Chapter 9 | Miscellaneous

Section 9.01 | Official records - preserving and maintaining.

• Effective: September 26, 2003
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 95 - 125th General Assembly

When any officer, office, court, commission, board, institution, department, agent, or employee of the state, of a county, or of any other political subdivision who is charged with the duty or authorized or required by law to record, preserve, keep, maintain, or file any record, document, plat, court file, paper, or instrument in writing, or to make or furnish copies of any of them, deems it necessary or advisable, when recording or making a copy or reproduction of any of them or of any such record, for the purpose of recording or copying, preserving, and protecting them, reducing space required for storage, or any similar purpose, to do so by means of any photostatic, photographic, miniature photographic, film, microfilm, or microphotographic process, or perforated tape, magnetic tape, other magnetic means, electronic data processing, machine readable means, or graphic or video display, or any combination of those processes, means, or displays, which correctly and accurately copies, records, or reproduces, or provides a medium of copying, recording, or reproducing, the original record, document, plat, court file, paper, or instrument in writing, such use of any of those processes, means, or displays for any such purpose is hereby authorized. Any such records, copies, or reproductions may be made in duplicate, and the duplicates shall be stored in different buildings. The film or paper used for a process shall comply with the minimum standards of quality approved for permanent photographic records by the national bureau of standards. All such records, copies, or reproductions shall carry a certificate of authenticity and completeness, on a form specified by the director of administrative services through the state records program.

Any such officer, office, court, commission, board, institution, department, agent, or employee of the state, of a county, or of any other political subdivision may purchase or rent required equipment for any such photographic process and may enter into contracts with private concerns or other governmental agencies for the development of film and the making of reproductions of film as a part of any such photographic process. When so recorded, or copied or reproduced to reduce space required for storage or filing of such records, such photographs, microphotographs, microfilms, perforated tape, magnetic tape, other magnetic means, electronic data processing, machine readable means, graphic or video display, or combination of these processes, means, or displays, or films, or prints made therefrom, when properly identified by the officer by whom or under whose supervision they were made, or who has their custody, have the same effect at law as the original record or of a record made by any other legally authorized means, and may be offered in like manner and shall be received in evidence in any court where the original record, or record made by other legally authorized means, could have been so introduced and received. Certified or authenticated copies or prints of such photographs, microphotographs, films, microfilms, perforated tape, magnetic tape, other magnetic means, electronic data processing, machine readable means, graphic or video display, or combination of these processes, means, or displays, shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original.

Such photographs, microphotographs, microfilms, or films shall be placed and kept in conveniently accessible, fireproof, and insulated files, cabinets, or containers, and provisions shall be made for preserving, safekeeping, using, examining, exhibiting, projecting, and enlarging them whenever requested, during office hours.

All persons utilizing the methods described in this section for keeping records and information shall keep and make readily available to the public the machines and equipment necessary to reproduce the records and information in a readable form.

Section 9.02 | Inspection and review of financial institution records.

• Effective: March 23, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 199 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Customer" means any person or authorized representative of that person who has maintained or is maintaining an account or deposit of any type, or has utilized or is utilizing any service of a financial institution, or for whom a financial institution has acted or is acting as a fiduciary in relation to an account or deposit maintained in the person's name.

(2) "Governmental authority" includes the state, any political subdivision, district, or court, and any agency, department, officer, or authorized employee of any of those entities.

(3) "Financial institution" means any bank, building and loan association, trust company, credit union, licensee as defined in section 1321.01, registrant as defined in section 1321.51 of the Revised Code, or person registered as a mortgage lender under Chapter 1322. of the Revised Code.

(4) "Financial record" means any record, including statements or receipts, and checks, drafts, or similar instruments, or information derived from such record, that is maintained by a financial institution and that pertains to a deposit or account of a customer, a service of the financial institution utilized by a customer, or any other relationship between a customer and the financial institution.

(5) "Supervisory review" means any examination of or other supervisory action with respect to a financial institution, where such examination or action is conducted or taken pursuant to authority granted under the Revised Code, or rules promulgated pursuant thereto by the agency having regulatory jurisdiction over such institution.

(B) Any party, including a governmental authority, that requires or requests a financial institution to assemble or provide a customer's financial records in connection with any investigation, action, or proceeding shall pay the financial institution for all actual and necessary costs directly incurred in searching for, reproducing, or transporting these records, if the financial institution is not a party to the investigation, action, or proceeding, is not a subject of supervisory review in the investigation, action, or proceeding, or is a party to the investigation, action, or proceeding solely by reason of its holding of assets of another party defendant, with no cause of action alleged against the financial institution. This payment shall be made to the financial institution promptly, whether or not the financial records are entered into evidence. If the records are produced pursuant to a court order or subpoena duces tecum, the party requesting the order or subpoena is responsible for making the payment. With respect to any judicial or administrative proceeding for which the records are requested, payment of these costs shall be in addition to any witness fees.

(C) The rates and conditions for making payments required by division (B) of this section shall be established by rule by the superintendent of financial institutions. To the extent that they are applicable, such respective rules shall be substantially like those adopted by the board of governors of the federal reserve system to regulate similar fees required by the "Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978," 92 Stat. 3708, 12 U.S.C.A. 3415.

(D)(1) This section is not intended to expand, limit, or otherwise affect any authority granted under federal law or the law of this state to any party, including a governmental authority, to procure, request, or require a customer's financial records. This section does not apply to investigations or examinations conducted under authority granted by Chapter 169., 1707., 3737., or 4735. of the Revised Code.

(2) Division (B) of this section does not apply to financial records required to be assembled or provided pursuant to a subpoena, demand for production, request for records, or demand for inspection issued by or on motion of the attorney general or the organized crime investigations commission, to a subpoena issued by or on motion of a prosecuting attorney who has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed, or to a subpoena issued by a grand jury, if all of the following apply:

(a) The financial records or copies of the financial records are subpoenaed for purposes of a criminal investigation or prosecution;

(b) The subpoena is delivered to the financial institution at least ten days before the records are to be provided;

(c) The subpoena identifies individual items to be provided or is for statements of the customer's account for a specified period of time but only as is relevant to the possible crime being investigated.

If any financial record assembled or provided by a financial institution pursuant to such a subpoena or any information derived from the financial record is introduced as evidence in any criminal trial and if any nonindigent defendant is convicted of an offense at that trial, the trial court shall charge against the defendant, as a cost of prosecution, all actual and necessary costs directly incurred by the financial institution in searching for, reproducing, or transporting the financial records provided the financial institution is not a defendant at the trial. A defendant against whom costs are charged pursuant to this division shall pay the costs to the court which shall forward the payment to the financial institution. For purposes of this division, the trial court shall determine whether a defendant is indigent. The rates of payment established by rule pursuant to division (C) of this section shall be used by the trial court in charging costs under this division.

(E) Notwithstanding division (D) of this section, in any proceeding, action, or investigation that involves an alleged violation of section 2921.02, 2921.41, 2921.42, or 2921.43 of the Revised Code, that either involves a property interest of the state or occurred within the scope of state employment or during the performance of a state public official's or state public servant's duties, and in which a financial institution is required or requested to assemble or provide financial records, the financial institution has a right of reimbursement from the state treasury for all actual and necessary costs incurred in searching for, reproducing, or transporting the financial records, at the rates established by rule under division (C) of this section. The reimbursement shall be made only if the financial institution is not a party to, or subject of the investigation, action, or proceeding, or is a party to the investigation, action, or proceeding solely by reason of its holding assets of another party defendant, with no cause of action alleged against the financial institution, and only if the financial institution has not acted negligently in the management of the deposit, account, service, or other relationship to which those financial records pertain. The reimbursement shall be made promptly, whether or not the financial records are entered into evidence. As used in this division, "state" means only the state of Ohio and does not include any political subdivision.

Section 9.03 | Newsletters of political subdivisions.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Political subdivision" means any body corporate and politic, except a municipal corporation that has adopted a charter under Section 7 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution, and except a county that has adopted a charter under Sections 3 and 4 of Article X, Ohio Constitution, to which both of the following apply:

(a) It is responsible for governmental activities only in a geographic area smaller than the state.

(b) It is subject to the sovereign immunity of the state.

(2) "Cigarettes" and "tobacco product" have the same meanings as in section 5743.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Transaction" has the same meaning as in section 1315.51 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Campaign committee," "campaign fund," "candidate," "legislative campaign fund," "political action committee," "political committee," "political party," and "separate segregated fund" have the same meanings as in section 3517.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, the governing body of a political subdivision may use public funds to publish and distribute newsletters, or to use any other means, to communicate information about the plans, policies, and operations of the political subdivision to members of the public within the political subdivision and to other persons who may be affected by the political subdivision.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(7) of section 340.03 of the Revised Code, no governing body of a political subdivision shall use public funds to do any of the following:

(1) Publish, distribute, or otherwise communicate information that does any of the following:

(a) Contains defamatory, libelous, or obscene matter;

(b) Promotes alcoholic beverages, cigarettes or other tobacco products, or any illegal product, service, or activity;

(c) Promotes illegal discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, or ancestry;

(d) Supports or opposes any labor organization or any action by, on behalf of, or against any labor organization;

(e) Supports or opposes the nomination or election of a candidate for public office, the investigation, prosecution, or recall of a public official, or the passage of a levy or bond issue.

(2) Compensate any employee of the political subdivision for time spent on any activity to influence the outcome of an election for any of the purposes described in division (C)(1)(e) of this section. Division (C)(2) of this section does not prohibit the use of public funds to compensate an employee of a political subdivision for attending a public meeting to present information about the political subdivision's finances, activities, and governmental actions in a manner that is not designed to influence the outcome of an election or the passage of a levy or bond issue, even though the election, levy, or bond issue is discussed or debated at the meeting.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(7) of section 340.03 of the Revised Code or in division (E) of this section, no person shall knowingly conduct a direct or indirect transaction of public funds to the benefit of any of the following:

(1) A campaign committee;

(2) A political action committee;

(3) A legislative campaign fund;

(4) A political party;

(5) A campaign fund;

(6) A political committee;

(7) A separate segregated fund;

(8) A candidate.

(E) Division (D) of this section does not prohibit the utilization of any person's own time to speak in support of or in opposition to any candidate, recall, referendum, levy, or bond issue unless prohibited by any other section of the Revised Code.

(F) Nothing in this section prohibits or restricts any political subdivision from sponsoring, participating in, or doing any of the following:

(1) Charitable or public service advertising that is not commercial in nature;

(2) Advertising of exhibitions, performances, programs, products, or services that are provided by employees of a political subdivision or are provided at or through premises owned or operated by a political subdivision;

(3) Licensing an interest in a name or mark that is owned or controlled by the political subdivision.

(G) Whoever violates division (D) of this section shall be punished as provided in section 3599.40 of the Revised Code.

Last updated February 28, 2023 at 2:34 PM

Section 9.04 | State funds for nontherapeutic abortion benefits.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Nontherapeutic abortion" means an abortion that is performed or induced when the life of the mother would not be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or when the pregnancy of the mother was not the result of rape or incest reported to a law enforcement agency.

(2) "Policy, contract, or plan" means a policy, contract, or plan of one or more insurance companies, medical care corporations, health care corporations, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, or other entities that provides health, medical, hospital, or surgical coverage, benefits, or services to elected or appointed officers or employees of the state or any political subdivision thereof. "Policy, contract, or plan" includes a plan that is associated with a self-insurance program and a policy, contract, or plan that implements a collective bargaining agreement.

(3) "Political subdivision" means any body corporate and politic that is responsible for governmental activities in a geographic area smaller than the state, except that "political subdivision" does not include either of the following:

(a) A municipal corporation;

(b) A county that has adopted a charter under Section 3 of Article X, Ohio Constitution, to the extent that it is exercising the powers of local self-government as provided in that charter and is subject to Section 3 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution.

(4) "State" means the state of Ohio, including the general assembly, the supreme court, the offices of all elected state officers, and all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, colleges and universities, institutions, and other instrumentalities of the state of Ohio. "State" does not include political subdivisions.

(B) Subject to division (C) of this section, but notwithstanding other provisions of the Revised Code that conflict with the prohibition specified in this division, funds of the state or any political subdivision thereof shall not be expended directly or indirectly to pay the costs, premiums, or charges associated with a policy, contract, or plan if the policy, contract, or plan provides coverage, benefits, or services related to a nontherapeutic abortion.

(C) Division (B) of this section does not preclude the state or any political subdivision thereof from expending funds to pay the costs, premiums, or charges associated with a policy, contract, or plan that includes a rider or other provision offered on an individual basis under which an elected or appointed official or employee who accepts the offer of the rider or provision may obtain coverage of a nontherapeutic abortion through the policy, contract, or plan if the individual pays for all of the costs, premiums, or charges associated with the rider or provision, including all administrative expenses related to the rider or provision and any claim made for a nontherapeutic abortion.

(D) In addition to the laws specified in division (A) of section 4117.10 of the Revised Code that prevail over conflicting provisions of agreements between employee organizations and public employers, divisions (B) and (C) of this section shall prevail over conflicting provisions of that nature.

Section 9.041 | Childbirth preferred over abortion.

• Effective: April 5, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 239 - 126th General Assembly

It is the public policy of the state of Ohio to prefer childbirth over abortion to the extent that is constitutionally permissible.

Section 9.06 | Private operation and management of initial intensive program prison.

• Effective: March 21, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 185 - 131st General Assembly

(A)(1) The department of rehabilitation and correction may contract for the private operation and management pursuant to this section of the initial intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code, if one or more intensive program prisons are established under that section, and may contract for the private operation and management of any other facility under this section. Counties and municipal corporations to the extent authorized in sections 307.93, 341.35, 753.03, and 753.15 of the Revised Code may contract for the private operation and management of a facility under this section. A contract entered into under this section shall be for an initial term specified in the contract with an option to renew for additional periods of two years.

(2) The department of rehabilitation and correction, by rule, shall adopt minimum criteria and specifications that a person or entity, other than a person or entity that satisfies the criteria set forth in division (A)(3)(a) of this section and subject to division (I) of this section, must satisfy in order to apply to operate and manage as a contractor pursuant to this section the initial intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code, if one or more intensive program prisons are established under that section.

(3) Subject to division (I) of this section, any person or entity that applies to operate and manage a facility as a contractor pursuant to this section shall satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

(a) The person or entity, at the time of the application, operates and manages one or more facilities accredited by the American correctional association.

(b) The person or entity satisfies all of the minimum criteria and specifications adopted by the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section, provided that this alternative shall be available only in relation to the initial intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code, if one or more intensive program prisons are established under that section.

(4) Subject to division (I) of this section, before a public entity may enter into a contract under this section, the contractor shall convincingly demonstrate to the public entity that it can operate the facility with the inmate capacity required by the public entity and provide the services required in this section and realize at least a five per cent savings over the projected cost to the public entity of providing these same services to operate the facility that is the subject of the contract. No out-of-state prisoners may be housed in any facility that is the subject of a contract entered into under this section, unless the contractor can convincingly demonstrate to the director of rehabilitation and correction that all out-of-state prisoners will be functionally segregated from inmates from this state at all times.

(B) Subject to division (I) of this section, any contract entered into under this section shall include all of the following:

(1) A requirement that, if the contractor applied pursuant to division (A)(3)(b) of this section, the contractor continue complying with the applicable criteria and specifications adopted by the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section;

(2) A requirement that all of the following conditions be met:

(a) The contractor begins the process of accrediting the facility with the American correctional association no later than sixty days after the facility receives its first inmate.

(b) The contractor receives accreditation of the facility within twelve months after the date the contractor applies to the American correctional association for accreditation.

(c) Once the accreditation is received, the contractor maintains it for the duration of the contract term.

(d) If the contractor does not comply with divisions (B)(2)(a) to (c) of this section, the contractor is in violation of the contract, and the public entity may revoke the contract at its discretion.

(3) A requirement that the contractor comply with all rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction that apply to the operation and management of correctional facilities, including the minimum standards for jails in Ohio and policies regarding the use of force and the use of deadly force, although the public entity may require more stringent standards, and comply with any applicable laws, rules, or regulations of the federal, state, and local governments, including, but not limited to, sanitation, food service, safety, and health regulations. The contractor shall be required to send copies of reports of inspections completed by the appropriate authorities regarding compliance with rules and regulations to the director of rehabilitation and correction or the director's designee and, if contracting with a local public entity, to the governing authority of that entity.

(4) A requirement that the contractor report for investigation all crimes in connection with the facility to the public entity, to all local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the place at which the facility is located, and, for a crime committed at a state correctional institution, to the state highway patrol;

(5) A requirement that the contractor immediately report all escapes from the facility, and the apprehension of all escapees, by telephone and in writing to all local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the place at which the facility is located, to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the facility is located, to the state highway patrol, to a daily newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the facility is located, and, if the facility is a state correctional institution, to the department of rehabilitation and correction. The written notice may be by either facsimile transmission or mail. A failure to comply with this requirement regarding an escape is a violation of section 2921.22 of the Revised Code.

(6) A requirement that, if the facility is a state correctional institution, the contractor provide a written report within specified time limits to the director of rehabilitation and correction or the director's designee of all unusual incidents at the facility as defined in rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction or, if the facility is a local correctional institution, that the contractor provide a written report of all unusual incidents at the facility to the governing authority of the local public entity;

(7) A requirement that the contractor maintain proper control of inmates' personal funds pursuant to rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction for state correctional institutions or pursuant to the minimum standards for jails along with any additional standards established by the local public entity for local correctional institutions and that records pertaining to these funds be made available to representatives of the public entity for review or audit;

(8) A requirement that the contractor prepare and distribute to the director of rehabilitation and correction or, if contracting with a local public entity, to the governing authority of the local entity annual budget income and expenditure statements and funding source financial reports;

(9) A requirement that the public entity appoint and supervise a full-time contract monitor, that the contractor provide suitable office space for the contract monitor at the facility, and that the contractor allow the contract monitor unrestricted access to all parts of the facility and all records of the facility except the contractor's financial records;

(10) A requirement that if the facility is a state correctional institution designated department of rehabilitation and correction staff members be allowed access to the facility in accordance with rules promulgated by the department;

(11) A requirement that the contractor provide internal and perimeter security as agreed upon in the contract;

(12) If the facility is a state correctional institution, a requirement that the contractor impose discipline on inmates housed in the facility only in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction;

(13) A requirement that the facility be staffed at all times with a staffing pattern approved by the public entity and adequate both to ensure supervision of inmates and maintenance of security within the facility and to provide for programs, transportation, security, and other operational needs. In determining security needs, the contractor shall be required to consider, among other things, the proximity of the facility to neighborhoods and schools.

(14) If the contract is with a local public entity, a requirement that the contractor provide services and programs, consistent with the minimum standards for jails promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction under section 5120.10 of the Revised Code;

(15) A clear statement that no immunity from liability granted to the state, and no immunity from liability granted to political subdivisions under Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code, shall extend to the contractor or any of the contractor's employees;

(16) A statement that all documents and records relevant to the facility shall be maintained in the same manner required for, and subject to the same laws, rules, and regulations as apply to, the records of the public entity;

(17) Authorization for the public entity to impose a fine on the contractor from a schedule of fines included in the contract for the contractor's failure to perform its contractual duties or to cancel the contract, as the public entity considers appropriate. If a fine is imposed, the public entity may reduce the payment owed to the contractor pursuant to any invoice in the amount of the imposed fine.

(18) A statement that all services provided or goods produced at the facility shall be subject to the same regulations, and the same distribution limitations, as apply to goods and services produced at other correctional institutions;

(19) If the facility is a state correctional institution, authorization for the department to establish one or more prison industries at the facility;

(20) A requirement that, if the facility is an intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code, the facility shall comply with all criteria for intensive program prisons of that type that are set forth in that section;

(21) If the facility is a state correctional institution, a requirement that the contractor provide clothing for all inmates housed in the facility that is conspicuous in its color, style, or color and style, that conspicuously identifies its wearer as an inmate, and that is readily distinguishable from clothing of a nature that normally is worn outside the facility by non-inmates, that the contractor require all inmates housed in the facility to wear the clothing so provided, and that the contractor not permit any inmate, while inside or on the premises of the facility or while being transported to or from the facility, to wear any clothing of a nature that does not conspicuously identify its wearer as an inmate and that normally is worn outside the facility by non-inmates.

(C) No contract entered into under this section may require, authorize, or imply a delegation of the authority or responsibility of the public entity to a contractor for any of the following:

(1) Developing or implementing procedures for calculating inmate release and parole eligibility dates and recommending the granting or denying of parole, although the contractor may submit written reports that have been prepared in the ordinary course of business;

(2) Developing or implementing procedures for calculating and awarding earned credits, approving the type of work inmates may perform and the wage or earned credits, if any, that may be awarded to inmates engaging in that work, and granting, denying, or revoking earned credits;

(3) For inmates serving a term imposed for a felony offense committed prior to July 1, 1996, or for a misdemeanor offense, developing or implementing procedures for calculating and awarding good time, approving the good time, if any, that may be awarded to inmates engaging in work, and granting, denying, or revoking good time;

(4) Classifying an inmate or placing an inmate in a more or a less restrictive custody than the custody ordered by the public entity;

(5) Approving inmates for work release;

(6) Contracting for local or long distance telephone services for inmates or receiving commissions from those services at a facility that is owned by or operated under a contract with the department.

(D) A contractor that has been approved to operate a facility under this section, and a person or entity that enters into a contract for specialized services, as described in division (I) of this section, relative to an intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code to be operated by a contractor that has been approved to operate the prison under this section, shall provide an adequate policy of insurance specifically including, but not limited to, insurance for civil rights claims as determined by a risk management or actuarial firm with demonstrated experience in public liability for state governments. The insurance policy shall provide that the state, including all state agencies, and all political subdivisions of the state with jurisdiction over the facility or in which a facility is located are named as insured, and that the state and its political subdivisions shall be sent any notice of cancellation. The contractor may not self-insure.

A contractor that has been approved to operate a facility under this section, and a person or entity that enters into a contract for specialized services, as described in division (I) of this section, relative to an intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code to be operated by a contractor that has been approved to operate the prison under this section, shall indemnify and hold harmless the state, its officers, agents, and employees, and any local government entity in the state having jurisdiction over the facility or ownership of the facility, shall reimburse the state for its costs in defending the state or any of its officers, agents, or employees, and shall reimburse any local government entity of that nature for its costs in defending the local government entity, from all of the following:

(1) Any claims or losses for services rendered by the contractor, person, or entity performing or supplying services in connection with the performance of the contract;

(2) Any failure of the contractor, person, or entity or its officers or employees to adhere to the laws, rules, regulations, or terms agreed to in the contract;

(3) Any constitutional, federal, state, or civil rights claim brought against the state related to the facility operated and managed by the contractor;

(4) Any claims, losses, demands, or causes of action arising out of the contractor's, person's, or entity's activities in this state;

(5) Any attorney's fees or court costs arising from any habeas corpus actions or other inmate suits that may arise from any event that occurred at the facility or was a result of such an event, or arise over the conditions, management, or operation of the facility, which fees and costs shall include, but not be limited to, attorney's fees for the state's representation and for any court-appointed representation of any inmate, and the costs of any special judge who may be appointed to hear those actions or suits.

(E) Private correctional officers of a contractor operating and managing a facility pursuant to a contract entered into under this section may carry and use firearms in the course of their employment only after being certified as satisfactorily completing an approved training program as described in division (A) of section 109.78 of the Revised Code.

(F) Upon notification by the contractor of an escape from, or of a disturbance at, the facility that is the subject of a contract entered into under this section, the department of rehabilitation and correction and state and local law enforcement agencies shall use all reasonable means to recapture escapees or quell any disturbance. Any cost incurred by the state or its political subdivisions relating to the apprehension of an escapee or the quelling of a disturbance at the facility shall be chargeable to and borne by the contractor. The contractor shall also reimburse the state or its political subdivisions for all reasonable costs incurred relating to the temporary detention of the escapee following recapture.

(G) Any offense that would be a crime if committed at a state correctional institution or jail, workhouse, prison, or other correctional facility shall be a crime if committed by or with regard to inmates at facilities operated pursuant to a contract entered into under this section.

(H) A contractor operating and managing a facility pursuant to a contract entered into under this section shall pay any inmate workers at the facility at the rate approved by the public entity. Inmates working at the facility shall not be considered employees of the contractor.

(I) In contracting for the private operation and management pursuant to division (A) of this section of any intensive program prison established pursuant to section 5120.033 of the Revised Code, the department of rehabilitation and correction may enter into a contract with a contractor for the general operation and management of the prison and may enter into one or more separate contracts with other persons or entities for the provision of specialized services for persons confined in the prison, including, but not limited to, security or training services or medical, counseling, educational, or similar treatment programs. If, pursuant to this division, the department enters into a contract with a contractor for the general operation and management of the prison and also enters into one or more specialized service contracts with other persons or entities, all of the following apply:

(1) The contract for the general operation and management shall comply with all requirements and criteria set forth in this section, and all provisions of this section apply in relation to the prison operated and managed pursuant to the contract.

(2) Divisions (A)(2), (B), and (C) of this section do not apply in relation to any specialized services contract, except to the extent that the provisions of those divisions clearly are relevant to the specialized services to be provided under the specialized services contract. Division (D) of this section applies in relation to each specialized services contract.

(J) If, on or after June 30, 2011, a contractor enters into a contract with the department of rehabilitation and correction under this section for the operation and management of any facility described in Section 753.10 of the act in which this amendment was adopted, if the contract provides for the sale of the facility to the contractor, if the facility is sold to the contractor subsequent to the execution of the contract, and if the contractor is privately operating and managing the facility, notwithstanding the contractor's private operation and management of the facility, all of the following apply:

(1) Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this section, the facility being privately operated and managed by the contractor shall be considered for purposes of the Revised Code as being under the control of, or under the jurisdiction of, the department of rehabilitation and correction.

(2) Any reference in this section to "state correctional institution," any reference in Chapter 2967. of the Revised Code to "state correctional institution," other than the definition of that term set forth in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code, or to "prison," and any reference in Chapter 2929., 5120., 5145., 5147., or 5149. or any other provision of the Revised Code to "state correctional institution" or "prison" shall be considered to include a reference to the facility being privately operated and managed by the contractor, unless the context makes the inclusion of that facility clearly inapplicable.

(3) Upon the sale and conveyance of the facility, the facility shall be returned to the tax list and duplicate maintained by the county auditor, and the facility shall be subject to all real property taxes and assessments. No exemption from real property taxation pursuant to Chapter 5709. of the Revised Code shall apply to the facility conveyed. The gross receipts and income of the contractor to whom the facility is conveyed that are derived from operating and managing the facility under this section shall be subject to gross receipts and income taxes levied by the state and its subdivisions, including the taxes levied pursuant to Chapters 718., 5747., 5748., and 5751. of the Revised Code. Unless exempted under another section of the Revised Code, transactions involving a contractor as a consumer or purchaser are subject to any tax levied under Chapters 5739. and 5741. of the Revised Code.

(4) After the sale and conveyance of the facility, all of the following apply:

(a) Before the contractor may resell or otherwise transfer the facility and the real property on which it is situated, any surrounding land that also was transferred under the contract, or both the facility and real property on which it is situated plus the surrounding land that was transferred under the contract, the contractor first must offer the state the opportunity to repurchase the facility, real property, and surrounding land that is to be resold or transferred and must sell the facility, real property, and surrounding land to the state if the state so desires, pursuant to and in accordance with the repurchase clause included in the contract.

(b) Upon the default by the contractor of any financial agreement for the purchase of the facility and the real property on which it is situated, any surrounding land that also was transferred under the contract, or both the facility and real property on which it is situated plus the surrounding land that was transferred under the contract, upon the default by the contractor of any other term in the contract, or upon the financial insolvency of the contractor or inability of the contractor to meet its contractual obligations, the state may repurchase the facility, real property, and surrounding land, if the state so desires, pursuant to and in accordance with the repurchase clause included in the contract.

(c) If the contract entered into under this section for the operation and management of a state correctional institution is terminated, both of the following apply:

(i) The operation and management responsibilities of the state correctional institution shall be transferred to another contractor under the same terms and conditions as applied to the original contractor or to the department of rehabilitation and correction.

(ii) The department of rehabilitation and correction or the new contractor, whichever is applicable, may enter into an agreement with the terminated contractor to purchase the terminated contractor's equipment, supplies, furnishings, and consumables.

(K) Any action asserting that section 9.06 of the Revised Code or Section 753.10 of the act in which this amendment was adopted violates any provision of the Ohio Constitution and any claim asserting that any action taken by the governor or the department of administrative services or the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to section 9.06 of the Revised Code or Section 753.10 of the act in which this amendment was adopted violates any provision of the Ohio Constitution or any provision of the Revised Code shall be brought in the court of common pleas of Franklin county. The court shall give any action filed pursuant to this division priority over all other civil cases pending on its docket and expeditiously make a determination on the claim. If an appeal is taken from any final order issued in a case brought pursuant to this division, the court of appeals shall give the case priority over all other civil cases pending on its docket and expeditiously make a determination on the appeal.

(L) If, on or after the effective date of this amendment , the department of rehabilitation and correction enters into a contract with an owner, operator, or manager of a facility described in division (M)(5)(c) of this section for the housing of inmates, all of the following apply:

(1) Except as expressly provided to the contrary under this section, the facility that is privately owned, operated, or managed by the contractor shall be considered for purposes of the Revised Code to be under the control of, or under the jurisdiction of, the department of rehabilitation and correction.

(2) Any reference in this section to "state correctional institution," any reference in Chapter 2967. of the Revised Code to "state correctional institution," other than the definition of that term set forth in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code, or to "prison," and any reference in Chapter 2929., 5120., 5145., 5147., or 5149. or any other provision of the Revised Code to "state correctional institution" or "prison" shall be considered to include a reference to the facility being privately owned, operated, or managed by the contractor, unless the context makes the inclusion of that facility clearly inapplicable.

(M) As used in this section:

(1) "Public entity" means the department of rehabilitation and correction, or a county or municipal corporation or a combination of counties and municipal corporations, that has jurisdiction over a facility that is the subject of a contract entered into under this section.

(2) "Local public entity" means a county or municipal corporation, or a combination of counties and municipal corporations, that has jurisdiction over a jail, workhouse, or other correctional facility used only for misdemeanants that is the subject of a contract entered into under this section.

(3) "Governing authority of a local public entity" means, for a county, the board of county commissioners; for a municipal corporation, the legislative authority; for a combination of counties and municipal corporations, all the boards of county commissioners and municipal legislative authorities that joined to create the facility.

(4) "Contractor" means a person or entity that enters into a contract under this section to operate and manage a jail, workhouse, or other correctional facility.

(5) "Facility" means any of the following:

(a) The specific county, multicounty, municipal, municipal-county, or multicounty-municipal jail, workhouse, prison, or other type of correctional institution or facility used only for misdemeanants that is the subject of a contract entered into under this section;

(b) Any state correctional institution that is the subject of a contract entered into under this section, including any facility described in Section 753.10 of the act in which this amendment was adopted at any time prior to or after any sale to a contractor of the state's right, title, and interest in the facility, the land situated thereon, and specified surrounding land;

(c) Any other correctional institution located in this state that is owned, operated, or managed by a person or entity that meets the criteria established in division (A)(3)(a) of this section.

(6) "Person or entity" in the case of a contract for the private operation and management of a state correctional institution, includes an employee organization, as defined in section 4117.01 of the Revised Code, that represents employees at state correctional institutions.

Last updated October 25, 2023 at 4:33 PM

Section 9.07 | Correctional facility to house out-of-state prisoners.

• Effective: June 30, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 283 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) Deadly weapon has the same meaning as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.

(2) Governing authority of a local public entity means whichever of the following is applicable:

(a) For a county, the board of county commissioners of the county;

(b) For a municipal corporation, the legislative authority of the municipal corporation;

(c) For a combination of counties, a combination of municipal corporations, or a combination of one or more counties and one or more municipal corporations, all boards of county commissioners and legislative authorities of all of the counties and municipal corporations that combined to form a local public entity for purposes of this section.

(3) Local public entity means a county, a municipal corporation, a combination of counties, a combination of municipal corporations, or a combination of one or more counties and one or more municipal corporations.

(4) Non-contracting political subdivision means any political subdivision to which all of the following apply:

(a) A correctional facility for the housing of out-of-state prisoners in this state is or will be located in the political subdivision.

(b) The correctional facility described in division (A)(4)(a) of this section is being operated and managed, or will be operated and managed, by a local public entity or a private contractor pursuant to a contract entered into prior to March 17, 1998, or a contract entered into on or after March 17, 1998, under this section.

(c) The political subdivision is not a party to the contract described in division (A)(4)(b) of this section for the management and operation of the correctional facility.

(5) Out-of-state jurisdiction means the United States, any state other than this state, and any political subdivision or other jurisdiction located in a state other than this state.

(6) Out-of-state prisoner means a person who is convicted of a crime in another state or under the laws of the United States or who is found under the laws of another state or of the United States to be a delinquent child or the substantially equivalent designation.

(7) Private contractor means either of the following:

(a) A person who, on or after March 17, 1998, enters into a contract under this section with a local public entity to operate and manage a correctional facility in this state for out-of-state prisoners.

(b) A person who, pursuant to a contract with a local public entity entered into prior to March 17, 1998, operates and manages on March 17, 1998, a correctional facility in this state for housing out-of-state prisoners.

(B) Subject to division (I) of this section, the only entities other than this state that are authorized to operate a correctional facility to house out-of-state prisoners in this state are a local public entity that operates a correctional facility pursuant to this section or a private contractor that operates a correctional facility pursuant to this section under a contract with a local public entity.

Subject to division (I) of this section, a private entity may operate a correctional facility in this state for the housing of out-of-state prisoners only if the private entity is a private contractor that enters into a contract that comports with division (D) of this section with a local public entity for the management and operation of the correctional facility.

(C)(1) Except as provided in this division, on and after March 17, 1998, a local public entity shall not enter into a contract with an out-of-state jurisdiction to house out-of-state prisoners in a correctional facility in this state. On and after March 17, 1998, a local public entity may enter into a contract with an out-of-state jurisdiction to house out-of-state prisoners in a correctional facility in this state only if the local public entity and the out-of-state jurisdiction with which the local public entity intends to contract jointly submit to the department of rehabilitation and correction a statement that certifies the correctional facility's intended use, intended prisoner population, and custody level, and the department reviews and comments upon the plans for the design or renovation of the correctional facility regarding their suitability for the intended prisoner population specified in the submitted statement.

(2) If a local public entity and an out-of-state jurisdiction enter into a contract to house out-of-state prisoners in a correctional facility in this state as authorized under division (C)(1) of this section, in addition to any other provisions it contains, the contract shall include whichever of the following provisions is applicable:

(a) If a private contractor will operate the facility in question pursuant to a contract entered into in accordance with division (D) of this section, a requirement that, if the facility is closed or ceases to operate for any reason and if the conversion plan described in division (D)(16) of this section is not complied with, the out-of-state jurisdiction will be responsible for housing and transporting the prisoners who are in the facility at the time it is closed or ceases to operate and for the cost of so housing and transporting those prisoners;

(b) If a private contractor will not operate the facility in question pursuant to a contract entered into in accordance with division (D) of this section, a conversion plan that will be followed if, for any reason, the facility is closed or ceases to operate. The conversion plan shall include, but is not limited to, provisions that specify whether the local public entity or the out-of-state jurisdiction will be responsible for housing and transporting the prisoners who are in the facility at the time it is closed or ceases to operate and for the cost of so housing and transporting those prisoners.

(3) If a local public entity and an out-of-state jurisdiction intend to enter into a contract to house out-of-state prisoners in a correctional facility in this state as authorized under division (C)(1) of this section, or if a local public entity and a private contractor intend to enter into a contract pursuant to division (D) of this section for the private contractor's management and operation of a correctional facility in this state to house out-of-state prisoners, prior to entering into the contract the local public entity and the out-of-state jurisdiction, or the local public entity and the private contractor, whichever is applicable, shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with this division, and, prior to entering into the contract, the governing authority of the local public entity in which the facility is or will be located shall authorize the location and operation of the facility. The hearing shall be conducted at a location within the municipal corporation or township in which the facility is or will be located. At least one week prior to conducting the hearing, the local public entity and the out-of-state jurisdiction or private contractor with the duty to conduct the hearing shall cause notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing to be made by publication in the newspaper with the largest general circulation in the county in which the municipal corporation or township is located. The notice shall be of a sufficient size that it covers at least one-quarter of a page of the newspaper in which it is published. This division applies to a private contractor that, pursuant to the requirement set forth in division (I) of this section, is required to enter into a contract under division (D) of this section.

(D) Subject to division (I) of this section, on and after March 17, 1998, if a local public entity enters into a contract with a private contractor for the management and operation of a correctional facility in this state to house out-of-state prisoners, the contract, at a minimum, shall include all of the following provisions:

(1) A requirement that the private contractor seek and obtain accreditation from the American correctional association for the correctional facility within two years after accepting the first out-of-state prisoner at the correctional facility under the contract and that it maintain that accreditation for the term of the contract;

(2) A requirement that the private contractor comply with all applicable laws, rules, or regulations of the government of this state, political subdivisions of this state, and the United States, including, but not limited to, all sanitation, food service, safety, and health regulations;

(3) A requirement that the private contractor send copies of reports of inspections completed by appropriate authorities regarding compliance with laws, rules, and regulations of the type described in division (D)(2) of this section to the director of rehabilitation and correction or the director's designee and to the governing authority of the local public entity in which the correctional facility is located;

(4) A requirement that the private contractor report to the local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the place at which the correctional facility is located, for investigation, all criminal offenses or delinquent acts that are committed in or on the grounds of, or otherwise in connection with, the correctional facility and report to the department of rehabilitation and correction all disturbances at the facility;

(5) A requirement that the private contractor immediately report all escapes from the facility, and the apprehension of all escapees, by telephone and in writing to the department of rehabilitation and correction, to all local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the place at which the facility is located, to the state highway patrol, to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the facility is located, and to a daily newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the facility is located. The written notice may be by either facsimile transmission or mail. A failure to comply with this requirement is a violation of section 2921.22 of the Revised Code.

(6) A requirement that the private contractor provide a written report to the director of rehabilitation and correction or the director's designee and to the governing authority of the local public entity in which the correctional facility is located of all unusual incidents occurring at the correctional facility. The private contractor shall report the incidents in accordance with the incident reporting rules that, at the time of the incident, are applicable to state correctional facilities for similar incidents occurring at state correctional facilities.

(7) A requirement that the private contractor provide internal and perimeter security to protect the public, staff members of the correctional facility, and prisoners in the correctional facility;

(8) A requirement that the correctional facility be staffed at all times with a staffing pattern that is adequate to ensure supervision of inmates and maintenance of security within the correctional facility and to provide for appropriate programs, transportation, security, and other operational needs. In determining security needs for the correctional facility, the private contractor and the contract requirements shall fully take into account all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the proximity of the facility to neighborhoods and schools.

(9) A requirement that the private contractor provide an adequate policy of insurance that satisfies the requirements set forth in division (D) of section 9.06 of the Revised Code regarding contractors who operate and manage a facility under that section, and that the private contractor indemnify and hold harmless the state, its officers, agents, and employees, and any local public entity in the state with jurisdiction over the place at which the correctional facility is located or that owns the correctional facility, reimburse the state for its costs in defending the state or any of its officers, agents, or employees, and reimburse any local government entity of that nature for its costs in defending the local government entity, in the manner described in division (D) of that section regarding contractors who operate and manage a facility under that section;

(10) A requirement that the private contractor adopt for prisoners housed in the correctional facility the security classification system and schedule adopted by the department of rehabilitation and correction under section 5145.03 of the Revised Code, classify in accordance with the system and schedule each prisoner housed in the facility, and house all prisoners in the facility in accordance with their classification under this division;

(11) A requirement that the private contractor will not accept for housing, and will not house, in the correctional facility any out-of-state prisoner in relation to whom any of the following applies:

(a) The private entity has not obtained from the out-of-state jurisdiction that imposed the sentence or sanction under which the prisoner will be confined in this state a copy of the institutional record of the prisoner while previously confined in that out-of-state jurisdiction or a statement that the prisoner previously has not been confined in that out-of-state jurisdiction and a copy of all medical records pertaining to that prisoner that are in the possession of the out-of-state jurisdiction.

(b) The prisoner, while confined in any out-of-state jurisdiction, has a record of institutional violence involving the use of a deadly weapon or a pattern of committing acts of an assaultive nature against employees of, or visitors to, the place of confinement or has a record of escape or attempted escape from secure custody.

(c) Under the security classification system and schedule adopted by the department of rehabilitation and correction under section 5145.03 of the Revised Code and adopted by the private contractor under division (B)(10) of this section, the out-of-state prisoner would be classified as being at a security level higher than medium security.

(12) A requirement that the private contractor, prior to housing any out-of-state prisoner in the correctional facility under the contract, enter into a written agreement with the department of rehabilitation and correction that sets forth a plan and procedure that will be used to coordinate law enforcement activities of state law enforcement agencies and of local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the place at which the facility is located in response to any riot, rebellion, escape, insurrection, or other emergency occurring inside or outside the facility;

(13) A requirement that the private contractor cooperate with the correctional institution inspection committee in the committee's performance of its duties under section 103.73 of the Revised Code and provide the committee, its subcommittees, and its staff members, in performing those duties, with access to the correctional facility as described in that section;

(14) A requirement that the private contractor permit any peace officer who serves a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the place at which the correctional facility is located to enter into the facility to investigate any criminal offense or delinquent act that allegedly has been committed in or on the grounds of, or otherwise in connection with, the facility;

(15) A requirement that the private contractor will not employ any person at the correctional facility until after the private contractor has submitted to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, on a form prescribed by the superintendent of the bureau, a request that the bureau conduct a criminal records check of the person and a requirement that the private contractor will not employ any person at the facility if the records check or other information possessed by the contractor indicates that the person previously has engaged in malfeasance;

(16) A requirement that the private contractor will not accept for housing, and will not house, in the correctional facility any out-of-state prisoner unless the private contractor and the out-of-state jurisdiction that imposed the sentence for which the prisoner is to be confined agree that, if the out-of-state prisoner is confined in the facility in this state, commits a criminal offense while confined in the facility, is convicted of or pleads guilty to that offense, and is sentenced to a term of confinement for that offense but is not sentenced to death for that offense, the private contractor and the out-of-state jurisdiction will do all of the following:

(a) Unless section 5120.50 of the Revised Code does not apply in relation to the offense the prisoner committed while confined in this state and the term of confinement imposed for that offense, the out-of-state jurisdiction will accept the prisoner pursuant to that section for service of that term of confinement and for any period of time remaining under the sentence for which the prisoner was confined in the facility in this state, the out-of-state jurisdiction will confine the prisoner pursuant to that section for that term and that remaining period of time, and the private contractor will transport the prisoner to the out-of-state jurisdiction for service of that term and that remaining period of time.

(b) If section 5120.50 of the Revised Code does not apply in relation to the offense the prisoner committed while confined in this state and the term of confinement imposed for that offense, the prisoner shall be returned to the out-of-state jurisdiction or its private contractor for completion of the period of time remaining under the out-of-state sentence for which the prisoner was confined in the facility in this state before starting service of the term of confinement imposed for the offense committed while confined in this state, the out-of-state jurisdiction or its private contractor will confine the prisoner for that remaining period of time and will transport the prisoner outside of this state for service of that remaining period of time, and, if the prisoner is confined in this state in a facility operated by the department of rehabilitation and correction, the private contractor will be financially responsible for reimbursing the department at the per diem cost of confinement for the duration of that incarceration, with the amount of the reimbursement so paid to be deposited in the department's prisoner programs fund.

(17) A requirement that the private contractor, prior to housing any out-of-state prisoner in the correctional facility under the contract, enter into an agreement with the local public entity that sets forth a conversion plan that will be followed if, for any reason, the facility is closed or ceases to operate. The conversion plan shall include, but is not limited to, provisions that specify whether the private contractor, the local public entity, or the out-of-state jurisdictions that imposed the sentences for which the out-of-state prisoners are confined in the facility will be responsible for housing and transporting the prisoners who are in the facility at the time it is closed or ceases to operate and for the cost of so housing and transporting those prisoners.

(18) A schedule of fines that the local public entity shall impose upon the private contractor if the private contractor fails to perform its contractual duties, and a requirement that, if the private contractor fails to perform its contractual duties, the local public entity shall impose a fine on the private contractor from the schedule of fines and, in addition to the fine, may exercise any other rights it has under the contract. Division (F)(2) of this section applies regarding a fine described in this division.

(19) A requirement that the private contractor adopt and use in the correctional facility the drug testing and treatment program that the department of rehabilitation and correction uses for inmates in state correctional institutions;

(20) A requirement that the private contractor provide clothing for all out-of-state prisoners housed in the correctional facility that is conspicuous in its color, style, or color and style, that conspicuously identifies its wearer as a prisoner, and that is readily distinguishable from clothing of a nature that normally is worn outside the facility by non-prisoners, that the private contractor require all out-of-state prisoners housed in the facility to wear the clothing so provided, and that the private contractor not permit any out-of-state prisoner, while inside or on the premises of the facility or while being transported to or from the facility, to wear any clothing of a nature that does not conspicuously identify its wearer as a prisoner and that normally is worn outside the facility by non-prisoners;

(21) A requirement that, at the time the contract is made, the private contractor provide to all parties to the contract adequate proof that it has complied with the requirement described in division (D)(9) of this section, and a requirement that, at any time during the term of the contract, the private contractor upon request provide to any party to the contract adequate proof that it continues to be in compliance with the requirement described in division (D)(9) of this section.

(E) A private correctional officer or other designated employee of a private contractor that operates a correctional facility that houses out-of-state prisoners in this state under a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998, may carry and use firearms in the course of the officer's or employee's employment only if the officer or employee is certified as having satisfactorily completed an approved training program designed to qualify persons for positions as special police officers, security guards, or persons otherwise privately employed in a police capacity, as described in division (A) of section 109.78 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) Upon notification by the private contractor of an escape from, or of a disturbance at, a correctional facility that is operated by a private contractor under a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998, and that houses out-of-state prisoners in this state, the department of rehabilitation and correction and state and local law enforcement agencies shall use all reasonable means to recapture persons who escaped from the facility or quell any disturbance at the facility, in accordance with the plan and procedure included in the written agreement entered into under division (D)(12) of this section in relation to contracts entered into on or after March 17, 1998, and in accordance with their normal procedures in relation to contracts entered into prior to March 17, 1998. Any cost incurred by this state or a political subdivision of this state relating to the apprehension of a person who escaped from the facility, to the quelling of a disturbance at the facility, or to the investigation or prosecution as described in division (G)(2) of this section of any offense relating to the escape or disturbance shall be chargeable to and borne by the private contractor. The contractor also shall reimburse the state or its political subdivisions for all reasonable costs incurred relating to the temporary detention of a person who escaped from the facility, following the person's recapture.

(2) If a private contractor that, on or after March 17, 1998, enters into a contract under this section with a local public entity for the operation of a correctional facility that houses out-of-state prisoners fails to perform its contractual duties, the local public entity shall impose upon the private contractor a fine from the schedule of fines included in the contract and may exercise any other rights it has under the contract. A fine imposed under this division shall be paid to the local public entity that enters into the contract, and the local public entity shall deposit the money so paid into its treasury to the credit of the fund used to pay for community policing. If a fine is imposed under this division, the local public entity may reduce the payment owed to the private contractor pursuant to any invoice in the amount of the fine.

(3) If a private contractor, on or after March 17, 1998, enters into a contract under this section with a local public entity for the operation of a correctional facility that houses out-of-state prisoners in this state, the private contractor shall comply with the insurance, indemnification, hold harmless, and cost reimbursement provisions described in division (D)(9) of this section.

(G)(1) Any act or omission that would be a criminal offense or a delinquent act if committed at a state correctional institution or at a jail, workhouse, prison, or other correctional facility operated by this state or by any political subdivision or group of political subdivisions of this state shall be a criminal offense or delinquent act if committed by or with regard to any out-of-state prisoner who is housed at any correctional facility operated by a private contractor in this state pursuant to a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998.

(2) If any political subdivision of this state experiences any cost in the investigation or prosecution of an offense committed by an out-of-state prisoner housed in a correctional facility operated by a private contractor in this state pursuant to a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998, the private contractor shall reimburse the political subdivision for the costs so experienced.

(3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the state, and any officer or employee, as defined in section 109.36 of the Revised Code, of the state is not liable in damages in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from, or is related to, the establishment, management, or operation of a correctional facility to house out-of-state prisoners in this state pursuant to a contract between a local public entity and an out-of-state jurisdiction, a local public entity and a private contractor, or a private contractor and an out-of-state jurisdiction that was entered into prior to March 17, 1998, or that is entered into on or after March 17, 1998, in accordance with its provisions. The immunity provided in this division does not apply regarding an act or omission of an officer or employee, as defined in section 109.36 of the Revised Code, of the state that is manifestly outside the scope of the officer's or employee's official responsibilities or regarding an act or omission of the state, or of an officer or employee, as so defined, of the state that is undertaken with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, a non-contracting political subdivision, and any employee, as defined in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code, of a non-contracting political subdivision is not liable in damages in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from, or is related to, the establishment, management, or operation of a correctional facility to house out-of-state prisoners in this state pursuant to a contract between a local public entity other than the non-contracting political subdivision and an out-of-state jurisdiction, a local public entity other than the non-contracting political subdivision and a private contractor, or a private contractor and an out-of-state jurisdiction that was entered into prior to March 17, 1998, or that is entered into on or after March 17, 1998, in accordance with its provisions. The immunity provided in this division does not apply regarding an act or omission of an employee, as defined in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code, of a non-contracting political subdivision that is manifestly outside the scope of the employee's employment or official responsibilities or regarding an act or omission of a non-contracting political subdivision or an employee, as so defined, of a non-contracting political subdivision that is undertaken with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

(c) Divisions (G)(3)(a) and (b) of this section do not affect any immunity or defense that the state and its officers and employees or a non-contracting political subdivision and its employees may be entitled to under another section of the Revised Code or the common law of this state, including, but not limited to, section 9.86 or Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code.

(H)(1) Upon the completion of an out-of-state prisoner's term of detention at a correctional facility operated by a private contractor in this state pursuant to a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998, the operator of the correctional facility shall transport the prisoner to the out-of-state jurisdiction that imposed the sentence for which the prisoner was confined before it releases the prisoner from its custody.

(2) No private contractor that operates and manages a correctional facility housing out-of-state prisoners in this state pursuant to a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998, shall fail to comply with division (H)(1) of this section.

(3) Whoever violates division (H)(2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(I) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the provisions of divisions (A) to (H) of this section apply in relation to any correctional facility operated by a private contractor in this state to house out-of-state prisoners, regardless of whether the facility is operated pursuant to a contract entered into prior to, on, or after March 17, 1998. Division (C)(1) of this section shall not apply in relation to any correctional facility for housing out-of-state prisoners in this state that is operated by a private contractor under a contract entered into with a local public entity prior to March 17, 1998. If a private contractor operates a correctional facility in this state for the housing of out-of-state prisoners under a contract entered into with a local public entity prior to March 17, 1998, no later than thirty days after the effective date of this amendment, the private contractor shall enter into a contract with the local public entity that comports to the requirements and criteria of division (D) of this section.

Section 9.08 | Improper internet access - private correctional facilities.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Computer," "computer network," "computer system," "computer services," "telecommunications service," and "information service" have the same meanings as in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Contractor" means either of the following:

(a) A person who enters into a contract under section 9.06 of the Revised Code.

(b) A person who enters into a contract under section 9.07 of the Revised Code to operate and manage a correctional facility in this state for out-of-state prisoners.

(3) "Private correctional facility" means a correctional facility that is operated by a contractor under a contract pursuant to section 9.06 or 9.07 of the Revised Code.

(B) No officer or employee of a contractor who is operating and managing a private correctional facility shall provide a prisoner in the private correctional facility access to or permit a prisoner in the private correctional facility to have access to the internet through the use of a computer, computer network, computer system, computer services, telecommunications service, or information service unless both of the following apply:

(1) The prisoner is accessing the internet solely for a use or purpose approved by the managing officer of that prisoner's institution or by the managing officer's designee.

(2) The provision of and access to the internet is in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to section 5120.62 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) No prisoner in a private correctional facility shall access the internet through the use of a computer, computer network, computer system, computer services, telecommunications service, or information service unless both of the following apply:

(a) The prisoner is accessing the internet solely for a use or purpose approved by the managing officer of that prisoner's institution or by the managing officer's designee.

(b) The provision of and access to the internet is in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to section 5120.62 of the Revised Code.

(2) Whoever violates division (C)(1) of this section is guilty of improper internet access, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Last updated July 23, 2021 at 8:11 AM

Section 9.10 | Facsimile signature defined.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

As used in sections 9.10 to 9.14, inclusive, of the Revised Code, "facsimile signature" includes, but is not limited to, the reproduction of any authorized signature by a copper plate or by a photographic, photostatic, or mechanical device, but does not authorize the use of a rubber stamp signature by the official or authorized employee referred to in section 9.11 of the Revised Code on the face of any instrument mentioned in such section.

Section 9.11 | Public officials using facsimile signature.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any elected or appointed public official of this state or of any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, or any member, agent, or employee of any board, commission, bureau, or other public body established by law, who is permitted or required in the performance of his duties to affix his signature on any check, draft, warrant, voucher, or other instrument for the payment of money, may adopt a facsimile thereof, in lieu of such manual signature, and affix such facsimile to any such instrument. Notice of the adoption of any such facsimile shall be given in writing to the depository from which funds are to be withdrawn, which notice shall include a description of the device to be used and a specimen of such facsimile signature. Prior to use of such facsimile, the written approval of such depository must be obtained.

Section 9.12 | Validity of instrument with facsimile signature.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any check, draft, warrant, voucher, or other instrument for the payment of money bearing a duly adopted facsimile signature as authorized by section 9.11 of the Revised Code, even though such facsimile signature was affixed without the authority or knowledge of the person whose signature it purports to be, is as valid as if the genuine manual signature of such person were affixed thereto as to any depository, bank, or other person which gave value for such instrument in good faith.

Section 9.13 | Highway project not located within subdivision boundaries.

• Effective: July 1, 1989
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 381 - 118th General Assembly

A county, municipal corporation, or township may spend money on highway projects that are not located within its boundaries.

Section 9.14 | Loss of funds occasioned by use of duly adopted facsimile signature.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Sections 9.10 to 9.14, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not release the liability of any public official, employee, or other person for loss of funds occasioned by any authorized use of a duly adopted facsimile signature. Any public official, board, commission, bureau, or public body mentioned in section 9.11 of the Revised Code may protect itself and its agents and employees from loss, damage, or expense occasioned by the unauthorized use of such facsimile signature by purchasing at public expense a surety bond in such amount as is approved by its legal adviser.

Section 9.15 | Burial or cremation of body at expense of township or municipal corporation.

• Effective: August 31, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 240 - 131st General Assembly

As used in this section, "legal residence" means a permanent place of abode used or occupied as living quarters at the time of a person's death, including a nursing home, hospital, or other care facility.

When the body of a dead person is found in a township or municipal corporation, and such person was not an inmate of a correctional, benevolent, or charitable institution of this state, and the body is not claimed by any person for private interment or cremation at the person's own expense, or delivered for the purpose of medical or surgical study or dissection in accordance with section 1713.34 of the Revised Code, it shall be disposed of as follows:

(A) If the person was a legal resident of the county, the proper officers of the township or municipal corporation in which the person's body was found shall cause it to be buried or cremated at the expense of the township or municipal corporation in which the person had a legal residence at the time of death.

(B) If the person had a legal residence in any other county of the state at the time of death, the superintendent of the county home of the county in which such body was found shall cause it to be buried or cremated at the expense of the township or municipal corporation in which the person had a legal residence at the time of death.

(C) If the person was an inmate of a correctional institution of the county or a patient or resident of a benevolent institution of the county, the person had no legal residence in the state, or the person's legal residence is unknown, the superintendent shall cause the person to be buried or cremated at the expense of the county.

Such officials shall provide, at the grave of the person or, if the person's cremated remains are buried, at the grave of the person's cremated remains, a metal, stone, or concrete marker on which the person's name and age, if known, and date of death shall be inscribed.

A political subdivision is not relieved of its duty to bury or cremate a person at its expense under this section when the body is claimed by an indigent person. As used in this section, "indigent person" means a person whose income does not exceed one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty line, as revised annually by the United States department of health and human services in accordance with section 673(2) of the "Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981," 95 Stat. 511, 42 U.S.C. 9902, as amended, for a family size equal to the size of the person's family.

Section 9.16 | Governmental use of distributed ledger technology.

• Effective: March 2, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 177 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Governmental entity" means the state or a political subdivision.

(2) "Political subdivision" has the same meaning as in section 9.48 of the Revised Code.

(3) "State" has the same meaning as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A governmental entity may utilize distributed ledger technology, including blockchain technology, in the exercise of its authority.

Last updated December 9, 2021 at 5:44 PM

Section 9.17 | Competitive bidding threshold amount.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The amount for purposes of a provision of the Revised Code that references this section shall be as follows:

(1) Beginning on the effective date of this section through calendar year 2024, seventy-five thousand dollars;

(2) For each calendar year thereafter, the amount for the previous calendar year increased by three per cent as determined and published by the director of commerce.

Last updated September 13, 2023 at 12:10 PM

Section 9.20 | Receipt of gift, devise, or bequest moneys, lands, or other properties by public authority.

• Effective: October 26, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 19 - 123rd General Assembly

The state; a county, a township, or a cemetery association or the commissioners or trustees of a county, township, or cemetery association; a municipal corporation or the legislative authority, a board, or other officers of a municipal corporation; and a benevolent, educational, or correctional institution, wholly or in part under the control of the state, or the board of directors, trustees, or other officers of the institution may receive by gift, devise, or bequest moneys, lands, or other properties, for their benefit or the benefit of any of those under their charge and may hold and apply the moneys, lands, or properties according to the terms of the gift, devise, or bequest. The gifts or devises of real estate may be in fee simple or of any lesser estate and may be subject to any reasonable reservation. This section does not affect the statutory provisions as to devises or bequests for such purposes.

Any instrument by which the state or an agency of the state acquires real property pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.21 | Policies regarding political subdivisions that hold credit card accounts.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 312 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Not later than three months after the effective date of this section, the legislative authority of a political subdivision that holds a credit card account on the effective date of this section shall adopt a written policy for the use of credit card accounts. Otherwise, a legislative authority shall adopt a written policy before first holding a credit card account.

The policy shall include provisions addressing all of the following:

(1) The officers or positions authorized to use a credit card account;

(2) The types of expenses for which a credit card account may be used;

(3) The procedure for acquisition, use, and management of a credit card account and presentation instruments related to the account including cards and checks;

(4) The procedure for submitting itemized receipts to the fiscal officer or the fiscal officer's designee;

(5) The procedure for credit card issuance, credit card reissuance, credit card cancellation, and the process for reporting lost or stolen credit cards;

(6) The political subdivision's credit card account's maximum credit limit or limits;

(7) The actions or omissions by an officer or employee that qualify as misuse of a credit card account.

(B) The name of the political subdivision shall appear on each presentation instrument related to the account including cards and checks.

(C) If the political subdivision's fiscal officer does not retain general possession and control of the credit card account and presentation instruments related to the account including cards and checks, the legislative authority shall appoint a compliance officer to perform the duties enumerated under division (D) of this section. The compliance officer may not use a credit card account and may not authorize an officer or employee to use a credit card account. The fiscal officer is not eligible for appointment as compliance officer.

(D) The compliance officer, if applicable, and the legislative authority at least quarterly shall review the number of cards and accounts issued, the number of active cards and accounts issued, the cards' and accounts' expiration dates, and the cards' and accounts' credit limits.

(E) If the fiscal officer retains general possession and control of the credit card account and presentation instruments related to the account including cards and checks, and the legislative authority authorizes an officer or employee to use a credit card account, the fiscal officer may use a system to sign out credit cards to the authorized users. The officer or employee is liable in person and upon any official bond the officer or employee has given to the political subdivision to reimburse the treasury the amount for which the officer or employee does not provide itemized receipts in accordance with the policy described in division (A) of this section.

(F) The use of a credit card account for expenses beyond those authorized by the legislative authority constitutes misuse of a credit card account. An officer or employee of the political subdivision or a public servant as defined under section 2921.01 of the Revised Code who knowingly misuses a credit card account held by the legislative authority violates section 2913.21 of the Revised Code.

(G) The fiscal officer or the fiscal officer's designee annually shall file a report with the legislative authority detailing all rewards received based on the use of the political subdivision's credit card account.

(H) As used in this section:

"Credit card account" means any bank-issued credit card account, store-issued credit card account, financial institution-issued credit card account, financial depository-issued credit card account, affinity credit card account, or any other card account allowing the holder to purchase goods or services on credit or to transact with the account, and any debit or gift card account related to the receipt of grant moneys. "Credit card account" does not include a procurement card account, gasoline or telephone credit card account, or any other card account where merchant category codes are in place as a system of control for use of the card account.

"Political subdivision" means any body corporate and politic that is responsible for government activities in a geographic area smaller than that of the state. "Political subdivision" does not include a county.

Section 9.22 | Use of debit card accounts.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 312 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in this section, "political subdivision" means a county, township, municipal corporation, or any other body corporate and politic that is responsible for government activities in a geographic area smaller than that of the state.

No political subdivision may hold or utilize a debit card account, except for law enforcement purposes. Possession or use of a debit card account by a political subdivision except for law enforcement purposes is a violation of section 2913.21 of the Revised Code.

This section does not apply to debit card accounts related to the receipt of grant moneys.

Section 9.23 | Disbursements by government entities definitions.

• Effective: February 20, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 31 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in sections 9.23 to 9.238 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Allocable nondirect costs" means the amount of nondirect costs allocated as a result of actual expenditures on direct costs. "Allocable nondirect costs" shall be calculated as follows: direct costs actually incurred for the provision of services pursuant to a contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code divided by the minimum percentage of money that is to be expended on the recipient's direct costs, as specified in the contract, minus the direct costs actually incurred.

(B) "Contract payment earned" means payment pursuant to a contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code for direct costs actually incurred in performing the contract, up to the minimum percentage of money that is to be expended on the recipient's direct costs, as specified in the contract, plus allocable nondirect costs associated with those direct costs.

(C) "Direct costs" means the costs of providing services that directly benefit a patient, client, or the public and that are set forth in the contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code. "Direct costs" does not include the costs of any financial review or audit required under section 9.234 of the Revised Code.

(D)(1) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or a political subdivision of the state.

(2) "Contracting authority" of a governmental entity means the director or chief executive officer, in the case of a state agency, or the legislative authority, in the case of a political subdivision.

(E) "Minimum percentage of money that is to be expended on the recipient's direct costs" means the percentage of the total amount of the contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code that, at a minimum, has to be expended on the recipient's direct costs in performing the contract in order for the recipient to earn the total amount of the contract.

(F) "Political subdivision" means a county, township, municipal corporation, or any other body corporate and politic that is responsible for government activities in a geographic area smaller than that of the state.

(G) "Recipient" means a person that enters into a contract with a governmental entity under section 9.231 of the Revised Code.

(H) "State agency" means any organized body, office, agency, institution, or other entity established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of state government.

(I) A judgment is "uncollectible" if, at least ninety days after the judgment is obtained, the full amount of the judgment has not been collected and either a settlement agreement between the governmental entity and the recipient has not been entered into or a settlement agreement has been entered into but has not been materially complied with.

Section 9.231 | Disbursements over $25,000 - contract required - exceptions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A)(1) Subject to divisions (A)(2) and (3) of this section, a governmental entity shall not disburse money totaling twenty-five thousand dollars or more to any person for the provision of services for the primary benefit of individuals or the public and not for the primary benefit of a governmental entity or the employees of a governmental entity, unless the contracting authority of the governmental entity first enters into a written contract with the person that is signed by the person or by an officer or agent of the person authorized to legally bind the person and that embodies all of the requirements and conditions set forth in sections 9.23 to 9.236 of the Revised Code. If the disbursement of money occurs over the course of a governmental entity's fiscal year, rather than in a lump sum, the contracting authority of the governmental entity shall enter into the written contract with the person at the point during the governmental entity's fiscal year that at least seventy-five thousand dollars has been disbursed by the governmental entity to the person. Thereafter, the contracting authority of the governmental entity shall enter into the written contract with the person at the beginning of the governmental entity's fiscal year, if, during the immediately preceding fiscal year, the governmental entity disbursed to that person an aggregate amount totaling at least seventy-five thousand dollars.

(2) If the money referred to in division (A)(1) of this section is disbursed by or through more than one state agency to the person for the provision of services to the same population, the contracting authorities of those agencies shall determine which one of them will enter into the written contract with the person.

(3) The requirements and conditions set forth in divisions (A), (B), (C), and (F) of section 9.232, divisions (A)(1) and (2) and (B) of section 9.234, divisions (A)(2) and (B) of section 9.235, and sections 9.233 and 9.236 of the Revised Code do not apply with respect to the following:

(a) Contracts to which all of the following apply:

(i) The amount received for the services is a set fee for each time the services are provided, is determined in accordance with a fixed rate per unit of time or per service, or is a capitated rate, and the fee or rate is established by competitive bidding or by a market rate survey of similar services provided in a defined market area. The market rate survey may be one conducted by or on behalf of the governmental entity or an independent survey accepted by the governmental entity as statistically valid and reliable.

(ii) The services are provided in accordance with standards established by state or federal law, or by rules or regulations adopted thereunder, for their delivery, which standards are enforced by the federal government, a governmental entity, or an accrediting organization recognized by the federal government or a governmental entity.

(iii) Payment for the services is made after the services are delivered and upon submission to the governmental entity of an invoice or other claim for payment as required by any applicable local, state, or federal law or, if no such law applies, by the terms of the contract.

(b) Contracts under which the services are reimbursed through or in a manner consistent with a federal program that meets all of the following requirements:

(i) The program calculates the reimbursement rate on the basis of the previous year's experience or in accordance with an alternative method set forth in rules adopted by the Ohio department of job and family services.

(ii) The reimbursement rate is derived from a breakdown of direct and indirect costs.

(iii) The program's guidelines describe types of expenditures that are allowable and not allowable under the program and delineate which costs are acceptable as direct costs for purposes of calculating the reimbursement rate.

(iv) The program includes a uniform cost reporting system with specific audit requirements.

(c) Contracts under which the services are reimbursed through or in a manner consistent with a federal program that calculates the reimbursement rate on a fee for service basis in compliance with United States office of management and budget Circular A-87, as revised May 10, 2004.

(d) Contracts for services that are paid pursuant to the earmarking of an appropriation made by the general assembly for that purpose.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply if the money is disbursed to a person pursuant to a contract with the United States or a governmental entity under any of the following circumstances:

(1) The person receives the money directly or indirectly from the United States, and no governmental entity exercises any oversight or control over the use of the money.

(2) The person receives the money solely in return for the performance of one or more of the following types of services:

(a) Medical, therapeutic, or other health-related services provided by a person if the amount received is a set fee for each time the person provides the services, is determined in accordance with a fixed rate per unit of time, or is a capitated rate, and the fee or rate is reasonable and customary in the person's trade or profession;

(b) Medicaid-funded services, including administrative and management services, provided pursuant to a contract or medicaid provider agreement that meets the requirements of the medicaid program.

(c) Services, other than administrative or management services or any of the services described in division (B)(2)(a) or (b) of this section, that are commonly purchased by the public at an hourly rate or at a set fee for each time the services are provided, unless the services are performed for the benefit of children, persons who are eligible for the services by reason of advanced age, medical condition, or financial need, or persons who are confined in a detention facility as defined in section 2921.01 of the Revised Code, and the services are intended to help promote the health, safety, or welfare of those children or persons;

(d) Educational services provided by a school to children eligible to attend that school. For purposes of division (B)(2)(d) of this section, "school" means any school operated by a school district board of education, any community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, or any nonpublic school for which the director of education and workforce prescribes minimum education standards under section 3301.07 of the Revised Code.

(e) Services provided by a foster home as defined in section 5103.02 of the Revised Code;

(f) "Routine business services other than administrative or management services," as that term is defined by the attorney general by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code;

(g) Services to protect the environment or promote environmental education that are provided by a nonprofit entity or services to protect the environment that are funded with federal grants or revolving loan funds and administered in accordance with federal law.

(3) The person receives the money solely in return for the performance of services intended to help preserve public health or safety under circumstances requiring immediate action as a result of a natural or man-made emergency.

(C) With respect to an unincorporated nonprofit association, corporation, or organization established for the purpose of providing educational, technical, consulting, training, financial, or other services to its members in exchange for membership dues and other fees, any of the services provided to a member that is a governmental entity shall, for purposes of this section, be considered services "for the primary benefit of a governmental entity or the employees of a governmental entity."

Last updated September 20, 2023 at 11:25 AM

Section 9.232 | Contract for disbursements.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

A contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code shall, at a minimum, set forth all of the following:

(A) The minimum percentage of money that is to be expended on the recipient's direct costs;

(B) The records that a recipient must maintain to document direct costs;

(C) If some of the recipient's obligations under the contract involve the performance of any of the types of services described in division (B)(2)(a), (c), or (f) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code, the name and telephone number of the individual designated by the governmental entity as the contact for obtaining approval of contract amounts for purposes of division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of section 9.235 of the Revised Code;

(D) The financial review and audit requirements established under section 9.234 of the Revised Code and by rules of the auditor of state adopted under section 9.238 of the Revised Code or, with respect to any contract described in division (A)(3) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code, any financial compliance requirements established for purposes of that contract;

(E) The provisions established by rules of the attorney general adopted under section 9.237 of the Revised Code;

(F) Permissible dispositions of money received by a recipient in excess of the contract payment earned, if the excess is not to be repaid to the governmental entity.

Section 9.233 | Recipient of disbursements entitled only to contract payment earned.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A) A recipient shall be entitled to the contract payment earned. In no event shall a recipient be entitled to more than the contract payment earned. A recipient shall repay any money received in excess of the contract payment earned to the governmental entity or, if a different disposition is provided for in the recipient's contract with the governmental entity, dispose of that money in accordance with the terms of the contract.

(B) In order to determine the contract payment earned, all financial books and records open to inspection pursuant to section 9.235 of the Revised Code shall be held to standards consistent with generally accepted accounting principles.

Section 9.234 | Records and reports by recipient - financial review - financial audit.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A) Unless otherwise explicitly provided in the Revised Code, a recipient shall do all of the following:

(1) With respect to any money received prior to the performance of the recipient's obligations under the contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code, and any money received in excess of the contract payment earned, keep current and accurate records of the receipt and use of the money in a manner consistent with the contract;

(2) With respect to any money received after the recipient has performed its obligations under the contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code, keep current and accurate records of the recipient's expenditures on direct costs;

(3) Annually provide the contracting authority of the governmental entity with a report that includes both of the following:

(a)(i) Subject to division (A)(3)(a)(ii) of this section, an audit report, if a financial audit is required by division (B)(3) of this section; a financial review, if a financial review is required by division (B)(2) of this section; a financial review, if a financial review is required by division (B)(1) of this section and is not waived; or financial statements, major categories of expenditure of the money, and a summary of the activities for which the recipient used the money.

(ii) With respect to any contract described in division (A)(3) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code, an audit report or financial review if the performance of a financial audit or review is a compliance requirement established for purposes of that contract.

(b) Any other information that may be required by the contract.

(B)(1) A recipient that, pursuant to one or more contracts entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code, receives money totaling at least one hundred thousand dollars but less than three hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year shall have a financial review performed for each fiscal year in which it receives that amount of money in accordance with the financial review standards of the American institute of certified public accountants. The financial review shall be performed by an independent public accounting firm. The financial review contract between the recipient and the firm shall provide that the state is an intended third-party beneficiary of the contract.

This financial review requirement may be waived, however, if the contracting authority of each governmental entity from which the recipient received money that fiscal year pursuant to a contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code agrees to the waiver.

(2) A recipient that, pursuant to one or more contracts entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code, receives money totaling at least three hundred thousand dollars but less than five hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year shall have a financial review performed for each fiscal year in which it receives that amount of money in accordance with the financial review standards of the American institute of certified public accountants. The financial review shall be performed by an independent public accounting firm. The financial review contract between the recipient and the firm shall provide that the state is an intended third-party beneficiary of the contract.

(3) A recipient that, pursuant to one or more contracts entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code, receives money totaling five hundred thousand dollars or more in any fiscal year shall have a financial audit performed for each fiscal year in which it receives that amount of money according to generally accepted auditing standards by an independent public accounting firm. The engagement letter between the recipient and the firm shall provide that the state is an intended third-party beneficiary of the contract. The audit shall comply with rules adopted by the auditor of state under section 9.238 of the Revised Code. An audit performed pursuant to the federal "Single Audit Act of 1984," 98 Stat. 2327, 31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq., as amended, is sufficient if the state is an intended third-party beneficiary of the audit contract.

(C)(1) An audit conducted by the auditor of state pursuant to any other provision of the Revised Code is sufficient for purposes of division (B) of this section.

(2) A financial audit meeting the requirements of division (B)(3) of this section satisfies the financial review requirements of divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section.

(3) The references in division (B) of this section to fiscal year mean the recipient's fiscal year.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of the auditor of state to conduct audits pursuant to any other provision of the Revised Code.

Section 9.235 | Records open to government inspection.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A)(1) Subject to division (A)(2) of this section, the financial books and records of a recipient, and the financial books and records of any person with which the recipient contracts for the performance of the recipient's obligations under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity, shall be open to inspection by the governmental entity and by the state from the time the recipient first applies for payment under the contract. If the recipient is paid before the performance of its obligations under the contract, the financial books and records of the recipient and of any person with which the recipient contracts for the performance of the recipient's obligations shall be open to inspection from the first anniversary of the payment or from any earlier date that the contract may provide.

(2) Division (A)(1) of this section does not apply to any person that contracts with the recipient solely for the performance of some of the recipient's obligations under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity that directly benefit the recipient's patients or clients, if either of the following applies:

(a) The services provided by the person are any of the types of services described in division (B)(2)(a), (c), or (f) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code and the full amount of the person's contract constitutes direct costs for the recipient and is reasonable and customary in the person's trade or profession. For purposes of division (A)(2)(a) of this section, the amount of the person's contract with the recipient shall be considered "reasonable and customary in the person's trade or profession" if any of the following applies:

(i) The amount is equal to or less than the maximum amount for those services specified in the recipient's contract with the governmental entity.

(ii) The amount was approved by the governmental entity after the recipient entered into the contract with the governmental entity.

(iii) A maximum amount for those services was specified in the recipient's contract with the governmental entity, the recipient's original contract with a person for the performance of those services was subsequently canceled or otherwise unfulfilled, the recipient entered into a replacement contract with another person, and the amount of that contract is not more than twenty-five per cent above the maximum amount for the services specified in the recipient's contract with the governmental entity.

(b) The services provided by the person are any of the types of services described in division (B)(2)(b), (d), or (e) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, if a recipient contracts with another person for the performance of some or all of the recipient's obligations under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity, the recipient shall be entitled to claim spending by the other person as direct costs only to the extent the other person has spent money on direct costs in the performance of the recipient's obligations and only if the other person complies with all of the terms and conditions relating to the performance that the recipient is required to comply with under the contract with the governmental entity.

(2) The conditions set forth in division (B)(1) of this section do not apply with respect to any person described in division (A)(2) of this section.

(C)(1) Nothing in this section shall be construed as making any record of the receipt or expenditure of nonpublic money a public record for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(2) Division (C)(1) of this section does not limit in any way the authority of the auditor of state to conduct audits or other investigations when public money is commingled with nonpublic money.

Section 9.236 | Recipient to repay excess payment - civil action to recover.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A) A recipient is liable to repay to the governmental entity any money received in excess of the contract payment earned.

(B)(1) A governmental entity may bring a civil action for the recovery of money due to the governmental entity from a recipient under division (A) of this section. In such an action, any person with which the recipient has contracted for the performance of the recipient's material obligations to a group of beneficiaries under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity may be made a party defendant if the person is unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the governmental entity that the person has materially complied with the terms of the contract with the recipient. In such a case, the person may be made a party defendant and the governmental entity may obtain a judgment against the person in accordance with division (B)(2) of this section.

(2) If a governmental entity obtains a judgment against a recipient in a civil action brought under division (B)(1) of this section and the judgment is uncollectible, the governmental entity may recover from the person with which the recipient contracted an amount not exceeding the lesser of the following:

(a) The unsatisfied amount of the judgment;

(b) The total amount received by the person from the recipient minus the total amount spent by the person on direct costs for services actually performed and retained by the person as allocable nondirect costs associated with those direct costs.

(C) If a governmental entity, pursuant to this section, obtains a judgment against a recipient or against a person with which the recipient contracted and that judgment debtor does not voluntarily pay the amount of the judgment, that judgment debtor shall be precluded from contracting with a governmental entity to the extent provided in divisions (A) and (B) of section 9.24 of the Revised Code for a debtor against whom a finding of recovery has been issued.

(D) In addition to other remedies provided in divisions (A) to (C) of this section, a governmental entity may void a contract between a recipient and another person for the performance by the other person of the recipient's obligations under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity to the extent that the other person has not yet performed its obligations under the contract or cannot demonstrate that the money it received was expended on direct costs or retained as allocable nondirect costs.

(E) If a recipient is liable to repay money to a governmental entity under this section and the judgment obtained by the governmental entity against the recipient is uncollectible, then in addition to other remedies provided in divisions (A) to (C) of this section, and after the governmental entity has obtained a judgment against any necessary third party, the governmental entity may void any of the following contracts:

(1) A contract made not more than one hundred eighty days before the judgment against the recipient became uncollectible between the recipient and a director, trustee, or officer of the recipient or a business in which a director, trustee, or officer of the recipient has a material financial interest, if either of the following applies:

(a) The recipient has paid substantial value for property received and the property can be returned to the other person. If the property has experienced only normal wear and tear, the person shall be liable to the governmental entity for the full amount the recipient paid for the property. Otherwise, the person shall be liable to the governmental entity only for the market value of the property.

(b) The person with which the recipient contracted has received money that the recipient obtained pursuant to the contract with the governmental entity and the money was not expended on direct costs or retained as allocable nondirect costs. In such a case, the governmental entity may void the contract to the extent the money was not expended on direct costs or retained as allocable nondirect costs, and the person shall be liable to the governmental entity for that amount.

(2) A contract made not more than one hundred eighty days before the judgment against the recipient became uncollectible between the recipient and an employee of the recipient or a business in which an employee of the recipient has a material financial interest, if the employee has direct knowledge of the use of the money that the recipient obtained pursuant to the contract with the governmental entity and either division (E)(1)(a) or (b) of this section applies;

(3) A contract between the recipient and another person pursuant to which the recipient has paid or agreed to pay money to the other person, to the extent that the other person has not yet performed its obligations under the contract;

(4) A contract made not more than one year before the judgment against the recipient became uncollectible between the recipient and a person other than the governmental entity if the other person has not given or agreed to give consideration of reasonable and substantial value for the consideration given by the recipient.

Section 9.237 | Rules governing terms of disbursement contracts.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

The attorney general shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the terms of any contract entered into under section 9.231 of the Revised Code. The rules shall set forth all of the following:

(A) A definition of permissible components of direct costs, including a list of expenditures that may never be included in direct costs and a nonexclusive list of expenditures that may be included in direct costs pursuant to agreement of the parties;

(B) Permissible methods by which a recipient may keep records documenting direct costs and how long those records must be retained;

(C) Remedies not inconsistent with section 9.236 of the Revised Code in the event of a breach of the contract;

(D) Terms to be included in contracts between recipients and persons other than the governmental entity, including the notice of the remedies available to the governmental entity if the money under the contract with the governmental entity is not expended on direct costs or retained as allocable nondirect costs or, with respect to any contract described in division (A)(3) of section 9.231 of the Revised Code, is not earned under the terms of the contract with the governmental entity;

(E) Any other provisions that the attorney general considers necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 9.23 to 9.236 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.238 | Form for financial reviews and rules for audit reports.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A) The auditor of state shall prescribe a single form of the financial reviews required by divisions (B)(1) and (2) of section 9.234 of the Revised Code to be used for all governmental entities.

(B) The auditor of state may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the form and content of the audit reports required by division (B)(3) of section 9.234 of the Revised Code and may prescribe a single form of the report to be used for all governmental entities. Upon request made by a recipient, the auditor of state shall, to the extent possible, require all governmental entities that have entered into a contract with that recipient under section 9.231 of the Revised Code to accept a particular audit report.

Section 9.239 | Allocation of federal energy efficient building deduction.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 259 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Public building" means a building owned by a public entity.

(2) "Public entity" means a subdivision, the general assembly, a court, any department, division, institution, board, commission, authority, bureau or other agency of instrumentality of the state, the five state retirement systems, or any other governmental entity.

(3) "Subdivision" has the same meaning as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A person that is primarily responsible for designing energy efficient commercial building property installed in a public building may seek allocation of any deduction allowed under section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code in connection with that installation by submitting a written request to the public entity that owns the building and the tax commissioner. Within fifteen days of receiving such a request, the public entity shall respond and, if merited, formally allocate the deduction as required under that section and any associated rules or guidance of the internal revenue service or the United States department of the treasury. The public entity shall send to the commissioner a copy of the response and, if applicable, the document or documents formally allocating the deduction.

(C) If a public entity does not respond within fifteen days of receiving a request under division (B) of this section, the entity shall be considered to have approved the request. The commissioner shall provide the person that submitted the request with any documentation necessary to formally allocate the deduction.

(D) No public entity and no employee or agent of a public entity acting in the employee's or agent's official capacity shall seek, solicit, charge, or accept a fee, payment, or other consideration in exchange for allocating a deduction allowed under section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code or providing documentation of such an allocation as required under that section and any associated rules or guidance of the internal revenue service or the United States department of the treasury.

Section 9.24 | Findings for recovery.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Except as may be allowed under division (F) of this section, no state agency and no political subdivision shall award a contract as described in division (G)(1) of this section for goods, services, or construction, paid for in whole or in part with state funds, to a person against whom a finding for recovery has been issued by the auditor of state on and after January 1, 2001, if the finding for recovery is unresolved.

A contract is considered to be awarded when it is entered into or executed, irrespective of whether the parties to the contract have exchanged any money.

(B) For purposes of this section, a finding for recovery is unresolved unless one of the following criteria applies:

(1) The money identified in the finding for recovery is paid in full to the state agency or political subdivision to whom the money was owed;

(2) The debtor has entered into a repayment plan that is approved by the attorney general and the state agency or political subdivision to whom the money identified in the finding for recovery is owed. A repayment plan may include a provision permitting a state agency or political subdivision to withhold payment to a debtor for goods, services, or construction provided to or for the state agency or political subdivision pursuant to a contract that is entered into with the debtor after the date the finding for recovery was issued.

(3) The attorney general waives a repayment plan described in division (B)(2) of this section for good cause;

(4) The debtor and state agency or political subdivision to whom the money identified in the finding for recovery is owed have agreed to a payment plan established through an enforceable settlement agreement.

(5) The state agency or political subdivision desiring to enter into a contract with a debtor certifies, and the attorney general concurs, that all of the following are true:

(a) Essential services the state agency or political subdivision is seeking to obtain from the debtor cannot be provided by any other person besides the debtor;

(b) Awarding a contract to the debtor for the essential services described in division (B)(5)(a) of this section is in the best interest of the state;

(c) Good faith efforts have been made to collect the money identified in the finding of recovery.

(6) The debtor has commenced an action to contest the finding for recovery and a final determination on the action has not yet been reached.

(C) The attorney general shall submit an initial report to the auditor of state, not later than December 1, 2003, indicating the status of collection for all findings for recovery issued by the auditor of state for calendar years 2001, 2002, and 2003. Beginning on January 1, 2004, the attorney general shall submit to the auditor of state, on the first day of every January, April, July, and October, a list of all findings for recovery that have been resolved in accordance with division (B) of this section during the calendar quarter preceding the submission of the list and a description of the means of resolution. The attorney general shall notify the auditor of state when a judgment is issued against an entity described in division (F)(1) of this section.

(D) The auditor of state shall maintain a database, accessible to the public, listing persons against whom an unresolved finding for recovery has been issued, and the amount of the money identified in the unresolved finding for recovery. The auditor of state shall have this database operational on or before January 1, 2004. The initial database shall contain the information required under this division for calendar years 2001, 2002, and 2003.

Beginning January 15, 2004, the auditor of state shall update the database by the fifteenth day of every January, April, July, and October to reflect resolved findings for recovery that are reported to the auditor of state by the attorney general on the first day of the same month pursuant to division (C) of this section.

(E) Before awarding a contract as described in division (G)(1) of this section for goods, services, or construction, paid for in whole or in part with state funds, a state agency or political subdivision shall verify that the person to whom the state agency or political subdivision plans to award the contract has no unresolved finding for recovery issued against the person. A state agency or political subdivision shall verify that the person does not appear in the database described in division (D) of this section or shall obtain other proof that the person has no unresolved finding for recovery issued against the person.

(F) The prohibition of division (A) of this section and the requirement of division (E) of this section do not apply with respect to the companies, payments, or agreements described in divisions (F)(1) and (2) of this section, or in the circumstance described in division (F)(3) of this section.

(1) A bonding company or a company authorized to transact the business of insurance in this state, a self-insurance pool, joint self-insurance pool, risk management program, or joint risk management program, unless a court has entered a final judgment against the company and the company has not yet satisfied the final judgment.

(2) To medicaid provider agreements under the medicaid program.

(3) When federal law dictates that a specified entity provide the goods, services, or construction for which a contract is being awarded, regardless of whether that entity would otherwise be prohibited from entering into the contract pursuant to this section.

(G)(1) This section applies only to contracts for goods, services, or construction that satisfy the criteria in either division (G)(1)(a) or (b) of this section. This section may apply to contracts for goods, services, or construction that satisfy the criteria in division (G)(1)(c) of this section, provided that the contracts also satisfy the criteria in either division (G)(1)(a) or (b) of this section.

(a) The cost for the goods, services, or construction provided under the contract is estimated to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.

(b) The aggregate cost for the goods, services, or construction provided under multiple contracts entered into by the particular state agency and a single person or the particular political subdivision and a single person within the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year within which a contract is being entered into by that same state agency and the same single person or the same political subdivision and the same single person, exceeded fifty thousand dollars.

(c) The contract is a renewal of a contract previously entered into and renewed pursuant to that preceding contract.

(2) This section does not apply to employment contracts.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) "State agency" has the same meaning as in section 9.66 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a political subdivision as defined in section 9.82 of the Revised Code that has received more than fifty thousand dollars of state money in the current fiscal year or the preceding fiscal year.

(3) "Finding for recovery" means a determination issued by the auditor of state, contained in a report the auditor of state gives to the attorney general pursuant to section 117.28 of the Revised Code, that public money has been illegally expended, public money has been collected but not been accounted for, public money is due but has not been collected, or public property has been converted or misappropriated.

(4) "Debtor" means a person against whom a finding for recovery has been issued.

(5) "Person" means the person named in the finding for recovery.

(6) "State money" does not include funds the state receives from another source and passes through to a political subdivision.

Section 9.241 | Civil action for recovery of money.

• Effective: September 29, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 66 - 126th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Governmental entity" and "a judgment is uncollectible" have the same meanings as in section 9.23 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Recipient" means a person that enters into or is awarded a contract with a governmental entity for the provision of goods, services, or construction.

(B) A recipient is liable to repay to the governmental entity any money received but not earned under the terms of the contract with the governmental entity.

(C)(1) A governmental entity may bring a civil action for the recovery of money due to the governmental entity from a recipient under division (B) of this section. In such an action, any person with which the recipient has contracted for the performance of the recipient's material obligations under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity may be made a party defendant if the person is unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the governmental entity that the person has materially complied with the terms of the contract with the recipient. In such a case, the person may be made a party defendant and the governmental entity may obtain a judgment against the person in accordance with division (C)(2) of this section.

(2) If a governmental entity obtains a judgment against a recipient in a civil action brought under division (C)(1) of this section and the judgment is uncollectible, the governmental entity may recover from the person with which the recipient contracted an amount not exceeding the lesser of the following:

(a) The unsatisfied amount of the judgment;

(b) The total amount received by the person from the recipient minus the total amount earned by the person under the terms of the recipient's contract with the governmental entity.

(D) If a governmental entity, pursuant to this section, obtains a judgment against a recipient or against a person with which the recipient contracted and that judgment debtor does not voluntarily pay the amount of the judgment, that judgment debtor shall be precluded from contracting with a governmental entity to the extent provided in divisions (A) and (B) of section 9.24 of the Revised Code for a debtor against whom a finding of recovery has been issued.

(E) In addition to other remedies provided in divisions (B) to (D) of this section, a governmental entity may void a contract between a recipient and another person for the performance by the other person of the recipient's obligations under the recipient's contract with the governmental entity to the extent that the other person has not yet performed its obligations under the contract.

(F) If a recipient is liable to repay money to a governmental entity under this section and the judgment obtained by the governmental entity against the recipient is uncollectible, then in addition to other remedies provided in divisions (B) to (D) of this section, and after the governmental entity has obtained a judgment against any necessary third party, the governmental entity may void any of the following contracts:

(1) A contract made not more than one hundred eighty days before the judgment against the recipient became uncollectible between the recipient and a director, trustee, or officer of the recipient or a business in which a director, trustee, or officer of the recipient has a material financial interest, if either of the following applies:

(a) The recipient has paid substantial value for property received and the property can be returned to the other person. If the property has experienced only normal wear and tear, the person shall be liable to the governmental entity for the full amount the recipient paid for the property. Otherwise, the person shall be liable to the governmental entity only for the market value of the property.

(b) The person with which the recipient contracted has received money that the recipient obtained pursuant to the contract with the governmental entity and has used the money other than for the performance of the contract. In such a case, the governmental entity may void the contract to the extent that the person has used the money other than for the performance of the contract, and the person shall be liable to the governmental entity for that amount.

(2) A contract made not more than one hundred eighty days before the judgment against the recipient became uncollectible between the recipient and an employee of the recipient or a business in which an employee of the recipient has a material financial interest, if the employee has direct knowledge of the use of the money that the recipient obtained pursuant to the contract with the governmental entity and either division (F)(1)(a) or (b) of this section applies;

(3) A contract between the recipient and another person pursuant to which the recipient has paid or agreed to pay money to the other person, to the extent that the other person has not yet performed its obligations under the contract;

(4) A contract made not more than one year before the judgment against the recipient became uncollectible between the recipient and a person other than the governmental entity if the other person has not given or agreed to give consideration of reasonable and substantial value for the consideration given by the recipient.

(G) This section does not apply with respect to any contract entered into by a governmental entity under section 9.231 of the Revised Code that is subject to section 9.236 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.242 | Debarred vendors; participation in state contracts.

• Effective: April 4, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 288 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "State agency" has the meaning defined in section 1.60 of the Revised Code.

(2) "State contract" means any contract for goods, services, or construction that is paid for in whole or in part with state funds. A state contract is considered to be awarded when it is entered into or executed, regardless of whether the parties to the contract have exchanged any money.

(3) "Participate" means to respond to any solicitation or procurement issued by a state agency or be the recipient of an award of a state contract, or to provide any goods or services to any state agency.

(B) No vendor who has been debarred by any state agency shall participate in any state contract during the period of debarment. No vendor who has been prohibited under section 102.99 of the Revised Code from participating in a contract with a public agency, as defined in section 102.01 of the Revised Code, shall participate in any contract with a public agency during the period provided in that section.

(C) State agencies shall exclude any vendor debarred under section 125.25, 153.02, or 5513.06 of the Revised Code, or any other section of the Revised Code from participating in state contracts. A public agency, as defined in section 102.01 of the Revised Code, shall exclude any vendor who is prohibited under section 102.99 of the Revised Code from participating in a contract with a public agency from participating in any contract with the public agency.

(D) After the debarment period or prohibition period expires, the vendor may be eligible to respond to any solicitation or procurement, provide goods or services to, and be awarded contracts by state agencies if the vendor is not otherwise listed on a list of debarred vendors applicable to state contracts, prohibited under section 102.99 of the Revised Code, or otherwise debarred or prohibited under any section of the Revised Code.

Last updated January 24, 2024 at 8:31 AM

Section 9.25 | Purchase of surplus commodities from federal government.

• Effective: September 28, 1973
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 200 - 110th General Assembly

Whenever the superintendent of purchases and printing or the director of transportation finds that personal property can be obtained from the federal government at prices less than would be obtained by taking bids as provided by law for the purchase from private persons, said superintendent or said director may purchase, lease, or obtain the use of said property directly from the federal government without the necessity of advertising to obtain bids, without notice, and upon such formalities and such terms as are required by the federal government.

Any political subdivision of the state may likewise purchase such surplus commodities from the federal government without the necessity of advertising to obtain bids irrespective of the amount of money involved. Such purchase may be made through the superintendent or directly from the federal government.

Section 9.26 | Gifts or grants of federal property.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The state or any of its political subdivisions may receive any gifts or grants of federal property that are needed or required by requesting them in the manner similar to that required by section 9.25 of the Revised Code for purchases.

Section 9.27 | State contracts - invalid terms and conditions.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "state" and "state agency" mean the state of Ohio, including the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, attorney general, and treasurer of state, and all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, institutions, and other instrumentalities of the state of Ohio, but not including the general assembly or any legislative agency, or any court or judicial agency.

(B) Except as otherwise required or permitted by state or federal law, a contract entered into by the state for the procurement of goods or services shall not include any of the following:

(1) A provision that requires the state to indemnify or hold harmless another person.

(2) A provision by which the state agrees to binding arbitration or any other binding extra-judicial dispute resolution process.

(3) A provision that names a venue for any action or dispute against the state other than a court of proper jurisdiction in Franklin county, Ohio.

(4) A provision that requires the state to agree to limit the liability for any direct loss to the state for bodily injury, death, or damage to property of the state caused by the negligence, intentional or willful misconduct, fraudulent act, recklessness, or other tortious conduct of a person or a person's employees or agents, or a provision that would otherwise impose an indemnification obligation on the state.

(5) A provision that requires the state to be bound by a term or condition that is unknown to the state at the time of signing a contract, that is not specifically negotiated with the state, that may be unilaterally changed by the other party, or that is electronically accepted by a state employee.

(6) A provision that provides for a person other than the attorney general to serve as legal counsel for the state or for any state agency, unless allowed for under the process set forth in section 109.07 of the Revised Code.

(7) A provision that is inconsistent with the state's obligations under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(8) A provision for automatic renewal such that state funds are or would be obligated in subsequent fiscal years.

(9) A provision that limits the state's ability to recover the cost of cover for a replacement contractor.

(C) If a contract contains a term or condition described in division (B) of this section, the term or condition is void ab initio, and the contract containing that term or condition otherwise shall be enforceable as if it did not contain such term or condition.

(D) A contract that contains a term or condition described in division (B) of this section shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Ohio law notwithstanding any term or condition to the contrary in the contract.

(E) This section does not apply to a contract in effect before the effective date of this section or to the renewal or extension of a contract in effect before the effective date of this section .

Last updated July 28, 2021 at 5:21 PM

Section 9.28 | Competitive solicitation as public record.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 227 - 131st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Competitive solicitation" means a request for proposal or any other solicitation or announcement by a public office requiring bids or proposals for the provision of goods or services to that office.

(2) "Public office" includes any state agency, public institution, political subdivision, or other organized body, office, agency, institution, or entity established by the laws of this state for the exercise of any function of government. "Public office" does not include the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) "State agency" includes every department, bureau, board, commission, office, or other organized body established by the constitution and laws of this state for the exercise of any function of state government, including any state-supported institution of higher education, the general assembly, any legislative agency, any court or judicial agency, or any political subdivision or agency of a political subdivision. "State agency" does not include the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, materials submitted to a public office in response to a competitive solicitation shall not be considered public records for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code until the date the public office announces the award of a contract based on the competitive solicitation or the cancellation of the competitive solicitation.

(C) If a public office rejects all bids or proposals received in response to a competitive solicitation and, concurrently with the announcement of the rejection gives notice of its intent to reissue the solicitation, the materials submitted in response to the original competitive solicitation and the materials submitted in response to the reissued competitive solicitation shall not be considered public records for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code until the date the public office announces the award of a contract based on the reissued competitive solicitation or the cancellation of the reissued competitive solicitation.

Section 9.29 | Multi-year asset management professional service contracts.

• Effective: June 30, 2010
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 85 - 128th General Assembly

(A) The following political subdivisions may enter into, by direct negotiation or through the solicitation of requests for proposals or requests for qualifications, a multi-year, asset management professional service contract for the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, and maintenance of a water storage tank and appurtenant facilities owned, controlled, or operated by that political subdivision, but only if the contract complies with division (B) of this section:

(1) A board of county commissioners, board of directors of a conservancy district, board of directors of a sanitary district, or board of trustees of a regional water and sewer district;

(2) A municipal corporation through its director of public service, mayor, city manager, board of trustees of public affairs, village administrator, or other contracting officer, commission, board, or authority as authorized by ordinance of the municipal corporation's legislative authority.

(B) A contract entered into pursuant to division (A) of this section shall include provisions that do all of the following:

(1) Provide that the contracting political subdivision is not required to make total payments in a single year that exceed the excess of (a) the political subdivision's water utility charges over (b) the operating expenses of the water system payable from such charges and the principal, interest, and other debt charges, including reserves and coverage requirements, for outstanding debt due in that year;

(2) Require that the work performed be done under the supervision of a professional engineer licensed under Chapter 4733. of the Revised Code, who certifies that the work will be performed in compliance with all applicable codes and engineering standards;

(3) Provide that if, on the date of commencement of the contract, the water tank or appurtenant facilities require engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, or service in order to bring the tank or facilities into compliance with federal, state, or local requirements, the party contracting with the political subdivision must provide the engineering, repair, sustainability, water quality management, or service. The cost of the work necessary to ensure such compliance shall be itemized separately and may be charged to the political subdivision in payments spread over a period of not less than three years from the date of commencement of the contract. The charges shall be paid after provision is made to pay operating expenses and the principal, interest, and other debt service charges, including reserves and coverage requirements for outstanding debt due in that year.

Section 9.30 | Public utility service without bidding and notice.

• Effective: September 29, 1955
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 350 - 101st General Assembly

The appropriate public officer of the state, county, municipal corporation, township, school, or other public body or institution, may acquire the service, product, or commodity of a public utility at the schedule of rates and charges applicable to such service, product, or commodity on file with the public utilities commission, or the applicable charge established by a utility operating its property not for profit, at any location where such public utility service, product, or commodity is not available, from alternate public utilities, without the necessity of advertising to obtain bids, and without notice, irrespective of the amount of money involved.

Section 9.31 | Erroneous bids.

• Effective: August 1, 1980
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 157 - 113th General Assembly

A bidder for a contract with the state or any political subdivision, district, institution, or other agency thereof, excluding therefrom the Ohio department of transportation, for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of any public building, structure, highway, or other improvement may withdraw his bid from consideration if the price bid was substantially lower than the other bids, providing the bid was submitted in good faith, and the reason for the price bid being substantially lower was a clerical mistake as opposed to a judgment mistake, and was actually due to an unintentional and substantial arithmetic error or an unintentional omission of a substantial quantity of work, labor, or material made directly in the compilation of the bid. Notice of a claim of right to withdraw such bid must be made in writing filed with the contracting authority within two business days after the conclusion of the bid opening procedure.

No bid may be withdrawn under this section when the result would be the awarding of the contract on another bid of the same bidder.

No bidder who is permitted to withdraw a bid shall for compensation supply any material or labor to, or perform any subcontract or other work agreement for, the person to whom the contract is awarded or otherwise benefit, directly or indirectly, from the performance of the project for which the withdrawn bid was submitted, without the approval of the contracting authority. The person to whom the contract was awarded and the withdrawing bidder are jointly liable to the contracting authority in an amount equal to any compensation paid to or for the benefit of the withdrawing bidder without such approval, in addition to the penalty provided in section 2913.31 of the Revised Code.

If a bid is withdrawn under authority of this section, the contracting authority may award the contract to the next lowest bidder or reject all bids and resubmit the project for bidding. In the event the contracting authority resubmits the project for bidding the withdrawing bidder shall pay the costs, in connection with the resubmission, of printing new contract documents, required advertising, and printing and mailing notices to prospective bidders, if the contracting authority finds that such costs would not have been incurred but for such withdrawal.

The contracting authority, if it intends to contest the right of a bidder to withdraw a bid, shall hold a hearing thereon within ten days after the opening of such bids and issue any order allowing or denying the claim of such right within five days after such hearing is concluded. The contracting authority shall give to the withdrawing bidder timely and reasonable notice of the time and place of any such hearing. The contracting authority shall make a stenographic record of all testimony, other evidence, and rulings on the admissibility of evidence presented at the hearing. Such order may be appealed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code. The bidder shall pay the costs of the hearing.

In the event the contracting authority denies the claim for withdrawal and the bidder elects to appeal or otherwise refuses to perform, the contracting authority may reject all bids or award to the next lowest bidder.

Section 9.311 | Bonds accompanying bid to be executed by approved surety.

• Effective: August 8, 1991
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 137 - 119th General Assembly

(A) A bid for a contract with the state or any political subdivision, district, institution, or other agency of the state, for the rendering of services, or the supplying of materials, or for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of any public building, structure, highway, or other improvement shall be deemed nonresponsive and shall be rejected if the bidder submits with his bid a bid bond, performance bond, payment bond, or combination of those bonds, executed by a surety not licensed, or a surplus lines company not approved, by the superintendent of insurance to execute such a bond in the state.

(B) All of those bonds shall affirmatively state on their face that the surety is authorized to execute bonds in the state and that the liability incurred is within the limits of section 3929.02 of the Revised Code. Failure to include this statement shall not cause the bid to be deemed nonresponsive and rejected if the surety is in fact authorized to execute bonds in the state and the liability incurred is within the limits of section 3929.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.312 | Factors to determine whether bid is responsive and bidder is responsible.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 34 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) If a state agency or political subdivision is required by law or by an ordinance or resolution adopted under division (C) of this section to award a contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, a bidder on the contract shall be considered responsive if the bidder's proposal responds to bid specifications in all material respects and contains no irregularities or deviations from the specifications which would affect the amount of the bid or otherwise give the bidder a competitive advantage. The factors that the state agency or political subdivision shall consider in determining whether a bidder on the contract is responsible include the experience of the bidder, the bidder's financial condition, conduct and performance on previous contracts, facilities, management skills, and ability to execute the contract properly.

For purposes of this division, the provision of a bid guaranty in accordance with divisions (A)(1) and (B) of section 153.54 of the Revised Code issued by a surety licensed to do business in this state is evidence of financial responsibility, but a state agency or political subdivision may request additional financial information for review from an apparent low bidder after it opens all submitted bids. A state agency or political subdivision shall keep additional financial information it receives pursuant to a request under this division confidential, except under proper order of a court. The additional financial information is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

An apparent low bidder found not to be responsive and responsible shall be notified by the state agency or political subdivision of that finding and the reasons for it. Except for contracts awarded by the department of administrative services pursuant to section 125.11 of the Revised Code, the notification shall be given in writing and either by certified mail or, if the state agency or political subdivision has record of an internet identifier of record associated with the bidder, by ordinary mail and by that internet identifier of record. When awarding contracts pursuant to section 125.11 of the Revised Code, the department may send such notice in writing by first class mail or by electronic means.

(B) Where a state agency or a political subdivision that has adopted an ordinance or resolution under division (C) of this section determines to award a contract to a bidder other than the apparent low bidder or bidders for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, enlargement, alteration, repair, painting, or decoration of a public improvement, it shall meet with the apparent low bidder or bidders upon a filing of a timely written protest. The protest must be received within five days of the notification required in division (A) of this section. No final award shall be made until the state agency or political subdivision either affirms or reverses its earlier determination. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Revised Code, the procedure described in this division is not subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C) A municipal corporation, township, school district, board of county commissioners, any other county board or commission, or any other political subdivision required by law to award contracts by competitive bidding may by ordinance or resolution adopt a policy of requiring each competitively bid contract it awards to be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in accordance with this section.

(D) As used in this section, "internet identifier of record" means an electronic mail address, or any other designation used for self-identification or routing in internet communication or posting, provided for the purpose of receiving communication.

Section 9.313 | Reduction of performance bond after substantial performance.

• Effective: April 16, 1993
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 374 - 119th General Assembly

A contract for the rendering of services or the supplying of materials entered into on or after the effective date of this section shall be deemed to include a provision that authorizes the contracting authority, in its sole discretion, to reduce any bond filed by the person contracting to render the services or supply the materials by twenty-five per cent of the total amount of the bond upon demonstration satisfactory to the contracting authority that at least fifty per cent of the services have been rendered or materials have been supplied in accordance with the terms of the contract, and by fifty per cent of the total amount of the bond upon demonstration satisfactory to the contracting authority that at least seventy-five per cent of the services have been rendered or materials have been supplied in accordance with the terms of the contract.

As used in this section, "contracting authority" means an officer, board, or other authority of the state or any political subdivision, district, institution, or other agency thereof authorized to contract for the rendering of services or the supplying of materials, but does not include an officer, board, or other authority of the Ohio department of transportation.

Section 9.314 | Purchasing services or supplies by reverse auction.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Contracting authority" has the same meaning as in section 307.92 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a municipal corporation, township, county, school district, or other body corporate and politic responsible for governmental activities only in geographic areas smaller than that of the state and also includes a contracting authority.

(3) "Reverse auction" means a purchasing process in which offerors submit proposals in competing to sell services or supplies in an open environment via the internet.

(4) "Services" means the furnishing of labor, time, or effort by a person, not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than a report which, if provided, is merely incidental to the required performance. "Services" does not include services furnished pursuant to employment agreements or collective bargaining agreements.

(5) "Supplies" means all property, including, but not limited to, equipment, materials, other tangible assets, and insurance, but excluding real property or interests in real property.

(B)(1) Whenever any political subdivision determines that the use of a reverse auction is advantageous to the political subdivision, the political subdivision, in accordance with this section and rules the political subdivision shall adopt, may purchase services or supplies by reverse auction.

(2) A political subdivision shall not purchase supplies or services by reverse auction if the contract concerns the design, construction, alteration, repair, reconstruction, or demolition of a building, highway, road, street, alley, drainage system, water system, waterworks, ditch, sewer, sewage disposal plant, or any other structure or works of any kind.

(C) A political subdivision shall solicit proposals through a request for proposals. The request for proposals shall state the relative importance of price and other evaluation factors. The political subdivision shall give notice of the request for proposals in accordance with the rules it adopts.

(D) As provided in the request for proposals and in the rules a political subdivision adopts, and to ensure full understanding of and responsiveness to solicitation requirements, the political subdivision may conduct discussions with responsible offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award. The political subdivision shall accord offerors fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion regarding any clarification, correction, or revision of their proposals.

(E) A political subdivision may award a contract to the offeror whose proposal the political subdivision determines to be the most advantageous to the political subdivision, taking into consideration factors such as price and the evaluation criteria set forth in the request for proposals. The contract file shall contain the basis on which the award is made.

(F) The rules that a political subdivision adopts under this section may require the provision of a performance bond, or another similar form of financial security, in the amount and in the form specified in the rules.

(G) If a political subdivision is required by law to purchase services or supplies by competitive sealed bidding or competitive sealed proposals, a purchase made by reverse auction satisfies that requirement.

Section 9.315 | Requiring particular surety or insurance company or a particular agent or broker on public bids prohibited.

• Effective: April 16, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 124th General Assembly

(A) As used in sections 9.315 and 9.316 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Public authority" means the state or a county, township, municipal corporation, school district, or other political subdivision of the state, or any public agency, authority, board, commission, instrumentality, or special district of the state or of a county, township, municipal corporation, school district, or other political subdivision of the state.

(2) "Self-insured public authority" means a public authority that has been granted the privilege to self-insure a construction project against workers' compensation liability by the administrator of workers' compensation pursuant to division (O) of section 4123.35 of the Revised Code.

(B) No officer, employee, or other agent of a public authority, in issuing an invitation for bids or a request for proposals for a contract with the public authority for the rendering of services or the supplying of materials, or for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of any public building, structure, highway, or other improvement, shall, directly or indirectly, require that any bid bond, performance bond, payment bond, or other bond, or any insurance policy, required under the contract be furnished by or acquired from a particular surety or insurance company or a particular agent or broker.

(C) Divsion (B) of this section does not apply to any insurance policy entered into by a self-insured public authority in connection with a contract otherwise subject to this section. This division does not exempt any bid bond, performance bond, payment bond, or other bond from the appropriate application of division (B) of this section.

Section 9.316 | Injunctive relief.

• Effective: April 16, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 109 - 124th General Assembly

(A) A person that is likely to be damaged by a violation of section 9.315 of the Revised Code may commence a civil action for injunctive relief against the public authority, and the court of common pleas involved in that action may grant injunctive relief based on the principles of equity and on the terms that the court considers reasonable. Proof of monetary damage or loss of profits is not required in a civil action commenced under this division.

(B) The court may award reasonable attorney's fees and court costs to the prevailing party in a civil action authorized by division (A) of this section.

Section 9.317 | Purchase of supplies or services by reverse auction.

• Effective: October 16, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly

As used in this section, "reverse auction" has the meaning defined in section 9.314 of the Revised Code, and "state agency" has the meaning defined in section 9.23 of the Revised Code.

A state agency shall not purchase supplies or services by reverse auction if the contract concerns the design, construction, alteration, repair, reconstruction, or demolition of a building, highway, road, street, alley, drainage system, water system, waterworks, ditch, sewer, sewage disposal plant, or any other structure or works of any kind.

Section 9.32 | Notification of surety and agent of construction contract award.

• Effective: August 1, 1980
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 157 - 113th General Assembly

Whenever the state, or any political subdivision, district, institution, or other agency thereof awards a contract for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of a public improvement, the contracting authority shall simultaneously notify the surety on the contractor's bond of the award and the agent of the surety who executed the bond on behalf of the surety. The notice shall be given in writing and mailed to the surety and the agent whose names and addresses appear on the bond.

Section 9.33 | Construction management services definitions.

• Effective: July 1, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 130th General Assembly

As used in sections 9.33 to 9.335 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Construction manager" means a person with substantial discretion and authority to plan, coordinate, manage, and direct all phases of a project for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of any public building, structure, or other improvement, but does not mean the person who provides the professional design services or who actually performs the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction work on the project.

(B)(1) "Construction manager at risk" means a person with substantial discretion and authority to plan, coordinate, manage, direct, and construct all phases of a project for the construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of any public building, structure, or other improvement and who provides the public authority a guaranteed maximum price as determined in section 9.334 of the Revised Code.

(2) As used in division (B)(1) of this section:

(a) "Construct" includes performing, or subcontracting for performing, construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction.

(b) "Manage" includes approving bidders and awarding subcontracts for furnishing materials regarding, or for performing, construction, demolition, alteration, repair, or reconstruction.

(C) "Construction management contract" means a contract between a public authority and another person obligating the person to provide construction management services.

(D) "Construction management services" or "management services" means the range of services that either a construction manager or a construction manager at risk may provide.

(E) "Qualified" means having the following qualifications:

(1) Competence to perform the required management services as indicated by the technical training, education, and experience of the construction manager's or construction manager at risk's personnel, especially the technical training, education, and experience of the construction manager's or construction manager at risk's employees who would be assigned to perform the services;

(2) Ability in terms of workload and the availability of qualified personnel, equipment, and facilities to perform the required management services competently and expeditiously;

(3) Past performance as reflected by the evaluations of previous clients with respect to factors such as control of costs, quality of work, and meeting of deadlines;

(4) Financial responsibility as evidenced by the capability to provide a letter of credit pursuant to Chapter 1305. of the Revised Code, a surety bond, certified check, or cashier's check in an amount equal to the value of the construction management contract, or by other means acceptable to the public authority;

(5) Other similar factors.

(F)(1) "Public authority" means the state, any state institution of higher education as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, any county, township, municipal corporation, school district, or other political subdivision, or any public agency, authority, board, commission, instrumentality, or special purpose district of the state or of a political subdivision.

(2) "Public authority" does not include the director of transportation when exercising the director's authority to prepare plans for, acquire rights-of-way for, construct, or maintain roads, highways, or bridges.

(G) "Open book pricing method" means a method in which a construction manager at risk provides the public authority, at the public authority's request, all books, records, documents, and other data in its possession pertaining to the bidding, pricing, or performance of a construction management contract awarded to the construction manager at risk.

Section 9.331 | Notice of accepting bids for construction manager or construction manager at risk.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Before entering into a contract to employ a construction manager or construction manager at risk, a public authority shall advertise, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the contract is to be performed, and may advertise by electronic means pursuant to rules adopted by the director of administrative services, notice of its intent to employ a construction manager or construction manager at risk. The notice shall invite interested parties to submit proposals for consideration and shall be published at least thirty days prior to the date for accepting the proposals. The public authority also may advertise the information contained in the notice in appropriate trade journals and otherwise notify persons believed to be interested in employment as a construction manager or construction manager at risk.

(B) The advertisement shall include a general description of the project, a statement of the specific management services required, and a description of the qualifications required for the project.

Section 9.332 | Selection of and contract with construction manager.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

Every public authority planning to contract for construction management services with a construction manager shall evaluate the proposals submitted and may hold discussions with individual construction managers to explore further their proposals, the scope and nature of the services they would provide, and the various technical approaches they may take regarding the project. Following this evaluation, the public authority shall:

(A) Select and rank no fewer than three construction managers that it considers to be the most qualified to provide the required construction management services, except when the public authority determines in writing that fewer than three qualified construction managers are available in which case it shall select and rank them;

(B) Negotiate a contract with the construction manager ranked most qualified to perform the required services at a compensation determined in writing to be fair and reasonable. Contract negotiations shall be directed toward:

(1) Ensuring that the construction manager and the public authority have a mutual understanding of the essential requirements involved in providing the required services;

(2) Determining that the construction manager will make available the necessary personnel, equipment, and facilities to perform the services within the required time.

(C) Upon failure to negotiate a contract with the construction manager ranked most qualified, the public authority shall inform the construction manager in writing of the termination of negotiations and enter into negotiations with the construction manager ranked next most qualified. If negotiations again fail, the same procedure may be followed with each next most qualified construction manager selected and ranked pursuant to division (A) of this section, in order of ranking, until a contract is negotiated.

(D) If the public authority fails to negotiate a contract with any of the construction managers selected pursuant to division (A) of this section, the public authority may select and rank additional construction managers, based on their qualifications, and negotiations may continue as with the construction managers selected and ranked initially until a contract is negotiated.

(E) Nothing in this section affects a public authority's right to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or in part.

Section 9.333 | Financial assurance to be provided by construction manager.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) No public authority shall enter into a construction management contract with a construction manager unless the construction manager provides a letter of credit pursuant to Chapter 1305. of the Revised Code, a surety bond pursuant to sections 153.54 and 153.57 of the Revised Code, a certified check or cashier's check in an amount equal to the value of the construction management contract for the project, or provides other reasonable financial assurance of a nature and in an amount satisfactory to the public authority. The public authority may waive this requirement for good cause.

(B) Before construction begins pursuant to a construction management contract with a construction manager at risk, the construction manager at risk shall provide a surety bond to the public authority in accordance with rules adopted by the executive director of the Ohio facilities construction commission under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Section 9.334 | Evaluation of most qualified proposals; pricing proposals; contract negotiations.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Every public authority planning to contract for construction management services with a construction manager at risk shall evaluate the proposals submitted and select not fewer than three construction managers at risk the public authority considers to be the most qualified to provide the required construction management services, except that the public authority shall select and rank fewer than three when the public authority determines in writing that fewer than three qualified construction managers at risk are available.

(B) The public authority shall provide each construction manager at risk selected under division (A) of this section with a description of the project, including a statement of available design detail, a description of how the guaranteed maximum price for the project shall be determined, including the estimated level of design detail upon which the guaranteed maximum price shall be based, the form of the construction management contract, and a request for a pricing proposal.

(C) The pricing proposal of each construction manager at risk shall include at least the following regarding the construction manager at risk:

(1) A list of key personnel for the project;

(2) A statement of the general conditions and contingency requirements;

(3) A fee proposal divided into a preconstruction fee, a construction fee, and the portion of the construction fee to be at risk in a guaranteed maximum price.

(D) The public authority shall evaluate the submitted pricing proposals and may hold discussions with individual construction managers at risk to explore their proposals further, including the scope and nature of the proposed services and potential technical approaches.

(E) After evaluating the pricing proposals, the public authority shall rank the selected construction managers at risk based on its evaluation of the value of each pricing proposal, with such evaluation considering the proposed cost and qualifications.

(F) The public authority shall enter into negotiations for a construction management contract with the construction manager at risk whose pricing proposal the public authority determines to be the best value under division (E) of this section. Contract negotiations shall be directed toward:

(1) Ensuring that the construction manager at risk and the public authority mutually understand the essential requirements involved in providing the required construction management services, including the provisions for the use of contingency funds and the possible distribution of savings in the final costs of the project;

(2) Ensuring that the construction manager at risk will be able to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and facilities to perform the construction management services within the time required by the construction management contract;

(3) Agreeing upon a procedure and schedule for determining a guaranteed maximum price using an open book pricing method that shall represent the total maximum amount to be paid by the public authority to the construction manager at risk for the project and that shall include the costs of all the work, the cost of its general conditions, the contingency, and the fee payable to the construction manager at risk.

(G)(1) If the public authority fails to negotiate a construction management contract with the construction manager at risk whose pricing proposal the public authority determines to be the best value under division (E) of this section, the public authority shall inform the construction manager at risk, in writing, of the termination of negotiations.

(2) Upon terminating negotiations, the public authority may enter into negotiations as provided in this section with the construction manager at risk that the public authority ranked next highest under division (E) of this section. If negotiations fail, the public authority may enter into negotiations as provided in this section with the construction manager at risk the public authority ranked next highest under division (E) of this section.

(3) If a public authority fails to negotiate a construction management contract with a construction manager at risk whose pricing proposal the public authority determines to be the best value under division (E) of this section, the public authority may select additional construction managers at risk to provide pricing proposals to the public authority pursuant to this section or may select an alternative delivery method for the project.

(H) If the public authority and construction manager at risk fail to agree on a guaranteed maximum price, nothing in this section shall prohibit the public authority from allowing the construction manager at risk to provide the management services that a construction manager is authorized to provide.

(I) Nothing in this section affects a public authority's right to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or in part.

Section 9.335 | Construction of statutes with other code provisions.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

The requirements set forth in sections 9.33 to 9.334 of the Revised Code for the bidding, selection, and award of a construction management contract by a public authority prevail in the event of any conflict with a provision of Chapter 153. of the Revised Code.

Section 9.34 | Fiscal year and period of state and political subdivisions.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The fiscal year of the state, every school district, and, beginning July 1, 2013, the city of Cincinnati, shall begin on the first day of July of each calendar year and end at the close of the thirtieth day of June of the succeeding calendar year. The fiscal year of every school library district, and all political subdivisions or taxing units except school districts and the city of Cincinnati, and of every officer, department, commission, board, or institution thereof, shall begin at the opening of the first day of January of each calendar year and end at the close of the succeeding thirty-first day of December. Except as otherwise provided for school districts and as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, all laws relating to the levying of taxes, the collection, appropriation, or expenditure of revenues, or the making of financial reports or statements for a fiscal year or other year refer and apply to the fiscal year as defined in this division. Reports required by sections 3319.32 to 3319.37 of the Revised Code shall be for the school year as defined in section 3313.62 of the Revised Code.

(B) Nothing in this section prohibits a subdivision, other than a school district or county school financing district, from using a different fiscal year or other fiscal period for one or more of its funds, including when that fiscal year or period is the same as the fiscal year of an entity providing money for the fund or the fiscal period of a capital project. Use of a different fiscal year or period shall be consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, and shall be approved by the fiscal officer of the subdivision and by the auditor of state. If a subdivision uses a different fiscal year or period under this section, the auditor of state may require the subdivision to continue to maintain financial reports or statements on the basis of the fiscal year prescribed by division (A) of this section.

(C) Taxes or other revenues collected in or on hand in any fiscal year for the purposes of the next or any subsequent fiscal year shall not be appropriated or expended prior to such next or subsequent year. School district property taxes shall be subject to appropriation as provided in division (B) of section 5705.35 of the Revised Code. Budgets shall be designated and known by the fiscal year for the purposes for which they are made.

(D) As used in this section, "fiscal officer," "school library district," "subdivision," and "taxing unit" have the same meanings as in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.35 | Contracts for ministerial duties by public officials.

• Effective: July 1, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "public official" means an elected or appointed officer, employee, or agent of any political subdivision, board, commission, bureau, or other public body established by law who is permitted or required in the performance of his duties to issue checks, keep books and records, prepare and preserve payroll and other employee records, and make reports or perform other similar duties.

(B) Any public official may contract for and engage the services of a financial institution, or other person engaged in the business or capable of rendering electronic data processing or computer services, to perform the mechanical, clerical, or record-keeping services necessary in the performance of his duties. Such services may include, but are not limited to, the preparation of payroll and other records, the preparation, signing, and issuance of checks, the preparation of reports and accounts, and the performance of all similar duties.

(C) A contract authorized by division (B) of this section may be entered into only:

(1) If the surety bond required of such public official includes within its coverage any loss which might occur as the result of such contract;

(2) Pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the governing board, commission, bureau, or other public body having jurisdiction over such public official authorizing a contract for the performance of such services;

(3) If the contract does not conflict with the accounting requirements prescribed by the auditor of state under section 117.43 of the Revised Code or with accounting procedures prescribed by the director of budget and management under section 126.21 of the Revised Code;

(4) If assurances satisfactory to the auditor of state are furnished by both the financial institution, or other person engaged in the business or capable of rendering electronic data processing or computer services, and the public official that the books and records of the public official in the possession of the person performing such services shall be subject to audit by the auditor of state to the same extent as if such services were being performed by the public official himself.

(D) A public official, at the request of a person to whom the political subdivision, board, commission, bureau, or other public body is indebted and to whom payment is to be made, may send a check to a bank representing the amount due such person for credit to his account in the bank subject to the following conditions:

(1) The person to whom payment is to be made provides the public official with a written request on a form approved by the auditor of state which designates the bank and contains the endorsement of such bank thereon stating its willingness to act in this respect as agent of such person;

(2) In the event that there are two or more persons who designate the same bank and payments are due to such persons on the same regularly recurring dates, the public official may draw a single check for the total amount due all such persons in favor of the bank for credit to the accounts of the several persons;

(3) Payment of a check drawn in favor of and properly endorsed by the bank designated by a person to whom payment is to be made constitutes a full acquittance to the public official for the amount of such payment.

(E) Nothing contained in this section relieves such public official from the primary responsibility for the maintenance of the records and performance of the duties of his office.

Section 9.36 | Contract for services of fiscal and management consultants.

• Effective: November 7, 1975
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 67 - 111th General Assembly

The board of county commissioners of any county or the township trustees of any township may contract for the services of fiscal and management consultants to aid it in the execution of its powers and duties. Contracts for the services of fiscal and management consultants shall be exempt from any competitive bidding requirements in the Revised Code.

Section 9.361 | Payroll deduction benefit program.

• Effective: February 12, 2004
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 82 - 125th General Assembly

A board of county commissioners may authorize, by resolution, a payroll deduction benefit program to implement the qualified transportation fringe benefit provided for in section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 132(f), as amended, for county employees, but only insofar as it applies to parking and transit passes. If the program includes a parking benefit for parking at a facility that is not owned by the county, the county shall require a third-party administrator to administer the program for the county, unless, on or before the effective date of this section, the county already is providing such a parking benefit for which it is acting as the administrator.

The resolution shall provide a process whereby any county officer or employee may participate in or withdraw from the program upon the filing of a written application. Upon appropriate written authorization, the county auditor shall make the appropriate payroll deductions and issue warrants as required by the program.

Section 9.37 | Direct deposits.

• Effective: September 15, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 483 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "public official" means any elected or appointed officer, employee, or agent of the state, any state institution of higher education, any political subdivision, board, commission, bureau, or other public body established by law. "State institution of higher education" means any state university or college as defined in division (A)(1) of section 3345.12 of the Revised Code, community college, state community college, university branch, or technical college.

(B) Except as provided in divisions (F) and (G) of this section, any public official may make by direct deposit of funds by electronic transfer, if the payee provides a written authorization designating a financial institution and an account number to which the payment is to be credited, any payment such public official is permitted or required by law in the performance of official duties to make by issuing a check or warrant.

(C) Such public official may contract with a financial institution for the services necessary to make direct deposits and draw lump-sum checks or warrants payable to that institution in the amount of the payments to be transferred.

(D) Before making any direct deposit as authorized under this section, the public official shall ascertain that the account from which the payment is to be made contains sufficient funds to cover the amount of the payment.

(E) If the issuance of checks and warrants by a public official requires authorization by a governing board, commission, bureau, or other public body having jurisdiction over the public official, the public official may only make direct deposits and contracts under this section pursuant to a resolution of authorization duly adopted by such governing board, commission, bureau, or other public body.

(F) Pursuant to sections 307.55, 319.16, and 321.15 of the Revised Code, a county auditor may issue, and a county treasurer may redeem, electronic warrants authorizing direct deposit for payment of county obligations in accordance with rules adopted by the director of budget and management pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(G) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, for public officials of the municipal corporation, a county auditor, for county public officials, or a board of township trustees, for township public officials, may adopt a direct deposit payroll policy under which all public officials of the municipal corporation, all county public officials, or all township public officials, as the case may be, provide a written authorization designating a financial institution and an account number to which payment of the public official's compensation shall be credited under the municipal corporation's, county's, or township's direct deposit payroll policy. The direct deposit payroll policy adopted by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, a county auditor, or a board of township trustees may exempt from the direct deposit requirement those municipal, county, or township public officials who cannot provide an account number, or for other reasons specified in the policy. The written authorization is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.38 | Deposit of public moneys.

• Effective: November 2, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 220 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in this section and section 9.39 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Color of office," "public office," and "public official" have the same meanings as in section 117.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Legislative authority" means a board of county commissioners a board of township trustees, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, or the board of education of a school district.

A person who is a state officer, employee, or agent shall pay to the treasurer of state all public moneys received by that person as required by rule of the treasurer of state adopted pursuant to section 113.09 of the Revised Code. A person who is a public official other than a state officer, employee, or agent shall deposit all public moneys received by that person with the treasurer of the public office or properly designated depository on the business day next following the day of receipt, if the total amount of such moneys received exceeds one thousand dollars. If the total amount of the public moneys so received does not exceed one thousand dollars, the person shall deposit the moneys on the business day next following the day of receipt, unless the public office of which that person is a public official adopts a policy permitting a different time period, not to exceed three business days next following the day of receipt, for making such deposits, and the person is able to safeguard the moneys until such time as the moneys are deposited. The policy shall include provisions and procedures to safeguard the public moneys until they are deposited. If the public office of which the person is a public official is governed by a legislative authority, only the legislative authority may adopt such a policy; in the case of a board of county commissioners, the board may adopt such a policy with respect to public offices under the board's direct supervision and the offices of the prosecuting attorney, sheriff, coroner, county engineer, county recorder, county auditor, county treasurer, or clerk of the court of common pleas. If a person who is a public official receives public moneys for a public office of which that person is not a public official, that person shall, during the first business day of the next week, pay to the proper public official of the proper public office the moneys so received during the current week.

Section 9.39 | Liability for public money received or collected - unclaimed money.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 343 - 134th General Assembly

All public officials are liable for all public money received or collected by them or by their subordinates under color of office. All money received or collected by a public official under color of office and not otherwise paid out according to law shall be paid into the treasury of the public office with which the public official is connected to the credit of a trust fund and shall be retained there until claimed by its lawful owner. If not claimed within a period of five years, the money shall revert to the general fund of the public office, except for the unclaimed money in the reparations fund created under section 2743.191 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 9, 2023 at 3:27 PM

Section 9.40 | Payroll deduction for United States savings bonds.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any public employee of the state, or any political subdivision thereof, who desires to purchase United States savings bonds by the payroll deduction plan shall be granted such payroll deduction upon request to the head of the state or political subdivision department by whom he is employed.

As used in this section, "public employee" means any person holding an office, not elective, under the state, any county, municipal corporation, park district, conservancy district, sanitary district, health district, township, or public library, or employed and paid in whole or in part by the state or any of such named authorities in any capacity.

Section 9.41 | Payroll accounts.

• Effective: December 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 530 - 126th General Assembly

The director of budget and management or any fiscal officer of any county, city, city health district, general health district, or city school district thereof, or civil service township, shall not draw, sign, issue, or authorize the drawing, signing, or issuing of any warrant on the treasurer of state or other disbursing officer of the state, or the treasurer or other disbursing officer of any county, city, or city school district thereof, or civil service township, to pay any salary or other compensation to any officer, clerk, employee, or other person in the classified service unless an estimate, payroll, or account for such salary or compensation containing the name of each person to be paid, bears the certificate of the director of administrative services, or in the case of the service of the city or civil service township, the certificate of the civil service commission of the city or civil service township, or in the case of the service of the county, the certificate of the appointing authority, that the persons named in the estimate, payroll, or account have been appointed, promoted, reduced, suspended, or laid off, or are being employed in pursuance of Chapter 124. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted thereunder.

Where estimates, payrolls, or accounts are prepared by electronic data processing equipment, the director of administrative services or the municipal or civil service township civil service commission may develop methods for controlling the input or verifying the output of such equipment to ensure compliance with Chapter 124. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted thereunder. Any estimates, payrolls, or accounts prepared by these methods shall be subject to special audit at any time.

Any sum paid contrary to this section may be recovered from any officer making such payment in contravention of law and of the rules made in pursuance of law, or from any officer signing, countersigning, or authorizing the signing or countersigning of any warrant for the payment of the same, or from the sureties on the officer's official bond, in an action in the courts of the state, maintained by a citizen resident therein. All moneys recovered in any action brought under this section shall, when collected, be paid into the state treasury or the treasury of the appropriate civil division of the state, except that the plaintiff in any action shall be entitled to recover the plaintiff's own taxable costs of such action.

Section 9.42 | Municipal income tax deductions.

• Effective: November 26, 1982
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 550 - 114th General Assembly

Notwithstanding section 1321.32 of the Revised Code, the state and any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities shall deduct from the wages or salaries of public employees, as defined in section 9.40 of the Revised Code, and employees of school districts, the amount of municipal income tax levied upon the income of the employee. The director of administrative services shall establish by rule procedures for the deduction of municipal income taxes from the wages or salaries of employees of the state or its instrumentalities.

Section 9.43 | Savings in share accounts in chartered credit unions deductions.

• Effective: June 2, 1965
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 56 - 106th General Assembly

Notwithstanding section 1321.32 of the Revised Code, the state and any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities may deduct from the wages or salaries of public employees, as the words are defined in section 9.40 of the Revised Code, such amounts as are prescribed by the employee for savings in share accounts in chartered credit unions.

Section 9.44 | Prior public service counted in computing vacation leave.

• Effective: June 14, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 544 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person employed, other than as an elective officer, by the state or any political subdivision of the state, earning vacation credits currently, is entitled to have the employee's prior service with any of these employers counted as service with the state or any political subdivision of the state, for the purpose of computing the amount of the employee's vacation leave. The anniversary date of employment for the purpose of computing the amount of the employee's vacation leave, unless deferred pursuant to the appropriate law, ordinance, or regulation, is the anniversary date of such prior service.

(B) To determine prior service for the purpose of computing the amount of vacation leave for a person initially employed on or after July 5, 1987, by:

(1) A municipal corporation, the person shall have only prior service within that municipal corporation counted;

(2) A township, the person shall have only prior service with a township counted.

(C) An employee who has retired in accordance with the provisions of any retirement plan offered by the state and who is employed by the state or any political subdivision of the state on or after June 24, 1987, shall not have prior service with the state, any political subdivision of the state, or a regional council of government established in accordance with Chapter 167. of the Revised Code counted for the purpose of computing vacation leave.

Section 9.441 | Continuing rights or benefits for prior service.

• Effective: December 29, 1983
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 148 - 115th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "affected employee" means a municipal employee who becomes a county employee, or a county employee who becomes a municipal employee, as the result of any of the following:

(1) The merger of a municipal and a county office;

(2) The merger of municipal and county functions or duties;

(3) The transfer of functions or duties between a municipal corporation and county.

(B) The new employer of any affected employee shall treat the employee's prior service with such former employer as if it had been served with the new employer for the purpose of compensating the employee or granting him any other employee right or benefit which is based upon length of service.

(C) The new employer shall assign an affected employee to a pay rate that is not less than ninety per cent of the pay rate earned by the employee during the year concluding with the end of the pay period immediately preceding the effective date of the merger or transfer.

Section 9.45 | Nonprofit debt pooling company deductions.

• Effective: November 24, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 193 - 121st General Assembly

Notwithstanding section 1321.32 of the Revised Code, the state and any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities may deduct from the wages or salaries of a public employee, as defined in section 9.40 of the Revised Code, such amounts as are authorized in writing by the employee to a nonprofit debt pooling company operating pursuant to Chapter 4710. of the Revised Code, or a nonprofit budget and debt counseling service, for payment or compromise of any account, note, or other indebtedness. Such authorization may be revoked at any time prior to final payment by written notice from the employee to the employer.

Section 9.46 | U.S. olympic participation leave.

• Effective: August 19, 1976
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 454 - 111th General Assembly

The state and any political subdivisions shall grant employees leave from employment to participate in olympic competition sanctioned by the United States olympic committee. Any leave so granted shall not exceed the time required for actual participation in the competition, plus a reasonable time for travel to and return from the site of the competition, and a reasonable time for precompetition training at the site. The state or subdivision shall compensate the employee at his regular rate of pay during any leave granted for participation in olympic competition. Pay for each week of leave shall not exceed the amount the employee would receive for a standard work week as defined in section 124.18 of the Revised Code, and the employee shall not be paid for any day spent in olympic competition for which he would not ordinarily receive pay as part of his regular employment. The director of administrative services shall implement this act by adopting appropriate rules.

Section 9.47 | Certificate of compliance with affirmative action programs.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Any person desiring to bid on a contract awarded pursuant to Chapter 153. of the Revised Code by an owner referred to in section 153.01 of the Revised Code or awarded by the director of transportation pursuant to Chapter 5525. of the Revised Code may make application for a certificate of compliance with affirmative action programs. Application shall be made to the department of development. The director of development's designee shall promptly determine whether the person has complied with all federal affirmative action programs to which the person was subject and any state affirmative action program to which the person was subject pursuant to section 153.59 of the Revised Code which state or federal affirmative action program arose out of a contract the person had with the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state. Where the director's designee determines the person has not committed any violation of such prior affirmative action programs during the five years immediately preceding the date of determination, the director's designee shall issue a dated certificate of compliance with affirmative action programs. The director's designee may issue an updated certificate to a person upon request but not more frequently than once every one hundred eighty days. A person who violates an affirmative action program during the five years preceding the date of determination is ineligible to bid on a contract awarded pursuant to Chapter 153. of the Revised Code by an owner referred to in section 153.01 of the Revised Code or awarded by the director of transportation pursuant to Chapter 5525. of the Revised Code for a period of three years after the date of determination.

(B) Any person denied a certificate or an updated certificate may appeal to the director of development for a review of that determination. The appeal must be filed within ten days of the date of the determination. The director shall, within five days after receipt of the appeal, either affirm or reverse the determination.

(C) Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the director on review may, within thirty days, appeal the decision of the director to the court of common pleas of Franklin county. The court may affirm or reverse the decision of the director. At the hearing before the court, evidence may be introduced for and against the decision of the director. The decision of the court may be appealed as in other cases.

(D) The director of development, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt, and may amend or rescind, rules to implement this section.

Last updated July 29, 2021 at 2:44 PM

Section 9.48 | Joint purchasing programs.

• Effective: September 12, 2008
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 268 - 127th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "political subdivision" has the same meaning as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code and includes a county hospital as defined in section 339.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A political subdivision may do any of the following:

(1) Permit one or more other political subdivisions to participate in contracts into which it has entered for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, or services, and may charge such participating political subdivisions a reasonable fee to cover any additional costs incurred as a result of their participation;

(2) Participate in a joint purchasing program operated by or through a national or state association of political subdivisions in which the purchasing political subdivision is eligible for membership.

(3) Participate in contract offerings from the federal government that are available to a political subdivision including, but not limited to, contract offerings from the general services administration.

(C) Acquisition by a political subdivision of equipment, material, supplies, or services, through participation in a contract of another political subdivision or participation in an association program under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section, is exempt from any competitive selection requirements otherwise required by law, if the contract in which it is participating was awarded pursuant to a publicly solicited request for a proposal or a competitive selection procedure of another political subdivision within this state or in another state. Acquisition by a political subdivision of equipment, materials, supplies, or services pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section is exempt from any competitive selection requirements otherwise required by law. No political subdivision shall acquire equipment, materials, supplies, or services by participating in a contract under this section if it has received bids for such acquisition, unless its participation enables it to make the acquisition upon the same terms, conditions, and specifications at a lower price.

(D) A political subdivision that is eligible to participate in a joint purchasing program operated by or through a national or state association of political subdivisions in which the purchasing political subdivision is eligible for membership may purchase supplies or services from another party, including another political subdivision, instead of through participation in contracts authorized by division (B)(2) of this section if the political subdivision can purchase those supplies or services from the other party upon equivalent terms, conditions, and specifications but at a lower price than it can through those contracts. Purchases that a political subdivision makes under this division are exempt from any competitive selection procedures otherwise required by law. A political subdivision that makes any purchase under this division shall maintain sufficient information regarding the purchase to verify that it satisfied the conditions for making a purchase under this division. Nothing in this division restricts any action taken by a political subdivision as authorized by division (B)(1) of this section.

(E) The authorization granted to a municipal corporation under this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the powers and authority granted by state law, the Ohio Constitution, and the provisions of a municipal charter, ordinance, or resolution.

Section 9.481 | Residency requirements prohibited for certain employees.

• Effective: May 1, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 82 - 126th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Political subdivision" has the same meaning as in section 2743.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Volunteer" means a person who is not paid for service or who is employed on less than a permanent full-time basis.

(B)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, no political subdivision shall require any of its employees, as a condition of employment, to reside in any specific area of the state.

(2)(a) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a volunteer.

(b) To ensure adequate response times by certain employees of political subdivisions to emergencies or disasters while ensuring that those employees generally are free to reside throughout the state, the electors of any political subdivision may file an initiative petition to submit a local law to the electorate, or the legislative authority of the political subdivision may adopt an ordinance or resolution, that requires any individual employed by that political subdivision, as a condition of employment, to reside either in the county where the political subdivision is located or in any adjacent county in this state. For the purposes of this section, an initiative petition shall be filed and considered as provided in sections 731.28 and 731.31 of the Revised Code, except that the fiscal officer of the political subdivision shall take the actions prescribed for the auditor or clerk if the political subdivision has no auditor or clerk, and except that references to a municipal corporation shall be considered to be references to the applicable political subdivision.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) of this section, employees of political subdivisions of this state have the right to reside any place they desire.

Section 9.482 | Contracting for services between political subdivisions.

• Effective: September 15, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 483, House Bill 289 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Political subdivision" has the meaning defined in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "State agency" means any organized body, office, agency, institution, or other entity established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of state government. The term includes a state institution of higher education as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) When legally authorized to do so, a political subdivision may enter into an agreement with another political subdivision or a state agency whereby the contracting political subdivision or state agency agrees to exercise any power, perform any function, or render any service for the contracting recipient political subdivision that the contracting recipient political subdivision is otherwise legally authorized to exercise, perform, or render.

(2) When legally authorized to do so, a state agency may enter into an agreement with a political subdivision whereby the contracting political subdivision agrees to exercise any power, perform any function, or render any service for the contracting recipient state agency that the contracting recipient state agency is otherwise legally authorized to exercise, perform, or render.

(C) In the absence in the agreement of provisions determining by what officer, office, department, agency, or other authority the powers and duties of a contracting political subdivision shall be exercised or performed, the legislative authority of the contracting political subdivision shall determine and assign the powers and duties.

An agreement shall not suspend the possession by a contracting recipient political subdivision or state agency of any power or function that is exercised or performed on its behalf by the other contracting political subdivision or the contracting state agency under the agreement.

A political subdivision shall not enter into an agreement to levy any tax or to exercise, with regard to public moneys, any investment powers, perform any investment function, or render any investment service on behalf of a contracting subdivision. Nothing in this paragraph prohibits a political subdivision from entering into an agreement to collect, administer, or enforce any tax on behalf of another political subdivision or to limit the authority of political subdivisions to create and operate joint economic development zones as provided in section 715.691, joint economic development districts as provided in sections 715.70 to 715.83, or municipal utility districts as provided in section 715.84 of the Revised Code.

(D) No county elected officer may be required to exercise any power, perform any function, or render any service under an agreement entered into under this section without the written consent of the county elected officer. No county may enter into an agreement under this section for the exercise, performance, or rendering of any statutory powers, functions, or services of any county elected officer without the written consent of the county elected officer.

(E) No power shall be exercised, no function shall be performed, and no service shall be rendered by a contracting political subdivision or state agency pursuant to an agreement entered into under this section within a political subdivision that is not a party to the agreement, without first obtaining the written consent of the political subdivision that is not a party to the agreement and within which the power is to be exercised, a function is to be performed, or a service is to be rendered.

(F) Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code, insofar as it applies to the operation of a political subdivision, applies to the political subdivisions that are parties to an agreement and to their employees when they are rendering a service outside the boundaries of their employing political subdivision under the agreement. Employees acting outside the boundaries of their employing political subdivision while providing a service under an agreement may participate in any pension or indemnity fund established by the political subdivision to the same extent as while they are acting within the boundaries of the political subdivision, and are entitled to all the rights and benefits of Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code to the same extent as while they are performing a service within the boundaries of the political subdivision.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 9.483 | Sale and leaseback agreements.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

Notwithstanding limitations imposed by the Revised Code to the contrary, a political subdivision may enter into a sale and leaseback agreement under which the legislative authority agrees to convey a building owned by the political subdivision to a purchaser who is obligated, immediately upon closing, to lease all or portions of the building back to the legislative authority. The sale and leaseback agreement shall obligate the lessor to make public improvements to all or portions of the building subject to the lease, including renovations, energy conservation measures, and other measures that are necessary to improve the functionality and reduce the operating costs of the portions of the building that are subject to the lease.

Section 9.49 | Transparency in contracts between state and private attorneys.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

Sections 9.49 to 9.498 of the Revised Code shall be known as the transparency in private attorney contracts act.

Section 9.491 | Definitions.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

As used in sections 9.49 to 9.498 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Legal matter" means any administrative proceeding, case, group of cases, or legal issue for which the state requires legal representation or advice.

(B) "Private attorney" means any attorney in the private practice of law or a law firm but does not mean an attorney appointed by the attorney general pursuant to section 109.08 of the Revised Code for the purpose of collecting debts certified to the attorney general for collection under any law or debts that the attorney general is authorized to collect.

(C) "State" means this state and any officer, department, board, commission, division, bureau, council, or unit of organization, however designated, of the executive branch of government of this state and any of its agents.

(D) "Securities class action" means an action brought as a class action that includes a violation of the "Securities Act of 1933," 15 U.S.C. 77a and following, or the "Securities Exchange Act of 1934," 15 U.S.C. 78a and following.

Section 9.492 | Contingency fee contract with private attorney.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The state shall not enter into a contingency fee contract with a private attorney unless the attorney general or the attorney general's designee makes a written determination prior to entering into that contract or within a reasonable time after entering into the contract that private representation is both cost-effective and in the public interest. Any written determination shall include findings for each of the following factors:

(1) Whether there exist sufficient and appropriate legal and financial resources within the attorney general's office to handle the matter involved;

(2) The nature of the legal matter for which private representation is required so long as divulging that information would not violate any ethical responsibility of the attorney general or privilege held by the state.

(B) If the attorney general or the attorney general's designee makes the determination described in division (A) of this section, the attorney general or the attorney general's designee shall request qualifications from private attorneys to represent the state, unless the attorney general or the attorney general's designee determines that requesting qualifications is not feasible under the circumstances and sets forth the basis for this determination in writing.

(C)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section and subject to divisions (C)(3) and (4) of this section, the state shall not enter into a contingency fee contract with a private attorney that provides for the private attorney to receive an aggregate contingency fee in excess of the total of the following amounts:

(a) Twenty-five per cent of any damages up to ten million dollars;

(b) Twenty per cent of any portion of any damages of ten million dollars or more but less than fifteen million dollars;

(c) Fifteen per cent of any portion of any damages of fifteen million dollars or more but less than twenty million dollars;

(d) Ten per cent of any portion of any damages of twenty million dollars or more but less than twenty-five million dollars;

(e) Five per cent of any portion of any damages of twenty-five million dollars or more.

(2) Except as provided in division (D) of this section with respect to security class actions, the aggregate contingency fee under division (C)(1) of this section, exclusive of reasonable costs and expenses, shall not exceed fifty million dollars, regardless of the number of lawsuits filed or the number of private attorneys retained to achieve the recovery, unless the contract expressly authorizes a contingency fee in excess of fifty million dollars. The attorney general shall not enter into a contract authorizing a contingency fee in excess of fifty million dollars without the approval of the controlling board.

(3) A contingency fee in a contingency fee contract under division (C)(1) of this section shall not be based on penalties or civil fines awarded or on any amounts attributable to penalties or civil fines.

(4) The amount of a contingency fee paid to a private attorney under a contingency fee contract between the state and the private attorney shall be the percentage of the amount of damages actually recovered by the state to which the private attorney is entitled under division (C)(1) of this section.

(D) In any contingency fee contract covering a securities class action in which this state is appointed as lead plaintiff pursuant to section 27(a)(3)(B)(i) of the "Securities Act of 1933," 15 U.S.C. 77z-1(a)(3)(B)(i) or section 21D(a)(3)(B)(i) of the "Securities Exchange Act of 1934," 15 U.S.C. 78u-4(a)(3)(B)(i) or in which any state is a class representative, division (C)(2) of this section applies only with respect to the state's share of any judgment, settlement amount, or common fund and does not apply to the amount of attorney's fees that may be awarded to a private attorney for representing other members of a class certified pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or state class action procedures.

(E)(1) A contract entered into between the state and a private attorney under this section shall include all of the following provisions that apply throughout the term of the contract and any extensions of that term:

(a) The private attorney shall acknowledge that the assistant attorney general retains complete control over the course and conduct of the case involved.

(b) An assistant attorney general with supervisory authority shall oversee the litigation of the case.

(c) An assistant attorney general shall retain veto power over any decisions made by the private attorney.

(d) Any opposing party in the case may contact the assistant attorney general directly without having to confer with the private attorney unless the assistant attorney general instructs the opposing party otherwise.

(e) An assistant attorney general with supervisory authority for the case may attend all settlement conferences.

(f) The private attorney shall acknowledge that final approval regarding settlement of the case is reserved exclusively to the discretion of the attorney general.

(2) Nothing in division (E)(1) of this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the client regarding the course, conduct, or settlement of the case.

Section 9.493 | Contract with private attorney outside Ohio.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

The state shall not enter into a contract with a private attorney located outside this state unless the attorney general determines that at least one of the following applies:

(A) There are no private attorneys with an office in this state that are willing to accept the legal representation.

(B) All private attorneys with offices in this state that possess the necessary experience or capability are conflicted and unable to represent the state or the attorney general or lack necessary personnel and capacity in the firm to take on the engagement.

(C) The attorney general is prevented from engaging a private attorney with an office in this state under the rules of the controlling board regarding waiver of competitive selection.

(D) There are no private attorneys with offices in this state that possess the necessary experience, capability, or capacity required by the contemplated engagement.

Section 9.494 | Publication of contract.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

(A) A copy of the executed contingency fee contract between the state and a private attorney pursuant to section 9.492 or 9.493 of the Revised Code and any corresponding submission by the attorney general to the controlling board pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 9.492 of the Revised Code shall be posted on the attorney general's web site and shall remain posted on the web site for the duration of the contract.

(B) A private attorney under a contingency fee contract to provide services to the state pursuant to section 9.492 or 9.493 of the Revised Code shall maintain from the inception of the contract until at least three years after the contract expires or is terminated detailed current records, including documentation of all expenses, disbursements, charges, credits, underlying receipts and invoices, and other financial transactions that concern the provision of the attorney services. The private attorney shall maintain detailed contemporaneous time records for the attorneys and paralegals working on the legal matter and shall promptly provide these records to the attorney general upon request.

Section 9.495 | Annual report.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

By the first day of September of each year, the attorney general shall submit a report to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives describing the use of contracts with private attorneys in the preceding fiscal year. The report shall include the following:

(A) Identification of all contracts entered into during the fiscal year and all previously executed contracts that remain current during any part of the fiscal year or that have been closed during any part of the fiscal year, and for each contract a description of all of the following:

(1) The name of the private attorney with whom the state has contracted, including the name of the private attorney's law firm if the private attorney is an individual;

(2) The nature of the legal matter that is the subject of the contract so long as divulging that information would not violate any ethical responsibility of the attorney general or privilege held by the state;

(3) The state entity the private attorney was engaged to represent or counsel;

(4) The total legal fees approved by the attorney general for payment to a private attorney by the state for legal services rendered during the preceding fiscal year.

(B) Copies of any written determinations made pursuant to sections 9.492 to 9.494 of the Revised Code during the fiscal year.

Section 9.496 | Applicability.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

Sections 9.491 to 9.495 of the Revised Code do not apply to contingency fee contracts and renewals thereof that are in existence on the effective date of this section.

Section 9.497 | Construction.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

Nothing in sections 9.49 to 9.496 of the Revised Code shall be construed to expand the authority of any state agency or state agent to enter into contracts if no such authority previously existed.

Section 9.498 | Legislative intent.

• Effective: August 12, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 131st General Assembly

The general assembly intends that any limitations on entering into a contingency fee contract, as provided by sections 9.491 to 9.495 of the Revised Code, are to be applied only to contracts with a private attorney retained on a contingency fee basis by the state. These limitations shall not apply to contingency fee contracts between private parties and contracts not involving the state.

Section 9.50 | Display of the POW/MIA flag during normal business hours at public buildings.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 254 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "POW/MIA flag" means the flag that depicts the profile of a prisoner of war against the background of a prisoner of war camp watchtower.

(2) "Public building" means the principal municipal building of each municipal corporation, the principal county building in the county seat of each county, and the state house in Columbus.

(3) "Transportation facilities" has the meaning defined in section 5501.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The general assembly hereby encourages the display of the POW/MIA flag during normal business hours at each public building.

(C) Except as provided under division (E) of this section, the POW/MIA flag shall be displayed at buildings operated by the state government on all of the following days:

(1) The third Saturday in May, known as Armed Forces day;

(2) The last Monday in May, known as Memorial day;

(3) The fourteenth day of June, known as Flag day;

(4) The fourth day of July, known as Independence day;

(5) The third Friday in September, known as National POW/MIA Recognition day;

(6) The eleventh day of November, known as Veterans' day.

(D) As used in divisions (C) and (E) of this section, buildings operated by the state government include all of the following:

(1) The building at 25 South Front Street, Columbus;

(2) The building at 4200 Surface Road, Columbus;

(3) The Frank J. Lausche state office building in Cleveland;

(4) The James A. Rhodes state office tower in Columbus;

(5) The Michael V. DiSalle government center in Toledo;

(6) The north high street complex, 246 North High Street and 35 East Chestnut Street, Columbus;

(7) Ohio governor's residence and heritage garden in Bexley;

( 8) Oliver R. Ocasek government office building in Akron;

(9) State of Ohio computer center ;

(10) The Vern Riffe center for government and the arts in Columbus;

(11) Buildings at transportation facilities operated by the department of transportation;

(12) The state house in Columbus;

(13) A state armory under the direction of the adjutant general under Chapter 5911. of the Revised Code;

(14) The William Green building in Columbus;

(15) The Charles D. Shipley building in Columbus;

(16) The office of the state fire marshal in Reynoldsburg; and

(17) State highway patrol posts.

(E)(1) Division (C) of this section does not apply to buildings that do not have an installed flag pole on the effective date of this amendment.

(2) A building operated by the state government may comply with the requirements of division (C) of this section by commencing the display of the flag during normal business hours on a workday before the required display day, and ending the display during normal business hours on a workday following the required display day.

(3) This section does not apply to a building described in division (D) of this section when the state government ceases to operate that building.

(F) When displayed from the same halyard or staff, the POW/MIA flag should fly directly below, and be no larger than, the United States flag. When displayed from adjacent staffs, the United States flag should always be placed to the right of other flags, including the POW/MIA flag. On the dates specified in division (C) of this section, the POW/MIA flag shall be flown immediately below or adjacent to the United States flag as second in order of precedence.

(G) In enacting this section, the general assembly hereby declares and finds all of the following:

(1) Over two thousand four hundred Americans, including one hundred seventeen from this state, who served in the United States armed forces during the war in Indochina are still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.

(2) There is significant evidence that many of these missing Americans are still alive and being held against their will in Indochina.

(3) This nation is deeply indebted to its servicemen and servicewomen of all wars and conflicts for their courage and sacrifice and should demonstrate its special commitment to the missing men and women of all wars and conflicts and their families by obtaining the release of those still held prisoner of war and the fullest possible accounting from the responsible governments regarding those Americans listed as missing in action.

(4) The POW/MIA flag is a powerful symbol of the plight of these prisoners of war and missing Americans and reminds the public of the commitment this nation must have in determining the fate of its servicemen and servicewomen. Thus, it is appropriate that the POW/MIA flag should be displayed at certain public buildings throughout this state to increase public awareness of the issue of prisoners of war and those missing in action and to gain public support for the efforts of the United States government to resolve this matter.

Section 9.54 | Accessibility signs.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

Whoever erects or replaces a sign containing the international symbol of access shall use forms of the word "accessible" rather than forms of the words "handicapped" or "disabled" whenever words are included on the sign.

Section 9.55 | Installation of teletypewriters for deaf or hearing-impaired at state agencies.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "state agency" means the house of representatives, the senate, the governor, the secretary of state, the auditor of state, the treasurer of state, the attorney general, the department of job and family services, the department of commerce, the department of developmental disabilities, the department of education and workforce, the department of health, the department of aging, the governor's office of advocacy for disabled persons, and the civil rights commission.

(B) Each state agency shall install in its offices at least one teletypewriter designed to receive printed messages from and transmit printed messages to deaf or hearing-impaired persons.

Last updated September 20, 2023 at 12:28 PM

Section 9.56 | Plans and drawings for public buildings filed with county recorder.

• Effective: May 1, 1992
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 145 - 119th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "owner of any public building" means any state agency, public institution, political subdivision, or any other organized body, office, agency, institution, or entity established by the laws of this state for the exercise of any function of government.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, the owner of any public building, within thirty days after the completion of the project, shall file the plans and drawings representing the building as built for any such public building constructed or being constructed after the effective date of this section with the county recorder in the county where the building is located. The plans and drawings and the paper, inks, and markings used thereon shall be of a quality that ensures a legible reproduction.

(C) No plans and drawings representing the building as built need be filed for a building under division (B) of this section if either of the following applies:

(1) A political subdivision approves the plans and drawings representing the building as built for that building and records and maintains the plans and drawings and makes them available for public inspection and the plans and drawings and the paper, inks, and markings used thereon are of a quality that ensures a legible reproduction.

(2) The building is located in a political subdivision that records and maintains the plans and drawings representing the building as built and makes them available for public inspection and the plans and drawings and the paper, inks, and markings used thereon are of a quality that ensures a legible reproduction.

(D) No plans and drawings shall be destroyed or transferred without approval by the county recorder.

Section 9.57 | Closure of places of worship.

• Effective: December 16, 2020
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 272 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Revised Code, no public official shall issue an order to close all places of worship in the state or in a geographic area of the state.

(B) As used in this section:

(1) "Place of worship" means a building or grounds where activities of an organized religious group are conducted.

(2) "Public official" means any elected or appointed officer, employee, or agent of the state or any political subdivision, board, commission, bureau, or other public body established by law.

Section 9.58 | Court settlements that conflict with the Revised Code.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "public official" means any elected or appointed officer, employee, or agent of the state or any political subdivision, board, commission, bureau, or other public body established by law.

(B) In any civil action in a state or federal court, no public official, including any attorney representing or acting on behalf of a public official, has any authority to compromise or settle the action, consent to any condition, or agree to any order in connection therewith if the compromise, settlement, condition, or order nullifies, suspends, enjoins, alters, or conflicts with any provision of the Revised Code.

(C) Any compromise, settlement, condition, or order to which a public official agrees that conflicts with division (B) of this section is void and has no legal effect.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or otherwise restrict any powers granted by Article IV, Ohio Constitution.

Last updated July 14, 2021 at 1:07 PM

Section 9.60 | Contracts for firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization.

• Effective: March 19, 2003
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 115 - 124th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Emergency medical service" and "emergency medical service organization" have the same meanings as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Fire protection" means the use of firefighting equipment by the fire department of a firefighting agency or a private fire company, and includes the provision of ambulance, emergency medical, and rescue services by those entities.

(3) "Firefighting agency" means a municipal corporation, township, township fire district, joint ambulance district, joint emergency medical services district, or joint fire district and the office of the state fire marshal.

(4) "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Private fire company" means a nonprofit group or organization owning and operating firefighting equipment not controlled by a firefighting agency.

(B) Any firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization may contract with any governmental entity in this state or another jurisdiction to provide fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, whether on a regular basis or only in times of emergency, upon the approval of the governing boards or administrative heads of the entities that are parties to the contract.

(C) Any governmental entity in this state may contract with any firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization of this state or another jurisdiction to obtain fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, whether on a regular basis or only in times of emergency, upon the approval of the governing boards or administrative heads of the entities that are parties to the contract.

(D)(1) Any firefighting agency other than the office of the state fire marshal, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization may provide fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, to any governmental entity in this state or another jurisdiction, without a contract to provide fire protection or emergency medical services, upon the approval of the governing board of the agency, company, or organization and upon authorization by an officer or employee of the agency, company, or organization designated by that individual's title, office, or position pursuant to the authorization of the governing board of the agency, company, or organization.

(2) The office of the state fire marshal may provide fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, to any governmental entity, firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization in this state or another jurisdiction, without a contract to provide fire protection or emergency medical services, upon the authorization of the state fire marshal.

(E) Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code, insofar as it is applicable to the operation of fire departments or emergency medical service organizations, applies to a political subdivision that is operating a fire department or emergency medical service organization, and to the members of the fire department or emergency medical service organization, when the members are rendering service pursuant to this section outside the boundaries of the political subdivision.

Members acting outside the boundaries of the political subdivision that is operating the fire department or emergency medical service organization may participate in any pension or indemnity fund established by the political subdivision to the same extent as while acting within the boundaries of the political subdivision, and are entitled to all the rights and benefits of Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code, to the same extent as while performing service within the boundaries of the political subdivision.

(F) A private fire company or private, nonprofit emergency medical service organization providing service pursuant to this section to a governmental entity in this state or another jurisdiction has the same immunities and defenses in a civil action that a political subdivision has under section 2744.02 of the Revised Code. The employees of such a fire company or emergency medical service organization have the same immunities and defenses in a civil action that employees of a political subdivision have under section 2744.03 of the Revised Code.

(G)(1) The office of the state fire marshal, when providing services pursuant to this section, is liable for injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by the negligent operation of any motor vehicle by its employees upon the public roads, highways, or streets in the state when the employees are engaged within the scope of their employment and authority, without regard to the proximity of, that operation to the office of the state fire marshal. Notwithstanding division (A)(1) of section 2743.02 of the Revised Code, the following are full defenses to that liability:

(a) An employee providing fire protection was operating a motor vehicle while engaged in duty at a fire, proceeding toward a place where a fire is in progress or is believed to be in progress, or answering any other emergency and the operation of the vehicle did not constitute willful or wanton misconduct.

(b) An employee providing emergency medical services was operating a motor vehicle while responding to or completing a call for emergency medical care or treatment, the employee was holding a valid driver's license issued under Chapter 4507. of the Revised Code, the operation of the vehicle did not constitute willful or wanton misconduct, and the operation complies with the precautions described in section 4511.03 of the Revised Code.

(2) An employee of the office of the state fire marshal, when providing services pursuant to this section, is immune from liability for injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by the operation of any motor vehicle upon the public roads, highways, or streets in the state, without regard to the proximity of that operation to the office of the state fire marshal, unless one of the following applies:

(a) The operation of the vehicle was manifestly outside the scope of the employee's employment or official responsibilities.

(b) The operation of the vehicle constituted willful or wanton misconduct.

Section 9.61 | Residency not required for fire chief.

• Effective: January 25, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 143 - 124th General Assembly

(A) "Firefighting agency" means a municipal corporation, township, township fire district, joint fire district, fire and ambulance district, or other political subdivision that operates a fire department.

(B) Nothing in the Revised Code requires, or shall be construed to require, that the fire chief of a firefighting agency reside in the territory of the firefighting agency.

Section 9.62 | Purchase of police dog or horse.

• Effective: June 1, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 219 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Police dog or horse" means a dog or horse that has been trained, and may be used, to assist law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties.

(2) "Law enforcement agency" means an organization or unit made up of law enforcement officers as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Upon the disbanding of the canine or equine unit of a law enforcement agency, the agency shall give the law enforcement officer to whom a police dog or horse is assigned the first chance to purchase the animal, for one dollar. An officer who purchases an animal under this section shall assume all responsibility for the animal thereafter.

(C) If a police dog or horse is injured in the line of duty, becomes disabled and is unfit for duty, or grows too old to be fit for duty, the law enforcement officer to whom the animal is assigned may purchase the animal, for one dollar. If an officer chooses not to purchase an animal as authorized by this division or division (B) of this section, the disposition of the animal shall be as otherwise provided by law.

(D) A law enforcement officer who leaves an equine or canine unit of a law enforcement agency while the police dog or horse assigned to the officer is still fit for duty forfeits the right to purchase the animal under this section.

Section 9.63 | Compliance with lawful requests under Patriot Act.

• Effective: April 14, 2006
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 9 - 126th General Assembly

(A) Notwithstanding any law, ordinance, or collective bargaining contract to the contrary, no state or local employee shall unreasonably fail to comply with any lawful request for assistance made by any federal authorities carrying out the provisions of the USA Patriot Act, any federal immigration or terrorism investigation, or any executive order of the president of the United States pertaining to homeland security, to the extent that the request is consistent with the doctrine of federalism.

(B) No municipal corporation shall enact an ordinance, policy, directive, rule, or resolution that would materially hinder or prevent local employees from complying with the USA Patriot Act or any executive order of the president of the United States pertaining to homeland security or from cooperating with state or federal immigration services and terrorism investigations.

(C)(1) Any municipal corporation that enacts any ordinance, policy, directive, rule, or resolution that division (B) of this section prohibits is ineligible to receive any homeland security funding available from the state.

(2) Whenever the director of public safety determines that a municipal corporation has enacted any ordinance, policy, directive, rule, or resolution that division (B) of this section prohibits, the director shall certify that the municipal corporation is ineligible to receive any homeland security funding from the state and shall notify the general assembly of that ineligibility. That municipal corporation shall remain ineligible to receive any homeland security funding from the state until the director certifies that the ordinance, policy, directive, rule, or resolution has been repealed.

(D)(1) If a state or local employee states disagreement with, or a critical opinion of, the USA Patriot Act, any federal immigration or terrorism policy, or any executive order of the president of the United States pertaining to homeland security, the statement of disagreement with or critical opinion of the act or order is not sufficient to qualify for purposes of this section as unreasonable noncompliance with a request for assistance of the type division (A) of this section describes.

(2) Any municipal corporation's ordinance, policy, directive, rule, or resolution that states disagreement with, or a critical opinion of, any state or federal immigration or terrorism policy, the USA Patriot Act, or any executive order of the president of the United States pertaining to homeland security is not sufficient to qualify as a "material hindrance or prevention" of local employees from cooperating with federal immigration services and terrorism investigations or from complying with the USA Patriot Act or any executive order of the president of the United States pertaining to homeland security for purposes of divisions (B), (C), and (D) of this section.

(E) As used in this section, "USA Patriot Act" means the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) Act of 2001," Pub. L. No. 107-056, 115 Stat. 272, as amended.

Section 9.65 | Annuity program for volunteer fire fighters.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 444 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) A board of township trustees, a board of fire district trustees of a joint fire district, or the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may establish, by resolution or ordinance, as appropriate, an annuity program for the volunteer fire fighters serving the political subdivision, including those affiliated with a private entity that provides fire-fighting or emergency medical services. The program may permit the board or the legislative authority to contract for, purchase, or otherwise procure from an insurer or insurers licensed to do business by this state an annuity for such fire fighters. The program may also permit the board or the legislative authority at any time to cancel or otherwise terminate an annuity with any particular insurer or insurers. The board or the legislative authority may pay all or any portion of the cost, premium, or charge of the annuity. The board or the legislative authority may create a fund in the treasury of the township, the joint fire district, or the municipal corporation, as appropriate, for the annuity program. The resolution or ordinance creating the program shall include a plan to assure the proper administration and operation of the program. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) The requirements a person must meet in order to be eligible to participate in the program;

(2) The requirements an eligible person must meet annually in order to participate in the program;

(3) A requirement that an audit of the accounts, financial reports, records, and files pertaining to the program be performed in the same manner and with the same frequency that an audit of a public office is performed under section 117.11 of the Revised Code. The audit required under division (A)(3) of this section shall be in addition to and separate from any audit of a township, joint fire district, or municipal corporation required under section 117.11 of the Revised Code but may be performed at the same time as such an audit.

(4) Provisions for termination of the program.

(B) A political subdivision that has established an annuity program under division (A) of this section may appropriate general revenue fund moneys of the political subdivision not appropriated for any other purpose to the annuity program and may use moneys raised under section 505.37, 505.371, or 505.39 or under division (I), (U), or (JJ) of section 5705.19 of the Revised Code for the annuity program. Income from the investment of moneys in any fund established in the treasury of a political subdivision for the annuity program shall be paid into the annuity fund.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) "Volunteer fire fighter" means a person who performs service as a fire fighter, or who performs emergency medical service, on a less than full-time basis for a political subdivision.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a municipal corporation, a township, a township fire district, or a joint fire district.

Section 9.66 | Indication of outstanding liability owed to state in application for economic development assistance.

• Effective: November 15, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 208 - 131st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Economic development assistance" means all of the following:

(a) The programs and assistance provided or administered by the department of development under Chapters 122. and 166. of the Revised Code and any other section of the Revised Code under which the department provides or administers economic development assistance;

(b) The programs and assistance provided or administered by a political subdivision under Chapters 725. and 1728. and sections 3735.67 to 3735.70, 5709.40 to 5709.43, 5709.61 to 5709.69, 5709.73 to 5709.75, and 5709.77 to 5709.81 of the Revised Code and any other section of the Revised Code under which a political subdivision provides economic development assistance;

(c) Assistance provided under any other section of the Revised Code under which the state or a state agency provides or administers economic development assistance;

(d) The tax credit authorized by section 5725.31, 5729.07, or 5733.42 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Liability" means any of the following:

(a) Any delinquent tax owed the state or a political subdivision of the state;

(b) Any moneys owed the state or a state agency for the administration or enforcement of the environmental laws of the state;

(c) Any other moneys owed the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision of the state that are past due.

"Liability" includes any item described in division (A)(2) of this section that is being contested in a court of law.

(3) "Political subdivision" means any county, municipal corporation, or township of the state.

(4) "State agency" means every organized body, office, or agency established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of state government.

(B) A person who applies to the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision for economic development assistance shall indicate on the application for assistance whether the person has any outstanding liabilities owed to the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision. Such a person also shall authorize the state, state agency, or political subdivision to inspect the personal or corporate financial statements of the applicant, including tax records and other similar information not open to public inspection.

(C)(1) Whoever knowingly makes a false statement under division (B) of this section concerning an application for economic development assistance or who fails to provide any information required by that division is ineligible for the assistance applied for and is ineligible for any future economic development assistance from the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision.

(2) Whoever knowingly makes a false statement under division (B) of this section concerning an application for economic development assistance or who fails to provide any information required by that division shall return any moneys received from the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision in connection with that application.

Section 9.661 | Liens to secure performance on development loans and property tax incentives.

• Effective: March 23, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 165 - 125th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Borrower" means any person obligated to repay a development loan pursuant to a development loan agreement or obligated to repay a loan guaranteed pursuant to a loan guarantee agreement.

(2) "Development inducement agreement" means an agreement making a grant or inducement under the authority of Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, including an inducement made under section 166.02 of the Revised Code or a grant made under section 184.02 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Development loan" means any loan made under the authority of Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, including any loan made under the authority of Chapter 122., 165., 166., 184., or 1724. of the Revised Code.

(4) "Development loan agreement" means an agreement making a development loan.

(5) "Grantee" means any grantee or other recipient of anything of value under a development inducement agreement.

(6) "Guaranteed loan" means a loan guaranteed by this state, a state agency, or a political subdivision under the authority of Section 13 of Article VIII, Ohio Constitution, including any loan guarantee authorized under Chapter 166. of the Revised Code.

(7) "Loan guarantee agreement" means an agreement providing for the guarantee of a guaranteed loan.

(8) "Secured party" means the state, a state agency, or a political subdivision that enters into a development loan agreement, loan guarantee agreement, or development inducement agreement.

(B) The obligations of a borrower under each development loan agreement or loan guarantee agreement may be secured by a lien of the secured party on the borrower's real property and personal property the acquisition of which was funded in whole or in part by the proceeds of the loan. Any such lien shall be in an amount not exceeding the amount financed under the development loan agreement, or the amount guaranteed under the loan guarantee agreement, and used to fund acquisition of the property. The lien may be in addition to any other security required by the development loan agreement or loan guarantee agreement, but the sum of the lien amount and the value of any such other security shall not exceed the amount financed, or the amount guaranteed, and used to fund acquisition of the property. Such a lien on real property shall attach, and may be perfected, collected, and enforced, in the same manner as a mortgage lien on real property, and otherwise shall have the same force and effect as a mortgage lien on real property. Such a lien on personal property shall attach, and may be perfected, collected, and enforced, in the same manner as a security interest in goods under Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code, and shall otherwise have the same force and effect as such a security interest.

(C) The obligations of a grantee under each development inducement agreement may be secured by a lien of the secured party on the grantee's real property and personal property the acquisition of which was funded in whole or in part by the grant or other thing of value. Any such lien shall be in an amount not exceeding the amount of the grant or other thing of value granted to the grantee under the agreement and used to fund acquisition of the property. The lien may be in addition to any other security required by the development inducement agreement, but the sum of the lien amount and the value of any such other security shall not exceed the amount of the grant, or the value of any other thing of value granted, and used to fund acquisition of the property. Such a lien on real property shall attach, and may be perfected, collected, and enforced, in the same manner as a mortgage lien on real property, and otherwise shall have the same force and effect as a mortgage lien on real property. Such a lien on personal property shall attach, and may be perfected, collected, and enforced, in the same manner as a security interest in goods under Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code, and shall otherwise have the same force and effect as such a security interest.

(D) A secured party may enforce such liens against real property by civil action in the court of common pleas of the county where the real property is located in the same manner as mortgage liens are enforced. A secured party may enforce such liens against personal property in the manner provided for the enforcement of security interests under Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code.

Section 9.67 | Restrictions on owner of professional sports team that uses a tax-supported facility.

• Effective: June 20, 1996
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 310 - 121st General Assembly

No owner of a professional sports team that uses a tax-supported facility for most of its home games and receives financial assistance from the state or a political subdivision thereof shall cease playing most of its home games at the facility and begin playing most of its home games elsewhere unless the owner either:

(A) Enters into an agreement with the political subdivision permitting the team to play most of its home games elsewhere;

(B) Gives the political subdivision in which the facility is located not less than six months' advance notice of the owner's intention to cease playing most of its home games at the facility and, during the six months after such notice, gives the political subdivision or any individual or group of individuals who reside in the area the opportunity to purchase the team.

Section 9.68 | Regulation of arms prohibited - challenging political subdivisions.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 156 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The individual right to keep and bear arms, being a fundamental individual right that predates the United States Constitution and Ohio Constitution, and being a constitutionally protected right in every part of Ohio, the general assembly finds the need to provide uniform laws throughout the state regulating the ownership, possession, purchase, other acquisition, transport, storage, carrying, sale, other transfer, manufacture, taxation, keeping, and reporting of loss or theft of firearms, their components, and their ammunition, and knives. The general assembly also finds and declares that it is proper for law-abiding people to protect themselves, their families, and others from intruders and attackers without fear of prosecution or civil action for acting in defense of themselves or others. Except as specifically provided by the United States Constitution, Ohio Constitution, state law, or federal law, a person, without further license, permission, restriction, delay, or process, including by any ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, practice, or other action or any threat of citation, prosecution, or other legal process, may own, possess, purchase, acquire, transport, store, carry, sell, transfer, manufacture, or keep any firearm, part of a firearm, its components, and its ammunition, and any knife. Any such further license, permission, restriction, delay, or process interferes with the fundamental individual right described in this division and unduly inhibits law-abiding people from protecting themselves, their families, and others from intruders and attackers and from other legitimate uses of constitutionally protected arms, including hunting and sporting activities, and the state by this section preempts, supersedes, and declares null and void any such further license, permission, restriction, delay, or process.

(B) A person, group, or entity adversely affected by any manner of ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, practice, or other action enacted or enforced by a political subdivision in conflict with division (A) of this section may bring a civil action against the political subdivision seeking damages from the political subdivision, declaratory relief, injunctive relief, or a combination of those remedies. Any damages awarded shall be awarded against, and paid by, the political subdivision. In addition to any actual damages awarded against the political subdivision and other relief provided with respect to such an action, the court shall award reasonable expenses to any person, group, or entity that brings the action, to be paid by the political subdivision, if either of the following applies:

(1) The person, group, or entity prevails in a challenge to the ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, practice, or action as being in conflict with division (A) of this section.

(2) The ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, practice, or action or the manner of its enforcement is repealed or rescinded after the civil action was filed but prior to a final court determination of the action.

(C) As used in this section:

(1) The possession, transporting, or carrying of firearms, their components, their ammunition, or knives include, but are not limited to, the possession, transporting, or carrying, openly or concealed on a person's person or concealed ready at hand, of firearms, their components, their ammunition, or knives.

(2) "Firearm" has the same meaning as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Reasonable expenses" include, but are not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, expert witness fees, and compensation for loss of income.

(4) "Knife" means a cutting instrument and includes a sharpened or pointed blade.

(5) "Arms" includes firearms and knives.

(D) This section does not apply to either of the following:

(1) A zoning ordinance that regulates or prohibits the commercial sale of knives, firearms, firearm components, or ammunition for firearms in areas zoned for residential or agricultural uses;

(2) A zoning ordinance that specifies the hours of operation or the geographic areas where the commercial sale of knives, firearms, firearm components, or ammunition for firearms may occur, provided that the zoning ordinance is consistent with zoning ordinances for other retail establishments in the same geographic area and does not result in a de facto prohibition of the commercial sale of knives, firearms, firearm components, or ammunition for firearms in areas zoned for commercial, retail, or industrial uses.

Last updated August 5, 2022 at 5:17 PM

Section 9.681 | Local regulation of tobacco and alternative nicotine products.

• Effective: April 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "tobacco product" and "alternative nicotine product" have the same meanings as in section 2927.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) The regulation of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products is a matter of general statewide concern that requires statewide regulation. The state has adopted a comprehensive plan with respect to all aspects of the giveaway, sale, purchase, distribution, manufacture, use, possession, licensing, taxation, inspection, and marketing of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products. No political subdivision may enact, adopt, renew, maintain, enforce, or continue in existence any charter provision, ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure that conflicts with or preempts any policy of the state regarding the regulation of tobacco products or alternative nicotine products, including, without limitation, by:

(1) Setting or imposing standards, requirements, taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind regarding tobacco products or alternative nicotine products that are the same as or similar to, that conflict with, that are different from, or that are in addition to, any standard, requirement, tax, fee, assessment, or other charge established or authorized by state law;

(2) Lowering or raising an age requirement provided for in state law in connection with the giveaway, sale, purchase, distribution, manufacture, use, possession, licensing, taxation, inspection, and marketing of tobacco products or alternative nicotine products;

(3) Prohibiting an employee eighteen years of age or older of a manufacturer, producer, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer of tobacco products or alternative nicotine products from selling tobacco products or alternative nicotine products;

(4) Prohibiting an employee eighteen years of age or older of a manufacturer, producer, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer of tobacco products or alternative nicotine products from handling tobacco products or alternative nicotine products in sealed containers in connection with manufacturing, storage, warehousing, placement, stocking, bagging, loading, or unloading.

(C) In addition to any other relief provided, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person, group, or entity that prevails in a challenge to an ordinance, resolution, regulation, local law, or other action as being in conflict with this section.

(D) The general assembly finds and declares that this section is part of a statewide and comprehensive legislative enactment regulating all aspects of the giveaway, sale, purchase, distribution, manufacture, use, possession, licensing, taxation, inspection, and marketing of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products. The general assembly further finds and declares that the imposition of tobacco product and alternative nicotine product regulation by any political subdivision is a matter of statewide concern and would be inconsistent with that statewide, comprehensive enactment. Therefore, regulation of the giveaway, sale, purchase, distribution, manufacture, use, possession, licensing, taxation, inspection, and marketing of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products is a matter of general statewide concern that requires uniform statewide regulation. By the enactment of this section, it is the intent of the general assembly to preempt political subdivisions from the regulation of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products.

(E) This section does not prohibit a political subdivision from levying a tax expressly authorized by state law, including the taxes authorized under Chapters 5739. and 5741. or sections 5743.021, 5743.024, 5743.026, 5743.321, 5743.323, and 5743.324 of the Revised Code.

Last updated February 5, 2024 at 11:45 AM

Section 9.69 | Duties and status of law enforcement officer.

• Effective: March 28, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 228 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "law enforcement officer" means any of the following who is employed, commissioned, disposed, appointed, or elected in a capacity specified in division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of this section for this state, a political subdivision of this state, or an agency, department, or instrumentality of this state or a political subdivision of this state:

(1) Any law enforcement officer, as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any peace officer, as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) Any person who is employed in this state, who is authorized to carry firearms, and who is subject to and in compliance with the requirements of section 109.801 of the Revised Code.

(B) For purposes of the Revised Code, both of the following apply regarding a law enforcement officer who, by virtue of the officer's employment, commissioning, disposition, appointment, or election as that law enforcement officer, has a responsibility to enforce all or certain laws:

(1) The officer holds public office on a continuing basis and has a continuing duty to enforce those laws.

(2) The officer is always on duty, regardless of whether the officer is, or is not, officially within work hours or officially on the clock.

Last updated October 13, 2022 at 10:47 AM

Section 9.70 | Permission for street on lands of public institution.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

A street, alley, or road shall not be laid out or established through or over the lands belonging to a public institution of the state without the special permission of the general assembly.

Section 9.73 | Public employer inquiries regarding criminal background.

• Effective: March 23, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 56 - 131st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Public employer" means a state agency or a political subdivision of the state.

(2) "State agency" means any organized body, office, agency, institution, or other entity established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of government.

(3) "Political subdivision" means a county, township, municipal corporation, or any other body corporate and politic that is responsible for government activities in a geographic area smaller than that of the state.

(B) No public employer shall include on any form for application for employment with the public employer any question concerning the criminal background of the applicant.

(C) Nothing in this section prohibits a public employer from including on any form for application for employment with the public employer a statement notifying an applicant of any provision of the Revised Code or federal law that disqualifies an individual with a particular criminal history from employment in a particular position.

Section 9.74 | Victims of dissemination of image.

• Effective: March 22, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 497 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "License" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority issued or conferred by a licensing authority of which the licensee has or claims the privilege to engage in the profession, occupation, or activity, or to have control of and operate certain specific equipment, machinery, or premises, over which the licensing authority has jurisdiction.

(2) "Licensing authority" means a public office that issues a license to a person or entity.

(3) "Political subdivision" means a county, township, municipal corporation, or any other body corporate and politic that is responsible for government activities in a geographic area smaller than that of the state.

(4) "Public office" means any state agency, public institution, political subdivision, other organized body, office, agency, institution, or entity established by the laws of this state for the exercise of any function of government. "Public office" does not include the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Victim" has the same meaning as in section 2930.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) No licensing authority shall knowingly take any of the following actions against a person who is applying for or holds a license solely on the basis that the person is a victim of a violation of section 2917.211 of the Revised Code:

(1) Refuse to issue a license to an applicant;

(2) Limit, suspend, or revoke a license;

(3) Refuse to renew a license.

Section 9.75 | Requirement for employment of local laborers prohibited.

• Effective: August 31, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 180 - 131st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Construction manager" and "construction manager at risk" have the same meanings as in section 9.33 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Contractor" means a person who undertakes to construct, alter, erect, improve, repair, demolish, remove, dig, drill, or provide professional design services for any part of a structure or public improvement. "Contractor" may include any public or business association and any person or entity that actively participates in whole or in part in the actual construction of a public improvement or provision of professional design services by itself, through the use of employees, or through the use of a construction manager, construction manager at risk, professional design firm, design-build firm, general contractor, or subcontractor.

(3) "Design-build firm" has the same meaning as in section 153.65 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Laborer" means a person who does any of the following in furtherance of a public improvement:

(a) Performs manual labor or labor of a particular occupation, trade, or craft;

(b) Uses tools or machinery of a particular occupation, trade, or craft;

(c) Otherwise performs physical work in a particular occupation, trade, or craft.

(5) "Professional design services" and "professional design firm" have the same meanings as in section 153.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Public authority" includes any of the following:

(a) The state;

(b) A county, township, municipal corporation, or any other political subdivision of the state;

(c) Any public agency, authority, board, commission, instrumentality, or special district of the state, a county, township, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the state;

(d) Any officer or agent of one of the entities listed in divisions (A)(6)(a) to (c) of this section who is authorized to enter into a contract for the construction of a public improvement or to construct a public improvement by the direct employment of labor.

(7) "Public improvement" means any of the following:

(a) A road, bridge, highway, street, or tunnel;

(b) A waste water treatment system or water supply system;

(c) A solid waste disposal facility or a storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facility;

(d) Any structure or work constructed by a public authority or by another person on behalf of a public authority pursuant to a contract with the public authority.

(B)(1) No public authority shall require a contractor, as part of a prequalification process or for the construction of a specific public improvement or the provision of professional design services for that public improvement, to employ as laborers a certain number or percentage of individuals who reside within the defined geographic area or service area of the public authority.

(2) No public authority shall provide a bid award bonus or preference to a contractor as an incentive to employ as laborers a certain number or percentage of individuals who reside within the defined geographic area or service area of the public authority.

Section 9.76 | Boycott provisions in certain contracts.

• Effective: July 21, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 135 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Boycott" means engaging in refusals to deal, terminating business activities, or other actions that are intended to limit commercial relations with persons or entities in a discriminatory manner. "Boycott" does not include:

(a) Boycotts to which 50 U.S.C. 4607(c) applies;

(b) A decision based on business or economic reasons, or the specific conduct of a targeted person or entity;

(c) A boycott against a public entity of a foreign state when the boycott is applied in a nondiscriminatory manner; and

(d) Conduct necessary to comply with applicable law in the business's home jurisdiction.

(2) "Company" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, national association, societe anonyme, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, or other business organization, including their subsidiaries and affiliates, that operates to earn a profit.

(3) "Israel" means Israel or Israeli-controlled territories.

(4) "Jurisdiction with whom this state can enjoy open trade" means any world trade organization member and any jurisdiction with which the United States has free trade or other agreements aimed at ensuring open and nondiscriminatory trade relations.

(5) "State agency" means an organized body, office, agency, institution, or other entity established by the laws of the state for the exercise of a function of state government, and includes a "state institution of higher education" as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(B) A state agency may not enter into or renew a contract with a company for the acquisition or provision of supplies, equipment, or services, or for construction services, unless the contract declares that the company is not boycotting any jurisdiction with whom this state can enjoy open trade, including Israel, and will not do so during the contract period.

Last updated April 27, 2022 at 12:28 PM

Section 9.78 | Determination of effect of criminal conviction by licensing authority.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "License" means an authorization evidenced by a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority that is issued or conferred by a licensing authority to an individual by which the individual has or claims the privilege to engage in a profession, occupation, or occupational activity over which the licensing authority has jurisdiction. "License" does not include a registration under section 101.72, 101.92, or 121.62 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Licensing authority" means both of the following:

(a) A board, commission, or other entity that issues licenses under Title XLVII or any other provision of the Revised Code to practice an occupation or profession;

(b) A political subdivision that issues a license or that charges a fee for an individual to practice an occupation or profession in that political subdivision.

(B) An individual who has been convicted of any criminal offense may request, at any time, that a licensing authority determine whether the individual's criminal conviction disqualifies the individual from obtaining a license issued or conferred by the licensing authority. An individual making such a request shall include details of the individual's criminal conviction and any payment required by the licensing authority. A licensing authority may charge a fee of not more than twenty-five dollars for each request made under this section, to reimburse the costs it incurs in making the determination.

Not later than thirty days after receiving a request under this section, the licensing authority shall inform the individual whether, based on the criminal record information submitted, the individual is disqualified from receiving or holding the license about which the individual inquired. A licensing authority is not bound by a determination made under this section, if, on further investigation, the licensing authority determines that the individual's criminal convictions differ from the information presented in the determination request.

(C) A licensing authority shall make all of the following available to the public on the licensing authority's internet web site:

(1) A list of all criminal offenses of which conviction of that offense shall disqualify an individual from obtaining a license issued or conferred by the licensing authority;

(2) That a disqualification referenced in division (C)(1) of this section may be overcome if the individual applying for the license or, as applicable, the individual's employee, holds a certificate of qualification for employment issued under section 2953.25 of the Revised Code or a certificate of achievement and employability issued under section 2961.22 of the Revised Code;

(3) A reference to the certificate of qualification for employment web site maintained by the department of rehabilitation and correction.

(D) A licensing authority shall include on any form, policy, manual, or other material that lists criminal offenses, the conviction of which would disqualify an individual from obtaining a license issued or conferred by that licensing authority, a statement that a disqualification may be overcome by the individual applying for the license or, as applicable, by the individual's employee, holding a certificate of qualification for employment issued under section 2953.25 of the Revised Code or a certificate of achievement and employability issued under section 2961.22 of the Revised Code, including a reference to the certificate of qualification for employment web site maintained by the department of rehabilitation and correction.

(E) Any predetermination form, nonconviction statement form, or other form used by a licensing authority to determine whether a conviction or adjudication record disqualifies an applicant from obtaining a particular license shall include a section requesting the applicant to provide information if they are a recipient of a certificate of qualification for employment under section 2953.25 of the Revised Code or a certificate of achievement and employability under section 2961.22 of the Revised Code.

(F)(1) Each licensing authority described in division (A)(2)(a) of this section annually shall provide to the director of administrative services the following information for each license the licensing authority is authorized to issue:

(a) The number of applications received for the license;

(b) The number of those applications that resulted in a license being granted;

(c) The number of those applications that resulted in a license being denied;

(d) A list of criminal offenses reported by individuals who were granted a license;

(e) A list of criminal offenses reported by individuals who were denied a license;

(f) A list of all of the requests received by the licensing authority under division (B) of this section that includes the following information:

(i) The number of requests for which the licensing authority determined that an individual's criminal conviction disqualified the individual from obtaining a license issued by the licensing authority;

(ii) The number of requests for which the licensing authority determined that an individual's criminal conviction did not disqualify the individual from obtaining a license issued by the licensing authority;

(iii) A list of the offenses reported by individuals described in division (F)(1)(f)(i) of this section;

(iv) A list of the offenses reported by individuals described in division (F)(1)(f)(ii) of this section.

(g) For each disqualifying offense included on the list adopted under division (B) of section 9.79 of the Revised Code, the number of individuals who were convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of, or pleaded guilty to the disqualifying offense who were issued a license.

(h) For each disqualifying offense included on the list adopted under division (B) of section 9.79 of the Revised Code, the number of individuals who were convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of, or pleaded guilty to the disqualifying offense who were denied a license.

(i) Any other information the director may require.

(2) The first report of information required under division (F)(1) of this section shall be submitted to the director by June 30, 2021, and include the required information from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020, if available. Each year thereafter, each licensing authority shall submit the required information from the past year by the thirtieth day of June.

(3) The director shall compile the information submitted pursuant to division (F)(1) of this section and annually publish it in a searchable format on a web site created and maintained by the director. The director may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as the director determines necessary to implement division (F) of this section.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 4:47 AM

Section 9.79 | Limitations on initial license refusal.

• Effective: April 4, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 288 (GA 134)

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "License" means an authorization evidenced by a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority that is issued or conferred by a licensing authority to an individual by which the individual has or claims the privilege to engage in a profession, occupation, or occupational activity over which the licensing authority has jurisdiction. "License" does not include a registration under section 101.72, 101.92, or 121.62 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Licensing authority" means a state agency that issues licenses under Title XLVII or any other provision of the Revised Code to practice an occupation or profession.

(3) "Offense of violence" has the same meaning as in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Sexually oriented offense" has the same meaning as in section 2950.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "State agency" has the same meaning as in section 1.60 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Community control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

(7) "Post-release control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code.

(8) "Fiduciary duty" means a duty to act for someone else's benefit, while subordinating one's personal interest to that of the other person.

(B)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, subject to division (L) of this section, for each type of license issued or conferred by a licensing authority, the licensing authority shall establish within one hundred eighty days after April 12, 2021, a list of specific criminal offenses for which a conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty may disqualify an individual from obtaining an initial license. The licensing authority shall make the list available to the public on the licensing authority's web site pursuant to division (C) of section 9.78 of the Revised Code. The licensing authority, in adopting the list, shall do both of the following:

(a) Identify each disqualifying offense by name or by the Revised Code section number that creates the offense;

(b) Include in the list only criminal offenses that are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the licensed occupation.

(2) The licensing authority may include in the list established under division (B)(1) of this section an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any section or offense included in the list adopted under division (B)(1) of this section.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) or (D) of this section and subject to division (L) of this section, a licensing authority shall not refuse to issue an initial license to an individual based on any of the following:

(a) Solely or in part on a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense;

(b) A criminal charge that does not result in a conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty;

(c) A nonspecific qualification such as "moral turpitude" or lack of "moral character";

(d) A disqualifying offense included in the list established under division (B) of this section, if consideration of that offense occurs after the time periods permitted in division (D) of this section.

(2) If the individual was convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of guilt of, or pleaded guilty to a disqualifying offense included in the list established under division (B) of this section for the license for which the individual applied, the licensing authority may take the conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty into consideration in accordance with division (D) of this section.

(D)(1) A licensing authority that may, under division (C)(2) of this section, consider a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense in determining whether to refuse to issue an initial license to an individual shall consider all of the following factors and shall use a preponderance of the evidence standard in evaluating those factors to determine whether the conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty disqualifies the individual from receiving the license:

(a) The nature and seriousness of the offense for which the individual was convicted, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of guilt, or pleaded guilty;

(b) The passage of time since the individual committed the offense;

(c) The relationship of the offense to the ability, capacity, and fitness required to perform the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the occupation;

(d) Any evidence of mitigating rehabilitation or treatment undertaken by the individual, including whether the individual has been issued a certificate of qualification for employment under section 2953.25 of the Revised Code or a certificate of achievement and employability under section 2961.22 of the Revised Code;

(e) Whether the denial of a license is reasonably necessary to ensure public safety.

(2) A licensing authority may take a disqualifying offense included in the list established under division (B) of this section into account only during the following time periods:

(a) For a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to a disqualifying offense that does not involve a breach of fiduciary duty and that is not an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, whichever of the following is later, provided the individual was not convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of guilt of, and did not enter a plea of guilty to any other offense during the applicable period:

(i) Five years from the date of conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty;

(ii) Five years from the date of the release from incarceration;

(iii) The time period specified in division (D)(3) of this section.

(b) For a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to a disqualifying offense that involves a breach of fiduciary duty and that is not an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, whichever of the following is later, provided the individual was not convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of guilt of, and did not enter a plea of guilty to any other offense during the applicable period:

(i) Ten years from the date of conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty;

(ii) Ten years from the date of the release from incarceration;

(iii) The time period specified in division (D)(4) of this section.

(c) For a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to a disqualifying offense that is an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, any time.

(3) If an individual is subject to a community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction based on a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to a disqualifying offense included in the list established under division (B) of this section that is not an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, a licensing authority may take the offense into account during the following time periods:

(a) If the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction was for a term of less than five years, the period of the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction plus the number of years after the date of final discharge of the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction necessary to equal five years;

(b) If the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction was for a term of five years or more, the period of the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction.

(4) If an individual is subject to a community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction based on a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to a disqualifying offense included in the list established under division (B) of this section that involved a breach of fiduciary duty and that is not an offense of violence or a sexually oriented offense, a licensing authority may take the offense into account during the following time periods:

(a) If the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction was for a term of less than ten years, for the period of the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction plus the number of years after the date of final discharge of the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction necessary to equal ten years;

(b) If the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction was for a term of ten years or more, the period of the community control sanction, parole, or post-release control sanction.

(E) If a licensing authority refuses to issue an initial license to an individual pursuant to division (D) of this section, the licensing authority shall notify the individual in writing of all of the following:

(1) The grounds and reasons for the refusal, including an explanation of the licensing authority's application of the factors under division (D) of this section to the evidence the licensing authority used to reach the decision;

(2) The individual's right to a hearing regarding the licensing authority's decision under section 119.06 of the Revised Code;

(3) The earliest date the individual may reapply for a license;

(4) Notice that evidence of rehabilitation may be considered on reapplication.

(F) In an administrative hearing or civil action reviewing a licensing authority's refusal under divisions (B) to (K) of this section to issue an initial license to an individual, the licensing authority has the burden of proof on the question of whether the individual's conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense directly relates to the licensed occupation.

(G) A licensing authority that is authorized by law to limit or otherwise place restrictions on a license may do so to comply with the terms and conditions of a community control sanction, post-release control sanction, or an intervention plan established in accordance with section 2951.041 of the Revised Code.

(H) Each licensing authority shall adopt any rules that it determines are necessary to implement divisions (B) to (F) of this section.

(I) Divisions (B) to (K) of this section do not apply to any of the following:

(1) Any position for which appointment requires compliance with section 109.77 of the Revised Code or in which an individual may satisfy the requirements for appointment or election by complying with that section;

(2) Any position for which federal law requires disqualification from licensure or employment based on a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense;

(3) Community-based long-term care services certificates and community-based long-term care services contracts or grants issued under section 173.381 of the Revised Code;

(4) Certifications of a provider to provide community-based long-term care services under section 173.391 of the Revised Code;

(5) Certificates of authority to a health insuring corporation issued under section 1751.05 of the Revised Code;

(6) Licenses to operate a home or residential care facility issued under section 3721.07 of the Revised Code;

(7) Certificates of authority to make contracts of indemnity issued under section 3931.10 of the Revised Code;

(8) Supported living certificates issued under section 5123.161 of the Revised Code;

(9) Certificates to administer medications and perform health-related activities under section 5123.45 of the Revised Code.

(J) Nothing in divisions (B) to (K) of this section prohibits a licensing authority from considering either of the following when making a determination whether to issue a license to an individual:

(1) Past disciplinary action taken by the licensing authority against the individual;

(2) Past disciplinary action taken against the individual by an authority in another state that issues a license that is substantially similar to the license for which the individual applies.

(K) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, if a licensing authority issues a license to an individual after considering a conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense under division (D) of this section, the licensing authority shall not refuse to renew the individual's license based on that conviction, judicial finding of guilt, or plea of guilty.

(L)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, subject to division (G) of this section, during the period commencing on the effective date of this amendment and ending on the date that is two years after the effective date of this amendment no licensing authority shall refuse to issue a license to a person, limit or otherwise place restrictions on a person's license, or suspend or revoke a person's license under any provision of the Revised Code that takes effect on or after the effective date of this amendment and prior to the date that is two years after the effective date of this amendment and that requires or authorizes such a refusal, limitation, restriction, suspension, or revocation as a result of the person's conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense.

(2) Divisions (B) to (F), and (H) to (K), of this section do not apply with respect to any provision of the Revised Code that takes effect on or after the effective date of this amendment and prior to the date that is two years after the effective date of this amendment and that requires or authorizes a licensing authority to refuse to issue a license to a person, to limit or otherwise place restrictions on a person's license, or to suspend or revoke a person's license as a result of the person's conviction of, judicial finding of guilt of, or plea of guilty to an offense.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated March 8, 2023 at 2:53 PM

Section 9.80 | Contribution to charity deductions.

• Effective: September 16, 1957
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 117 - 102nd General Assembly

The chief officer of any department or division of the state, and the budgeting authority of any political subdivision or school district, or any institution supported in whole or in part by the state, a county or municipality, may authorize a payroll deduction plan for contributions by employees to one or more specified charitable agencies which are corporations not for profit, community chests, united funds, or other similar united community fund organizations.

Section 9.81 | Payroll deduction plans.

• Effective: October 5, 1989
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 231 - 117th General Assembly

After an authorization adopted under section 9.80 of the Revised Code, any public officer or employee of any department or division of the state, any political subdivision or school district thereof, or of any institution supported in whole or in part by the state, a county, or municipal corporation, who desires to make a contribution by the payroll deduction plan to one or more of the specified charitable agencies which are corporations not for profit, community chests, united funds, or other similar united community fund organizations, may be permitted to have such contribution payments deducted from the salary or wages due such public officer or employee by filing a written request and authorization signed by such public officer or employee and specifying the amount of the deduction in each payroll period with the fiscal officer of the state, political subdivision, or school district, or institution by which such public officer or employee is employed. Such authorization may be withdrawn in writing by such public officer or employee at any time. No funds may be withheld from the salary or wages of any such public officer or employee for the purposes permitted by sections 9.80 and 9.81 of the Revised Code unless the withholding is specifically, freely, and voluntarily authorized by that public officer or employee in writing.

Upon receipt of evidence of such request by the appropriate fiscal officer, or upon receipt of a written deduction authorization under division (B)(2) or (C) of section 4117.09 of the Revised Code, such fiscal officer shall make such deduction and shall, at periodic intervals to the extent of the amount collected, pay the designated charitable agencies which are corporations not for profit, community chests, united funds, or other similar united community fund organizations, or the exclusive representative designated under section 4117.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.82 | Risk management and insurance programs definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

As used in sections 9.82 to 9.83 of the Revised Code:

(A) "State" means the state of Ohio, including, but not limited to, the general assembly, the supreme court, the offices of all elected state officers, and all departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, institutions, and other instrumentalities of the state of Ohio. "State" does not include political subdivisions.

For purposes of the judicial liability program, "state" means the supreme court, the courts of appeals, the courts of common pleas and any division of courts of common pleas, municipal courts, and county courts.

(B) "Political subdivision" means a county, city, village, township, park district, or school district.

(C) "Personal property" means tangible personal property owned, leased, controlled, or possessed by a state agency and includes, but is not limited to, chattels, movable property, merchandise, furniture, goods, livestock, vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, movable machinery, movable tools, movable equipment, general operating supplies, and media.

(D) "Media" means all active information processing material, including all forms of data, program material, and related engineering specifications employed in any state agency's information processing operation.

(E) "Property" means real and personal property as defined in divisions (C) and (F) of this section and any other property in which the state determines it has an insurable interest.

(F) "Real property" means land or interests in land whose title is vested in the state or that is under the control of the state through a lease purchase agreement, installment purchase, mortgage, lien, or otherwise, and includes, but is not limited to, all buildings, structures, improvements, machinery, equipment, or fixtures erected on, above, or under such land.

(G) "State agency" means every department, bureau, board, commission, office, or other organized body established by the constitution or laws of this state for the exercise of any function of state government, the general assembly, all legislative agencies, the supreme court, and the court of claims. "State agency" does not include any state-supported institutions of higher education, the public employees retirement system, the Ohio police and fire pension fund, the state teachers retirement system, the school employees retirement system, the state highway patrol retirement system, or the city of Cincinnati retirement system.

Section 9.821 | Office of risk management.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The department of administrative services shall direct and manage for state agencies all risk management and insurance programs authorized under section 9.822 of the Revised Code.

(B) The office of risk management is hereby established within the department of administrative services. The director of administrative services, or a deputy director appointed by the director, shall control and supervise the office.

(C) The office may take any of the following actions that it determines to be in the best interests of the state:

(1) Provide all insurance coverages for the state, including, but not limited to, vehicle liability, casualty, property, public liability, and fidelity bonding. The cost of insurance coverage shall be paid from appropriations made to the state agencies that the office has designated to receive the coverage.

(2) Provide coverage of legal expenses that are necessary and related to the legal defense of claims against the state;

(3) Purchase insurance policies consistent with sections 125.01 to 125.111 of the Revised Code, develop and administer self-insurance programs, or do both;

(4) Consolidate and combine state insurance coverages;

(5) Provide technical services in risk management and insurance to state agencies;

(6) Adopt and publish, in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code, necessary rules and procedures governing the administration of the state's insurance and risk management activities.

(D) No state agency, except a state agency exempted under section 125.02 or 125.04 of the Revised Code from the department's purchasing authority, shall purchase any insurance described in this section except as authorized by the department, when the office of risk management determines that the purchase is in the best interest of the state pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and in accordance with terms, conditions, and procurement methods established by the department.

(E) With respect to any civil action, demand, or claim against the state that could be filed in the court of claims, nothing in sections 9.82 to 9.823 of the Revised Code shall be interpreted to permit the settlement or compromise of those civil actions, demands, or claims, except in the manner provided in Chapter 2743. of the Revised Code.

(F) The department of administrative services and the office of risk management, while acting pursuant to the responsibilities prescribed in sections 9.82 to 9.83 of the Revised Code, are performing a public duty, as defined in section 2743.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 29, 2021 at 3:18 PM

Section 9.822 | Insurance and bonds.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The department of administrative services through the office of risk management shall establish an insurance plan or plans that may provide for self-insurance, the purchase of insurance, or the purchase of surety bonds, public official bonds, or fidelity bonds, for any of the following purposes:

(1) Insuring state real and personal property against losses occasioned by fire, windstorm, or other accidents and perils;

(2) Insuring the state and its officers, employees, and agents against liability resulting from any civil action, demand, or claim against the state or its officers, employees, and agents arising out of any act or omission of an officer, employee, or agent in the performance of official duties, except acts and omissions for which indemnification is prohibited under section 9.87 of the Revised Code;

(3) Insuring and maintaining a judicial liability program.

(B) The department of administrative services through the office of risk management shall establish and administer a crime insurance program for the purpose of protecting the state against loss, including loss to third parties, due to the dishonest acts of state officers, employees, and agents. In addition, public official bonds shall be purchased for all officials and employees who are required by law to provide a bond. Such bonds may be in the form of a blanket bond, or scheduled position bond, provided the penal sums meet the statutory requirement.

(C) The department of administrative services through the office of risk management shall purchase surety bonds, fidelity bonds, and public official bonds by licensed sureties for their respective purposes. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the department of administrative services through the office of risk management to do either of the following:

(1) Directly issue or underwrite surety bonds, fidelity bonds, performance bonds, or public official bonds;

(2) Provide performance bonds to any party.

Last updated October 12, 2021 at 3:56 PM

Section 9.823 | Risk management reserve fund.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A) All contributions collected by the director of administrative services under division (E) of this section shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the risk management reserve fund, which is hereby created. The fund shall be used to provide insurance and self-insurance for the state under sections 9.822 and 9.83 of the Revised Code. All investment earnings of the fund shall be credited to it.

(B) The director, through the office of risk management, shall operate the risk management reserve fund on an actuarially sound basis.

(C) Reserves shall be maintained in the risk management reserve fund in any amount that is necessary and adequate, in the exercise of sound and prudent actuarial judgment, to cover potential liability claims, expenses, fees, or damages. Money in the fund may be applied to the payment of liability claims that are filed against the state. The director may procure the services of a qualified actuarial firm for the purpose of recommending the specific amount of money that would be required to maintain adequate reserves for a given period of time.

(D) A report of the amounts reserved and disbursements made from the reserves, together with a written report of a competent property and casualty actuary, shall be submitted, on or before the last day of March for the preceding calendar year, to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The actuary shall certify the adequacy of the rates of contributions, the sufficiency of excess insurance, and whether the amounts reserved conform to the requirements of this section, are computed in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards, and are fairly stated in accordance with sound loss reserving principles. The report shall include disbursements made for the administration of the fund, including claims paid, cost of legal representation of state agencies and employees, and fees paid to consultants.

(E) The director shall collect from each state agency or any participating state body its contribution to the risk management reserve fund for the purpose of purchasing insurance or administering self-insurance programs for coverages authorized under sections 9.822 and 9.83 of the Revised Code. The contribution shall be determined by the director, with the approval of the director of budget and management, and shall be based upon actuarial assumptions and the relative risk and loss experience of each state agency or participating state body. The contribution shall further include a reasonable sum to cover the department's administrative costs.

Section 9.83 | Liability insurance for public employees.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The state and any political subdivision may procure a policy or policies of insurance insuring its officers and employees against liability for injury, death, or loss to person or property that occurs in the course of their employment or official responsibilities for the state or the political subdivision. The state is authorized to expend funds to pay judgments that are rendered in any court against its officers or employees and is authorized to expend funds to compromise claims for liability against its officers or employees. No insurer shall deny coverage under such a policy, and the state shall not refuse to pay judgments or compromise claims, on the ground that an automobile, truck, motor vehicle with auxiliary equipment, self-propelling equipment or trailer, aircraft, or watercraft was not being used in the course of an officer's or employee's employment or official responsibilities for the state or a political subdivision unless the officer or employee who was operating an automobile, truck, motor vehicle with auxiliary equipment, or self-propelling equipment or trailer is convicted of a violation of section 124.71 of the Revised Code as a result of the same events.

(B) Funds shall be reserved as necessary, in the exercise of sound and prudent actuarial judgment, to cover potential expense, fees, damage, loss, or other liability. The office of risk management may recommend or, if the state requests of the office of risk management, shall recommend a specific amount for any period of time that, in the opinion of the office of risk management, represents such a judgment.

(C) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the department of administrative services to purchase liability insurance for all liabilities in a single policy of insurance or to cover all liabilities under a single plan of self-insurance.

(D) Insurance procured by the state pursuant to this section shall be procured as provided in division (G) of section 125.02 of the Revised Code.

(E) For purposes of liability insurance procured under this section to cover the operation of a motor vehicle by a prisoner for whom the insurance is procured, "employee" includes a prisoner in the custody of the department of rehabilitation and correction who is enrolled in a work program that is established by the department pursuant to section 5145.16 of the Revised Code and in which the prisoner is required to operate a motor vehicle, as defined in section 4509.01 of the Revised Code, and who is engaged in the operation of a motor vehicle in the course of the work program.

(F) All contributions collected by the director of administrative services under division (H) of this section shall be deposited into the risk management reserve fund created in section 9.823 of the Revised Code to the credit of the liability program.

(G) Reserves shall be maintained in the risk management reserve fund to the credit of the liability program in any amount that is necessary and adequate, in the exercise of sound and prudent actuarial judgment, to cover potential liability claims, expenses, fees, or damages. Money in the fund may be applied to the payment of liability claims that are filed against the state in the court of claims and determined in the manner provided in Chapter 2743. of the Revised Code. The director of administrative services may procure the services of a qualified actuarial firm for the purpose of recommending the specific amount of money that is required to maintain adequate reserves for a specified period of time.

(H) The director of administrative services shall collect from each state agency or any participating state body its contribution to the liability program for the purpose of purchasing insurance or administering self-insurance programs for coverage authorized under this section. The amount of the contribution shall be determined by the director, with the approval of the director of budget and management. It shall be based upon actuarial assumptions and the relative risk and loss experience of each state agency or participating state body. The amount of the contribution also shall include a reasonable sum to cover administrative costs of the department of administrative services. The amounts collected pursuant to this division shall be deposited in the risk management reserve fund to the credit of the liability program.

Last updated July 29, 2021 at 3:19 PM

Section 9.833 | Self-insurance program for health care benefits.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 87 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

"Political subdivision" has the meaning defined in sections 2744.01 and 3905.36 of the Revised Code. For purposes of this section, "political subdivision" includes municipal corporations as defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

"County board" means a county board of developmental disabilities.

(B) Political subdivisions and county boards that provide health care benefits for their officers or employees may do any of the following:

(1) Establish and maintain an individual self-insurance program with public moneys to provide authorized health care benefits, including but not limited to, health care, prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care, in accordance with division (C) of this section;

(2) Establish and maintain a health savings account program whereby employees or officers may establish and maintain health savings accounts in accordance with section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code. Public moneys may be used to pay for or fund federally qualified high deductible health plans that are linked to health savings accounts or to make contributions to health savings accounts. A health savings account program may be a part of a self-insurance program.

(3) After establishing an individual self-insurance program, agree with other political subdivisions or county boards that have established individual self-insurance programs for health care benefits, that their programs will be jointly administered in a manner specified in the agreement;

(4) Pursuant to a written agreement and in accordance with division (C) of this section, join in any combination with other political subdivisions or county boards to establish and maintain a joint self-insurance program to provide health care benefits;

(5) Pursuant to a written agreement, join in any combination with other political subdivisions or county boards to procure or contract for :

(a) Providers of medical or health services;

(b) Policies, contracts, or plans of insurance to provide health care benefits, which may include a health savings account program for their officers and employees subject to the agreement.

(6) Use in any combination any of the policies, contracts, plans, or programs authorized under this division.

(7) Any agreement made under division (B)(3), (4), (5), or (6) of this section shall be in writing, comply with division (C) of this section, and contain best practices established in consultation with and approved by the department of administrative services. The best practices may be reviewed and amended at the discretion of the political subdivisions and county boards in consultation with the department. Detailed information regarding the best practices shall be made available to any employee upon that employee's request.

(8) Purchase plans containing best practices identified by the department of administrative services under section 9.901 of the Revised Code.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section, the following apply to individual or joint self-insurance programs established pursuant to this section:

(1) Such funds shall be reserved as are necessary, in the exercise of sound and prudent actuarial judgment, to cover potential cost of health care benefits for the officers and employees of the political subdivision or county board. A financial statement and a report of aggregate amounts so reserved and aggregate disbursements made from such funds, together with a written report of a member of the American academy of actuaries certifying whether the amounts reserved conform to the requirements of this division, are computed in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards, and are fairly stated in accordance with sound loss reserving principles, shall be prepared and maintained, within ninety days after the last day of the fiscal year of the entity for which the report is provided for that fiscal year, in the office of the program administrator described in division (C)(3) of this section.

The report required by division (C)(1) of this section shall include, but not be limited to, the aggregate of disbursements made for the administration of the program, including claims paid, costs of the legal representation of political subdivisions, county boards, and employees, and fees paid to consultants.

The program administrator described in division (C)(3) of this section shall make the report required by this division available for inspection by any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours, and, upon the request of such person, shall make copies of the report available at cost within a reasonable period of time. The program administrator shall further provide the report to the auditor of state under Chapter 117. of the Revised Code. The report required by this division is in lieu of the records required by division (A) of section 149.431 of the Revised Code.

(2) Each political subdivision shall reserve funds necessary for an individual or joint self-insurance program in a special fund that may be established for political subdivisions other than an agency or instrumentality pursuant to an ordinance or resolution of the political subdivision and not subject to section 5705.12 of the Revised Code. An agency or instrumentality shall reserve the funds necessary for an individual or joint self-insurance program in a special fund established pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the agency's or instrumentality's governing board. A county board shall reserve the funds necessary for an individual or joint self-insurance program in a special fund established pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the county board. The political subdivision or county board may allocate the costs of insurance or any self-insurance program, or both, among the funds or accounts established under this division on the basis of relative exposure and loss experience.

(3) A contract may be awarded, without the necessity of competitive bidding, to any person, political subdivision, nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code, or regional council of governments created under Chapter 167. of the Revised Code for purposes of administration of an individual or joint self-insurance program. No such contract shall be entered into without full, prior, public disclosure of all terms and conditions. The disclosure shall include, at a minimum, a statement listing all representations made in connection with any possible savings and losses resulting from the contract, and potential liability of any political subdivision, county board, or employee. The proposed contract and statement shall be disclosed and presented at a meeting of the political subdivision or county board not less than one week prior to the meeting at which the political subdivision or county board authorizes the contract.

A contract awarded to a nonprofit corporation or a regional council of governments under this division may provide that all employees of the nonprofit corporation or regional council of governments, the employees of all entities related to the nonprofit corporation or regional council of governments, and the employees of other nonprofit corporations that have fifty or fewer employees and have been organized for the primary purpose of representing the interests of political subdivisions or county boards, may be covered by the individual or joint self-insurance program under the terms and conditions set forth in the contract.

(4) The individual or joint self-insurance program shall include a contract with a certified public accountant and a member of the American academy of actuaries for the preparation of the written evaluations required under division (C)(1) of this section.

(5) A joint self-insurance program may allocate the costs of funding the program among the funds or accounts established under this division to the participating political subdivisions and county boards on the basis of their relative exposure and loss experience.

(6) An individual self-insurance program may allocate the costs of funding the program among the funds or accounts established under this division to the political subdivision or county board that established the program.

(7) Two or more political subdivisions, two or more county boards, or a combination thereof, may also authorize the establishment and maintenance of a joint health care cost containment program, including, but not limited to, the employment of risk managers, health care cost containment specialists, and consultants, for the purpose of preventing and reducing health care costs covered by insurance, individual self-insurance, or joint self-insurance programs.

(8) A political subdivision or county board is not liable under a joint self-insurance program for any amount in excess of amounts payable pursuant to the written agreement for the participation of the political subdivision or county board in the joint self-insurance program. Under a joint self-insurance program agreement, a political subdivision or county board may, to the extent permitted under the written agreement, assume the risks of any other political subdivision or county board. A joint self-insurance program established under this section is deemed a separate legal entity for the public purpose of enabling the members of the joint self-insurance program to obtain insurance or to provide for a formalized, jointly administered self-insurance fund for its members. An entity created pursuant to this section is exempt from all state and local taxes.

(9) A county board or any political subdivision, other than an agency or instrumentality, may issue general obligation bonds, or special obligation bonds that are not payable from real or personal property taxes, and may also issue notes in anticipation of such bonds, pursuant to an ordinance or resolution of its legislative authority or other governing body or, in the case of a county board, the board itself, for the purpose of providing funds to pay expenses associated with the settlement of claims, whether by way of a reserve or otherwise, and to pay the political subdivision's or county board's portion of the cost of establishing and maintaining an individual or joint self-insurance program or to provide for the reserve in the special fund authorized by division (C)(2) of this section.

In its ordinance or resolution authorizing bonds or notes under this section, a political subdivision or county board may elect to issue such bonds or notes under the procedures set forth in Chapter 133. of the Revised Code. In the event of such an election, notwithstanding Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, the maturity of the bonds may be for any period authorized in the ordinance or resolution not exceeding twenty years, which period shall be the maximum maturity of the bonds for purposes of section 133.22 of the Revised Code.

Bonds and notes issued under this section shall not be considered in calculating the net indebtedness of the political subdivision under sections 133.04, 133.05, 133.06, and 133.07 of the Revised Code. Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code are hereby made applicable to bonds or notes authorized under this section.

(10) A joint self-insurance program is not an insurance company. Its operation does not constitute doing an insurance business and is not subject to the insurance laws of this state.

(11) A joint self-insurance program shall pay the run-off expenses of a participating political subdivision or county board that terminates its participation in the program if the political subdivision or county board has accumulated funds in the reserves for incurred but not reported claims. The run-off payment, at minimum, shall be limited to an actuarially determined cap or sixty days, whichever is reached first. This provision shall not apply during the term of a specific, separate agreement with a political subdivision or county board to maintain enrollment for a specified period, not to exceed three years.

(D) A political subdivision or county board may procure group life insurance for its employees in conjunction with an individual or joint self-insurance program authorized by this section, provided that the policy of group life insurance is not self-insured.

(E) This section does not apply to individual self-insurance programs created solely by municipal corporations as defined in section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.

(F) A public official or employee of a political subdivision or county board who is or becomes a member of the governing body of the program administrator of a joint self-insurance program in which the political subdivision or county board participates is not in violation of division (D) or (E) of section 102.03, division (C) of section 102.04, or section 2921.42 of the Revised Code as a result of either of the following:

(1) The political subdivision's or county board's entering under this section into the written agreement to participate in the joint self-insurance program;

(2) The political subdivision's or county board's entering under this section into any other contract with the joint self-insurance program.

Section 9.835 | Energy price risk management contract.

• Effective: September 23, 2008
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 562 - 127th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Energy price risk management contract" means a contract that is intended to mitigate, for the term of the contract, the price volatility of energy sources, including, but not limited to, a contract or futures contract for natural gas, gasoline, oil, and diesel fuel, and that is a budgetary and financial tool only and not a contract for the procurement of an energy source.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a county, city, village, township, park district, school district, or regional transit authority.

(3) "State entity" means the general assembly, the supreme court, the court of claims, the office of an elected state officer, or a department, bureau, board, office, commission, agency, institution, or other instrumentality of this state established by the constitution or laws of this state for the exercise of any function of state government, but excludes a political subdivision, an institution of higher education, the public employees retirement system, the Ohio police and fire pension fund, the state teachers retirement system, the school employees retirement system, the state highway patrol retirement system, or the city of Cincinnati retirement system.

(4) "State official" means the elected or appointed official, or that person's designee, charged with the management of a state entity.

(B) If it determines that doing so is in the best interest of the state entity or the political subdivision, and subject to, respectively, state or local appropriation to pay amounts due, a state official or the legislative or other governing authority of a political subdivision may enter into an energy price risk management contract. Money received pursuant to such a contract entered into by a state official shall be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund of this state, and, unless otherwise provided by ordinance or resolution enacted or adopted by the legislative authority of the political subdivision authorizing any such contract, money received under the contract shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the political subdivision.

(C) An energy price risk management contract is not an investment for the purposes of section 135.14 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.84 | Witness has right of counsel - participation in hearing limited.

• Effective: July 1, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 187 - 126th General Assembly

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person appearing as a witness before any public official, department, board, bureau, commission, or agency, or any representative of a public official, department, board, bureau, commission, or agency, in any administrative or executive proceeding or investigation, public or private, if the witness so requests, shall be permitted to be accompanied, represented, and advised by an attorney, whose participation shall be limited to the protection of the rights of the witness, and who may not examine or cross-examine witnesses. The witness shall be advised of the right to counsel before the witness is interrogated. This section does not apply to proceedings before a grand jury or to an employee of an appointing authority, as defined in section 124.01 of the Revised Code, who appears only as a witness in an employment interview, investigation, or proceeding conducted by or for the appointing authority.

Section 9.85 | Immunity of public officers and employees definitions.

• Effective: March 13, 1980
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 76 - 113th General Assembly

As used in this section and sections 9.86 and 9.87 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Officer or employee" has the same meaning as in division (A) of section 109.36 of the Revised Code.

(B) "State" has the same meaning as in division (B) of section 109.36 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Political subdivision" has the same meaning as in division (C) of section 109.36 of the Revised Code.

(D) "Employer" has the same meaning as in division (D) of section 109.36 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Motor vehicle" includes automobiles, trucks, motor vehicles with auxiliary equipment, self-propelling equipment or trailers, aircraft, or watercraft.

Section 9.86 | Immunity of public officers and employees.

• Effective: March 13, 1980
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 76 - 113th General Assembly

Except for civil actions that arise out of the operation of a motor vehicle and civil actions in which the state is the plaintiff, no officer or employee shall be liable in any civil action that arises under the law of this state for damage or injury caused in the performance of his duties, unless the officer's or employee's actions were manifestly outside the scope of his employment or official responsibilities, or unless the officer or employee acted with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner.

This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any immunity from civil liability that is conferred upon an officer or employee by any other provision of the Revised Code or by case law. This section does not affect the liability of the state in an action filed against the state in the court of claims pursuant to Chapter 2743. of the Revised Code.

Section 9.87 | Indemnification of public officers and employees.

• Effective: March 31, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 316 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The state, except as provided in division (B) of this section, shall indemnify an officer or employee from liability incurred in the performance of official duties by paying any judgment in, or amount negotiated in settlement of, any civil action arising under federal law, the law of another state, or the law of a foreign jurisdiction. The reasonableness of the amount of any consent judgment or settlement is subject to the review and approval of the attorney general and of the director, administrative chief, or governing body of the employer of the officer or employee who is to be indemnified. The maximum aggregate amount of indemnification paid directly from state funds to or on behalf of any officer or employee pursuant to this division shall be one million dollars per occurrence, regardless of the number of persons who suffer damage, injury, or death as a result of the occurrence.

(B) The state shall not indemnify an officer or employee under any of the following circumstances:

(1) To the extent the officer or employee is covered by a policy of insurance for civil liability purchased by the state;

(2) When the officer or employee acts manifestly outside the scope of the officer's or employee's employment or official responsibilities, with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner, as determined by the employer of the officer or employee or by the attorney general.

(3) For any portion of a judgment that represents punitive or exemplary damages, except that this prohibition does not apply if the employer of the officer or employee and the attorney general determine that the acts or omissions of the officer or employee were not within the terms of division (B)(2) of this section;

(4) For any portion of a consent judgment or settlement that is unreasonable.

(C) The director of administrative services may purchase a policy or policies of insurance on behalf of officers and employees of the state from an insurer or insurers licensed to do business in this state providing coverage for amounts in excess of one million dollars per occurrence incurred in connection with any civil action, demand, or claim against the officer or employee by reason of an act or omission by the officer or employee occurring in the performance of the officer's or employee's duties and not coming within the terms of division (B)(2) of this section.

(D) This section does not affect any of the following:

(1) The waiver arising under division (A)(1) of section 2743.02 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any defense that would otherwise be available in an action alleging personal liability of an officer or employee;

(3) The operation of section 9.83 of the Revised Code.

(E) The indemnification of officers or employees against judgments or settlements pursuant to this section shall be accomplished only through the following procedure:

(1) If the employer of the defendant officer or employee to be indemnified determines that the actions or omissions of its officer or employee giving rise to the claim were not within the terms of division (B)(2) of this section, an indemnity agreement shall be prepared by the attorney general, specifying that the employer will indemnify the officer or employee from a particular judgment that has been rendered or a particular settlement amount that has been negotiated. The agreement shall name the person or entity to whom payment by the state of the judgment or settlement amount will be made, and the agreement shall not be effective until it is approved by the officer or employee to be indemnified, the director, administrative chief, or other governing body of the employer, and by the attorney general. The attorney general shall approve the indemnity agreement, unless the attorney general finds that division (B) of this section prohibits the state from indemnifying the officer or employee, or prohibits the state from indemnifying the officer or employee for a portion of a judgment or settlement and the indemnity agreement would indemnify the officer or employee for all or a part of that portion.

(2) The attorney general shall forward a copy of the agreement to the director of budget and management.

(3) Any indemnification paid shall be charged by the director of budget and management against available unencumbered moneys in the appropriations of the employer of the officer or employee to be indemnified. The director of budget and management shall have sole discretion to determine whether or not unencumbered moneys in a particular appropriation are available for payment of the indemnification.

(4) The director of budget and management shall, upon receipt of the agreement from the attorney general pursuant to division (E)(2) of this section, provide for payment to the person or entity named in the agreement, in the amount specified in the agreement.

(5) If the director of budget and management determines that sufficient unencumbered moneys do not exist in the particular appropriations to pay the indemnification, the director shall make application for payment of the indemnification out of the emergency purposes account or any other appropriation for emergencies or contingencies, and payment out of this account or other appropriation shall be authorized if there are sufficient moneys greater than the sum total of then pending emergency purposes account requests, or requests for releases from the other appropriation.

(6) If sufficient moneys do not exist in the emergency purposes account or any other appropriation for emergencies or contingencies to pay the indemnification, the employer named in the agreement shall request the general assembly to make an appropriation sufficient to pay the indemnification, and no payment shall be made until the appropriation has been made. The employer shall make this appropriation request during the current biennium and during each succeeding biennium until a sufficient appropriation is made.

(7) If the indemnification is to be made by an employer whose funds are not handled by the director of budget and management, the employer shall pay the person or entity named in the agreement.

If the employer determines that sufficient unencumbered moneys do not exist to pay the indemnification, the employer shall make application for payment of the indemnification out of the emergency purposes account or any other appropriation for emergencies or contingencies, and payment out of this account or other appropriation shall be authorized if there are sufficient moneys greater than the sum total of then pending emergency purposes account requests, or requests for releases from the other appropriation.

If sufficient moneys do not exist in the emergency purposes account or any other appropriation for emergencies or contingencies to pay the indemnification, the employer named in the agreement shall request the general assembly to make an appropriation sufficient to pay the indemnification, and no payment shall be made until such an appropriation has been made. The employer shall make this appropriation request during the current biennium and during each succeeding biennium until a sufficient appropriation is made.

(F)(1) Subject to division (F)(2) of this section, if an employer or the attorney general fails to approve indemnification or limits indemnification of an officer or employee of the employer, the officer or employee may commence an action against the employer in the court of claims pursuant to sections 2743.01 to 2743.20 of the Revised Code to prove that the officer or employee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to division (A) of this section and that division (B) of this section does not prohibit or limit the officer's or employee's indemnification and seeking either a judgment against the employer for a sum of money that the officer or employee has paid to satisfy a judgment or settlement or an order directing the employer to pay a judgment or settlement against the officer or employee that has not been satisfied. Section 109.365 of the Revised Code does not prohibit any information obtained by the attorney general in the attorney general's investigation conducted pursuant to division (A) of section 109.362 of the Revised Code to determine whether to defend the officer or employee from being admitted as evidence in any action brought pursuant to this section.

An action brought pursuant to division (F)(1) of this section shall be commenced no later than two years after the cause of action arising under division (F)(1) of this section accrues. A cause of action arising under this section accrues upon the entry of a money judgment against the officer or employee if the time for filing an appeal in the action lapses without the filing of an appeal, upon the conclusion of the final appeal in any action in which a money judgment is entered against the officer or employee if an appeal is filed in the action, or upon execution of any settlement agreement requiring payment of money by the officer or employee.

(2) Notwithstanding division (F)(1) of this section, an officer or employee may not commence an action against the employer in the court of claims or in any other court regarding a refusal of the employer or the attorney general to indemnify punitive or exemplary damages pursuant to this section.

Section 9.871 | Indemnification of correctional employee.

• Effective: April 7, 2009
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 127th General Assembly

(A) If an employee of the department of rehabilitation and correction is subject to criminal charges for actions occurring within the scope and in the course of the employee's assigned duties, and if the charges are dismissed or the employee is acquitted of any wrongdoing as a result, the employee may be indemnified for the reasonable cost of legal representation. An employee shall request indemnification by submitting a written request to the director of rehabilitation and correction. The director shall determine whether to recommend indemnification and shall transmit the recommendation to the attorney general. The attorney general shall review the request, the recommendation of the director, and any other information that the attorney general may require and shall decide whether or not the employee is to be indemnified.

(B) A decision of the attorney general made under division (A) of this section is not subject to appeal or review in any court or other forum. No person has a right of action against the department of rehabilitation and correction in the court of claims or any other court based on a decision of the attorney general made under division (A) of this section.

(C) The indemnification of an employee of the department of rehabilitation and correction pursuant to this section shall be accomplished only through the following procedure:

(1) If the director of rehabilitation and correction determines that the actions or omissions of the employee that gave rise to the claim were within the scope of the employee's employment and that the costs of legal representation should be indemnified, the attorney general shall prepare an indemnity agreement. The indemnity agreement shall specify that the department of rehabilitation and correction will indemnify the employee for the expenses of legal representation. The agreement shall not be effective until it is approved by the employee, the director, and the attorney general.

(2) The attorney general shall forward a copy of the indemnity agreement to the director of budget and management.

(3) The director of budget and management shall charge any indemnification paid pursuant to this section against available unencumbered moneys in the appropriations of the department of rehabilitation and correction. The director of budget and management shall have sole discretion to determine whether or not unencumbered moneys in a particular appropriation are available for payment of the indemnification.

(4) The director of budget and management shall, upon receipt of the agreement from the attorney general pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, provide for payment to the employee in the amount specified in the agreement.

(5) If the director of budget and management determines that sufficient unencumbered moneys do not exist in the particular appropriations to pay the indemnification, the director of budget and management shall make application for payment of the indemnification out of the emergency purposes account or any other appropriation for emergencies or contingencies, and payment out of this account or other appropriation shall be authorized if there are sufficient moneys greater than the sum total of then pending emergency purposes account requests, or requests for releases from the other appropriation.

(6) If sufficient moneys do not exist in the emergency purposes account or any other appropriation for emergencies or contingencies to pay the indemnification, the director of rehabilitation and correction shall request the general assembly to make an appropriation sufficient to pay the indemnification, and no payment shall be made until the appropriation has been made. The department shall make the appropriation request during the current biennium and during each succeeding biennium until a sufficient appropriation is made.

Section 9.88 | Immunity of federal law enforcement officers.

• Effective: June 13, 1990
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 266 - 118th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "federal law enforcement officer" means any officer of the United States who is authorized by federal law to conduct any investigation of, and make any arrest for, any offense against the United States in violation of federal law.

(B) A federal law enforcement officer, while engaged in the performance of his official duties, has the same immunity from liability that a state or local law enforcement officer has under the laws of this state, in any civil action to recover damages for injury, death, or loss to persons or property, under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When the federal law enforcement officer renders assistance to a state or local law enforcement officer at the request of the officer or renders assistance to a state or local law enforcement officer in the event of an emergency;

(2) When, during the investigation by the federal law enforcement officer of a federal offense over which he has jurisdiction under federal law, a felony under the laws of this state is committed in his presence or he has reasonable ground to believe that a felony under the laws of this state has been committed, and he makes an arrest under section 2935.04 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.90 | Purchase or procurement of insurance for educational employees.

• Effective: September 29, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The board of trustees or other governing body of a state institution of higher education, as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code, board of education of a school district, or governing board of an educational service center may, in addition to all other powers provided in the Revised Code:

(1) Contract for, purchase, or otherwise procure from an insurer or insurers licensed to do business by the state of Ohio for or on behalf of such of its employees as it may determine, life insurance, or sickness, accident, annuity, endowment, health, medical, hospital, dental, or surgical coverage and benefits, or any combination thereof, by means of insurance plans or other types of coverage, family, group or otherwise, and may pay from funds under its control and available for such purpose all or any portion of the cost, premium, or charge for such insurance, coverage, or benefits. However, the governing board, in addition to or as an alternative to the authority otherwise granted by division (A)(1) of this section, may elect to procure coverage for health care services, for or on behalf of such of its employees as it may determine, by means of policies, contracts, certificates, or agreements issued by at least two health insuring corporations holding a certificate of authority under Chapter 1751. of the Revised Code and may pay from funds under the governing board's control and available for such purpose all or any portion of the cost of such coverage.

(2) Make payments to a custodial account for investment in regulated investment company stock that is treated as an annuity under Internal Revenue Code section 403(b).

Any income of an employee deferred under divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section in a deferred compensation program eligible for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code shall continue to be included as regular compensation for the purpose of computing the contributions to and benefits from the retirement system of such employee. Any sum so deferred shall not be included in the computation of any federal and state income taxes withheld on behalf of any such employee.

(B) All or any portion of the cost, premium, or charge therefor may be paid in such other manner or combination of manners as the board or governing body may determine, including direct payment by the employee in cases under division (A)(1) of this section, and, if authorized in writing by the employee in cases under division (A)(1) or (2) of this section, by the board or governing body with moneys made available by deduction from or reduction in salary or wages or by the foregoing of a salary or wage increase. Nothing in section 3917.01 or section 3917.06 of the Revised Code shall prohibit the issuance or purchase of group life insurance authorized by this section by reason of payment of premiums therefor by the board or governing body from its funds, and such group life insurance may be so issued and purchased if otherwise consistent with the provisions of sections 3917.01 to 3917.07 of the Revised Code.

(C) The board of education of any school district may exercise any of the powers granted to the governing boards of public institutions of higher education under divisions (A) and (B) of this section. All health care benefits provided to persons employed by the public schools of this state shall be through health care plans that contain best practices identified by the department of administrative services under section 9.901 of the Revised Code.

Section 9.901 | Design and delivery of health care plans; authority of department of Administrative services.

• Effective: December 19, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 471 - 131st General Assembly

(A)(1) Health care plans that provide benefits to persons employed by public employers as defined by this section may consider best practices established by the former school employees health care board or identified by the department of administrative services. All policies or contracts for health care benefits that are issued or renewed after the expiration of any applicable collective bargaining agreement may consider any best practices identified under this section at the time of renewal. Health care plans that contain the best practices may be self-insured.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) "Public employer" means political subdivisions, public school districts, or state institutions of higher education.

(b) "Public school district" means a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district; a STEM school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code; or an educational service center. "Public school district" does not mean a community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code.

(c) "State institution of higher education" or "state institution" means a state institution of higher education as defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(d) "Political subdivision" has the same meaning as defined in section 9.833 of the Revised Code.

(e) A "health care plan" includes group policies, contracts, and agreements that provide hospital, surgical, or medical expense coverage, including self-insured plans. A "health care plan" does not include an individual plan offered to the employees of a political subdivision, public school district, or state institution, or a plan that provides coverage only for specific disease or accidents, or a hospital indemnity, medicare supplement, or other plan that provides only supplemental benefits, paid for by the employees of a political subdivision, public school district, or state institution.

(f) A "health plan sponsor" means a political subdivision, public school district, a state institution of higher education, a consortium of political subdivisions, public school districts, or state institutions, or a council of governments.

(B) The department of administrative services shall do all of the following:

(1) Identify strategies to manage health care costs;

(2) Study the potential benefits of state or regional consortiums of public employers' health care plans;

(3) Study information regarding the health care plans offered by political subdivisions, public school districts, state institutions, and existing consortiums;

(4) Provide representative cost estimates of options for health care plans for political subdivisions, public school districts, and state institutions of higher education in accordance with division (A) of this section separate from the plans for state agencies;

(5) Study and release standards that may be considered the best practices for health care plans offered to employees of political subdivisions, public school districts, and state institutions;

(6) Require that plans the health plan sponsors administer make readily available to the public all cost and design elements of the plan;

(7) Promote cooperation among all organizations affected by this section in identifying the elements for successful implementation of this section; and

(8) Promote cost containment measures aligned with patient, plan, and provider management strategies in developing and managing health care plans.

(C) Any health care plan providing coverage for the employees of political subdivisions, public school districts, or state institutions of higher education, or that have provided coverage within two years before June 30, 2011, shall provide nonidentifiable aggregate claims and administrative data for the coverage provided as required by the department, without charge, within thirty days after receiving a written request from the department. The claims data shall include data relating to employee group benefit sets, demographics, and claims experience.

(D) The department may work with other state agencies to obtain services as the department deems necessary for the implementation and operation of this section, based on demonstrated experience and expertise in administration, management, data handling, actuarial studies, quality assurance, or for other needed services.

(E) The department shall hire staff as necessary to provide administrative support to the department and the public employee health care plan program established by this section.

(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting political subdivisions, public school districts, or state institutions from consulting with and compensating insurance agents and brokers for professional services or from establishing a self-insurance program.

(G) Pursuant to Chapter 117. of the Revised Code, the auditor of state shall conduct all necessary and required audits of the department. The auditor of state, upon request, also shall furnish to the department copies of audits of political subdivisions, public school districts, or consortia performed by the auditor of state.

Section 9.91 | Placement or purchase of tax-sheltered annuity for educational employees.

• Effective: September 15, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 483 - 130th General Assembly

If the board of education of a school district procures a tax-sheltered annuity for an employee, pursuant to section 9.90 of the Revised Code, that meets the requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 403(b), the employee has the right to designate the licensed agent, broker, or company through whom the board shall arrange for the placement or purchase of the tax-sheltered annuity. In any case in which the employee has designated such an agent, broker, or company, the board shall comply with the designation, provided that the board may impose either or both of the following as conditions to complying with any such designations:

(A) The designee must execute a reasonable agreement protecting the institution or district from any liability attendant to procuring the annuity;

(B) The designee must be designated by a number of employees equal to at least one per cent of the board's full-time employees or at least five employees, whichever is greater, except that the board may not require that the agent, broker, or company be designated by more than fifty employees.

Section 9.911 | Annuity contracts and custodial accounts.

• Effective: September 15, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 483 - 130th General Assembly

(A) An annuity contract or custodial account procured for an employee of a public institution of higher education pursuant to section 9.90 of the Revised Code shall comply with both of the following:

(1) The annuity contract or custodial account must meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 403(b).

(2) The institution, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall arrange for the procurement of the annuity contract or custodial account by doing one of the following:

(a) Selecting a minimum of four providers of annuity contracts or custodial accounts through a selection process determined by the institution in its sole and absolute discretion, except that if fewer than four providers are available the institution shall select the number of providers available.

(b) Subject to division (D) of this section, allowing each eligible employee to designate a licensed agent, broker, or company as a provider.

(B) Division (A)(2)(a) of this section does not require a public institution of higher education to select a provider if either of the following is the case:

(1) The provider is not willing to provide an annuity contract or custodial account at that public institution.

(2) The provider is not willing to agree to the terms and conditions of the agreement described in division (E) of this section.

(C) Designation as a provider under section 9.90 of the Revised Code prior to the effective date of this section does not give a licensed agent, broker, or company a right to be selected as a provider under this section, but subject to division (D) of this section, such a licensed agent, broker, or company shall remain a provider until another provider is selected under division (A)(2) of this section.

(D) If an employee designates a provider under division (A)(2)(b) of this section, the employing institution shall comply with the designation but may require either or both of the following:

(1) That the provider enter into an agreement with the institution that does either or both of the following:

(a) Prohibits the provider from transferring funds to a third party without the express consent of the institution or its authorized representative;

(b) Includes such other terms and conditions as are established by the institution in its sole discretion.

(2) That the provider be designated by a number of employees equal to at least one per cent of the institution's eligible employees or at least five employees, whichever is greater, except that the institution may not require that the provider be designated by more than fifty employees.

(E) An institution may require a provider selected under division (A)(2)(a) of this section to enter into an agreement with the institution that does either or both of the following:

(1) Prohibits the provider from transferring funds to a third party without the express consent of the institution or its authorized representative;

(2) Includes such other terms and conditions as are established by the institution in its sole discretion.

Section 9.92 | Citizens' reward program.

• Effective: July 1, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 241 - 126th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Citizens' reward program" means any organization that satisfies all of the following criteria:

(a) It is a nonprofit organization;

(b) It is organized and operated exclusively to offer and pay rewards to citizens for volunteering tips and information to law enforcement agencies concerning felonies, offenses of violence, or misdemeanors that have been committed;

(c) It has established a reward fund to be used solely for the payment of rewards to citizens for volunteering tips and information to law enforcement agencies concerning felonies, offenses of violence, or misdemeanors that have been committed.

(2) "Detention facility" has the same meaning as in section 2921.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A citizens' reward program may apply to the board of county commissioners of any county or counties in which it operates for recognition as the official reward program for that county or counties. Upon receipt of the application, the board of county commissioners shall determine if it is in proper order and the information it contains is correct. If the application meets these criteria, the board, by resolution, may officially recognize the program. Recognition of a program by a county under this division qualifies the program for funding of its reward fund under division (F) of section 2981.12 of the Revised Code. No more than one such reward program shall be recognized in any county.

(C)(1) If a board of county commissioners enters into an agreement of affiliation with a citizens' reward program pursuant to division (D) of this section, any municipal court, county court, or court of common pleas within the county shall impose the sum of one dollar as costs in any case in which a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to any offense other than a traffic offense. This one dollar additional court costs is in addition to any other court costs that the court is required by law to impose upon the offender, and, the court shall impose the one dollar additional court costs as long as the agreement of affiliation remains in effect, but the court, in the court's discretion, may remit this one dollar additional court costs to the offender. The clerk of each court shall transmit all such moneys collected during a month on or before the twentieth day of the following month to the affiliated citizens' reward program.

(2) No person shall be placed or held in a detention facility for failing to pay the additional one dollar court costs that are required to be paid by division (C)(1) of this section.

(3) A citizens' reward program receiving funds pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section may use the funds for any purpose described in division (A)(1)(b) or (c) of this section.

(D)(1) Any citizens' reward program that is recognized under division (B) of this section may enter into a written agreement of affiliation with a board of county commissioners in the county in which the program operates. Agreements of affiliation executed pursuant to this division shall be valid for two years and may be renewed. The agreements shall do all of the following:

(a) Specify the relationship between the citizens' reward program, the county, and law enforcement agencies in the county;

(b) Specify that the citizens' reward program shall account annually to the board of county commissioners for all funds raised by the organization from all sources and all funds expended by the organization for any purpose;

(c) Allow the citizens' reward program to itemize the sources of funds raised without referring to the name of the source;

(d) Prohibit the citizens' reward program from divulging the identity of any person to whom a reward was paid.

(2) In every county in which the board of county commissioners approves of an agreement of affiliation, the board shall notify the clerk of each municipal court, county court, and court of common pleas within the county of that agreement of affiliation and of the duty to collect the additional court costs imposed pursuant to division (C) of this section.

(E) The recognition of a citizens' reward program under this section does not make it a governmental unit for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and does not subject it to the disclosure provisions of that section. A board of county commissioners that recognizes a citizens' reward program pursuant to this section shall require the program to provide the board with an accounting of all funds the program receives or disburses subsequent to its recognition in order to maintain recognition.

(F) A board of county commissioners that recognizes a citizens' reward program under this section may by resolution revoke its recognition of the program. The board shall send a copy of the resolution, upon adoption, to the program and to each appropriate law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the territory served by the program.

(G) An application for recognition of a citizens' reward program shall contain all of the following information:

(1) The name of the program and its mailing address;

(2) The name and address of each of its officers or officials;

(3) Information sufficient to establish the intention and ability of the program's officers to implement the program throughout the county;

(4) The purposes for which the program is organized and operated and the services it offers;

(5) A copy of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the program, if applicable, or a copy of the rules and procedures under which the program is organized and operated;

(6) Any other relevant information that the board of county commissioners requires, by resolution.

Section 9.94 | Fractionalized interests in any one or more public obligations.

• Effective: September 17, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 748 - 121st General Assembly

Third parties shall not issue and sell to others or publicly underwrite fractionalized interests in any one or more public obligations, as defined in division (GG)(2) of section 133.01 of the Revised Code, without the knowledge and express written approval or authorization of each public issuer that is the obligor on such public obligations. Provision to that effect shall be included in each such public obligation in which fractionalized interests are not, with the knowledge and authorization of that obligor, initially issued.

Last updated March 9, 2022 at 1:20 PM

Section 9.95 | Maximum or maximum average annual interest rate on public securities.

• Effective: October 30, 1989
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 230 - 118th General Assembly

Securities to which this section applies shall bear interest at not to exceed the maximum or maximum average annual interest rate per annum determined in or pursuant to the proceedings for the securities by the legislative authority, taxing authority, subdivision, governing body, officer, or other issuer, board, authority, commission, district, agency, body, or entity that is the issuer, or governing body or officer of the issuer, of those securities.

Section 9.96 | Issue public securities.

• Effective: October 30, 1989
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 230 - 118th General Assembly

(A) The authority granted by this section is in addition to and not a limitation upon other authorizations granted by or pursuant to law or the Ohio Constitution.

(B) An issue of securities lawfully authorized by any public issuer may be issued in, and authorized to be represented by, either or both or a combination of the following forms of fully registered securities:

(1) In certificated form represented by an instrument;

(2) In book entry or other uncertificated form under which the right to principal and interest may be transferred only through a book entry.

(C) A public issuer may contract for the services of, or otherwise authorize, a qualified financial institution or other person within or without the state, another issuer, or a regional council of governments organized under Chapter 167. of the Revised Code, to perform any of the following duties or functions related to an issue of securities:

(1) Issuance, authentication, transfer, registration, exchange, custodial, clearing, mechanical, and clerical;

(2) Record or bookkeeping or book entry;

(3) Preparation, signing, and issuance of checks or warrants, or electronic funds transfers authorized by section 9.37 of the Revised Code, in payment of debt charges;

(4) Preparation and maintenance of reports and accounts;

(5) Any other duties or functions related to the issuance, delivery, authentication, deposit, custody, clearing, record keeping, registration, transfer, exchange, fractionalization, replacement, payment, or security.

The costs of those functions, whether incurred under a contract or other authorization or by direct performance by the public issuer, may be paid from the proceeds of the principal received from the sale of those securities or from other funds lawfully available for the purpose, including taxes or special assessments levied or other revenues collected to pay debt charges on the securities, or any combination of those sources, and appropriated in accordance with law for that purpose. The records of ownership, registration, transfer, and exchange of securities, by whomever kept, and of persons to whom payment of debt charges on securities is made, shall not be public records under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(D) Unless otherwise provided in the proceedings relating to the securities, in the case of securities originally issued on or after January 1, 1983, the following apply:

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a public issuer shall not be required to reissue or exchange the securities in the form of securities having coupons attached or payable as to either principal or interest to other than the registered owner;

(2) Those securities may be exchanged for securities in the form of fully registered securities, certificated or in book entry form, but in book entry form only if the public issuer has authorized the issuance or reissuance of the securities in book entry form, and of denominations authorized by the public issuer aggregating the same amount as the outstanding amount or aggregate outstanding amount of the securities being exchanged.

(3) The signatures of all public officers required by law or the proceedings relating to securities to sign the securities may be facsimile signatures if provision is also made for a manual authenticating signature on the securities by or on behalf of the public issuer or another designated person providing services under division (C) of this section.

Section 9.97 | Exemption of bond interest from income tax.

• Effective: November 26, 1982
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 550 - 114th General Assembly

(A) Any one of the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the secretary of state, the treasurer of state, or the auditor of state, shall act as the applicable elected representative of the state for purposes of any federal law or United States treasury regulation that requires that bonds, notes, or other obligations of the state or any of its officers, boards, authorities, commissions, agencies, bodies, or other entities be approved by an applicable elected representative of the state or that other conditions be met in order for the interest income on such obligations to be exempt from federal income tax.

(B) Any municipal corporation, township, or county which, pursuant to state law, created or participated in the creation of any board, authority, commission, district, agency, body, corporation, or other entity which is authorized to issue bonds, notes, or other obligations is hereby expressly authorized to act for such issuer as the governmental unit on behalf of which such issuer issues bonds, notes, or other obligations or as the next higher governmental unit from which the authority of that issuer is derived for purposes of any federal law or United States treasury regulation which requires that bonds, notes, or other obligations of such issuer be approved by the applicable elected representative of such governmental unit or that other conditions be met in order for the interest income on such obligations to be exempt from federal income tax. In the event more than one municipal corporation, township, or county participated in the creation of any such issuer, any one such municipal corporation, township, or county, upon request of the issuer for such approval, shall be deemed to be the governmental unit on behalf of which such issuer acts or the next higher governmental unit for purposes of the preceding sentence in this division. For purposes of this division, "applicable elected representatives" means, in the case of a municipal corporation and in the case of a county which has a single chief elected executive officer, its chief elected executive officer or any one or more other elected official of the municipal corporation or such county designated by such officer to act, as an alternative to action by him, for the purposes set forth in this division. In the case of a township or county which has no single chief elected executive officer, the applicable elected representatives means, in the case of a township, its board of township trustees and, in the case of a county, its board of county commissioners, both of which act as the respective governmental unit's chief elected executive officer, or any one or more other elected official of each such governmental unit designated by the respective board to act, as an alternative to action by it, for the purposes set forth in this division.

(C) Approvals under this section shall be based solely upon findings of fact made by the issuer, shall be solely for the purposes of satisfying requirements of the federal law and United States treasury regulations, shall be final and conclusive for such purpose, and shall not constitute an exercise of functions conferred by law upon the issuer, which functions shall remain in the issuer.

(D) The authority granted by this section is in addition to and not a limitation upon other authorization granted by or pursuant to law or the constitution, and does not preclude any other actions by the designated or other bodies or officials which would satisfy the requirements of the federal law or United States treasury regulations, which actions are hereby authorized.

Section 9.98 | Bond financing definitions.

• Effective: May 6, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 16 - 126th General Assembly

As used in sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Absolute obligor" means the person, other than the issuer, ultimately responsible under a loan agreement, lease, or sale or installment sale agreement, or other contract with the issuer to make payments necessary to provide adequate moneys to meet the debt service on the bonds, whether or not such payments are also provided for pursuant to a credit facility.

(B) "Administrative agent" means a bank, trust company, or other person which has responsibility for authenticating, delivering, or redeeming commercial paper on behalf of the issuer.

(C) "Agent" means, as applicable, one or more of the persons who are administrative agents, indexing agents, remarketing agents, or other persons having responsibility for performing functions with respect to floating rate interest structures or put arrangements.

(D) "Bonds" means bonds, notes, or other obligations evidencing the borrowing of money, whether or not interest bearing, or in coupon, registered, or book entry form, and includes, as appropriate, coupons or interest, if any, pertaining thereto.

(E) "Bond proceedings" means resolutions, ordinances, orders, trust agreements, indentures, and bonds, loan, sale, or installment sale agreements, agreements with administrative, indexing, or remarketing agents, and agreements pertaining to credit facilities, interest rate hedges, and put arrangements, which authorize or provide for the terms, security, liquidity, issuance, marketing, remarketing, delivery, carrying, redemption, or payment of bonds issued or previously authorized to be issued, or the investment of moneys pertaining to those bonds.

(F) "Commercial paper" means bonds with one or more maturities of three hundred sixty-five days or less which, under the bond proceedings, are expected to be funded by the issuance of additional bonds with maturities of three hundred sixty-five days or less, whether or not ultimately to be funded with longterm bonds.

(G) "Credit facility" means letters of credit, lines of credit, stand-by, contingent, or firm bond purchase agreements, insurance or surety arrangements, and guarantees, and other arrangements which provide for direct payment of debt service on bonds, for security or for additional security in the event of nonpayment or default in respect of bonds, or for making payment to bondholders under put arrangements, or for otherwise supporting the credit or liquidity of the bonds, and includes credit, reimbursement, subrogation, and other agreements and arrangements for reimbursement, and security for the reimbursement, of the person providing the credit facility.

(H) "Debt service" means the principal, interest, and redemption premium payments, and any deposits pertaining thereto, required with respect to bonds.

(I) "Floating rate interest structure" means provisions in the bond proceedings whereby the interest rate or rates payable on the bonds, or upon successive series of commercial paper, vary from time to time pursuant to or in relation to an index provided by an indexing agent or otherwise established, a formula, base, publicly announced rate, yields on other obligations, determinations of an agent, or any one or combination of the foregoing, with or without approval or consent of the absolute obligor or issuer as provided in the bond proceedings.

(J) "Indexing agent" means a person with responsibility for establishing, adjusting and maintaining an index of interest rates or yields for purposes of a floating rate interest structure.

(K) "Interest rate period" means that period of time during which an interest rate or rates established under a floating rate interest structure will pertain, which periods may be altered or become fixed pursuant to the bond proceedings upon stated occurrences or upon determination of the absolute obligor or issuer.

(L) "Interest rate hedge" means any arrangement:

(1) By which either:

(a) The different interest costs or receipts at, between, or among fixed or floating interest rates, including at different floating interest rates, are exchanged on stated amounts of bonds or investments, or on notional amounts; or

(b) A party will pay interest costs in excess of an agreed limitation; and

(2) Which also may include a requirement for the issuer to issue bonds at a future date. This requirement shall be deemed to be part of the bond proceedings at the time the interest rate hedge is entered into. Issuance of bonds at a future date shall not require further legislative action, but shall be a ministerial act.

(M) "Issuer" means the state, political subdivision, authority, commission, agency, officer, or other entity having authority to issue bonds referred to in section 9.981 of the Revised Code, and includes the body and officers authorized to act for the issuer in the matter.

(N) "Put arrangement" means provisions in the bond proceedings under which holders of the applicable bonds may exercise an option, or are required, to surrender the bonds or their ownership for an amount of payment previously established in or pursuant to the bond proceedings, at times, which may, but need not be, consistent with the ends of interest rate periods and which may be altered with or without the approval or consent, or upon the direction of, the absolute obligor or the issuer, as provided for in the bond proceedings.

(O) "Remarketing agent" means the person having responsibility for marketing or remarketing commercial paper or bonds with put arrangements, which may include responsibility for making recommendations or determinations as to prices or interest rates.

Section 9.981 | Applicability.

• Effective: July 1, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 497 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code are applicable to bonds:

(1) The payment of the debt service on which is to be provided for directly or indirectly by payments contracted to be made in the bond proceedings by the absolute obligors, being persons other than the issuer; and

(2) Which are authorized to be issued under sections 122.39 and 122.41 to 122.62, Chapter 165., 902., 3377., 3706., division (A)(4) of section 4582.06, division (A)(8) of section 4582.31, section 4582.48, or Chapter 6121. or 6123. of the Revised Code, notwithstanding other provisions therein.

(B) Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code are applicable to bonds issued under sections 306.37 and 6119.12 of the Revised Code and Chapters 140., 154., 175., and 349. of the Revised Code, and to any bonds authorized under laws which expressly make those sections applicable.

(C) Subject to division (A) of this section, the authority provided in sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code is supplemental to and not in derogation of any similar authority provided by, derived from, or implied by, any law, the Ohio Constitution, or any charter, resolution, or ordinance, and no inference shall be drawn to negate the authority thereunder by reason of the express provisions of sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code.

(D) Sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code shall be liberally construed to permit flexibility in the arrangements therein provided to enhance the issuance of such bonds and provide for terms most beneficial and satisfactory to the persons which undertake to provide for their payment, security, and liquidity.

Section 9.982 | Bond proceedings.

• Effective: July 1, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 431 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The bond proceedings for bonds referred to in division (A) or (B) of section 9.981 of the Revised Code may provide for one or more of the following:

(1) Floating rate interest structures, which may, but need not be, limited to maximum rates, with interest periods which may be fixed or vary from time to time and which may contemporaneously differ for portions of the bonds;

(2) Put arrangements, with times for puts fixed or varying from time to time and which may contemporaneously differ for portions of the bonds, which puts, when accompanied by remarketing arrangements, shall not constitute the discharge of the bonds so put, and which remarketing shall be a continuation of the original obligation represented by the put bonds and not a reissuance or new issuance of bonds;

(3) Special interest payment dates related to the floating rate interest structure or put arrangements, different from interest payment dates otherwise provided by law;

(4) Conversion of terms between floating and fixed interest rates, between different interest rate periods, and between different dates for exercising put arrangements, and for termination of put arrangements, floating rate interest structures, and credit facilities, upon stated conditions occurring or upon the direction of the absolute obligor, or the issuer, or other person providing the credit facility;

(5) Issuance of the bonds as commercial paper pursuant to master bond proceedings without necessity for reauthorization of successive series; and for otherwise facilitating such issuance without need for further written authorization or execution of bonds;

(6) Sale of the bonds at a discount, and with or without interest to be separately payable on the bonds;

(7) Sale of bonds the proceeds of which are held in escrow and invested in direct obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed as to payment by the United States. Those obligations shall mature or be subject to redemption by and at the option of the holders of the obligations not later than the dates when the amounts held in escrow will be sufficient to pay the principal of, and interest on, the bonds as they become due. The amounts held in escrow may be used, at a specified date, to retire either the bonds issued in accordance with division (A)(7) of this section or other obligations of the issuer. No certificate of the fiscal officer as to the maximum maturity of those bonds is required. The maximum maturity of the bonds shall be forty years after their issuance as set forth in division (B) of section 9.983 of the Revised Code. Further, the bonds shall not be subject to the limitations of section 133.04, 133.05, 133.07, or 133.09 of the Revised Code. The bonds are determined by the general assembly to create a special obligation that is not bonded indebtedness subject to Section 11 of Article XII, Ohio Constitution.

As used in division (A)(7) of this section, "amounts held in escrow" include bond proceeds together with interest or other investment income accrued on bond proceeds through investments in obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed as to payment by the United States.

(B) The bond proceedings or other documents or agreements pertaining to bonds referred to in division (A) or (B) of section 9.981 of the Revised Code may provide for one or more of the following:

(1) Credit facilities;

(2) Agreements with indexing agents, remarketing agents, and administrative agents, and for substitutions for such agents, including substitution directed by the absolute obligor, or the person providing the credit facility, or the issuer;

(3) Interest rate hedges.

(C) Financing statements and continuation statements pertaining to the security for the bonds, or to the security for payments under loan agreements, leases, and sale and installment sale agreements pertaining to bonds referred to in division (A) or (B) of section 9.981 of the Revised Code may be filed, amended, and continued under Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code, and shall have the effect provided in Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code, but whether or not so filed, amended, or continued, the security otherwise provided for under the law authorizing such bonds is not impaired or diminished.

Section 9.983 | Costs, expenses and fees.

• Effective: December 22, 1992
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 359 - 119th General Assembly

(A) Provision may be made for costs and expenses of providing credit facilities, put arrangements, and interest rate hedges, and for fees and expenses of agents, and other fees, costs, and expenses in connection with arrangements under sections 9.98 to 9.983 of the Revised Code to be paid directly by the absolute obligor, or to be included in the principal amount of the bonds, or to be paid from the same sources of moneys available for debt service or from funds established under the bond proceedings, or otherwise to be provided for. Those costs may be treated as other costs of financing of the facilities to be financed by the bonds or as costs of issuing the bonds under the law authorizing the issuance of the bonds.

(B) As additional and alternative authority for issuing bonds to refund bonds referred to in division (A) or (B) of section 9.981 of the Revised Code, and without need for satisfying any other statutory purposes or conditions for refunding, refunding bonds may be issued pursuant to procedures under the applicable provisions of law upon a declaration by the issuer that the issuer or the absolute obligor under the refunding bonds has determined or expects that the refunding will be beneficial by reason of the terms, conditions, covenants, or security pertaining to the bonds to be refunded. Refunding bonds issued in reliance on this division shall mature not later than forty years after their issuance.