year period, a valid driver's license, notification of registration as an elector, a copy of an officially filed federal or state tax form identifying the applicant's permanent residence, or any other document the director considers acceptable.
(C) The director shall provide to each applicant a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, provide to each applicant a standard impression sheet to obtain fingerprint impressions prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, obtain the completed form and impression sheet from each applicant, and forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation at the time the criminal records check is requested.
Any applicant who receives pursuant to this division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a copy of an impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section and who is requested to complete the form and provide a set of fingerprint impressions shall complete the form or provide all the information necessary to complete the form and shall provide the material with the impressions of the applicant's fingerprints. If an applicant, upon request, fails to provide the information necessary to complete the form or fails to provide impressions of the applicant's fingerprints, the director shall not employ the applicant.
(D) The director may request any other state or federal agency to supply the director with a written report regarding the criminal record of each applicant. With regard to an applicant who becomes a department employee, if the employee holds an occupational or professional license or other credentials, the director may request that the state or federal agency that regulates the employee's occupation or profession supply the director with a written report of any information pertaining to the employee's criminal record that the agency obtains in the course of conducting an investigation or in the process of renewing the employee's license or other credentials.
(E) Except as provided in division (K)(2) of this section and in rules adopted by the director in accordance with division (M) of this section, the director shall not employ a person to fill a position with the department who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(1) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation occurred prior to that date, a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense, or felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code;
(2) A felony contained in the Revised Code that is not listed in this division, if the felony bears a direct and substantial relationship to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled;
(3) Any offense contained in the Revised Code constituting a misdemeanor of the first degree on the first offense and a felony on a subsequent offense, if the offense bears a direct and substantial relationship to the position being filled and the nature of the services being provided by the department;
(4) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this state, any other state, or the United States, if the offense is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(F) Prior to employing an applicant, the director shall require the applicant to submit a statement with the applicant's signature attesting that the applicant has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section. The director also shall require the applicant to sign an agreement under which the applicant agrees to notify the director within fourteen calendar days if, while employed with the department, the applicant is ever formally charged with, convicted of, or pleads guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section. The agreement shall inform the applicant that failure to report formal charges, a conviction, or a guilty plea may result in being dismissed from employment.
(G) The director shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check requested and conducted pursuant to this section.
(H)(1) Any report obtained pursuant to this section is not a public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person, other than the applicant who is the subject of the records check or criminal records check or the applicant's representative, the department or its representative, a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and any court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with the denial of employment to the applicant or the denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate or evidence of registration under section 5123.082 of the Revised Code.
(2) An individual for whom the director has obtained reports under this section may submit a written request to the director to have copies of the reports sent to any state agency, entity of local government, or private entity. The individual shall specify in the request the agencies or entities to which the copies are to be sent. On receiving the request, the director shall send copies of the reports to the agencies or entities specified.
The director may request that a state agency, entity of local government, or private entity send copies to the director of any report regarding a records check or criminal records check that the agency or entity possesses, if the director obtains the written consent of the individual who is the subject of the report.
(I) The director shall request the registrar of motor vehicles to supply the director with a certified abstract regarding the record of convictions for violations of motor vehicle laws of each applicant who will be required by the applicant's employment to transport individuals with mental retardation or a developmental disability or to operate the department's vehicles for any other purpose. For each abstract provided under this section, the director shall pay the amount specified in section 4509.05 of the Revised Code.
(J) The director shall provide each applicant with a copy of any report or abstract obtained about the applicant under this section.
(K)(1) The director shall inform each person, at the time of the person's initial application for employment, that the person is required to provide a set of impressions of the person's fingerprints and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted and satisfactorily completed in accordance with section 109.572 of the Revised Code if the person comes under final consideration for employment as a precondition to employment in a position.
(2) The director may employ an applicant pending receipt of reports requested under this section. The director shall terminate employment of any such applicant if it is determined from the reports that the applicant failed to inform the director that the applicant had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section.
(L) The director may charge an applicant a fee for costs the director incurs in obtaining reports, abstracts, or fingerprint impressions under this section. A fee charged under this division shall not exceed the amount of the fees the director pays under divisions (G) and (I) of this section. If a fee is charged under this division, the director shall notify the applicant of the amount of the fee at the time of the applicant's initial application for employment and that, unless the fee is paid, the director will not consider the applicant for employment.
(M) The director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section, including rules specifying circumstances under which the director may employ a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (E) of this section but who meets standards in regard to rehabilitation set by the director.
Sec. 5123.50.  As used in this section and sections 5123.51 and, 5123.52, and 5123.541 of the Revised Code:
(A) "Abuse" means all of the following:
(1) The use of physical force that can reasonably be expected to result in physical harm or serious physical harm;
(2) Sexual abuse;
(3) Verbal abuse.
(B) "Misappropriation" means depriving, defrauding, or otherwise obtaining the real or personal property of an individual by any means prohibited by the Revised Code, including violations of Chapter 2911. or 2913. of the Revised Code.
(C) "MR/DD employee" means all of the following:
(1) An employee of the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;
(2) An employee of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;
(3) An employee in a position that includes providing specialized services to an individual with mental retardation or a another developmental disability.
(D) "Neglect" means, when there is a duty to do so, failing to provide an individual with any treatment, care, goods, or services that are necessary to maintain the health and safety of the individual.
(E) "Physical harm" and "serious physical harm" have the same meanings as in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code.
(F) "Sexual abuse" means unlawful sexual conduct or sexual contact, as those terms are defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code.
(G) "Specialized services" means any program or service designed and operated to serve primarily individuals with mental retardation or a developmental disability, including a program or service provided by an entity licensed or certified by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. A program or service available to the general public is not a specialized service.
(H) "Verbal abuse" means purposely using words to threaten, coerce, intimidate, harass, or humiliate an individual.
(I) "Sexual conduct," "sexual contact," and "spouse" have the same meanings as in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5123.51.  (A) In addition to any other action required by sections 5123.61 and 5126.31 of the Revised Code, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall review each report the department receives of abuse or neglect of an individual with mental retardation or a developmental disability or misappropriation of an individual's property that includes an allegation that an MR/DD employee committed or was responsible for the abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. The department shall review a report it receives from a public children services agency only after the agency completes its investigation pursuant to section 2151.421 of the Revised Code. On receipt of a notice under section 2930.061 or 5123.541 of the Revised Code, the department shall review the notice.
(B) The department shall do both of the following:
(1) Investigate the allegation or adopt the findings of an investigation or review of the allegation conducted by another person or government entity and determine whether there is a reasonable basis for the allegation;
(2) If the department determines that there is a reasonable basis for the allegation, conduct an adjudication pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
(C)(1) The department shall appoint an independent hearing officer to conduct any hearing conducted pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section, except that, if the hearing is regarding an employee of the department who is represented by a union, the department and a representative of the union shall jointly select the hearing officer.
(2) No (a) Except as provided in division (C)(2)(b) of this section, no hearing shall be conducted under division (B)(2) of this section until any criminal proceeding or collective bargaining arbitration concerning the same allegation has concluded.
(b) The department may conduct a hearing pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section before a criminal proceeding concerning the same allegation is concluded if both of the following are the case:
(i) The department notifies the prosecutor responsible for the criminal proceeding that the department proposes to conduct a hearing.
(ii) The prosecutor consents to the hearing.
(3) In conducting a hearing pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section, the hearing officer shall do both all of the following:
(a) Determine whether there is clear and convincing evidence that the MR/DD employee has done any of the following:
(i) Misappropriated the property of an individual one or more individuals with mental retardation or a developmental disability that has a value, either separately or taken together, of one hundred dollars or more;
(ii) Misappropriated property of an individual with mental retardation or a developmental disability that is designed to be used as a check, draft, negotiable instrument, credit card, charge card, or device for initiating an electronic fund transfer at a point of sale terminal, automated teller machine, or cash dispensing machine;
(ii)(iii) Knowingly abused or neglected such an individual;
(iii)(iv) Recklessly abused or neglected such an individual, with resulting physical harm;
(iv)(v) Negligently abused or neglected such an individual, with resulting serious physical harm;
(vi) Recklessly neglected such an individual, creating a substantial risk of serious physical harm;
(vii) Engaged in sexual conduct or had sexual contact with an individual with mental retardation or another developmental disability who was not the MR/DD employee's spouse and for whom the MR/DD employee was employed or under a contract to provide care;
(viii) Unreasonably failed to make a report pursuant to division (C) of section 5123.61 of the Revised Code when the employee knew or should have known that the failure would result in a substantial risk of harm to an individual with mental retardation or a developmental disability.
(b) Give weight to the decision in any collective bargaining arbitration regarding the same allegation;
(c) Give weight to any relevant facts presented at the hearing.
(D)(1) Unless the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities determines that there are extenuating circumstances and except as provided in divisions (D)(4) and division (E) of this section, the director shall include in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code the name of an MR/DD employee if the director, after considering all of the factors listed in division (C)(3) of this section, finds that there is clear and convincing evidence that the an MR/DD employee has done one or more of the things described in division (C)(3)(a) of this section the director shall include the name of the employee in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code.
(2) Extenuating circumstances the director must consider include the use of physical force by an MR/DD employee that was necessary as self-defense.
(3) If the director includes an MR/DD employee in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code, the director shall notify the employee, the person or government entity that employs or contracts with the employee, the individual with mental retardation or a developmental disability who was the subject of the report and that individual's legal guardian, if any, the attorney general, and the prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement agency. If the MR/DD employee holds a license, certificate, registration, or other authorization to engage in a profession issued pursuant to Title XLVII of the Revised Code, the director shall notify the appropriate agency, board, department, or other entity responsible for regulating the employee's professional practice.
(4) The director shall not include in the registry an individual who has been found not guilty by a court or jury of an offense arising from the same facts If an individual whose name appears on the registry is involved in a court proceeding or arbitration arising from the same facts as the allegation resulting in the individual's placement on the registry, the disposition of the proceeding or arbitration shall be noted in the registry next to the individual's name.
(E) In the case of an allegation concerning an employee of the department, after the hearing conducted pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section, the director of health or that director's designee shall review the decision of the hearing officer to determine whether the standard described in division (C)(2)(3) of this section has been met. If the director or designee determines that the standard has been met and that no extenuating circumstances exist, the director or designee shall notify the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities that the MR/DD employee is to be included in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code. If the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities receives such notification, the director shall include the MR/DD employee in the registry, unless division (D)(4) of this section applies, and shall provide the notification described in division (D)(3) of this section.
(F) If the department is required by Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to give notice of an opportunity for a hearing and the MR/DD employee subject to the notice does not timely request a hearing in accordance with section 119.07 of the Revised Code, the department is not required to hold a hearing.
(G) Files and records of investigations conducted pursuant to this section are not public records as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code, but, on request, the department shall provide copies of those files and records to the attorney general, a prosecuting attorney, or a law enforcement agency.
Sec. 5123.541.  (A) No MR/DD employee shall engage in any sexual conduct or have any sexual contact with an individual with mental retardation or another developmental disability for whom the MR/DD employee is employed or under a contract to provide care unless the individual is the MR/DD employee's spouse.
(B) Any MR/DD employee who violates division (A) of this section shall be eligible to be included in the registry regarding misappropriation, abuse, neglect, or other specified misconduct by MR/DD employees established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code, in addition to any other sanction or penalty authorized or required by law.
(C)(1) Any person listed in division (C)(2) of section 5123.61 of the Revised Code who has reason to believe that an MR/DD employee has violated division (A) of this section shall immediately report that belief to the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
(2) Any person who has reason to believe that an MR/DD employee has violated division (A) of this section may report that belief to the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
Sec. 5123.542.  (A) Each of the following shall annually provide a written notice to each of its MR/DD employees explaining the conduct for which an MR/DD employee may be included in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code:
(1) The department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;
(2) Each county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities;
(3) Each contracting entity, as defined in section 5126.281 of the Revised Code;
(4) Each owner, operator, or administrator of a residential facility, as defined in section 5123.19 of the Revised Code;
(5) Each owner, operator, or administrator of a program certified by the department to provide supported living.
(B) The notice described in division (A) of this section shall be in a form and provided in a manner prescribed by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The form shall be the same for all persons and entities required to provide notice under division (A) of this section.
(C) The fact that an MR/DD employee does not receive the notice required by this section does not exempt the employee from inclusion in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5123.61.  (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Law enforcement agency" means the state highway patrol, the police department of a municipal corporation, or a county sheriff.
(2) "Abuse" has the same meaning as in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code, except that it includes a misappropriation, as defined in that section.
(3) "Neglect" has the same meaning as in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code.
(B) The department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall establish a registry office for the purpose of maintaining reports of abuse, neglect, and other major unusual incidents made to the department under this section and reports received from county boards of mental retardation and developmental disabilities under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code. The department shall establish committees to review reports of abuse, neglect, and other major unusual incidents.
(C)(1) Any person listed in division (C)(2) of this section, having reason to believe that a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability has suffered or faces a substantial risk of suffering any wound, injury, disability, or condition of such a nature as to reasonably indicate abuse or neglect of that person, shall immediately report or cause reports to be made of such information to the entity specified in this division. Except as provided in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code or as otherwise provided in this division, the person making the report shall make it to a law enforcement agency or to the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, except that if. If the report concerns a resident of a facility operated by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities the report shall be made either to a law enforcement agency or to the department. If the report concerns any act or omission of an employee of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, the report immediately shall be made to the department and to the county board.
(2) All of the following persons are required to make a report under division (C)(1) of this section:
(a) Any physician, including a hospital intern or resident, any dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, practitioner of a limited branch of medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the Revised Code, hospital administrator or employee of a hospital, nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, employee of an ambulatory health facility as defined in section 5101.61 of the Revised Code, employee of a home health agency, employee of an adult care facility licensed under Chapter 3722. of the Revised Code, or employee of a community mental health facility;
(b) Any school teacher or school authority, social worker, psychologist, attorney, peace officer, coroner, clergyman, or residents' rights advocate as defined in section 3721.10 of the Revised Code;
(c) A superintendent, board member, or employee of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities; an administrator, board member, or employee of a residential facility licensed under section 5123.19 of the Revised Code; an administrator, board member, or employee of any other public or private provider of services to a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability, or any MR/DD employee, as defined in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code;
(d) A member of a citizen's advisory council established at an institution or branch institution of the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities under section 5123.092 of the Revised Code;
(e) A clergyman who is employed in a position that includes providing specialized services to an individual with mental retardation or another developmental disability, while acting in an official or professional capacity in that position, or a person who is employed in a position that includes providing specialized services to an individual with mental retardation or another developmental disability and who, while acting in an official or professional capacity, renders spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets of an organized religion.
(3)(a) The reporting requirements of this division do not apply to members of the legal rights service commission or to employees of the legal rights service.
(b) An attorney or physician is not required to make a report pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section concerning any communication the attorney or physician receives from a client or patient in an attorney-client or physician-patient relationship, if, in accordance with division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code, the attorney or physician could not testify with respect to that communication in a civil or criminal proceeding, except that the client or patient is deemed to have waived any testimonial privilege under division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code with respect to that communication and the attorney or physician shall make a report pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, if both of the following apply:
(i) The client or patient, at the time of the communication, is a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability.
(ii) The attorney or physician knows or suspects, as a result of the communication or any observations made during that communication, that the client or patient has suffered or faces a substantial risk of suffering any wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the client or patient.
(4) Any person who fails to make a report required under division (C) of this section and who is an MR/DD employee, as defined in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code, shall be eligible to be included in the registry regarding misappropriation, abuse, neglect, or other specified misconduct by MR/DD employees established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code.
(D) The reports required under division (C) of this section shall be made forthwith by telephone or in person and shall be followed by a written report. The reports shall contain the following:
(1) The names and addresses of the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability and the person's custodian, if known;
(2) The age of the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability;
(3) Any other information that would assist in the investigation of the report.
(E) When a physician performing services as a member of the staff of a hospital or similar institution has reason to believe that a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability has suffered injury, abuse, or physical neglect, the physician shall notify the person in charge of the institution or that person's designated delegate, who shall make the necessary reports.
(F) Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability has suffered or faces a substantial risk of suffering abuse or neglect may report the belief, or cause a report to be made, of that belief to the entity specified in this division. Except as provided in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code or as otherwise provided in this division, the person making the report shall make it to a law enforcement agency or the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or, if. If the person is a resident of a facility operated by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, the report shall be made to a law enforcement agency or to the department. If the report concerns any act or omission of an employee of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, the report immediately shall be made to the department and to the county board.
(G)(1) Upon the receipt of a report concerning the possible abuse or neglect of a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability, the law enforcement agency shall inform the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities or, if the person is a resident of a facility operated by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, the director of the department or the director's designee.
(2) On receipt of a report under this section that includes an allegation of action or inaction that may constitute a crime under federal law or the law of this state, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall notify the law enforcement agency.
(3) When a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities receives a report under this section that includes an allegation of action or inaction that may constitute a crime under federal law or the law of this state, the superintendent of the board or an individual the superintendent designates under division (H) of this section shall notify the law enforcement agency. The superintendent or individual shall notify the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities when it receives any report under this section.
(4) When a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities receives a report under this section and believes that the degree of risk to the person is such that the report is an emergency, the superintendent of the board or an employee of the board the superintendent designates shall attempt a face-to-face contact with the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability who allegedly is the victim within one hour of the board's receipt of the report.
(H) The superintendent of the board may designate an individual to be responsible for notifying the law enforcement agency and the department when the county board receives a report under this section.
(I) An adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability about whom a report is made may be removed from the adult's place of residence only by law enforcement officers who consider that the adult's immediate removal is essential to protect the adult from further injury or abuse or in accordance with the order of a court made pursuant to section 5126.33 of the Revised Code.
(J) A law enforcement agency shall investigate each report of abuse or neglect it receives under this section. In addition, the department, in cooperation with law enforcement officials, shall investigate each report regarding a resident of a facility operated by the department to determine the circumstances surrounding the injury, the cause of the injury, and the person responsible. The investigation shall be in accordance with the memorandum of understanding prepared under section 5126.058 of the Revised Code. The department shall determine, with the registry office which shall be maintained by the department, whether prior reports have been made concerning and an adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability or other principals in the case. If the department finds that the report involves action or inaction that may constitute a crime under federal law or the law of this state, it shall submit a report of its investigation, in writing, to the law enforcement agency. If the person with mental retardation or a developmental disability is an adult, with the consent of the adult, the department shall provide such protective services as are necessary to protect the adult. The law enforcement agency shall make a written report of its findings to the department.
If the person is an adult and is not a resident of a facility operated by the department, the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall review the report of abuse or neglect in accordance with sections 5126.30 to 5126.33 of the Revised Code and the law enforcement agency shall make the written report of its findings to the county board.
(K) Any person or any hospital, institution, school, health department, or agency participating in the making of reports pursuant to this section, any person participating as a witness in an administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from the reports, or any person or governmental entity that discharges responsibilities under sections 5126.31 to 5126.33 of the Revised Code shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of such actions except liability for perjury, unless the person or governmental entity has acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.
(L) No employer or any person with the authority to do so shall discharge, demote, transfer, prepare a negative work performance evaluation, reduce pay or benefits, terminate work privileges, or take any other action detrimental to an employee or retaliate against an employee as a result of the employee's having made a report under this section. This division does not preclude an employer or person with authority from taking action with regard to an employee who has made a report under this section if there is another reasonable basis for the action.
(M) Reports made under this section are not public records as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code. Information contained in the reports on request shall be made available to the person who is the subject of the report, to the person's legal counsel, and to agencies authorized to receive information in the report by the department or by a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
(N) Notwithstanding section 4731.22 of the Revised Code, the physician-patient privilege shall not be a ground for excluding evidence regarding the injuries or physical neglect of a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability or the cause thereof in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report submitted pursuant to this section.
Sec. 5123.614. (A) Subject to division (B) of this section, on receipt of a report of a major unusual incident made pursuant to section 5123.61 or 5126.31 of the Revised Code or rules adopted under section 5123.612 of the Revised Code, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities may do either of the following:
(1) Conduct an independent review or investigation of the incident;
(2) Request that an independent review or investigation of the incident be conducted by a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities that is not implicated in the report, a regional council of government, or any other entity authorized to conduct such investigations.
(B) If a report described in division (A) of this section concerning the health or safety of a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability involves an allegation that an employee of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities has created a substantial risk of serious physical harm to a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability, the department shall do one of the following:
(1) Conduct an independent investigation regarding the incident;
(2) Request that an independent review or investigation of the incident be conducted by a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities that is not implicated in the report, a regional council of government, or any other entity authorized to conduct such investigations.
Sec. 5123.99.  (A) Whoever violates section 5123.20 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(B) Whoever violates division (C), (E), or (G)(3) of section 5123.61 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree or, if the abuse or neglect constitutes a felony, a misdemeanor of the second degree. In addition to any other sanction or penalty authorized or required by law, if a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of division (C), (E), or (G)(3) of section 5123.61 of the Revised Code is an MR/DD employee, as defined in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code, the offender shall be eligible to be included in the registry regarding misappropriation, abuse, neglect, or other specified misconduct by MR/DD employees established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code.
(C) Whoever violates division (A) of section 5123.604 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(D) Whoever violates division (B) of section 5123.604 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars. Each violation constitutes a separate offense.
Sec. 5126.058. (A) Each county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall prepare a memorandum of understanding that is developed by all of the following and that is signed by the persons identified in divisions (A)(3) to (8) of this section:
(1) If there is only one probate judge in the county, the probate judge of the county or the probate judge's representative;
(2) If there is more than one probate judge in the county, a probate judge or the probate judge's representative selected by the probate judges or, if they are unable to do so for any reason, the probate judge who is senior in point of service or the senior probate judge's representative;
(3) The county peace officer;
(4) All chief municipal peace officers within the county;
(5) Other law enforcement officers handling abuse, neglect, and exploitation of mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons in the county;
(6) The prosecuting attorney of the county;
(7) The public children services agency;
(8) The coroner of the county.
(B) A memorandum of understanding shall set forth the normal operating procedure to be employed by all concerned officials in the execution of their respective responsibilities under this section and sections 313.12, 2151.421, 2903.16, 5126.31, and 5126.33 of the Revised Code and shall have as its primary goal the elimination of all unnecessary interviews of persons who are the subject of reports made pursuant to this section. A failure to follow the procedure set forth in the memorandum by the concerned officials is not grounds for, and shall not result in, the dismissal of any charge or complaint arising from any reported case of abuse, neglect, or exploitation or the suppression of any evidence obtained as a result of any reported abuse, neglect, or exploitation and does not give any rights or grounds for appeal or post-conviction relief to any person.
(C) A memorandum of understanding shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The roles and responsibilities for handling emergency and nonemergency cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
(2) The roles and responsibilities for handling and coordinating investigations of reported cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and methods to be used in interviewing the person who is the subject of the report and who allegedly was abused, neglected, or exploited;
(3) The roles and responsibilities for addressing the categories of persons who may interview the person who is the subject of the report and who allegedly was abused, neglected, or exploited;
(4) The roles and responsibilities for providing victim services to mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons pursuant to Chapter 2930. of the Revised Code;
(5) The roles and responsibilities for the filing of criminal charges against persons alleged to have abused, neglected, or exploited mentally retarded or developmentally disabled persons.
(D) A memorandum of understanding may be signed by victim advocates, municipal court judges, municipal prosecutors, and any other person whose participation furthers the goals of a memorandum of understanding, as set forth in this section.
Sec. 5126.28.  (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Applicant" means a person who is under final consideration for appointment or employment in a position with a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, a person who is being transferred to the county board and an employee who is being recalled or reemployed after a layoff.
(2) "Criminal records check" has the same meaning as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.
(3) "Minor drug possession offense" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) The superintendent of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to conduct a criminal records check with respect to any applicant who has applied to the board for employment in any position, except that a county board superintendent is not required to request a criminal records check for an employee of the board who is being considered for a different position or is returning after a leave of absence or seasonal break in employment, as long as the superintendent has no reason to believe that the employee has committed any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section.
If the applicant does not present proof that the applicant has been a resident of this state for the five-year period immediately prior to the date upon which the criminal records check is requested, the county board superintendent shall request that the superintendent of the bureau obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as a part of the criminal records check for the applicant. If the applicant presents proof that the applicant has been a resident of this state for that five-year period, the county board superintendent may request that the superintendent of the bureau include information from the federal bureau of investigation in the criminal records check. For purposes of this division, an applicant may provide proof of residency in this state by presenting, with a notarized statement asserting that the applicant has been a resident of this state for that five-year period, a valid driver's license, notification of registration as an elector, a copy of an officially filed federal or state tax form identifying the applicant's permanent residence, or any other document the superintendent considers acceptable.
(C) The county board superintendent shall provide to each applicant a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, provide to each applicant a standard impression sheet to obtain fingerprint impressions prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, obtain the completed form and impression sheet from each applicant, and forward the completed form and impression sheet to the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation at the time the criminal records check is requested.
Any applicant who receives pursuant to this division a copy of the form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code and a copy of an impression sheet prescribed pursuant to division (C)(2) of that section and who is requested to complete the form and provide a set of fingerprint impressions shall complete the form or provide all the information necessary to complete the form and shall provide the impression sheet with the impressions of the applicant's fingerprints. If an applicant, upon request, fails to provide the information necessary to complete the form or fails to provide impressions of the applicant's fingerprints, the county board superintendent shall not employ that applicant.
(D) A county board superintendent may request any other state or federal agency to supply the board with a written report regarding the criminal record of each applicant. With regard to an applicant who becomes a board employee, if the employee holds an occupational or professional license or other credentials, the superintendent may request that the state or federal agency that regulates the employee's occupation or profession supply the board with a written report of any information pertaining to the employee's criminal record that the agency obtains in the course of conducting an investigation or in the process of renewing the employee's license or other credentials.
(E) Except as provided in division (K)(2) of this section and in rules adopted by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities in accordance with division (M) of this section, no county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall employ a person to fill a position with the board who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(1) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation occurred prior to that date, a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense, or felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code;
(2) A felony contained in the Revised Code that is not listed in this division, if the felony bears a direct and substantial relationship to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled;
(3) Any offense contained in the Revised Code constituting a misdemeanor of the first degree on the first offense and a felony on a subsequent offense, if the offense bears a direct and substantial relationship to the position being filled and the nature of the services being provided by the county board;
(4) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this state, any other state, or the United States, if the offense is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
(F) Prior to employing an applicant, the county board superintendent shall require the applicant to submit a statement with the applicant's signature attesting that the applicant has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section. The superintendent also shall require the applicant to sign an agreement under which the applicant agrees to notify the superintendent within fourteen calendar days if, while employed by the board, the applicant is ever formally charged with, convicted of, or pleads guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section. The agreement shall inform the applicant that failure to report formal charges, a conviction, or a guilty plea may result in being dismissed from employment.
(G) A county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall pay to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the fee prescribed pursuant to division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code for each criminal records check requested and conducted pursuant to this section.
(H)(1) Any report obtained pursuant to this section is not a public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person, other than the applicant who is the subject of the records check or criminal records check or the applicant's representative, the board requesting the records check or criminal records check or its representative, the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and any court, hearing officer, or other necessary individual involved in a case dealing with the denial of employment to the applicant or the denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate or evidence of registration under section 5126.25 of the Revised Code.
(2) An individual for whom a county board superintendent has obtained reports under this section may submit a written request to the county board to have copies of the reports sent to any state agency, entity of local government, or private entity. The individual shall specify in the request the agencies or entities to which the copies are to be sent. On receiving the request, the county board shall send copies of the reports to the agencies or entities specified.
A county board may request that a state agency, entity of local government, or private entity send copies to the board of any report regarding a records check or criminal records check that the agency or entity possesses, if the county board obtains the written consent of the individual who is the subject of the report.
(I) Each county board superintendent shall request the registrar of motor vehicles to supply the superintendent with a certified abstract regarding the record of convictions for violations of motor vehicle laws of each applicant who will be required by the applicant's employment to transport individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities or to operate the board's vehicles for any other purpose. For each abstract provided under this section, the board shall pay the amount specified in section 4509.05 of the Revised Code.
(J) The county board superintendent shall provide each applicant with a copy of any report or abstract obtained about the applicant under this section. At the request of the director of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, the superintendent also shall provide the director with a copy of a report or abstract obtained under this section.
(K)(1) The county board superintendent shall inform each person, at the time of the person's initial application for employment, that the person is required to provide a set of impressions of the person's fingerprints and that a criminal records check is required to be conducted and satisfactorily completed in accordance with section 109.572 of the Revised Code if the person comes under final consideration for appointment or employment as a precondition to employment in a position.
(2) A board may employ an applicant pending receipt of reports requested under this section. The board shall terminate employment of any such applicant if it is determined from the reports that the applicant failed to inform the county board that the applicant had been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed or described in division (E) of this section.
(L) The board may charge an applicant a fee for costs it incurs in obtaining reports, abstracts, or fingerprint impressions under this section. A fee charged under this division shall not exceed the amount of the fees the board pays under divisions (G) and (I) of this section. If a fee is charged under this division, the board shall notify the applicant of the amount of the fee at the time of the applicant's initial application for employment and that, unless the fee is paid, the board will not consider the applicant for employment.
(M) The department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section and section 5126.281 of the Revised Code, including rules specifying circumstances under which a county board or contracting entity may hire a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense listed or described in division (E) of this section but who meets standards in regard to rehabilitation set by the department. The rules may not authorize a county board or contracting entity to hire an individual who is included in the registry established under section 5123.52 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5126.30.  As used in sections 5126.30 to 5126.34 of the Revised Code:
(A) "Adult" means a person eighteen years of age or older with mental retardation or a developmental disability.
(B) "Caretaker" means a person who is responsible for the care of an adult by order of a court, including an order of guardianship, or who assumes the responsibility for the care of an adult as a volunteer, as a family member, by contract, or by the acceptance of payment for care.
(C) "Abuse" has the same meaning as in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code, except that it includes a misappropriation, as defined in that section.
(D) "Neglect" has the same meaning as in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code.
(E) "Exploitation" means the unlawful or improper act of a caretaker using an adult or an adult's resources for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain, including misappropriation, as defined in section 5123.50 of the Revised Code, of an adult's resources.
(F) "Working day" means Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, except when that day is a holiday as defined in section 1.14 of the Revised Code.
(F)(G) "Incapacitated" means lacking understanding or capacity, with or without the assistance of a caretaker, to make and carry out decisions regarding food, clothing, shelter, health care, or other necessities, but does not include mere refusal to consent to the provision of services.
(H) "Emergency protective services" means protective services furnished to a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability to prevent immediate physical harm.
(I) "Protective services" means services provided by the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to an adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability for the prevention, correction, or discontinuance of an act of as well as conditions resulting from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
(J) "Protective service plan" means an individualized plan developed by the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to prevent the further abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability.
(K) "Substantial risk" has the same meaning as in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code.
(L) "Party" means all of the following:
(1) An adult who is the subject of a probate proceeding under sections 5126.30 to 5126.33 of the Revised Code;
(2) A caretaker, unless otherwise ordered by the probate court;
(3) Any other person designated as a party by the probate court including but not limited to, the adult's spouse, custodian, guardian, or parent.
(M) "Board" has the same meaning as in section 5126.02 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5126.33.  (A) A county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities may file a complaint with the probate court of the county in which an adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability resides for an order authorizing the board to arrange services described in division (C) of section 5126.31 of the Revised Code for that adult if the adult is eligible to receive services or support under section 5126.041 of the Revised Code and the board has been unable to secure consent. The complaint shall include:
(1) The name, age, and address of the adult;
(2) Facts describing the nature of the abuse or, neglect, or exploitation and supporting the board's belief that services are needed;
(3) The types of services proposed by the board, as set forth in the individualized protective service plan prepared pursuant to described in division (J) of section 5126.31 5126.30 of the Revised Code and filed with the complaint;
(4) Facts showing the board's attempts to obtain the consent of the adult or the adult's guardian to the services.
(B) The board shall give the adult notice of the filing of the complaint and in simple and clear language shall inform the adult of the adult's rights in the hearing under division (C) of this section and explain the consequences of a court order. This notice shall be personally served upon the adult all parties, and also shall be given to the adult's caretaker, the adult's legal counsel, if any, and the legal rights service. The notice shall be given at least twenty-four hours prior to the hearing, although the court may waive this requirement upon a showing that there is a substantial risk that the adult will suffer immediate physical harm in the twenty-four hour period and that the board has made reasonable attempts to give the notice required by this division.
(C) Upon the filing of a complaint for an order under this section, the court shall hold a hearing at least twenty-four hours and no later than seventy-two hours after the notice under division (B) of this section has been given unless the court has waived the notice. The adult All parties shall have the right to be present at the hearing, present evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses. The Ohio Rules of Evidence shall apply to a hearing conducted pursuant to this division. The adult shall be represented by counsel unless the court finds that the adult has made a voluntary, informed, and knowing waiver of the right to counsel. If the adult is indigent, the court shall appoint counsel to represent the adult. The board shall be represented by the county prosecutor or an attorney designated by the board.
(D)(1) The court shall issue an order authorizing the board to arrange the protective services if it finds, on the basis of clear and convincing evidence, all of the following:
(a) The adult has been abused or, neglected, or exploited;
(b) The adult is incapacitated;
(c) There is a substantial risk to the adult of immediate physical harm or death;
(d) The adult is in need of the services;
(e) No person authorized by law or court order to give consent for the adult is available or willing to consent to the services.
(2) The board shall develop a detailed protective service plan describing the services that the board will provide, or arrange for the provision of, to the adult to prevent further abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The board shall submit the plan to the court for approval. The protective service plan may be changed only by court order.
(3) In formulating the order, the court shall consider the individual protective service plan and shall specifically designate the services that are necessary to deal with the abuse or, neglect, or exploitation or condition resulting from abuse or, neglect, or exploitation and that are available locally, and authorize the board to arrange for these services only. The court shall limit the provision of these services to a period not exceeding fourteen days six months, renewable for an additional fourteen-day six-month period on a showing by the board that continuation of the order is necessary.
(E) If the court finds that all other options for meeting the adult's needs have been exhausted, it may order that the adult be removed from the adult's place of residence and placed in another residential setting. Before issuing that order, the court shall consider the adult's choice of residence and shall determine that the new residential setting is the least restrictive alternative available for meeting the adult's needs and is a place where the adult can obtain the necessary requirements for daily living in safety. The court shall not order an adult to a hospital or public hospital as defined in section 5122.01 or a state institution as defined in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.
(F) The court shall not authorize a change in an adult's placement ordered under division (E) of this section unless it finds compelling reasons to justify a change. The parties to whom notice was given in division (B) of this section shall be given notice of a proposed change at least five working days prior to the change.
(G) The adult, the board, or any other person who received notice of the petition may file a motion for modification of the court order at any time.
(H) The county board shall pay court costs incurred in proceedings brought pursuant to this section. The adult shall not be required to pay for court-ordered services.
(I)(1) After the filing of a complaint for an order under this section, the court, prior to the final disposition, may enter any temporary order that the court finds necessary to protect the adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability from abuse, neglect, or exploitation including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) A temporary protection order;
(b) An order requiring the evaluation of the adult;
(c) An order requiring a party to vacate the adult's place of residence or legal settlement, provided that, subject to division (K)(1)(d) of this section, no operator of a residential facility licensed by the department may be removed under this division;
(d) In the circumstances described in, and in accordance with the procedures set forth in, section 5123.191 of the Revised Code, an order of the type described in that section that appoints a receiver to take possession of and operate a residential facility licensed by the department.
(2) The court may grant an ex parte order pursuant to this division on its own motion or if a party files a written motion or makes an oral motion requesting the issuance of the order and stating the reasons for it if it appears to the court that the best interest and the welfare of the adult require that the court issue the order immediately. The court, if acting on its own motion, or the person requesting the granting of an ex parte order, to the extent possible, shall give notice of its intent or of the request to all parties, the adult's legal counsel, if any, and the legal rights service. If the court issues an ex parte order, the court shall hold a hearing to review the order within seventy-two hours after it is issued or before the end of the next day after the day on which it is issued, whichever occurs first. The court shall give written notice of the hearing to all parties to the action.
Sec. 5126.331. (A) A probate court, through a probate judge or magistrate, may issue by telephone an ex parte emergency order authorizing any of the actions described in division (B) of this section if all of the following are the case:
(1) The court receives notice from the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or an authorized employee of the board, that the board or employee believes an emergency order is needed as described in this section.
(2) The adult who is the subject of the notice is eligible to receive services or support under section 5126.041 of the Revised Code.
(3) There is reasonable cause to believe that the adult is incapacitated.
(4) There is reasonable cause to believe that there is a substantial risk to the adult of immediate physical harm or death.
(B) An order issued under this section may authorize the county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to do any of the following:
(1) Provide, or arrange for the provision of, emergency protective services for the adult;
(2) Remove the adult from the adult's place of residence or legal settlement;
(3) Remove the adult from the place where the abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurred.
(C) A court shall not issue an order under this section to remove an adult from a place described in division (B)(2) or (3) of this section until the court is satisfied that reasonable efforts have been made to notify the adult and any person with whom the adult resides of the proposed removal and the reasons for it, except that, the court may issue an order prior to giving the notice if one of the following is the case:
(1) Notification could jeopardize the physical or emotional safety of the adult.
(2) The notification could result in the adult being removed from the court's jurisdiction.
(D) An order issued under this section shall be in effect for not longer than twenty-four hours, except that if the day following the day on which the order is issued is a weekend-day or legal holiday, the order shall remain in effect until the next business day.
(E)(1) Except as provided in division (E)(2) of this section, not later than twenty-four hours after an order is issued under this section, the county board or employee that provided notice to the probate court shall file a complaint with the court in accordance with division (A) of section 5126.33 of the Revised Code.
(2) If the day following the day on which the order was issued is a weekend-day or a holiday, the county board or employee shall file the complaint with the probate court on the next business day.
(3) Except as provided in section 5126.332 of the Revised Code, proceedings on the complaint filed pursuant to this division shall be conducted in accordance with section 5126.33 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5126.332.  (A) If an order is issued pursuant to section 5126.331 of the Revised Code, the court shall hold a hearing not later than twenty-four hours after the issuance to determine whether there is probable cause for the order, except that if the day following the day on which the order is issued is a weekend-day or legal holiday, the court shall hold the hearing on the next business day.
(B) At the hearing, the court:
(1) Shall consider the adult's choice of residence and determine whether protective services are the least restrictive alternative available for meeting the adult's needs;
(2) May issue temporary orders to protect the adult from immediate physical harm, including, but not limited to, temporary protection orders, evaluations, and orders requiring a party to vacate the adult's place of residence or legal settlement;
(3) May order emergency protective services.
(C) A temporary order issued pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section is effective for thirty days. The court may renew the order for an additional thirty-day period.
Sec. 5126.333. Any person who has reason to believe that there is a substantial risk to an adult with mental retardation or a developmental disability of immediate physical harm or death and that the responsible county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities has failed to seek an order pursuant to section 5126.33 or 5126.331 of the Revised Code may notify the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Within twenty-four hours of receipt of such notice, the department shall cause an investigation to be conducted regarding the notice. The department shall provide assistance to the county board to provide for the health and safety of the adult as permitted by law.
Section 2. That existing sections 109.572, 313.12, 2108.50, 2151.421, 2311.14, 2930.03, 5120.173, 5123.081, 5123.50, 5123.51, 5123.61, 5123.99, 5126.28, 5126.30, and 5126.33 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3. The Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities shall adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that provide standards for the substantiation by the Department and by county boards of mental retardation of reports of abuse or neglect filed under section 5123.61 of the Revised Code.
Section 4. Section 2151.421 of the Revised Code is presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by Am. Sub. H.B. 374, Sub. H.B. 510, and Am. Sub. S.B. 221 all of the 124th General Assembly. Section 5126.28 of the Revised Code is presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by both Sub. H.B. 538 and Sub. S.B. 171 of the 123rd General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composites are the resulting versions of the sections in effect prior to the effective date of the sections as presented in this act.
Section 5. This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The reason for such necessity is that persons who are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled crucially need the protections this act affords against their victimization by criminal conduct, and the procedures this act provides regarding the investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct committed against them. Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.
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