To amend sections 141.04, 141.13, 1901.10, 1901.12, 1907.14, 2701.03, 2701.031, 2743.03, 2743.04, 2743.09, 2743.121, 2743.20, 2743.52, 2743.53, 2743.531, 2743.55, 2743.60, 2743.601, 2743.61, 2743.62, 2743.63, 2743.64, 2743.65, 2743.66, 2743.67, 2743.68, 2743.69, and 2743.71, to enact new section 1901.121 and sections 1901.122, 1901.123, 1907.141, 1907.142, 1907.143, and 2743.041, and to repeal sections 1901.121 and 2743.54 of the Revised Code to abolish the office of the Court of Claims commissioner, to transfer the powers of a judge of the Court of Claims to the court; to specify certain powers of a Court of Claims magistrate, to modify the Attorney General's annual report on the crime victims compensation program, to conform existing law to the existing filing period for filing a claim for reparations by an adult, to eliminate the procedure for filing an affidavit of disqualification for a judge of a municipal or county court and instead include the disqualification of a judge of a municipal or county court and a judge of the court of claims within the procedure for filing an affidavit of disqualification for a probate judge, a judge of a court of appeals, and a judge of the court of common pleas, to change the basis of the per diem compensation of a retired judge who serves on the Court of Claims from the annual compensation of a judge of a court of appeals to the annual compensation of a judge of a court of common pleas, to modify the methods of filling a vacant municipal or county court judgeship, of assigning an additional judge for a municipal court, and of compensating the new or additional judge and to modify the procedure for reimbursing counties for compensating such judges.

Section 1. That sections 141.04, 141.13, 1901.10, 1901.12, 1907.14, 2701.03, 2701.031, 2743.03, 2743.04, 2743.09, 2743.121, 2743.20, 2743.52, 2743.53, 2743.531, 2743.55, 2743.60, 2743.601, 2743.61, 2743.62, 2743.63, 2743.64, 2743.65, 2743.66, 2743.67, 2743.68, 2743.69, and 2743.71 be amended and new section 1901.121 and sections 1901.122, 1901.123, 1907.141, 1907.142, 1907.143, and 2743.041 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 141.04.  (A) The annual salaries of the chief justice of the supreme court and of the justices and judges named in this section payable from the state treasury are as follows, rounded to the nearest fifty dollars:

(1) For the chief justice of the supreme court, the following amounts effective in the following years:

(a) Beginning January 1, 2000, one hundred twenty-four thousand nine hundred dollars;

(b) Beginning January 1, 2001, one hundred twenty-eight thousand six hundred fifty dollars;

(c) After 2001, the amount determined under division (E)(1) of this section.

(2) For the justices of the supreme court, the following amounts effective in the following years:

(a) Beginning January 1, 2000, one hundred seventeen thousand two hundred fifty dollars;

(b) Beginning January 1, 2001, one hundred twenty thousand seven hundred fifty dollars;

(c) After 2001, the amount determined under division (E)(1) of this section.

(3) For the judges of the courts of appeals, the following amounts effective in the following years:

(a) Beginning January 1, 2000, one hundred nine thousand two hundred fifty dollars;

(b) Beginning January 1, 2001, one hundred twelve thousand five hundred fifty dollars;

(c) After 2001, the amount determined under division (E)(1) of this section.

(4) For the judges of the courts of common pleas, the following amounts effective in the following years:

(a) Beginning January 1, 2000, one hundred thousand five hundred dollars, reduced by an amount equal to the annual compensation paid to that judge from the county treasury pursuant to section 141.05 of the Revised Code;

(b) Beginning January 1, 2001, one hundred three thousand five hundred dollars, reduced by an amount equal to the annual compensation paid to that judge from the county treasury pursuant to section 141.05 of the Revised Code;

(c) After 2001, the aggregate annual salary amount determined under division (E)(2) of this section reduced by an amount equal to the annual compensation paid to that judge from the county treasury pursuant to section 141.05 of the Revised Code.

(5) For the full-time judges of a municipal court or the part-time judges of a municipal court of a territory having a population of more than fifty thousand, the following amounts effective in the following years, which amounts shall be in addition to all amounts received pursuant to divisions (B)(1)(a) and (2) of section 1901.11 of the Revised Code from municipal corporations and counties:

(a) Beginning January 1, 2000, thirty-two thousand six hundred fifty dollars;

(b) Beginning January 1, 2001, thirty-five thousand five hundred dollars;

(c) After 2001, the amount determined under division (E)(3) of this section.

(6) For judges of a municipal court designated as part-time judges by section 1901.08 of the Revised Code, other than part-time judges to whom division (A)(5) of this section applies, and for judges of a county court, the following amounts effective in the following years, which amounts shall be in addition to any amounts received pursuant to division (A) of section 1901.11 of the Revised Code from municipal corporations and counties or pursuant to division (A) of section 1907.16 of the Revised Code from counties:

(a) Beginning January 1, 2000, eighteen thousand eight hundred dollars;

(b) Beginning January 1, 2001, twenty thousand four hundred fifty dollars;

(c) After 2001, the amount determined under division (E)(4) of this section.

(B) Except as provided in section 1901.121 sections 1901.122 and 1901.123 of the Revised Code, except as otherwise provided in this division, and except for the compensation to which the judges described in division (A)(5) of this section are entitled pursuant to divisions (B)(1)(a) and (2) of section 1901.11 of the Revised Code, the annual salary of the chief justice of the supreme court and of each justice or judge listed in division (A) of this section shall be paid in equal monthly installments from the state treasury. If the chief justice of the supreme court or any justice or judge listed in division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of this section delivers a written request to be paid biweekly to the administrative director of the supreme court prior to the first day of January of any year, the annual salary of the chief justice or the justice or judge that is listed in division (A)(2), (3), or (4) of this section shall be paid, during the year immediately following the year in which the request is delivered to the administrative director of the supreme court, biweekly from the state treasury.

(C) Upon the death of the chief justice or a justice of the supreme court during that person's term of office, an amount shall be paid in accordance with section 2113.04 of the Revised Code, or to that person's estate. The amount shall equal the amount of the salary that the chief justice or justice would have received during the remainder of the unexpired term or an amount equal to the salary of office for two years, whichever is less.

(D) Neither the chief justice of the supreme court nor any justice or judge of the supreme court, the court of appeals, the court of common pleas, or the probate court shall hold any other office of trust or profit under the authority of this state or the United States.

(E)(1) Each year from 2002 through 2008, the annual salaries of the chief justice of the supreme court and of the justices and judges named in divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section shall be increased by an amount equal to the adjustment percentage for that year multiplied by the compensation paid the preceding year pursuant to division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(2) Each year from 2002 through 2008, the aggregate annual salary payable under division (A)(4) of this section to the judges named in that division shall be increased by an amount equal to the adjustment percentage for that year multiplied by the aggregate compensation paid the preceding year pursuant to division (A)(4) of this section and section 141.05 of the Revised Code.

(3) Each year from 2002 through 2008, the salary payable from the state treasury under division (A)(5) of this section to the judges named in that division shall be increased by an amount equal to the adjustment percentage for that year multiplied by the aggregate compensation paid the preceding year pursuant to division (A)(5) of this section and division (B)(1)(a) of section 1901.11 of the Revised Code.

(4) Each year from 2002 through 2008, the salary payable from the state treasury under division (A)(6) of this section to the judges named in that division shall be increased by an amount equal to the adjustment percentage for that year multiplied by the aggregate compensation paid the preceding year pursuant to division (A)(6) of this section and division (A) of section 1901.11 of the Revised Code from municipal corporations and counties or division (A) of section 1907.16 of the Revised Code from counties.

(F) In addition to the salaries payable pursuant to this section, the chief justice of the supreme court and the justices of the supreme court shall be entitled to a vehicle allowance of five hundred dollars per month, payable from the state treasury. The allowance shall be increased on the first day of January of each odd-numbered year by an amount equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index for the immediately preceding twenty-four month period for which information is available.

(G) On or before the first day of December of each year, the Ohio supreme court, through its chief administrator, shall notify the administrative judge of the Montgomery county municipal court, the board of county commissioners of Montgomery county, and the treasurer of the state of the yearly salary cost of five part-time county court judges as of that date. If the total yearly salary costs of all of the judges of the Montgomery county municipal court as of the first day of December of that same year exceeds that amount, the administrative judge of the Montgomery county municipal court shall cause payment of the excess between those two amounts less any reduced amount paid for the health care costs of the Montgomery county municipal court judges in comparison to the health care costs of five part-time county court judges from the general special projects fund or the fund for a specific special project created pursuant to section 1901.26 of the Revised Code to the treasurer of Montgomery county and to the treasurer of the state in amounts proportional to the percentage of the salaries of the municipal court judges paid by the county and by the state.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) The "adjustment percentage" for a year is the lesser of the following:

(a) Three per cent;

(b) The percentage increase, if any, in the consumer price index over the twelve-month period that ends on the thirtieth day of September of the immediately preceding year, rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one per cent.

(2) "Consumer price index" has the same meaning as in section 101.27 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Salary" does not include any portion of the cost, premium, or charge for health, medical, hospital, dental, or surgical benefits, or any combination of those benefits, covering the chief justice of the supreme court or a justice or judge named in this section and paid on the chief justice's or the justice's or judge's behalf by a governmental entity.

Sec. 141.13.  (A) No fees in addition to the salaries and compensation provided in sections 141.01 to 141.12 of the Revised Code shall be allowed to any such officer. No additional remuneration shall be given any such officer under any other title than that by which the officer was elected or duly appointed. Subject to division (B) of this section, the salaries provided in such sections shall be in full compensation for any services rendered by such officers and employees, payment of which is made from the state treasury.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not affect any right of a full-time municipal court judge, or a part-time judge of a municipal court of a territory having a population of more than fifty thousand, to compensation under divisions (B)(1)(a) and (2) of section 1901.11 of the Revised Code; to health, medical, hospital, dental, or surgical benefits coverage or other fringe benefits provided pursuant to Chapter 1901. of the Revised Code; or to compensation, fringe benefits, or expenses otherwise provided pursuant to that or any other chapter of the Revised Code. Division (A) of this section also does not affect any right of an acting judge, judge, or a retired assigned judge as described in division (A) of section 1901.121 sections 1901.122 and 1901.123 of the Revised Code to compensation to which an acting judge, judge, or a retired assigned judge is entitled under Chapter 1901. of the Revised Code, or to any health, medical, hospital, dental, or surgical benefits coverage, other fringe benefits or compensation, or expenses to which an acting judge, judge, or a retired assigned judge may be entitled under that or any other chapter of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1901.10.  (A)(1)(a) The judges of the a municipal court and officers of the court shall take an oath of office as provided in section 3.23 of the Revised Code. The

(B) The office of judge of the a municipal court is subject to forfeiture, and the judge may be removed from office, for the causes and by the procedure provided in sections 3.07 to 3.10 of the Revised Code. A vacancy in the office of judge exists upon the death, resignation, forfeiture, removal from office, or absence from official duties for a period of six consecutive months, as determined under this section, of the judge and also by reason of the expiration of the term of an incumbent when no successor has been elected or qualified. The chief justice of the supreme court may designate a judge of another municipal court to act until that vacancy is filled in accordance with section 107.08 of the Revised Code. A vacancy resulting from the absence of a judge from official duties for a period of six consecutive months shall be determined and declared by the legislative authority.

(b)(C)(1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of judge or clerk of the municipal court after the one-hundredth day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May and prior to the fortieth day before the day of the general election, all candidates for election to the unexpired term of the judge or clerk shall file nominating petitions with the board of elections not later than four p.m. on the tenth day following the day on which the vacancy occurs, except that, when the vacancy occurs fewer than six days before the fortieth day before the general election, the deadline for filing shall be four p.m. on the thirty-sixth day before the day of the general election.

(c)(2) Each nominating petition referred to in division (A)(C)(1)(b) of this section shall be in the form prescribed in section 3513.261 of the Revised Code and shall be signed by at least fifty qualified electors of the territory of the municipal court. No nominating petition shall be accepted for filing or filed if it appears on its face to contain signatures aggregating in number more than twice the minimum aggregate number of signatures required by this section.

(2) If a judge of a municipal court that has only one judge is temporarily absent, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable, the judge may appoint a substitute who has the qualifications required by section 1901.06 of the Revised Code or a retired judge of a court of record who is a qualified elector and a resident of the territory of the court. If the judge is unable to make the appointment, the chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint a substitute. The appointee shall serve during the absence, incapacity, or unavailability of the incumbent, shall have the jurisdiction and powers conferred upon the judge of the municipal court, and shall be styled "acting judge." During that time of service, the acting judge shall sign all process and records and shall perform all acts pertaining to the office, except that of removal and appointment of officers of the court. All courts shall take judicial notice of the selection and powers of the acting judge. The incumbent judge shall establish the amount of compensation of an acting judge upon either a per diem, hourly, or other basis, but the rate of pay shall not exceed the per diem amount received by the incumbent judge.

(B) When the volume of cases pending in any municipal court necessitates an additional judge, the chief justice of the supreme court, upon the written request of the judge or presiding judge of that municipal court, may designate a judge of another municipal court or county court to serve for any period of time that the chief justice may prescribe. The compensation of a judge so designated shall be paid from the city treasury or, in the case of a county-operated municipal court, from the county treasury. In addition to the annual salary provided for in section 1901.11 of the Revised Code and in addition to any compensation under division (A)(5) or (6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code to which the judge is entitled in connection with the judge's own court, a full-time or part-time judge while holding court outside the judge's territory on the designation of the chief justice shall receive actual and necessary expenses and compensation as follows:

(1) A full-time judge shall receive thirty dollars for each day of the assignment.

(2) A part-time judge shall receive for each day of the assignment the per diem compensation of the judges of the court to which the judge is assigned, less the per diem amount paid to those judges pursuant to section 141.04 of the Revised Code, calculated on the basis of two hundred fifty working days per year.

If a request is made by a judge or the presiding judge of a municipal court to designate a judge of another municipal court because of the volume of cases in the court for which the request is made and the chief justice reports, in writing, that no municipal or county court judge is available to serve by designation, the judges of the court requesting the designation may appoint a substitute as provided in division (A)(2) of this section, who may serve for any period of time that is prescribed by the chief justice. The substitute judge shall be paid in the same manner and at the same rate as the incumbent judges, except that, if the substitute judge is entitled to compensation under division (A)(5) or (6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, then section 1901.121 of the Revised Code shall govern its payment.

Sec. 1901.12.  (A) A municipal judge of a municipal court is entitled to thirty days of vacation in each calendar year. Not less than two hundred forty days of open session of the municipal court shall be held by each judge during the year, unless all business of the court is disposed of sooner.

(B) When a court consists of a single judge, a qualified substitute may be appointed in accordance with division (A)(2) of section 1901.10 of the Revised Code to serve during the thirty-day vacation period, who shall be paid in the same manner and at the same rate as the incumbent judge, except that, if the substitute judge is entitled to compensation under division (A)(5) or (6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, then section 1901.121 of the Revised Code shall govern its payment. If a municipal court consists of two or more judges, one of the judges shall be in attendance at the court at all times, and the presiding judge shall have the authority to designate the vacation period for each judge, and when necessary, to appoint a substitute for the judge when on vacation or not in attendance. If a court consists of more than two judges, two-thirds of the court shall be in attendance at all times, and the presiding judge shall have authority to designate the vacation period of each judge, and, when necessary, to appoint a substitute for any judge on vacation or not in attendance.

Sec. 1901.121.  (A)(1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a judge of a municipal court that consists of only one judge or if the judge of a municipal court of that nature is incapacitated or unavailable due to disqualification, suspension, or recusal, the chief justice of the supreme court may assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(2) If a judge of a municipal court that consists of only one judge is otherwise temporarily absent for a reason other than as specified in division (A)(1) of this section, the judge may do either of the following:

(a) Appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court or, if the territory of the court has a population of less than twenty-five thousand according to the latest federal decennial census and the judge is unable to appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court, appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of a municipal or county court that is contiguous to the court. The appointee shall either be admitted to the practice of law in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years preceding appointment, engaged in the practice of law in this state or a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or be a retired judge of a court of record. The appointee shall be styled "acting judge" and shall temporarily serve on the court during the temporary absence of the incumbent judge.

(b) Request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(B) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a judge of a municipal court that consists of two judges or if a judge of a municipal court of that nature is incapacitated, unavailable, or temporarily absent, the presiding judge may do either of the following:

(1) Appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court or, if the territory of the court has a population of less than twenty-five thousand according to the latest federal decennial census and the judge is unable to appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court, appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of a municipal or county court that is contiguous to the court. The appointee shall either be admitted to the practice of law in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years preceding appointment, engaged in the practice of law in this state or a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or be a retired judge of a court of record. The appointee shall be styled "acting judge" and shall temporarily serve on the court during the vacancy or the incapacity, unavailability, or temporary absence of the incumbent judge.

(2) Request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(C) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a judge of a municipal court that consists of three or more judges or if a judge of a municipal court of that nature is incapacitated, unavailable, or temporarily absent, the presiding judge may do either of the following:

(1) If no other judge of the court is available to perform the duties of the judge, appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court. The appointee shall either be admitted to the practice of law in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years preceding appointment, engaged in the practice of law in this state or a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or be a retired judge of a court of record. The appointee shall be styled "acting judge" and shall temporarily serve on the court during the vacancy or the incapacity, unavailability, or temporary absence of the incumbent judge.

(2) Request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(D) When the volume of cases pending in any municipal court necessitates an additional judge, the judge, if the court consists of a single judge, or the presiding judge, if the court consists of two or more judges, may request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The appointee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(E) An acting judge appointed pursuant to division (A)(2)(a), (B)(1), or (C)(1) of this section and an assigned judge assigned pursuant to division (A)(1), (A)(2)(b), (B)(2), (C)(2), or (D) of this section shall have the jurisdiction and adjudicatory powers conferred upon the judge of the municipal court. During the time of service, the acting judge or assigned judge shall sign all process and records and shall perform all acts pertaining to the office, except that of removal and appointment of officers of the municipal court. All courts shall take judicial notice of the selection and powers of the acting judge or assigned judge.

Sec. 1901.122.  (A)(1) An acting judge appointed pursuant to division (A)(2)(a), (B)(1), or (C)(1) of section 1901.121 of the Revised Code shall receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses and a per diem compensation established by the incumbent judge, subject to the following limitations:

(a) If the incumbent judge receives compensation as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, the per diem compensation of the acting judge shall not exceed the per diem compensation paid to the incumbent judge based upon a work year of two hundred fifty days.

(b) If the incumbent judge receives compensation as described in division (A)(6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, the per diem compensation of the acting judge shall not exceed the per diem compensation paid to the incumbent judge based upon a work year of one hundred thirty days.

(2) The per diem compensation of the acting judge shall be payable in the same manner as the compensation paid to the incumbent judge during the same period.

(B) An assigned judge assigned pursuant to division (A)(1), (A)(2)(b), (B)(2), (C)(2), or (D) of section 1901.121 of the Revised Code shall receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses and a per diem compensation computed as follows:

(1) If the assigned judge receives compensation as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, thirty dollars;

(2) If the assigned judge receives compensation as described in division (A)(6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, the per diem compensation of a judge of a municipal court compensated as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, less the per diem compensation of the assigned judge, each calculated on the basis of two hundred fifty working days per year;

(3) If the assigned judge is a retired judge of a municipal or county court or a court of common pleas, the established per diem compensation for a judge of a municipal court compensated as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, calculated on the basis of two hundred fifty working days per year, in addition to any retirement benefits to which the assigned judge may be entitled;

(4) If the assigned judge is a sitting judge of the court of appeals or a court of common pleas, fifty dollars.

Sec. 1901.123.  (A)(1) Subject to reimbursement under division (B) of this section, the treasurer of the county in which a county-operated municipal court or other municipal court is located shall pay the per diem compensation to which an acting judge appointed pursuant to division (A)(2)(a), (B)(1), or (C)(1) of section 1901.121 of the Revised Code is entitled pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 1901.122 of the Revised Code.

(2) Subject to reimbursement under division (B) of this section, the treasurer of the county in which a county-operated municipal court or other municipal court is located shall pay the per diem compensation to which an assigned judge assigned pursuant to division (A)(1), (A)(2)(b), (B)(2), (C)(2), or (D) of section 1901.121 of the Revised Code is entitled pursuant to division (B) of section 1901.122 of the Revised Code.

(B) The treasurer of a county that, pursuant to division (A) of this section, is required to pay any compensation to which an acting judge or assigned judge is entitled under division (A)(5) or (6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, shall submit to the administrative director of the supreme court quarterly requests for reimbursements of the per diem amounts so paid. The requests shall include verifications of the payment of those amounts and an affidavit from the acting judge or assigned judge stating the days and hours worked. The administrative director shall cause reimbursements of those amounts to be issued to the county if the administrative director verifies that those amounts were, in fact, so paid.

Sec. 1907.14.  (A) A judge of a county court shall take an oath of office as provided in section 3.23 of the Revised Code, the.

(B) The office of judge of a county court is subject to forfeiture, and a judge may be removed from office, for the causes and by the procedure provided in sections 3.07 to 3.10 of the Revised Code.

When a judge of a county court is temporarily absent, incapacitated, or otherwise unavailable, the judge may appoint a substitute having the qualifications required by section 1907.13 of the Revised Code or may appoint a retired judge of a court of record in the state who is a qualified elector and a resident of the county court district. If the judge is unable to make the appointment, the administrative judge of the county court district or the administrative judge of the court of common pleas of the county shall appoint the substitute. The appointee shall serve during the absence, incapacity, or unavailability of the incumbent, shall have the jurisdiction and powers conferred upon the judge of the county court, and shall be styled "acting judge." During that term of service, the acting judge shall sign all process and records and perform all acts pertaining to the office except that of removal and appointment of officers of the court. All courts shall take judicial notice of the selection and powers of the acting judge. The incumbent judge shall establish the amount of the compensation of an acting judge on a per diem, hourly, or other basis, and the compensation shall not exceed the per diem compensation paid to the incumbent judge based upon a work year of one hundred thirty days. The compensation shall be payable in the same manner as the compensation paid to the incumbent judge during the same period.

Sec. 1907.141.  (A)(1) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a judge of a county court that consists of only one judge or if the judge of a county court of that nature is incapacitated or unavailable due to disqualification, suspension, or recusal, the chief justice of the supreme court may assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(2) If a judge of a county court that consists of only one judge is temporarily absent for a reason other than as specified in division (A)(1) of this section, the judge may do either of the following:

(a) Appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court or, if the territory of the court has a population of less than twenty-five thousand according to the latest federal decennial census and the judge is unable to appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court, appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of a municipal or county court that is contiguous to the court. The appointee shall either be admitted to the practice of law in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years preceding appointment, engaged in the practice of law in this state or a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or be a retired judge of a court of record. The appointee shall be styled "acting judge" and shall temporarily serve on the court during the temporary absence of the incumbent judge.

(b) Request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(B) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a judge of a county court that consists of two judges or if a judge of a county court of that nature is incapacitated, unavailable, or temporarily absent, the presiding judge may do either of the following:

(1) Appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court or, if the territory of the court has a population of less than twenty-five thousand according to the latest federal decennial census and the judge is unable to appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court, appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of a municipal or county court that is contiguous to the court. The appointee shall either be admitted to the practice of law in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years preceding appointment, engaged in the practice of law in this state or a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or be a retired judge of a court of record. The appointee shall be styled "acting judge" and shall temporarily serve on the court during the vacancy or the incapacity, unavailability, or temporary absence of the incumbent judge.

(2) Request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe.

(C) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a judge of a county court that consists of three or more judges or if a judge of a county court of that nature is incapacitated, unavailable, or temporarily absent, the presiding judge may do either of the following:

(1) If no other judge of the court is available to perform the duties of the judge, appoint a substitute who is a resident of the territory of the court. The appointee shall either be admitted to the practice of law in this state and have been, for a total of at least six years preceding appointment, engaged in the practice of law in this state or a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or be a retired judge of a court of record. The appointee shall be styled "acting judge" and shall temporarily serve on the court during the vacancy or the incapacity, unavailability, or temporary absence of the incumbent judge.

(2) Request the chief justice of the supreme court to assign a sitting judge of another court of record or a retired judge of a court of record to temporarily serve on the court in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court pursuant to division (A)(1) of Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution. The assignee shall be styled "assigned judge" and shall serve for any period of time the chief justice may prescribe

(D) An acting judge appointed pursuant to division (A)(2)(a), (B)(1), or (C)(1) of this section and an assigned judge assigned pursuant to division (A)(1), (A)(2)(b), (B)(2), or (C)(2) of this section shall have the jurisdiction and adjudicatory powers conferred upon the judge of the county court. During the time of service, the acting judge or assigned judge shall sign all process and records and shall perform all acts pertaining to the office, except that of removal and appointment of officers of the court. All courts shall take judicial notice of the selection and powers of the acting judge or assigned judge.

Sec. 1907.142.  (A) An acting judge appointed pursuant to division (A)(2)(a), (B)(1), or (C)(1) of section 1907.141 of the Revised Code shall receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses and a per diem compensation established by the incumbent judge, provided the per diem compensation of the acting judge shall not exceed the per diem compensation paid to the incumbent judge based upon a work year of one hundred thirty days. The per diem compensation of the acting judge shall be payable in the same manner as the compensation paid to the incumbent judge during the same period.

(B) An assigned judge assigned pursuant to division (A)(1), (A)(2)(b), (B)(2), or (C)(2) of section 1907.141 of the Revised Code shall receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses and a per diem compensation computed as follows:

(1) If the assigned judge receives compensation as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, thirty dollars;

(2) If the assigned judge receives compensation as described in division (A)(6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, the per diem compensation of a judge of a municipal court compensated as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, less the per diem compensation of the assigned judge, each calculated on the basis of two hundred fifty working days per year;

(3) If the assigned judge is a retired judge of a municipal or county court or a court of common pleas, the established per diem compensation for a judge of a municipal court compensated as described in division (A)(5) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, calculated on the basis of two hundred fifty working days per year, in addition to any retirement benefits to which the assigned judge may be entitled;

(4) If the assigned judge is a sitting judge of the court of appeals or a court of common pleas, fifty dollars.

Sec. 1907.143.  (A)(1) Subject to reimbursement under division (B) of this section, the treasurer of the county in which a county court is located shall pay the per diem compensation to which an acting judge appointed pursuant to division (A)(2)(b), (B)(1), or (C)(1) of section 1907.141 of the Revised Code is entitled pursuant to division (A) of section 1907.142 of the Revised Code.

(2) Subject to reimbursement under division (B) of this section, the treasurer of the county in which a county court is located shall pay the per diem compensation to which an assigned judge assigned pursuant to division (A)(1), (A)(2)(b), (B)(2), or (C)(2) of section 1907.141 of the Revised Code is entitled pursuant to division (B) of section 1907.142 of the Revised Code.

(B) The treasurer of a county that, pursuant to division (A) of this section, is required to pay any compensation to which an acting judge or assigned judge is entitled under division (A)(5) or (6) of section 141.04 of the Revised Code, shall submit to the administrative director of the supreme court quarterly requests for reimbursements of the per diem amounts so paid. The requests shall include verifications of the payment of those amounts and an affidavit from the acting judge or assigned judge stating the days and hours worked. The administrative director shall cause reimbursements of those amounts to be issued to the county if the administrative director verifies that those amounts were, in fact, so paid.

Sec. 2701.03.  (A) If a judge of the court of common pleas allegedly is interested in a proceeding pending before the court, allegedly is related to or has a bias or prejudice for or against a party to a proceeding pending before the court or a party's counsel, or allegedly otherwise is disqualified to preside in a proceeding pending before the court, any party to the proceeding or the party's counsel may file an affidavit of disqualification with the clerk of the supreme court in accordance with division (B) of this section.

(B) An affidavit of disqualification filed under section 2101.39 or, 2501.13, 2701.031, or 2743.041 of the Revised Code or division (A) of this section shall be filed with the clerk of the supreme court not less than seven calendar days before the day on which the next hearing in the proceeding is scheduled and shall include all of the following:

(1) The specific allegations on which the claim of interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification is based and the facts to support each of those allegations or, in relation to an affidavit filed against a judge of a court of appeals, a specific allegation that the judge presided in the lower court in the same proceeding and the facts to support that allegation;

(2) The jurat of a notary public or another person authorized to administer oaths or affirmations;

(3) A certificate indicating that a copy of the affidavit has been served on the probate judge, judge of a court of appeals, or judge of a court of common pleas, judge of a municipal or county court, or judge of the court of claims against whom the affidavit is filed and on all other parties or their counsel;

(4) The date of the next scheduled hearing in the proceeding or, if there is no hearing scheduled, a statement that there is no hearing scheduled.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, when an affidavit of disqualification is presented to the clerk of the supreme court for filing under division (B) of this section, all of the following apply:

(a) The clerk of the supreme court shall accept the affidavit for filing and shall forward the affidavit to the chief justice of the supreme court.

(b) The supreme court shall send notice of the filing of the affidavit to the probate court served by the judge if the affidavit is filed against a probate court judge, to the clerk of the court of appeals served by the judge if the affidavit is filed against a judge of a court of appeals, or to the clerk of the court of common pleas served by the judge if the affidavit is filed against a judge of a court of common pleas, to the clerk of the municipal or county court served by the judge if the affidavit is filed against a judge of a municipal or county court, or to the clerk of the court of claims if the affidavit is filed against a judge of the court of claims.

(c) Upon receipt of the notice under division (C)(1)(b) of this section, the probate court, the clerk of the court of appeals, or the clerk of the court of common pleas, the clerk of the municipal or county court, or the clerk of the court of claims shall enter the fact of the filing of the affidavit on the docket of the probate court, the docket of the court of appeals, or the docket in the proceeding in the court of common pleas, the docket of the proceeding in the municipal or county court, or the docket of the proceeding in the court of claims.

(2) The clerk of the supreme court shall not accept an affidavit of disqualification presented for filing under division (B) of this section if it is not timely presented for filing or does not satisfy the requirements of divisions (B)(2), (3), and (4) of this section.

(D)(1) Except as provided in divisions (D)(2) to (4) of this section, if the clerk of the supreme court accepts an affidavit of disqualification for filing under divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the affidavit deprives the judge against whom the affidavit was filed of any authority to preside in the proceeding until the chief justice of the supreme court, or a justice of the supreme court designated by the chief justice, rules on the affidavit pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(2) A judge against whom an affidavit of disqualification has been filed under divisions (B) and (C) of this section may do any of the following that is applicable:

(a) If, based on the scheduled hearing date, the affidavit was not timely filed, the judge may preside in the proceeding.

(b) If the proceeding is a domestic relations proceeding, the judge may issue any temporary order relating to spousal support pendente lite and the support, maintenance, and allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children.

(c) If the proceeding pertains to a complaint brought pursuant to Chapter 2151. or 2152. of the Revised Code, the judge may issue any temporary order pertaining to the relation and conduct of any other person toward a child who is the subject of a complaint as the interest and welfare of the child may require.

(3) A judge against whom an affidavit of disqualification has been filed under divisions (B) and (C) of this section may determine a matter that does not affect a substantive right of any of the parties.

(4) If the clerk of the supreme court accepts an affidavit of disqualification for filing under divisions (B) and (C) of this section, if the chief justice of the supreme court, or a justice of the supreme court designated by the chief justice, denies the affidavit of disqualification pursuant to division (E) of this section, and if, after the denial, a second or subsequent affidavit of disqualification regarding the same judge and the same proceeding is filed by the same party who filed or on whose behalf was filed the affidavit that was denied or by counsel for the same party who filed or on whose behalf was filed the affidavit that was denied, the judge against whom the second or subsequent affidavit is filed may preside in the proceeding prior to the ruling of the chief justice of the supreme court, or a justice designated by the chief justice, on the second or subsequent affidavit.

(E) If the clerk of the supreme court accepts an affidavit of disqualification for filing under divisions (B) and (C) of this section and if the chief justice of the supreme court, or any justice of the supreme court designated by the chief justice, determines that the interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification alleged in the affidavit does not exist, the chief justice or the designated justice shall issue an entry denying the affidavit of disqualification. If the chief justice of the supreme court, or any justice of the supreme court designated by the chief justice, determines that the interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification alleged in the affidavit exists, the chief justice or the designated justice shall issue an entry that disqualifies that judge from presiding in the proceeding and either order that the proceeding be assigned to another judge of the court of which the disqualified judge is a member pursuant to the court's random assignment process, to a judge of another court, or to a retired judge.

Sec. 2701.031.  (A) If a judge of a municipal or county court allegedly is interested in a proceeding pending before the judge, allegedly is related to or has a bias or prejudice for or against a party to a proceeding pending before the judge or to a party's counsel, or allegedly otherwise is disqualified to preside in a proceeding pending before the judge, any party to the proceeding or the party's counsel may file an affidavit of disqualification with the clerk of the supreme court in which the proceeding is pending. The affidavit of disqualification shall be filed and decided in accordance with divisions (B) to (E) of section 2701.03 of the Revised Code, and, upon the filing of the affidavit, the provisions of those divisions apply to the affidavit, the proceeding, the judge, and the parties to the proceeding.

(B) An affidavit of disqualification shall be filed under this section with the clerk of the court in which the proceeding is pending not less than seven calendar days before the day on which the next hearing in the proceeding is scheduled and shall include all of the following:

(1) The specific allegations on which the claim of interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification is based and the facts to support each of those allegations;

(2) The jurat of a notary public or another person authorized to administer oaths or affirmations;

(3) A certificate indicating that a copy of the affidavit has been served on the judge of the municipal or county court against whom the affidavit is filed and on all other parties or their counsel;

(4) The date of the next scheduled hearing in the proceeding or, if there is no hearing scheduled, a statement that there is no hearing scheduled.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, when an affidavit of disqualification is presented to the clerk of a municipal or county court for filing under division (B) of this section, the clerk shall enter the fact of the filing on the docket in that proceeding and shall provide notice of the filing of the affidavit to one of the following:

(a) The presiding judge of the court of common pleas of the county;

(b) If there is no presiding judge of the court of common pleas of the county, a judge of the court of common pleas of the county.

(2) The clerk of the municipal or county court in which a proceeding is pending shall not accept an affidavit of disqualification presented for filing under division (B) of this section if it is not timely presented for filing or does not satisfy the requirements of divisions (B)(2), (3), and (4) of this section.

(D)(1) Except as provided in divisions (D)(2) to (4) of this section, if the clerk of the municipal or county court in which a proceeding is pending accepts an affidavit of disqualification for filing under divisions (B) and (C) of this section, the affidavit deprives the judge of a municipal or county court against whom the affidavit was filed of any authority to preside in the proceeding until the judge who was notified pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section rules on the affidavit pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(2) A judge of a municipal or county court against whom an affidavit of disqualification has been filed under divisions (B) and (C) of this section may preside in the proceeding if, based on the scheduled hearing date, the affidavit was not timely filed.

(3) A judge of a municipal or county court against whom an affidavit of disqualification has been filed under divisions (B) and (C) of this section may determine a matter that does not affect a substantive right of any of the parties.

(4) If the clerk of a municipal or county court accepts an affidavit of disqualification for filing under divisions (B) and (C) of this section, if the judge who is notified pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section of the filing of the affidavit of disqualification denies the affidavit pursuant to division (E) of this section, and if, after the denial, a second or subsequent affidavit of disqualification regarding the same judge and the same proceeding is filed by the same party who filed or on whose behalf was filed the affidavit that was denied or by counsel for the same party who filed or on whose behalf was filed the affidavit that was denied, the judge of a municipal or county court against whom the second or subsequent affidavit is filed may preside in the proceeding prior to the ruling, by the judge who is notified pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, on the second or subsequent affidavit pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(E) If the clerk of a municipal or county court accepts an affidavit of disqualification for filing under divisions (B) and (C) of this section and if the judge who is notified pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section of the filing of the affidavit determines that the interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification alleged in the affidavit does not exist, the judge who is so notified shall issue an entry denying the affidavit of disqualification. If the judge who is notified pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section of the filing of the affidavit determines that the interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification alleged in the affidavit exists, the judge who is so notified shall issue an entry that disqualifies the judge against whom the affidavit was filed from presiding in the proceeding and designate another judge of the municipal or county court, or of the court of common pleas, to preside in the proceeding in place of the disqualified judge.

Sec. 2743.03.  (A)(1) There is hereby created a court of claims. The court of claims is a court of record and has exclusive, original jurisdiction of all civil actions against the state permitted by the waiver of immunity contained in section 2743.02 of the Revised Code, and exclusive jurisdiction of the causes of action of all parties in civil actions that are removed to the court of claims, and jurisdiction to hear appeals from the decisions of the court of claims commissioners. The court shall have full equity powers in all actions within its jurisdiction and may entertain and determine all counterclaims, cross-claims, and third-party claims.

(2) If the claimant in a civil action as described in division (A)(1) of this section also files a claim for a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, or other equitable relief against the state that arises out of the same circumstances that gave rise to the civil action described in division (A)(1) of this section, the court of claims has exclusive, original jurisdiction to hear and determine that claim in that civil action. This division does not affect, and shall not be construed as affecting, the original jurisdiction of another court of this state to hear and determine a civil action in which the sole relief that the claimant seeks against the state is a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, or other equitable relief.

(3) In addition to its exclusive, original jurisdiction as conferred by division (A)(1) and (2) of this section, the court of claims has exclusive, original jurisdiction as described in division (F) of section 2743.02, division (B) of section 3335.03, and division (C) of section 5903.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) The court of claims shall sit in Franklin county, its hearings shall be public, and it shall consist of incumbent justices or judges of the supreme court, courts of appeals, or courts of common pleas, or retired justices or judges eligible for active duty pursuant to division (C) of Section 6 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution, sitting by temporary assignment of the chief justice of the supreme court. The chief justice may direct the court to sit in any county for cases on removal upon a showing of substantial hardship and whenever justice dictates.

(C)(1) A civil action against the state shall be heard and determined by a single judge. Upon application by the claimant or the state, the chief justice of the supreme court may assign a panel of three judges to hear and determine a civil action presenting novel or complex issues of law or fact. Concurrence of two members of the panel is necessary for any judgment or order.

(2) Whenever the chief justice of the supreme court believes an equitable resolution of a case will be expedited, the chief justice may appoint referees magistrates in accordance with Civil Rule 53 to hear the case.

(3) When any dispute under division (B) of section 153.12 of the Revised Code is brought to the court of claims, upon request of either party to the dispute, the chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint a single referee or a panel of three referees. The referees need not be attorneys, but shall be persons knowledgeable about construction contract law, a member of the construction industry panel of the American arbitration association, or an individual or individuals deemed qualified by the chief justice to serve. No person shall serve as a referee if that person has been employed by an affected state agency or a contractor or subcontractor involved in the dispute at any time in the preceding five years. Proceedings governing referees shall be in accordance with Civil Rule 53, except as modified by this division. The referee or panel of referees shall submit its report, which shall include a recommendation and finding of fact, to the judge assigned to the case by the chief justice, within thirty days of the conclusion of the hearings. Referees appointed pursuant to this division shall be compensated on a per diem basis at the same rate as is paid to judges of the court and also shall be paid their expenses. If a single referee is appointed or a panel of three referees is appointed, then, with respect to one referee of the panel, the compensation and expenses of the referee shall not be taxed as part of the costs in the case but shall be included in the budget of the court. If a panel of three referees is appointed, the compensation and expenses of the two remaining referees shall be taxed as costs of the case.

All costs of a case shall be apportioned among the parties. The court may not require that any party deposit with the court cash, bonds, or other security in excess of two hundred dollars to guarantee payment of costs without the prior approval in each case of the chief justice.

(4) An appeal from a decision of the court of claims commissioners attorney general pursuant to sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code shall be heard and determined by one judge of the court of claims.

(D) The Rules of Civil Procedure shall govern practice and procedure in all actions in the court of claims, except insofar as inconsistent with this chapter. The supreme court may promulgate rules governing practice and procedure in actions in the court as provided in Section 5 of Article IV, Ohio Constitution.

(E)(1) A party who files a counterclaim against the state or makes the state a third-party defendant in an action commenced in any court, other than the court of claims, shall file a petition for removal in the court of claims. The petition shall state the basis for removal, be accompanied by a copy of all process, pleadings, and other papers served upon the petitioner, and shall be signed in accordance with Civil Rule 11. A petition for removal based on a counterclaim shall be filed within twenty-eight days after service of the counterclaim of the petitioner. A petition for removal based on third-party practice shall be filed within twenty-eight days after the filing of the third-party complaint of the petitioner.

(2) Within seven days after filing a petition for removal, the petitioner shall give written notice to the parties, and shall file a copy of the petition with the clerk of the court in which the action was brought originally. The filing effects the removal of the action to the court of claims, and the clerk of the court where the action was brought shall forward all papers in the case to the court of claims. The court of claims shall adjudicate all civil actions removed. The court may remand a civil action to the court in which it originated upon a finding that the removal petition does not justify removal, or upon a finding that the state is no longer a party.

(3) Bonds, undertakings, or security and injunctions, attachments, sequestrations, or other orders issued prior to removal remain in effect until dissolved or modified by the court of claims.

Sec. 2743.04.  (A) Judges of the court of claims who are not residents of Franklin county, or when the court sits outside Franklin county the judges who are residents of Franklin county, shall be compensated for their actual and necessary expenses of traveling to and from the place of holding the court.

(B) A retired judge shall, in addition to his the judge's retirement allowance, receive per diem compensation for service as a member of the court of claims at a rate computed on the annual compensation of a judge of a court of appeals common pleas. An incumbent judge shall receive additional per diem compensation equal to that allowed retired judges under this section less a per diem amount computed on his the incumbent judge's annual compensation.

Sec. 2743.041.  If a judge of the court of claims allegedly is interested in a proceeding pending before the judge, allegedly is related to or has a bias or prejudice for or against a party to a proceeding pending before the judge or to a party's counsel, or allegedly otherwise is disqualified to preside in a proceeding pending before the judge, any party to the proceeding or the party's counsel may file an affidavit of disqualification with the clerk of the supreme court. The affidavit of disqualification shall be filed and decided in accordance with divisions (B) to (E) of section 2701.03 of the Revised Code, and, upon the filing of the affidavit, the provisions of those divisions apply to the affidavit, the proceeding, the judge, and the parties to the proceeding.

Sec. 2743.09.  The clerk of the court of claims shall do all of the following:

(A) Administer oaths and take and certify affidavits, depositions, and acknowledgments of powers of attorney and other instruments in writing;

(B) Prepare the dockets, enter and record the orders, judgments, decisions, awards, and proceedings of the court of claims and the court of claims commissioners, and issue writs and process;

(C) Maintain an office in Franklin county in rooms provided by the supreme court for that purpose;

(D) Keep an appearance docket of civil actions, and claims for an award of reparations, and appeals from decisions of the court of claims commissioners. The clerk may refuse to accept for filing any pleading or paper that relates to a civil action in the court of claims and that is submitted for filing by a person who has been found to be a vexatious litigator under section 2323.52 of the Revised Code and who has failed to obtain leave to proceed under that section.

Upon the commencement of an action or claim, the clerk shall assign it a number. This number shall be placed on the first page, and every continuation page, of the appearance docket that concerns the particular action or claim. In addition, this number and the names of the parties shall be placed on the case file and every paper filed in the action or claim.

At the time the action is commenced the clerk shall enter in the appearance docket the names of the parties in full and the names of counsel and shall index the action alphabetically by the last name of each party. Thereafter, the clerk shall chronologically note in the appearance docket all process issued and returns, pleas, motions, papers filed in the action, orders, verdicts, and judgments. The notations shall be brief but shall show the date of filing, substance, and journal volume and page of each order, verdict, and judgment. An action is commenced for purposes of this division by the filing of a complaint, including a form complaint under section 2743.10 of the Revised Code or a petition for removal.

At the time an appeal for an award of reparations is commenced, the clerk shall enter the full names of the claimant, the victim, and the attorneys in the appearance docket and shall index the claim alphabetically by the last name of the claimant and the victim. Thereafter, the clerk shall chronologically note in the appearance docket all process issued and returns, motions, papers filed in the claim, orders, decisions, and awards. The notations shall be brief but shall show the date of filing, substance, and journal volume and page of each order.

(E) Keep all original papers filed in an action or claim in a separate file folder and a journal in which all orders, verdicts, and judgments of the court and commissioners shall be recorded;

(F) Charge and collect fees pursuant to section 2303.20 of the Revised Code, keep a cashbook in which the clerk shall enter the amounts received, make a report to the clerk of the supreme court each quarter of the fees received during the preceding quarter, and pay them monthly into the state treasury;

(G) Appoint reporters and other clerical personnel;

(H) Under the direction of the chief justice, establish procedures for hearing and determining appeals for an award of reparations pursuant to sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2743.121.  (A) A panel of court of claims commissioners shall render its decisions as to claims for an award of reparations in writing and shall include separate findings of fact and any conclusions of law that are necessary. Orders as to claims for an award of reparations shall be entered on the journal, and the clerk shall certify on the order the date of journalization and shall send copies of the order and decision to the claimant, the attorney general, and the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the criminally injurious conduct occurred.

(B) A judge of the The court of claims shall render the judge's its decisions as to appeals from decisions of a panel of court of claims commissioners the attorney general pursuant to sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code in writing and shall include a separate finding for each issue contested upon appeal. Orders as to appeals shall be entered on the journal, and the clerk shall certify on the order the date of journalization and shall send copies of the order and decision to the claimant, the attorney general, and the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the criminally injurious conduct occurred.

Sec. 2743.20.  Appeals from orders and judgments of the court of claims lie to the same courts under the same circumstances, as appeals from the court of common pleas of Franklin county, and the same rules of law govern their determination. The decision of the court of claims with respect to an appeal from a decision of the court of claims commissioners the attorney general pursuant to sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code is final, and no appeal from the decision of the court of claims lies to any other court.

Sec. 2743.52.  (A) The attorney general shall make awards of reparations for economic loss arising from criminally injurious conduct, if satisfied by a preponderance of the evidence that the requirements for an award of reparations have been met.

(B) A The court of claims panel of commissioners or a judge of the court of claims has appellate jurisdiction to order awards of reparations for economic loss arising from criminally injurious conduct, if satisfied by a preponderance of the evidence that the requirements for an award of reparations have been met.

(C) A decision of the attorney general, an order of a court of claims panel of commissioners, or the judgment of a judge of the court of claims concerning an OVI violation shall not be used as the basis for any civil or criminal action and shall not be admissible as evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding.

Sec. 2743.53.  (A) A The court of claims panel of commissioners shall hear and determine all matters relating to appeals from decisions of the attorney general pursuant to sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code.

(B) A judge of the court of claims shall hear and determine all matters relating to appeals from decisions or orders of a panel of commissioners of the court of claims.

Sec. 2743.531.  The court of claims victims of crime fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund shall be used to pay the compensation of the court of claims commissioners, the compensation of judges of the court of claims necessary to hear and determine appeals from the commissioners, the compensation of any court of claims personnel needed to administer sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code, and other administrative expenses of hearing and determining appeals by court of claims commissioners and judges under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code.

At the beginning of each fiscal year, the director of budget and management shall transfer cash from the reparations fund to the court of claims victims of crime fund in an amount sufficient to make the cash balance in the court of claims victims of crime fund equal to the sum of the appropriation for that fiscal year and all prior fiscal year encumbrances. If the appropriation from the court of claims victims of crime fund is increased during the fiscal year, the director shall transfer cash from the reparations fund to the court of claims victims of crime fund in an amount equal to the increase in the appropriation.

Sec. 2743.55.  (A) The attorney general, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall determine all matters relating to claims for an award of reparations. The attorney general, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims may order law enforcement officers to provide copies of any information or data gathered in the investigation of the criminally injurious conduct that is the basis of any claim to enable the attorney general, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims to determine whether, and the extent to which, a claimant qualifies for an award of reparations.

(B) A court of claims panel of commissioners shall sit in Franklin county.

Sec. 2743.60.  (A) The attorney general, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall not make or order an award of reparations to a claimant if the criminally injurious conduct upon which the claimant bases a claim never was reported to a law enforcement officer or agency.

(B)(1) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall not make or order an award of reparations to a claimant if any of the following apply:

(a) The claimant is the offender or an accomplice of the offender who committed the criminally injurious conduct, or the award would unjustly benefit the offender or accomplice.

(b) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, both of the following apply:

(i) The victim was a passenger in a motor vehicle and knew or reasonably should have known that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or both.

(ii) The claimant is seeking compensation for injuries proximately caused by the driver described in division (B)(1)(b)(i) of this section being under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or both.

(c) Both of the following apply:

(i) The victim was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or both and was a passenger in a motor vehicle and, if sober, should have reasonably known that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or both.

(ii) The claimant is seeking compensation for injuries proximately caused by the driver described in division (B)(1)(b)(i) of this section being under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or both.

(2) Division (B)(1)(b) of this section does not apply if on the date of the occurrence of the criminally injurious conduct, the victim was under sixteen years of age or was at least sixteen years of age but less than eighteen years of age and was riding with a parent, guardian, or care-provider.

(C) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims, upon a finding that the claimant or victim has not fully cooperated with appropriate law enforcement agencies, may deny a claim or reconsider and reduce an award of reparations.

(D) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall reduce an award of reparations or deny a claim for an award of reparations that is otherwise payable to a claimant to the extent that the economic loss upon which the claim is based is recouped from other persons, including collateral sources. If an award is reduced or a claim is denied because of the expected recoupment of all or part of the economic loss of the claimant from a collateral source, the amount of the award or the denial of the claim shall be conditioned upon the claimant's economic loss being recouped by the collateral source. If the award or denial is conditioned upon the recoupment of the claimant's economic loss from a collateral source and it is determined that the claimant did not unreasonably fail to present a timely claim to the collateral source and will not receive all or part of the expected recoupment, the claim may be reopened and an award may be made in an amount equal to the amount of expected recoupment that it is determined the claimant will not receive from the collateral source.

If the claimant recoups all or part of the economic loss upon which the claim is based from any other person or entity, including a collateral source, the attorney general may recover pursuant to section 2743.72 of the Revised Code the part of the award that represents the economic loss for which the claimant received the recoupment from the other person or entity.

(E)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (E)(2) of this section, the attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall not make an award to a claimant if any of the following applies:

(a) The victim was convicted of a felony within ten years prior to the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim or is convicted of a felony during the pendency of the claim.

(b) The claimant was convicted of a felony within ten years prior to the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim or is convicted of a felony during the pendency of the claim.

(c) It is proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the victim or the claimant engaged, within ten years prior to the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim or during the pendency of the claim, in an offense of violence, a violation of section 2925.03 of the Revised Code, or any substantially similar offense that also would constitute a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(d) The claimant was convicted of a violation of section 2919.22 or 2919.25 of the Revised Code, or of any state law or municipal ordinance substantially similar to either section, within ten years prior to the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim or during the pendency of the claim.

(e) It is proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the victim at the time of the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim engaged in conduct that was a felony violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code or engaged in any substantially similar conduct that would constitute a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(2) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims may make an award to a minor dependent of a deceased victim for dependent's economic loss or for counseling pursuant to division (F)(2) of section 2743.51 of the Revised Code if the minor dependent is not ineligible under division (E)(1) of this section due to the minor dependent's criminal history and if the victim was not killed while engaging in illegal conduct that contributed to the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim. For purposes of this section, the use of illegal drugs by the deceased victim shall not be deemed to have contributed to the criminally injurious conduct that gave rise to the claim.

(F) In determining whether to make an award of reparations pursuant to this section, the attorney general or panel of commissioners the court of claims shall consider whether there was contributory misconduct by the victim or the claimant. The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall reduce an award of reparations or deny a claim for an award of reparations to the extent it is determined to be reasonable because of the contributory misconduct of the claimant or the victim.

When the attorney general decides whether a claim should be denied because of an allegation of contributory misconduct, the burden of proof on the issue of that alleged contributory misconduct shall be upon the claimant, if either of the following apply:

(1) The victim was convicted of a felony more than ten years prior to the criminally injurious conduct that is the subject of the claim or has a record of felony arrests under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(2) There is good cause to believe that the victim engaged in an ongoing course of criminal conduct within five years or less of the criminally injurious conduct that is the subject of the claim.

(G) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims shall not make an award of reparations to a claimant if the criminally injurious conduct that caused the injury or death that is the subject of the claim occurred to a victim who was an adult and while the victim, after being convicted of or pleading guilty to an offense, was serving a sentence of imprisonment in any detention facility, as defined in section 2921.01 of the Revised Code.

(H) If a claimant unreasonably fails to present a claim timely to a source of benefits or advantages that would have been a collateral source and that would have reimbursed the claimant for all or a portion of a particular expense, the attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims may reduce an award of reparations or deny a claim for an award of reparations to the extent that it is reasonable to do so.

(I) Reparations payable to a victim and to all other claimants sustaining economic loss because of injury to or the death of that victim shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars in the aggregate. If the attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims reduces an award under division (F) of this section, the maximum aggregate amount of reparations payable under this division shall be reduced proportionately to the reduction under division (F) of this section.

(J) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an award to a claimant whose claim is based on the claimant's being a victim of a violation of section 2905.32 of the Revised Code if the claimant was less than eighteen years of age when the criminally injurious conduct occurred.

Sec. 2743.601. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the amendments to sections 2743.51, 2743.56, 2743.59, and 2743.60 of the Revised Code made by the act in which this section was enacted apply to all applications for an award of reparations filed on or after the effective date of this section September 30, 2011, and to all applications for an award of reparations filed before the effective date of this section September 30, 2011, for which an award or denial of the claim by the attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or the court of claims has not yet become final. The amendments to section 2743.60 of the Revised Code made by the act in which this section was enacted, to the extent that they eliminate the statute of limitations and to the extent that they remove the seventy-two hour reporting requirement, and the amendments to section 2743.51 of the Revised Code concerning guardian bonds shall apply to all claims for an award of reparations pending on the effective date of this section September 30, 2011, and to all claims for an award of reparations filed on or after the effective date of this section September 30, 2011, that are based on criminally injurious conduct not previously addressed by the attorney general, by a panel of commissioners, or by the court of claims.

Sec. 2743.61.  (A) The attorney general, on the attorney general's own motion or upon request of a claimant or victim, may reconsider a decision to make an award of reparations, the amount of an award of reparations, or a decision to deny a claim for an award of reparations. A claimant may file a request for reconsideration with the attorney general not later than thirty days after the attorney general renders an initial decision. A claimant may submit with the request any additional information that is relevant to the claimant's claim for an award of reparation.

The attorney general shall reconsider the application based upon evidence that is relevant to the application and issue a final decision within sixty days of receiving the request for reconsideration. The attorney general may extend the sixty-day time limit and shall record in writing specific reasons to justify the extension. The attorney general shall notify the claimant of the extension and of the reasons for the extension.

If a claimant does not file a request for reconsideration of a decision of the attorney general to make an award or to deny a claim or of the amount of an award within thirty days after the decision is rendered, the award, the denial of the claim, or the amount of the award is final unless the attorney general in the interest of justice allows the reconsideration after the expiration of that period of time.

(B) A claimant may appeal an award of reparations, the amount of an award of reparations, or the denial of a claim for an award of reparations that is made by a final decision of the attorney general after any reconsideration. If the final decision of the attorney general with respect to any claim for an award of reparations is appealed, a the court of claims panel of commissioners, within ninety days of receiving the notice of appeal, shall schedule and conduct a hearing on the appeal. The panel of commissioners court shall determine the appeal within sixty days from the date of the hearing on the basis of the record of the hearing before the commissioners court, including the original award or denial and the finding of fact of the attorney general, any information or documents that the attorney general used in the investigation, any information or data provided to the attorney general, any briefs or oral arguments that may be requested by a the court of claims panel of commissioners, and any additional evidence presented at the hearing. The panel of commissioners court may extend the sixty-day time limit and shall record in writing specific reasons to justify the extension. The attorney general shall supply the panel of commissioners court with the original decision awarding or denying compensation, the finding of fact of the attorney general, any information or documents that the attorney general used in the investigation, and any information or data provided to the attorney general within fourteen days of the filing of the objection and notice of appeal by the applicant. The panel of commissioners court shall notify the claimant and attorney general of the extension and of the reasons for the extension. If upon hearing and consideration of the record and evidence, the court of claims panel of commissioners decides that the decision of the attorney general appealed from is reasonable and lawful, it shall affirm the same. If the court of claims panel of commissioners decides that the decision of the attorney general is not supported by a preponderance of the evidence or is unreasonable or unlawful, it the court shall reverse and vacate the decision or modify it and enter judgment thereon. The

(C) The attorney general or a claimant may appeal an award of reparations, the amount of an award of reparations, or the denial of a claim for an award of reparations that is made by a panel of court of claims commissioners. If the determination of the panel of commissioners with respect to any claim for an award of reparations is appealed, a judge of the court of claims shall hear and determine the appeal on the basis of the record of the hearing before the commissioners, including the original award or denial made by the attorney general, any information or documents presented to the panel of commissioners, and any briefs or oral arguments that may be requested by the judge. If upon hearing and consideration of the record and evidence, the judge decides that the decision of the panel of commissioners is unreasonable or unlawful, the judge shall reverse and vacate the decision or modify it and enter judgment on the claim. The decision of the judge of the court of claims is final.

(D)(C) Notices of an appeal concerning an award of reparations shall be filed within thirty days after the date on which the award or the denial of a claim is made by a final decision of the attorney general. If a notice of appeal is not filed within the thirty-day period, the award or denial of the claim is final unless a the court of claims panel of commissioners in the interests of justice allows the appeal.

(E) The attorney general or a claimant shall file a notice of an appeal concerning an order or decision of a panel of commissioners within thirty days after the date on which the award or the denial of a claim is made by the panel of commissioners. If the attorney general or a claimant does not file a notice of appeal with respect to an award or denial within the thirty-day period, the award or denial of the claim is final unless a judge of the court of claims in the interests of justice allows the appeal.

Sec. 2743.62.  (A)(1) Subject to division (A)(2) of this section, there is no privilege, except the privileges arising from the attorney-client relationship, as to communications or records that are relevant to the physical, mental, or emotional condition of the claimant or victim in a proceeding under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code in which that condition is an element.

(2)(a) Except as specified in division (A)(2)(b) of this section, any record or report that a judge of the court of claims, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or the attorney general has obtained prior to, or obtains on or after, June 30, 1998, under the provisions of sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code and that is confidential or otherwise exempt from public disclosure under section 149.43 of the Revised Code while in the possession of the creator of the record or report shall remain confidential or exempt from public disclosure under section 149.43 of the Revised Code while in the possession of the court of claims or the attorney general.

(b) Notwithstanding division (A)(2)(a) of this section, a judge of the court of claims, a panel of commissioners magistrate, a claimant, a claimant's attorney, or the attorney general may disclose or refer to records or reports described in that division in any hearing conducted under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code or in the judge's, panel of commissioners' magistrate's, claimant's, or attorney general's written pleadings, findings, recommendations, and decisions.

(B) If the mental, physical, or emotional condition of a victim or claimant is material to a claim for an award of reparations, the attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims may order the victim or claimant to submit to a mental or physical examination and may order an autopsy of a deceased victim. The order may be made for good cause shown and upon notice to the person to be examined and to the claimant. The order shall specify the time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination or autopsy and the person by whom it is to be made. In the case of a mental examination, the person specified may be a physician or psychologist. In the case of a physical examination, the person specified may be a physician, a physician assistant, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife. In the case of an autopsy, the person specified must be a physician. The order shall require the person who performs the examination or autopsy to file with the attorney general a detailed written report of the examination or autopsy. The report shall set out the findings, including the results of all tests made, diagnoses, prognoses, and other conclusions and reports of earlier examinations of the same conditions.

(C) On request of the person examined, the attorney general shall furnish the person a copy of the report. If the victim is deceased, the attorney general, on request, shall furnish the claimant a copy of the report.

(D) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims may require the claimant to supplement the application for an award of reparations with any reasonably available medical or psychological reports relating to the injury for which the award of reparations is claimed.

(E) The attorney general, a panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims, in a claim arising out of a violation of any provision of sections 2907.02 to 2907.07 of the Revised Code, shall not request the victim or the claimant to supply, or permit any person to supply, any evidence of specific instances of the victim's sexual activity, opinion evidence of the victim's sexual activity, or reputation evidence of the victim's sexual activity unless it involves evidence of the origin of semen, pregnancy, or disease or evidence of the victim's past sexual activity with the offender and only to the extent that the judge, the panel court of commissioners, claims or the attorney general finds that the evidence is relevant to a fact at issue in the claim.

Sec. 2743.63.  If a person refuses to comply with an order under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code, or asserts a privilege, except privileges arising from the attorney-client relationship, to withhold or suppress evidence relevant to a claim for an award of reparations, the attorney general may make any just decision including denial of the claim but shall not find the person in contempt. If necessary to carry out any of the attorney general's powers and duties, the attorney general may petition a the court of claims panel of commissioners for an appropriate order, including but not limited to a finding of contempt, but a panel of commissioners the court shall not find a person in contempt for refusal to submit to a mental or physical examination.

Sec. 2743.64.  The attorney general, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or a judge of the court of claims may make an award of reparations whether or not any person is prosecuted or convicted for committing the conduct that is the basis of the award. Proof of conviction of a person whose conduct gave rise to a claim is conclusive evidence that the crime was committed, unless an application for rehearing, an appeal of the conviction, or certiorari is pending, or a rehearing or new trial has been ordered.

If the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the criminally injurious conduct allegedly occurred requests the suspension of proceedings in any claim for an award of reparations and if the request is made because of the commencement of a criminal prosecution, the attorney general may suspend, because a criminal prosecution has been commenced or is imminent, the proceedings in any claim for an award of reparations for a definite period of time, and may make an emergency award under section 2743.67 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2743.65.  (A) The attorney general shall determine, and the state shall pay, in accordance with this section attorney's fees, commensurate with services rendered, to the attorney representing a claimant under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code. The attorney shall submit on an application form an itemized fee bill at the rate of sixty dollars per hour upon receipt of the final decision on the claim. Attorney's fees paid pursuant to this section are subject to the following maximum amounts:

(1) A maximum of seven hundred twenty dollars for claims resolved without the filing of an appeal to the panel court of commissioners claims;

(2) A maximum of one thousand twenty dollars for claims in which an appeal to the panel court of commissioners claims is filed plus, at the request of an attorney whose main office is not in Franklin county, Delaware county, Licking county, Fairfield county, Pickaway county, Madison county, or Union county, an amount for the attorney's travel time to attend the oral hearing before the panel court of commissioners claims at the rate of thirty dollars per hour;

(3) A maximum of one thousand three hundred twenty dollars for claims in which an appeal to a judge of the court of claims is filed plus, at the request of an attorney whose main office is not in Franklin county, Delaware county, Licking county, Fairfield county, Pickaway county, Madison county, or Union county, an amount for the attorney's travel time to attend the oral hearing before the judge court at the rate of thirty dollars per hour;

(4) A maximum of seven hundred twenty dollars for a supplemental reparations application;

(5) A maximum of two hundred dollars if the claim is denied on the basis of a claimant's or victim's conviction of a felony offense prior to the filing of the claim. If the claimant or victim is convicted of a felony offense during the pendency of the claim, the two hundred dollars maximum does not apply. If the attorney had knowledge of the claimant's or victim's felony conviction prior to the filing of the application for the claim, the attorney general may determine that the filing of the claim was frivolous and may deny attorney's fees.

(B) The attorney general may determine that an attorney be reimbursed for fees incurred in the creation of a guardianship if the guardianship is required in order for an individual to receive an award of reparations, and those fees shall be reimbursed at a rate of sixty dollars per hour.

(C)(1) The attorney general shall forward an application form for attorney's fees to a claimant's attorney before or when the final decision on a claim is rendered. The application form for attorney's fees shall do all of the following:

(a) Inform the attorney of the requirements of this section;

(b) Require a verification statement comporting with the law prohibiting falsification;

(c) Require an itemized fee statement;

(d) Require a verification statement that the claimant was served a copy of the completed application form;

(e) Include notice that the claimant may oppose the application by notifying the attorney general in writing within ten days.

(2) The attorney general shall forward a copy of this section to the attorney with the application form for attorney's fees. The attorney shall file the application form with the attorney general. The attorney general's decision with respect to an award of attorney's fees is final ten days after the attorney general renders the decision and mails a copy of the decision to the attorney at the address provided by the attorney. The attorney may request reconsideration of the decision on grounds that it is insufficient or calculated incorrectly. The attorney general's decision on the request for reconsideration is final.

(D) The attorney general shall review all application forms for attorney's fees that are submitted by a claimant's attorney and shall issue an order approving the amount of fees to be paid to the attorney within sixty days after receipt of the application form.

(E) No attorney's fees shall be paid for the following:

(1) Estate work or representation of a claimant against a collateral source;

(2) Duplication of investigative work required to be performed by the attorney general;

(3) Performance of unnecessary criminal investigation of the offense;

(4) Presenting or appealing an issue that has been repeatedly ruled upon by the highest appellate authority, unless a unique set of facts or unique issue of law exists that distinguishes it;

(5) A fee request that is unreasonable, is not commensurate with services rendered, violates the Ohio code of professional responsibility, or is based upon services that are determined to be frivolous.

(F)(1) The attorney general may reduce or deny the payment of attorney's fees to an attorney who has filed a frivolous claim. Subject to division (A)(5) of this section, the denial of a claim on the basis of a felony conviction, felony conduct, or contributory misconduct does not constitute a frivolous claim.

(2) As used in this section, "frivolous claim" means a claim in which there is clearly no legal grounds under the existing laws of this state to support the filing of a claim on behalf of the claimant or victim.

(G) The attorney general may determine that a lesser number of hours should have been required in a given case. Additional reimbursement may be made where the attorney demonstrates to the attorney general that the nature of the particular claim required the expenditure of an amount in excess of that allowed.

(H) No attorney shall receive payment under this section for assisting a claimant with an application for an award of reparations under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code if that attorney's fees have been allowed as an expense in accordance with division (F)(4) of section 2743.51 of the Revised Code.

(I) A contract or other agreement between an attorney and any person that provides for the payment of attorney's fees or other payments in excess of the attorney's fees allowed under this section for representing a claimant under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code shall be void and unenforceable.

(J) Each witness who appears in a hearing on a claim for an award of reparations shall receive compensation in an amount equal to that received by witnesses under section 119.094 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2743.66.  (A) A decision of the attorney general, or order of a court of claims panel of commissioners, or judgment of a judge of the court of claims granting an award of reparations may provide for the payment of the award in a lump sum or in installments. The part of an award equal to the amount of economic loss accrued to the date of the award shall be paid in a lump sum. An award for allowable expense that would accrue after the award is made shall not be paid in a lump sum. Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the part of an award not paid in a lump sum shall be paid in installments.

(B) Upon the motion of the claimant, the attorney general may commute future economic loss, other than allowable expense, to a lump sum but only upon a finding that either of the following applies:

(1) The award in a lump sum will promote the interests of the claimant.

(2) The present value of all future economic loss, other than allowable expense, does not exceed one thousand dollars.

(C) The attorney general may make an award for future economic loss payable in installments only for a period as to which future economic loss reasonably can be determined. An award for future economic loss payable in installments may be reconsidered and modified upon a finding that a material and substantial change of circumstances has occurred.

(D) An award is not subject to execution, attachment, garnishment, or other process, except that, upon receipt of an award by a claimant:

(1) The part of the award that is for allowable expense or funeral expense is not exempt from such action by a creditor to the extent that the creditor provided products, services, or accommodations the costs of which are included in the award.

(2) The part of the award that is for work loss shall not be exempt from such action to secure payment of spousal support, other maintenance, or child support.

(3) The attorney general may recover the award pursuant to section 2743.72 of the Revised Code if it is discovered that the claimant actually was not eligible for the award or that the award otherwise should not have been made under the standards and criteria set forth in sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code.

(4) If the claimant receives compensation from any other person or entity, including a collateral source, for an expense that is included within the award, the attorney general may recover pursuant to section 2743.72 of the Revised Code the part of the award that represents the expense for which the claimant received the compensation from the other person or entity.

(E) If a person entitled to an award of reparations is under eighteen years of age and if the amount of the award exceeds one thousand dollars, the order providing for the payment of the award shall specify that the award be paid either to the guardian of the estate of the minor appointed pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code or to the person or depository designated by the probate court under section 2111.05 of the Revised Code. If a person entitled to an award of reparations is under eighteen years of age and if the amount of the award is one thousand dollars or less, the order providing for the payment of the award may specify that the award be paid to an adult member of the family of the minor who is legally responsible for the minor's care or to any other person designated by the attorney general or panel of commissioners issuing the decision or order court of claims.

Sec. 2743.67.  The attorney general may make an emergency award if, before acting on an application for an award of reparations under this section, it appears likely that a final award will be made, and the claimant or victim will suffer undue hardship if immediate economic relief is not obtained. An emergency award shall not exceed two thousand dollars. The attorney general or the court of claims panel of commissioners shall deduct an amount of the emergency award from the final award, or the claimant or victim shall repay the amount of the emergency award that exceeds the final award made to the claimant. If no final award is made, the claimant or victim shall repay the entire emergency award.

Sec. 2743.68.  A claimant may file a supplemental reparations application in a claim if the attorney general, a court of claims panel of commissioners, or judge of the court of claims, within five years prior to the filing of the supplemental application, has made any of the following determinations:

(A) That an award, supplemental award, or installment award be granted;

(B) That an award, supplemental award, or installment award be conditioned or denied because of actual or potential recovery from a collateral source;

(C) That an award, supplemental award, or installment award be denied because the claimant had not incurred any economic loss at that time.

Sec. 2743.69. (A) The attorney general shall prepare and transmit annually to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leaders of both houses a report of the activities of the Ohio crime victims compensation program under sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Revised Code. The report shall include all of the following:

(1) The number of claims filed, the number of awards made and the amount of each award, and a statistical summary of awards made and denied, including the average size of awards;

(2) The balance in the reparations fund, with a listing by source and amount of the moneys that have been deposited in the fund;

(3) The amount that has been withdrawn from the fund, including separate listings of the administrative costs incurred by the attorney general and a the court of claims panel of commissioners, compensation of judges and court personnel, the amount awarded as attorney's fees, and the amount of payments made pursuant to divisions (A)(1)(k) and (l) of section 2743.191 of the Revised Code.

(B) The director of budget and management shall assist the attorney general in the preparation of the report required by this section.

Sec. 2743.71.  (A) Any law enforcement agency that investigates, and any prosecuting attorney, city director of law, village solicitor, or similar prosecuting authority who prosecutes, an offense committed in this state shall, upon first contact with the victim or the victim's family or dependents, give the victim or the victim's family or dependents a copy of an information card or other printed material provided by the attorney general pursuant to division (B) of this section and explain, upon request, the information on the card or material to the victim or the victim's family or dependents.

(B) The attorney general shall have printed, and shall provide to law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, city directors of law, village solicitors, and similar prosecuting authorities, cards or other materials that contain information explaining awards of reparations. The information on the cards or other materials shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following statements:

(1) Awards of reparations are limited to losses that are caused by physical injury resulting from criminally injurious conduct;

(2) Reparations applications are required to be filed within two years after the date of the criminally injurious conduct if the victim was an adult, or within the period provided by division (C)(B)(1) of section 2743.56 of the Revised Code if the victim of the criminally injurious conduct was a minor;

(3) An attorney who represents an applicant for an award of reparations cannot charge the applicant for the services rendered in relation to that representation but is required to apply to the attorney general for payment for the representation;

(4) Applications for awards of reparations may be obtained from the attorney general, law enforcement agencies, and victim assistance agencies and are to be filed with the attorney general.

(C) The attorney general may order that a reasonable amount of money be paid out of the reparations fund, subject to the limitation imposed by division (D) of this section, for use by the attorney general to publicize the availability of awards of reparations.

(D) During any fiscal year, the total expenditure for the printing and providing of information cards or other materials pursuant to division (B) of this section and for the publicizing of the availability of awards of reparations pursuant to division (C) of this section shall not exceed two per cent of the total of all court costs deposited, in accordance with section 2743.70 of the Revised Code, in the reparations fund during the immediately preceding fiscal year.

Section 2. That existing sections 141.04, 141.13, 1901.10, 1901.12, 1907.14, 2701.03, 2701.031, 2743.03, 2743.04, 2743.09, 2743.121, 2743.20, 2743.52, 2743.53, 2743.531, 2743.55, 2743.60, 2743.601, 2743.61, 2743.62, 2743.63, 2743.64, 2743.65, 2743.66, 2743.67, 2743.68, 2743.69, and 2743.71 and sections 1901.121 and 2743.54 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.