Chapter 1345 | Consumer Sales Practices

Section 1345.01 | Consumer sales practices definitions.

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

As used in sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Consumer transaction" means a sale, lease, assignment, award by chance, or other transfer of an item of goods, a service, a franchise, or an intangible, to an individual for purposes that are primarily personal, family, or household, or solicitation to supply any of these things. "Consumer transaction" does not include transactions between persons, defined in sections 4905.03 and 5725.01 of the Revised Code, and their customers, except for transactions involving a loan made pursuant to sections 1321.35 to 1321.48 of the Revised Code and transactions in connection with residential mortgages between loan officers, mortgage brokers, or nonbank mortgage lenders and their customers; transactions involving a home construction service contract as defined in section 4722.01 of the Revised Code; transactions between certified public accountants or public accountants and their clients; transactions between attorneys, physicians, or dentists and their clients or patients; and transactions between veterinarians and their patients that pertain to medical treatment but not ancillary services.

(B) "Person" includes an individual, corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, cooperative, or other legal entity.

(C) "Supplier" means a seller, lessor, assignor, franchisor, or other person engaged in the business of effecting or soliciting consumer transactions, whether or not the person deals directly with the consumer. If the consumer transaction is in connection with a residential mortgage, "supplier" does not include an assignee or purchaser of the loan for value, except as otherwise provided in section 1345.091 of the Revised Code. For purposes of this division, in a consumer transaction in connection with a residential mortgage, "seller" means a loan officer, mortgage broker, or nonbank mortgage lender.

(D) "Consumer" means a person who engages in a consumer transaction with a supplier.

(E) "Knowledge" means actual awareness, but such actual awareness may be inferred where objective manifestations indicate that the individual involved acted with such awareness.

(F) "Natural gas service" means the sale of natural gas, exclusive of any distribution or ancillary service.

(G) "Public telecommunications service" means the transmission by electromagnetic or other means, other than by a telephone company as defined in section 4927.01 of the Revised Code, of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, messages, or data originating in this state regardless of actual call routing. "Public telecommunications service" excludes a system, including its construction, maintenance, or operation, for the provision of telecommunications service, or any portion of such service, by any entity for the sole and exclusive use of that entity, its parent, a subsidiary, or an affiliated entity, and not for resale, directly or indirectly; the provision of terminal equipment used to originate telecommunications service; broadcast transmission by radio, television, or satellite broadcast stations regulated by the federal government; or cable television service.

(H)(1) "Loan officer" means an individual who for compensation or gain, or in anticipation of compensation or gain, takes or offers to take a residential mortgage loan application; assists or offers to assist a buyer in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan by, among other things, advising on loan terms, including rates, fees, and other costs; offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan; or issues or offers to issue a commitment for a residential mortgage loan. "Loan officer" also includes a mortgage loan originator as defined in section 1322.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Loan officer" does not include an employee of a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; an employee of a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; or an employee of an affiliate that (a) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (b) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration.

(I) "Residential mortgage" or "mortgage" means an obligation to pay a sum of money evidenced by a note and secured by a lien upon real property located within this state containing two or fewer residential units or on which two or fewer residential units are to be constructed and includes such an obligation on a residential condominium or cooperative unit.

(J)(1) "Mortgage broker" means any of the following:

(a) A person that holds that person out as being able to assist a buyer in obtaining a mortgage and charges or receives from either the buyer or lender money or other valuable consideration readily convertible into money for providing this assistance;

(b) A person that solicits financial and mortgage information from the public, provides that information to a mortgage broker or a person that makes residential mortgage loans, and charges or receives from either of them money or other valuable consideration readily convertible into money for providing the information;

(c) A person engaged in table-funding or warehouse-lending mortgage loans that are residential mortgage loans.

(2) "Mortgage broker" does not include a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; an affiliate that (a) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (b) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration; or an employee of any such entity.

(K) "Nonbank mortgage lender" means any person that engages in a consumer transaction in connection with a residential mortgage, except for a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; or an affiliate that (1) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (2) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration.

(L) For purposes of divisions (H), (J), and (K) of this section:

(1) "Control" of another entity means ownership, control, or power to vote twenty-five per cent or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of the other entity, directly or indirectly or acting through one or more other persons.

(2) "Credit union service organization" means a CUSO as defined in 12 C.F.R. 702.2.

Last updated September 6, 2023 at 2:30 PM

Section 1345.02 | Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

• Effective: October 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 98 - 135th General Assembly

(A) No supplier shall commit an unfair or deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction. Such an unfair or deceptive act or practice by a supplier violates this section whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction.

(B) Without limiting the scope of division (A) of this section, the act or practice of a supplier in representing any of the following is deceptive:

(1) That the subject of a consumer transaction has sponsorship, approval, performance characteristics, accessories, uses, or benefits that it does not have;

(2) That the subject of a consumer transaction is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, prescription, or model, if it is not;

(3) That the subject of a consumer transaction is new, or unused, if it is not;

(4) That the subject of a consumer transaction is available to the consumer for a reason that does not exist;

(5) That the subject of a consumer transaction has been supplied in accordance with a previous representation, if it has not, except that the act of a supplier in furnishing similar merchandise of equal or greater value as a good faith substitute does not violate this section;

(6) That the subject of a consumer transaction will be supplied in greater quantity than the supplier intends;

(7) That replacement or repair is needed, if it is not;

(8) That a specific price advantage exists, if it does not;

(9) That the supplier has a sponsorship, approval, or affiliation that the supplier does not have;

(10) That a consumer transaction involves or does not involve a warranty, a disclaimer of warranties or other rights, remedies, or obligations if the representation is false.

(C) In construing division (A) of this section, the court shall give due consideration and great weight to federal trade commission orders, trade regulation rules and guides, and the federal courts' interpretations of subsection 45 (a)(1) of the "Federal Trade Commission Act," 38 Stat. 717 (1914), 15 U.S.C.A. 41, as amended.

(D) No supplier shall offer to a consumer or represent that a consumer will receive a rebate, discount, or other benefit as an inducement for entering into a consumer transaction in return for giving the supplier the names of prospective consumers, or otherwise helping the supplier to enter into other consumer transactions, if earning the benefit is contingent upon an event occurring after the consumer enters into the transaction.

(E)(1) No supplier, in connection with a consumer transaction involving natural gas service or public telecommunications service to a consumer in this state, shall request or submit, or cause to be requested or submitted, a change in the consumer's provider of natural gas service or public telecommunications service, without first obtaining, or causing to be obtained, the verified consent of the consumer. For the purpose of this division and with respect to public telecommunications service only, the procedures necessary for verifying the consent of a consumer shall be those prescribed by rule by the public utilities commission for public telecommunications service under division (D) of section 4905.72 of the Revised Code. Also, for the purpose of this division, the act, omission, or failure of any officer, agent, or other individual, acting for or employed by another person, while acting within the scope of that authority or employment, is the act or failure of that other person.

(2) Consistent with the exclusion, under 47 C.F.R. 64.1100(a)(3), of commercial mobile radio service providers from the verification requirements adopted in 47 C.F.R. 64.1100, 64.1150, 64.1160, 64.1170, 64.1180, and 64.1190 by the federal communications commission, division (E)(1) of this section does not apply to a provider of commercial mobile radio service insofar as such provider is engaged in the provision of commercial mobile radio service. However, when that exclusion no longer is in effect, division (E)(1) of this section shall apply to such a provider.

(3) The attorney general may initiate criminal proceedings for a prosecution under division (C) of section 1345.99 of the Revised Code by presenting evidence of criminal violations to the prosecuting attorney of any county in which the offense may be prosecuted. If the prosecuting attorney does not prosecute the violations, or at the request of the prosecuting attorney, the attorney general may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers conferred by law on prosecuting attorneys, including the power to appear before grand juries and to interrogate witnesses before grand juries.

(F) Concerning a consumer transaction in connection with a residential mortgage, and without limiting the scope of division (A) or (B) of this section, the act of a supplier in doing either of the following is deceptive:

(1) Knowingly failing to provide disclosures required under state and federal law;

(2) Knowingly providing a disclosure that includes a material misrepresentation.

(G) Without limiting the scope of division (A) of this section, the failure of a supplier to obtain or maintain any registration, license, bond, or insurance required by state law or local ordinance for the supplier to engage in the supplier's trade or profession is an unfair or deceptive act or practice.

(H) A violation of section 111.242 of the Revised Code is an unfair or deceptive act or practice.

Last updated August 8, 2024 at 3:22 PM

Section 1345.021 | Ethanol blended or mixed into gasoline.

• Effective: March 21, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 144 - 124th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "retail dealer" means a person who owns, operates, controls, or supervises an establishment at which gasoline is sold or offered for sale to the public.

(B) When ethanol is blended or mixed into gasoline that is sold or offered for sale to the public, it is not an unfair or deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction for a retail dealer to fail to disclose either of the following:

(1) The fact that the gasoline contains ethanol;

(2) The percentage of ethanol that is contained in the gasoline.

(C) If a retail dealer elects to disclose any of the information specified in division (B) of this section, the dealer may make that disclosure in any form, using any type of sign or label and any size or style of letters, at the retail dealer's discretion.

(D) A retail dealer shall not be required to disclose the fact that gasoline contains ethanol and shall not be required to disclose the percentage of ethanol in the gasoline by any law, rule, resolution, or ordinance of any agency or department of the state or any political subdivision of the state.

Section 1345.022 | Installation of unsafe used tires.

• Effective: April 15, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 295 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Passenger car" has the same meaning as in section 4513.021 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Unsafe used tire" means a used tire to which any of the following criteria applies:

(a) The tire is worn to two thirty-seconds of an inch tread depth or less on any area of the tread.

(b) The tire has any damage exposing the reinforcing plies of the tire, including cuts, cracks, punctures, scrapes, or wear.

(c) The tire has any repair in the tread shoulder or belt edge area.

(d) The tire has a puncture that has not been both sealed or patched on the inside and repaired with a cured rubber stem through the outside.

(e) The tire has repair to the sidewall or bead area of the tire.

(f) The tire has a puncture repair of damage larger than one-fourth of an inch.

(g) The tire shows evidence of prior use of a temporary tire sealant without evidence of a subsequent proper repair.

(h) The tire has a defaced or removed United States department of transportation tire identification number.

(i) The tire has any inner liner damage or bead damage.

(j) There is indication of internal separation, such as bulges or local areas of irregular tread wear indicating possible tread or belt separation.

(B)(1) No supplier shall install an unsafe used tire on a passenger car designed primarily for carrying passengers that will operate on a public highway.

(2) A violation of division (B)(1) of this section shall be considered an unconscionable consumer sales act or practice under section 1345.03 of the Revised Code.

(C) This section shall not apply to tires mounted on wheels or rims that are temporarily removed from a vehicle and reinstalled on the same vehicle.

Section 1345.03 | Unconscionable consumer sales acts or practices.

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

(A) No supplier shall commit an unconscionable act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction. Such an unconscionable act or practice by a supplier violates this section whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction.

(B) In determining whether an act or practice is unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be taken into consideration:

(1) Whether the supplier has knowingly taken advantage of the inability of the consumer reasonably to protect the consumer's interests because of the consumer's physical or mental infirmities, ignorance, illiteracy, or inability to understand the language of an agreement;

(2) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered into that the price was substantially in excess of the price at which similar property or services were readily obtainable in similar consumer transactions by like consumers;

(3) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered into of the inability of the consumer to receive a substantial benefit from the subject of the consumer transaction;

(4) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered into that there was no reasonable probability of payment of the obligation in full by the consumer;

(5) Whether the supplier required the consumer to enter into a consumer transaction on terms the supplier knew were substantially one-sided in favor of the supplier;

(6) Whether the supplier knowingly made a misleading statement of opinion on which the consumer was likely to rely to the consumer's detriment;

(7) Whether the supplier has, without justification, refused to make a refund in cash or by check for a returned item that was purchased with cash or by check, unless the supplier had conspicuously posted in the establishment at the time of the sale a sign stating the supplier's refund policy.

(C) This section does not apply to a consumer transaction in connection with the origination of a residential mortgage.

Section 1345.031 | Unconscionable acts by supplier prohibited - unconscionable provisions.

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

(A) No supplier shall commit an unconscionable act or practice concerning a consumer transaction in connection with the origination of a residential mortgage. Such an unconscionable act or practice by a supplier violates this section whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction.

(B) For purposes of division (A) of this section, the following acts or practices of a supplier in connection with such a transaction are unconscionable:

(1) Arranging for or making a mortgage loan that provides for an interest rate applicable after default that is higher than the interest rate that applies before default, excluding rates of interest for judgments applicable to the mortgage loan under section 1343.02 or 1343.03 of the Revised Code and also excluding interest rate changes in a variable rate loan transaction otherwise consistent with the provisions of the loan documents;

(2) Engaging in a pattern or practice of providing consumer transactions to consumers based predominantly on the supplier's realization of the foreclosure or liquidation value of the consumer's collateral without regard to the consumer's ability to repay the loan in accordance with its terms, provided that the supplier may use any reasonable method to determine a borrower's ability to repay;

(3) Making a consumer transaction that permits the creditor to demand repayment of the outstanding balance of a mortgage loan, in advance of the original maturity date unless the creditor does so in good faith due to the consumer's failure to abide by the material terms of the loan.

(4) Knowingly replacing, refinancing, or consolidating a zero interest rate or other low-rate mortgage loan made by a governmental or nonprofit lender with another loan unless the current holder of the loan consents in writing to the refinancing and the consumer presents written certification from a third-party nonprofit organization counselor approved by the United States department of housing and urban development or the superintendent of financial institutions that the consumer received counseling on the advisability of the loan transaction. For purposes of division (B)(4) of this section, a "low-rate mortgage loan" means a mortgage loan that carries a current interest rate two percentage points or more below the current yield on United States treasury securities with a comparable maturity. If the loan's current interest rate is either a discounted introductory rate or a rate that automatically steps up over time, the fully indexed rate or the fully stepped-up rate, as applicable, shall be used, in lieu of the current rate, to determine whether a loan is a low-rate mortgage loan.

(5) Instructing the consumer to ignore the supplier's written information regarding the interest rate and dollar value of points because they would be lower for the consumer's consumer transaction;

(6) Recommending or encouraging a consumer to default on a mortgage or any consumer transaction or revolving credit loan agreement. This practice also shall constitute an unconscionable act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction under section 1345.03 of the Revised Code.

(7) Charging a late fee more than once with respect to a single late payment. If a late payment fee is deducted from a payment made on the loan and such deduction causes a subsequent default on a subsequent payment, no late payment fee may be imposed for such default. If a late payment fee has been imposed once with respect to a particular late payment, no such fee may be imposed with respect to any future payment that would have been timely and sufficient but for the previous default. This practice also shall constitute an unconscionable act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction under section 1345.03 of the Revised Code.

(8) Failing to disclose to the consumer at the closing of the consumer transaction that a consumer is not required to complete a consumer transaction merely because the consumer has received prior estimates of closing costs or has signed an application and should not close a loan transaction that contains different terms and conditions than those the consumer was promised;

(9) Arranging for or making a consumer transaction that includes terms under which more than two periodic payments required under the consumer transaction are consolidated and paid in advance from the loan proceeds provided to the consumer;

(10) Knowingly compensating, instructing, inducing, coercing, or intimidating, or attempting to compensate, instruct, induce, coerce, or intimidate, a person licensed or certified under Chapter 4763. of the Revised Code for the purpose of corrupting or improperly influencing the independent judgment of the person with respect to the value of the dwelling offered as security for repayment of a mortgage loan;

(11) Financing, directly or indirectly, any credit, life, disability, or unemployment insurance premiums, any other life or health insurance premiums, or any debt collection agreement. Insurance premiums calculated and paid on a monthly basis shall not be considered financed by the lender.

(12) Knowingly or intentionally engaging in the act or practice of "flipping" a mortgage loan. "Flipping" a mortgage loan is making a mortgage loan that refinances an existing mortgage loan when the new loan does not have reasonable, tangible net benefit to the consumer considering all of the circumstances, including the terms of both the new and refinanced loans, the cost of the new loan, and the consumer's circumstances. This provision applies regardless of whether the interest rate, points, fees, and charges paid or payable by the consumer in connection with the refinancing exceed any thresholds specified in any section of the Revised Code.

(13) Knowingly taking advantage of the inability of the consumer to reasonably protect the consumer's interests because of the consumer's known physical or mental infirmities or illiteracy;

(14) Entering into the consumer transaction knowing there was no reasonable probability of payment of the obligation by the consumer;

(15) Attempting to enforce, by means not limited to a court action, a prepayment penalty in violation of division (C)(2) of section 1343.011 of the Revised Code. This practice also shall constitute an unconscionable act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction under section 1345.03 of the Revised Code.

(16) Engaging in an act or practice deemed unconscionable by rules adopted by the attorney general pursuant to division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) Any unconscionable arbitration clause, unconscionable clause requiring the consumer to pay the supplier's attorney's fees, or unconscionable liquidated damages clause included in a mortgage loan contract is unenforceable.

(2) No supplier shall do either of the following:

(a) Attempt to enforce, by means not limited to a court action, any clause described in division (C)(1) of this section;

(b) By referring to such a clause, attempt to induce the consumer to take any action desired by the supplier.

Section 1345.032 | Suppliers soliciting fees for copies of deeds.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 52 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Deed" means a written instrument entitled to be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the subject property is situated that purports to convey or transfer title in fee simple of real property in this state. "Deed" includes a leasehold interest for ninety-nine years or more. "Deed" does not include instruments providing for any of the following:

(a) Common driveways ;

(b) Exchanges of easements or rights-of-way ;

(c) Revocable licenses to use, adjust, or clear defects of or clouds on title ;

(d) Utility service lines such as drainage, sewerage, water, electric, telephone, or other such service lines ;

(e) Quitclaim of possible outstanding interests.

(2) "Public body" means any township, county, municipal corporation, commission, district, authority, other subdivision, or public body of this state.

(3) "Solicit" means to advertise or market to a person with whom the solicitor has no pre-existing business relationship.

(B)(1) A supplier soliciting a fee for providing a copy of a deed or a free copy of a deed in connection with the solicitation for any other service or product shall state on the top of the document used for the solicitation, in at least twenty-four-point type, all of the following:

(a) That the solicitation is not from a public body;

(b) That no action is legally required by the person being solicited;

(c) The statutory fee for, or the cost of, obtaining a copy of the deed from the county recorder who has custody of the deed ;

(d) The information necessary to contact that county recorder ;

(e) The name and physical address of the person soliciting the fee.

(2) The document used for a solicitation under this section shall not be in a form or use deadline dates or other language that makes the document appear to be a document issued by a public body or that appears to impose a legal duty on the person being solicited.

(3) A supplier soliciting a fee for providing a copy of a deed shall not charge a fee of more than four times the fee charged by the county recorder for a copy of that deed pursuant to section 317.32 of the Revised Code.

(C) A supplier soliciting a fee for providing a copy of a deed shall furnish to the office of the county recorder of each county where the solicitations are to be distributed a copy of the document that will be used for those solicitations not less than fifteen days before distributing the solicitations.

(D) This section shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) A title insurance company authorized to do business in this state or its authorized agent ;

(2) A mortgage loan originator, mortgage broker, lender, or servicer or a depository financial institution authorized under state and federal law to originate or service mortgage loans ;

(3) A real estate broker or salesperson licensed under C hapter 4735. of the Revised Code.

(E) The attorney general may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying the contents and form of the solicitation document.

(F) A violation of division (B) or (C) of this section shall be considered an unconscionable consumer sales act or practice under section 1345.03 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.04 | Jurisdiction.

• Effective: July 14, 1972
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 103 - 109th General Assembly

The courts of common pleas, and municipal or county courts within their respective monetary jurisdiction, have jurisdiction over any supplier with respect to any act or practice in this state covered by sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code, or with respect to any claim arising from a consumer transaction subject to such sections.

Section 1345.05 | Attorney general powers and duties.

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

(A) The attorney general shall:

(1) Adopt, amend, and repeal procedural rules;

(2) Adopt as a rule a description of the organization of the attorney general's office, stating the general courses and methods of operation of the section of the office of the attorney general, which is to administer Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code and methods whereby the public may obtain information or make submissions or requests, including a description of all forms and instructions used by that office;

(3) Make available for public inspection all rules and all other written statements of policy or interpretations adopted or used by the attorney general in the discharge of the attorney general's functions, together with all judgments, including supporting opinions, by courts of this state that determine the rights of the parties and concerning which appellate remedies have been exhausted, or lost by the expiration of the time for appeal, determining that specific acts or practices violate section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code;

(4) Inform consumers and suppliers on a continuing basis of acts or practices that violate Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code by, among other things, publishing an informational document describing acts and practices in connection with residential mortgages that are unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable, and by making that information available on the attorney general's official web site;

(5) Cooperate with state and local officials, officials of other states, and officials of the federal government in the administration of comparable statutes;

(6) Report annually on or before the thirty-first day of January to the governor and the general assembly on the operations of the attorney general in respect to Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, and on the acts or practices occurring in this state that violate such chapter. The report shall include a statement of investigatory and enforcement procedures and policies, of the number of investigations and enforcement proceedings instituted and of their disposition, and of other activities of the state and of other persons to promote the purposes of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code.

(7) In carrying out official duties, the attorney general shall not disclose publicly the identity of suppliers investigated or the facts developed in investigations unless these matters have become a matter of public record in enforcement proceedings, in public hearings conducted pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section, or the suppliers investigated have consented in writing to public disclosure.

(B) The attorney general may:

(1) Conduct research, make inquiries, hold public hearings, and publish studies relating to consumer transactions;

(2) Adopt, amend, and repeal substantive rules defining with reasonable specificity acts or practices that violate sections 1345.02, 1345.03, and 1345.031 of the Revised Code. In adopting, amending, or repealing substantive rules defining acts or practices that violate section 1345.02 of the Revised Code, due consideration and great weight shall be given to federal trade commission orders, trade regulation rules and guides, and the federal courts' interpretations of subsection 45(a)(1) of the "Federal Trade Commission Act," 38 Stat. 717 (1914), 15 U.S.C.A. 41, as amended.

In adopting, amending, or repealing such rules concerning a consumer transaction in connection with a residential mortgage, the attorney general shall consult with the superintendent of financial institutions and shall give due consideration to state and federal statutes, regulations, administrative agency interpretations, and case law.

(C) In the conduct of public hearings authorized by this section, the attorney general may administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, adduce evidence, and require the production of relevant material. Upon failure of a person without lawful excuse to obey a subpoena or to produce relevant matter, the attorney general may apply to a court of common pleas for an order compelling compliance.

(D) The attorney general may request that an individual who refuses to testify or to produce relevant material on the ground that the testimony or matter may incriminate the individual be ordered by the court to provide the testimony or matter. With the exception of a prosecution for perjury and an action for damages under section 1345.07 or 1345.09 of the Revised Code, an individual who complies with a court order to provide testimony or matter, after asserting a privilege against self incrimination to which the individual is entitled by law, shall not be subjected to a criminal proceeding on the basis of the testimony or matter discovered through that testimony or matter.

(E) Any person may petition the attorney general requesting the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule. The attorney general shall prescribe by rule the form for such petitions and the procedure for their submission, consideration, and disposition. Within sixty days of submission of a petition, the attorney general shall either deny the petition in writing, stating the reasons for the denial, or initiate rule-making proceedings. There is no right to appeal from such denial of a petition.

(F) All rules shall be adopted subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(G) The informational document published in accordance with division (A)(4) of this section shall be made available for distribution to consumers who are applying for a mortgage loan. An acknowledgement of receipt shall be retained by the lender, mortgage broker, and loan officer, as applicable, subject to review by the attorney general and the department of commerce.

Section 1345.06 | Investigations by attorney general.

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

(A) If, by the attorney general's own inquiries or as a result of complaints, the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that a person has engaged or is engaging in an act or practice that violates Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, he may investigate.

(B) For this purpose, the attorney general may administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, adduce evidence, and require the production of relevant matter.

If matter that the attorney general requires to be produced is located outside the state, the attorney general may designate representatives, including officials of the state in which the matter is located, to inspect the matter on the attorney general's behalf, and the attorney general may respond to similar requests from officials of other states. The person subpoenaed may make the matter available to the attorney general at a convenient location within the state or pay the reasonable and necessary expenses for the attorney general or the attorney general's representative to examine the matter at the place where it is located, provided that expenses shall not be charged to a party not subsequently found to have engaged in an act or practice violative of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code.

(C) Within twenty days after a subpoena has been served, a person subpoenaed under this section may file a motion to extend the return day, or to modify or quash the subpoena, stating good cause, in the court of common pleas of Franklin county or any other county in this state.

(D) A person subpoenaed under this section shall comply with the terms of the subpoena, unless the parties agree to modify the terms of the subpoena or unless the court has modified or quashed the subpoena, extended the return day of the subpoena, or issued any other order with respect to the subpoena prior to its return day.

If a person fails without lawful excuse to obey a subpoena or to produce relevant matter, the attorney general may apply to the court of common pleas of Franklin county or any other county in this state for an order compelling compliance.

(E) The attorney general may request that an individual who refuses to testify or to produce relevant matter on the ground that the testimony or matter may incriminate the individual be ordered by the court to provide the testimony or matter. With the exception of a prosecution for perjury and an action for damages under section 1345.07 or 1345.09 of the Revised Code, an individual who complies with a court order to provide testimony or matter, after asserting a privilege against self-incrimination to which the individual is entitled by law, shall not be subjected to a criminal proceeding or to a civil penalty or forfeiture on the basis of the testimony or matter required to be disclosed or testimony or matter discovered through that testimony or matter.

(F) The attorney general may:

(1) During an investigation under this section, afford, in a manner considered appropriate to to the attorney general, a supplier an opportunity to cease and desist from any suspected violation. The attorney general may suspend such an investigation during the time period that the attorney general permits the supplier to cease and desist; however, the suspension of the investigation or the affording of an opportunity to cease and desist shall not prejudice or prohibit any further investigation by the attorney general under this section.

(2) Terminate an investigation under this section upon acceptance of a written assurance of voluntary compliance from a supplier who is suspected of a violation of this chapter.

Acceptance of an assurance may be conditioned upon an undertaking to reimburse or to take other appropriate corrective action with respect to identifiable consumers damaged by an alleged violation of this chapter. An assurance of compliance given by a supplier is not evidence of violation of this chapter. The attorney general may, at any time, reopen an investigation terminated by the acceptance of an assurance of voluntary compliance, if the attorney general believes that further proceedings are in the public interest. Evidence of a violation of an assurance of voluntary compliance is prima-facie evidence of an act or practice in violation of this chapter, if presented after the violation in an action brought under this chapter. An assurance of voluntary compliance may be filed with the court and if approved by the court, entered as a consent judgment.

(G) The procedures available to the attorney general under this section are cumulative and concurrent, and the exercise of one procedure by the attorney general does not preclude or require the exercise of any other procedure.

Section 1345.07 | Remedies of attorney general.

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

(A) If the attorney general, by the attorney general's own inquiries or as a result of complaints, has reasonable cause to believe that a supplier has engaged or is engaging in an act or practice that violates this chapter, and that the action would be in the public interest, the attorney general may bring any of the following:

(1) An action to obtain a declaratory judgment that the act or practice violates section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code;

(2)(a) An action, with notice as required by Civil Rule 65, to obtain a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction to restrain the act or practice. If the attorney general shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the supplier has violated or is violating section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction to restrain and prevent the act or practice.

(b)(i) Except as provided in division (A)(2)(b)(ii) of this section, on motion of the attorney general, or on its own motion, the court may impose a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each day of violation of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction issued under this section, if the supplier received notice of the action. The civil penalties shall be paid as provided in division (G) of this section.

(ii) If the court issues under this section a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction to restrain and prevent an act or practice that is a violation of section 1345.02 and division (A) of section 1349.81 of the Revised Code, on motion of the attorney general, or on its own motion, the court may impose a civil penalty of not less than five thousand dollars and not more than fifteen thousand dollars for each day of violation of the temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction, if the supplier received notice of the action. The civil penalties shall be paid as provided in division (G) of this section.

(c) Upon the commencement of an action under division (A)(2) of this section against a supplier who operates under a license, permit, certificate, commission, or other authorization issued by the supreme court or by a board, commission, department, division, or other agency of this state, the attorney general shall immediately notify the supreme court or agency that such an action has been commenced against the supplier.

(3) A class action under Civil Rule 23, as amended, on behalf of consumers who have engaged in consumer transactions in this state for damage caused by:

(a) An act or practice enumerated in division (B), (D), or (G) of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code;

(b) Violation of a rule adopted under division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based;

(c) An act or practice determined by a court of this state to violate section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code and committed after the decision containing the determination has been made available for public inspection under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code.

(B) On motion of the attorney general and without bond, in the attorney general's action under this section, the court may make appropriate orders, including appointment of a referee or a receiver, for sequestration of assets, to reimburse consumers found to have been damaged, to carry out a transaction in accordance with a consumer's reasonable expectations, to strike or limit the application of unconscionable clauses of contracts so as to avoid an unconscionable result, or to grant other appropriate relief. The court may assess the expenses of a referee or receiver against the supplier.

(C) Any moneys or property recovered by the attorney general in an action under this section that cannot with due diligence within five years be restored by a referee to consumers shall be unclaimed funds reportable under Chapter 169. of the Revised Code.

(D) In addition to the other remedies provided in this section, if the violation is an act or practice that was declared to be unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable by rule adopted pursuant to division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based occurred or an act or practice that was determined by a court of this state to violate section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code and committed after the decision containing the court's determination was made available for public inspection pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code, the attorney general may request and the court may impose a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars against the supplier. The civil penalties shall be paid as provided in division (G) of this section.

(E) No action may be brought by the attorney general under this section to recover for a transaction more than two years after the occurrence of a violation.

(F) If a court determines that provision has been made for reimbursement or other appropriate corrective action, insofar as practicable, with respect to all consumers damaged by a violation, or in any other appropriate case, the attorney general, with court approval, may terminate enforcement proceedings brought by the attorney general upon acceptance of an assurance from the supplier of voluntary compliance with Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, with respect to the alleged violation. The assurance shall be filed with the court and entered as a consent judgment. Except as provided in division (A) of section 1345.10 of the Revised Code, a consent judgment is not evidence of prior violation of such chapter. Disregard of the terms of a consent judgment entered upon an assurance shall be treated as a violation of an injunction issued under this section.

(G) Civil penalties ordered pursuant to divisions (A) and (D) of this section shall be paid as follows: one-fourth of the amount to the treasurer of the county in which the action is brought and three-fourths to the consumer protection enforcement fund created by section 1345.51 of the Revised Code.

(H) The remedies available to the attorney general under this section are cumulative and concurrent, and the exercise of one remedy by the attorney general does not preclude or require the exercise of any other remedy. The attorney general is not required to use any procedure set forth in section 1345.06 of the Revised Code prior to the exercise of any remedy set forth in this section.

Section 1345.08 | Attorney general to coordinate with other administrative agency.

• Effective: July 1, 1983
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 291 - 115th General Assembly

If the attorney general receives a complaint or other information concerning noncompliance with Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, by a supplier subject to other administrative supervision in this state, he shall immediately give written notice of the substance of the complaint or other information to the official or agency having supervisory authority over the supplier. The attorney general may request information about suppliers subject to other administrative supervision from the agencies or official supervising them.

Section 1345.09 | Private causes of action.

• Effective: July 3, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 275 - 129th General Assembly

For a violation of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, a consumer has a cause of action and is entitled to relief as follows:

(A) Where the violation was an act prohibited by section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code, the consumer may, in an individual action, rescind the transaction or recover the consumer's actual economic damages plus an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars in noneconomic damages.

(B) Where the violation was an act or practice declared to be deceptive or unconscionable by rule adopted under division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based, or an act or practice determined by a court of this state to violate section 1345.02, 1345.03, or 1345.031 of the Revised Code and committed after the decision containing the determination has been made available for public inspection under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code, the consumer may rescind the transaction or recover, but not in a class action, three times the amount of the consumer's actual economic damages or two hundred dollars, whichever is greater, plus an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars in noneconomic damages or recover damages or other appropriate relief in a class action under Civil Rule 23, as amended.

(C)(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, in any action for rescission, revocation of the consumer transaction must occur within a reasonable time after the consumer discovers or should have discovered the ground for it and before any substantial change in condition of the subject of the consumer transaction.

(2) If a consumer transaction between a loan officer, mortgage broker, or nonbank mortgage lender and a customer is in connection with a residential mortgage, revocation of the consumer transaction in an action for rescission is only available to a consumer in an individual action, and shall occur for no reason other than one or more of the reasons set forth in the "Truth in Lending Act," 82 Stat. 146 (1968), 15 U.S.C. 1635, not later than the time limit within which the right of rescission under section 125(f) of the "Truth in Lending Act" expires.

(D) Any consumer may seek a declaratory judgment, an injunction, or other appropriate relief against an act or practice that violates this chapter.

(E) When a consumer commences an individual action for a declaratory judgment or an injunction or a class action under this section, the clerk of court shall immediately mail a copy of the complaint to the attorney general. Upon timely application, the attorney general may be permitted to intervene in any private action or appeal pending under this section. When a judgment under this section becomes final, the clerk of court shall mail a copy of the judgment including supporting opinions to the attorney general for inclusion in the public file maintained under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code.

(F) The court may award to the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee limited to the work reasonably performed and limited pursuant to section 1345.092 of the Revised Code, if either of the following apply:

(1) The consumer complaining of the act or practice that violated this chapter has brought or maintained an action that is groundless, and the consumer filed or maintained the action in bad faith;

(2) The supplier has knowingly committed an act or practice that violates this chapter.

(G) As used in this section, "actual economic damages" means damages for direct, incidental, or consequential pecuniary losses resulting from a violation of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code and does not include damages for noneconomic loss as defined in section 2315.18 of the Revised Code.

(H) Nothing in this section shall preclude a consumer from also proceeding with a cause of action under any other theory of law.

Section 1345.091 | Claim or defense against assignee of loan.

• Effective: January 1, 2007
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 185 - 126th General Assembly

No claim or defense under this chapter may be asserted by the attorney general or any consumer against an assignee or purchaser of a mortgage loan for value unless any one of the following applies:

(A) The violation was committed by the assignee or purchaser.

(B) The assignee or purchaser is affiliated by common control with the seller of the loan at the time of such assignment or purchase.

Section 1345.092 | Supplier's right to cure.

• Effective: July 3, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 275 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Not later than thirty days after service of process is completed upon a supplier by a consumer in any action seeking a private remedy pursuant to section 1345.09 of the Revised Code, the supplier may deliver a cure offer to the consumer, or if the consumer is represented by an attorney, to the consumer's attorney. The supplier shall send a cure offer by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the consumer, or if the consumer is represented by an attorney, to the consumer's attorney. The supplier shall file a copy of the cure offer with the court in which the action was commenced.

(B) A consumer shall have thirty days after the date the consumer or the consumer's attorney receives a cure offer from a supplier to notify the supplier, or if the supplier is represented by an attorney, the supplier's attorney, of the consumer's acceptance or rejection of the cure offer. The consumer shall file the notice of acceptance or rejection with the court in which the action was commenced and serve the notice to the supplier. The notice shall be deemed effective when it is filed with the court. The failure of a consumer to file a notice of acceptance or rejection of the supplier's cure offer within thirty days after the date of receipt of the cure offer shall be deemed a rejection of the cure offer by the consumer.

(C) When by rule, notice, or order of court a motion or pleading is required to be filed by any party during the time periods described in divisions (A) and (B) of this section, the court may extend the time period for filing the motion or pleading to allow both parties adequate time to comply with this section.

(D) A cure offer shall include both of the following:

(1) Language that clearly explains the resolution being offered by the supplier consisting of the following separate components:

(a) A supplier's remedy that consists solely of monetary compensation to resolve alleged violations of this chapter;

(b) Reasonable attorney's fees that consist of legal fees necessary or reasonably related to the filing of the initial complaint, not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars;

(c) Court costs incurred by the consumer that are related to the filing of the initial complaint.

(2) A prominent notice that clearly and conspicuously contains the following disclosure in substantially the following form:

NOTICE: THIS LETTER INCLUDES A "CURE OFFER" THAT IS BEING OFFERED TO SETTLE ALL ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 1345. OF THE REVISED CODE RAISED BY YOUR WRITTEN COMPLAINT. THE CURE OFFER INCLUDES BOTH A "SUPPLIER'S REMEDY" TO SOLVE THIS DISPUTE AND AN OFFER TO PAY YOUR ATTORNEY'S FEES UP TO $2,500.00 AND YOUR COURT COSTS IN FILING THE COMPLAINT. YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO ACCEPT THIS CURE OFFER AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL BEFORE MAKING YOUR DECISION.

YOU MUST NOTIFY THE SUPPLIER WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT OF THIS CURE OFFER OF YOUR DECISION TO EITHER ACCEPT OR REJECT THE OFFER BY FILING A RESPONSE WITH THE COURT AND SENDING A COPY OF THE RESPONSE TO THE SUPPLIER. IF THE COURT DOES NOT RECEIVE YOUR RESPONSE WITHIN THE REQUIRED TIME, YOUR FAILURE TO RESPOND WILL, BY LAW, BE CONSIDERED REJECTION OF OUR OFFER.

REJECTION OF THIS CURE OFFER COULD IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO COLLECT COURT COSTS AND LEGAL FEES. IF A COURT, JURY, OR ARBITRATOR FINDS IN YOUR FAVOR, BUT DOES NOT AWARD YOU AN AMOUNT MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE SUPPLIER'S REMEDY, THE SUPPLIER WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TREBLE DAMAGES, ATTORNEY'S FEES, OR ANY COURT COSTS YOU INCUR AFTER THE DATE THIS CURE OFFER WAS MADE (fill in the date).

VALUE OF SUPPLIER'S REMEDY = $(fill in the blank)

THE SELLER ALSO AGREES TO PAY YOUR ATTORNEY'S FEES, UP TO $2,500.00, THAT ARE NECESSARY OR REASONABLY RELATED TO THE FILING OF YOUR INITIAL CLAIM, AS WELL AS YOUR COURT COSTS.

(E) If the consumer files a notice rejecting the cure offer provided by the supplier, if a cure offer is deemed rejected pursuant to division (B) of this section, or if no cure offer is made to the consumer by the supplier within the time frame set forth in this section, the consumer may proceed with a civil action in accordance with this chapter.

(F) If the consumer files a notice accepting a cure offer, then both of the following shall apply:

(1)(a) The consumer shall, upon accepting the cure offer, request an amount, up to two thousand five hundred dollars, from the supplier to pay attorney's fees and an amount to pay court costs. The consumer shall provide to the supplier bills and other documents evidencing these amounts.

(b) If the supplier finds the requested amounts to be reasonable, then the supplier shall pay the consumer the requested amounts along with the offered remedy upon the resolution of the cure offer.

(c) If the supplier finds the requested amounts to be unreasonable, then the supplier shall, within ten days of the consumer accepting the cure offer, seek a ruling from the court appointed to the case. The court shall review the documentation provided by the consumer evidencing the requested amounts and shall award to the consumer attorney's fees, up to two thousand five hundred dollars, that are necessary or reasonably related to the filing of the claim and court costs.

(2) The agreed upon resolution shall be completed and any court-ordered attorney's fees and court costs shall be paid within a reasonable time in accordance with court supervision. The court may at any time, in its discretion, extend any deadlines set forth by rule, statute, or order of the court for filing motions or pleadings, or conducting discovery in order to allow the resolution to be completed.

(G) If a judge, jury, or arbitrator awards actual economic damages as defined in section 1345.09 of the Revised Code that are not greater than the value of a supplier's remedy included in a cure offer made pursuant to this section, the consumer shall not be entitled to any of the following:

(1) An award of treble damages;

(2) Any court costs incurred by the consumer after the date the consumer or the consumer's attorney receives the cure offer;

(3) Any attorney's fees incurred by the consumer after the date the consumer or the consumer's attorney receives the cure offer from the supplier.

The comparison of actual economic damages and the supplier's remedy shall not take into consideration statutory treble damages, court costs, or attorney's fees.

(H) A cure offer is not admissible as evidence in a jury trial of the consumer's action seeking a private remedy pursuant to section 1345.09 of the Revised Code as described in division (A) of this section. After a jury renders its verdict in that action or if the action is tried to a judge, the judge shall consider the cure offer only if the offer was timely delivered in accordance with this section and only for the limited purpose of determining whether treble damages may be awarded and the amount of court costs and reasonable attorney's fees that may be awarded. A cure offer is not admissible in a court proceeding for any other purpose.

(I) As used in this section, "cure offer" means a written offer of monetary compensation that is made by a supplier to a consumer or to the consumer's attorney in response to a consumer's claim of a violation of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code. A cure offer shall include reasonable legal fees necessary or reasonably related to the filing of the initial complaint of up to two thousand five hundred dollars and court costs incurred by the consumer and related to the filing of the initial complaint.

(J) This section does not apply to claims for personal injury or death.

Section 1345.10 | Final judgment admissible as prima facie evidence.

• Effective: July 14, 1972
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 103 - 109th General Assembly

(A) With the exception of consent judgments entered before any testimony is taken, a final judgment against a supplier under section 1345.07 of the Revised Code is admissible as prima-facie evidence of the facts on which it is based in subsequent proceedings under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code against the same supplier, or his successors or assigns.

(B) An action by or on behalf of a consumer pursuant to section 1345.09 of the Revised Code precludes that consumer from being included in a later class action by the attorney general with respect to the same transaction, but intervention by the attorney general in a pending action is authorized. If the attorney general brings a class action on behalf of consumers, a consumer may withdraw from the class action prior to trial, or, with the permission of the court, at any time.

(C) An action under sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code may not be brought more than two years after the occurrence of the violation which is the subject of suit, or more than one year after the termination of proceedings by the attorney general with respect to the violation, whichever is later. However, an action under sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code arising out of the same consumer transaction can be used as a counterclaim whenever a supplier sues a consumer on an obligation arising from the consumer transaction.

Section 1345.11 | Bona fide errors.

• Effective: August 11, 1978
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 681 - 112th General Assembly

(A) In any case arising under Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, if a supplier shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid the error, no civil penalties shall be imposed against the supplier under division (D) of section 1345.07 of the Revised Code, no party shall be awarded attorney's fees, and monetary recovery shall not exceed the amount of actual damages resulting from the violation.

(B) If a supplier shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation was an act or practice required or specifically permitted by federal trade commission orders, trade regulation rules and guides, or the federal courts' interpretations of subsection 45(a)(1) of the "Federal Trade Commission Act," 38 Stat. 717 (1914), 15 U.S.C.A. 41, as amended, and that the act or practice was not otherwise declared to be unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable by a rule adopted pursuant to division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based, and:

(1) If the case arises under section 1345.07 of the Revised Code, the attorney general is limited to injunctive relief as the only remedy against the supplier for that violation; or

(2) If the case arises under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code, the supplier is not subject to any liability or penalty for the violation.

(C) A receiver may be appointed by the court in an action under section 1345.07 of the Revised Code, if it is shown that the assets of the supplier are in danger of being lost, removed, injured, or dissipated. A receiver may, under the direction of the court, do all of the following:

(1) Sue for, collect, receive, and take into his possession all the goods, chattels, rights, credits, moneys, effects, lands, tenements, books, records, documents, papers, choses in action, bills, notes, and other property and assets of every kind and description acquired by any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, including property with which such property has been commingled if it cannot be identified in kind because of commingling;

(2) Sell, convey, and assign all property taken into his possession, and hold and dispose of the proceeds;

(3) Perform any other acts respecting the property that the court authorizes.

Any person who has suffered damages as a result of the use of any act or practice prohibited by this chapter and who submits proof to the satisfaction of the court that he has in fact been damaged, may participate with general creditors in the distribution of the assets to the extent he has sustained out-of-pocket losses.

(D) If a court determines after a hearing in any action brought pursuant to section 1345.07 of the Revised Code that a supplier in the course of performing activity under any license or permit issued by the state or a political subdivision or agency of the state, engaged in a practice that violates this chapter, the attorney general may, within sixty days after the time for appealing has expired, send a certified copy of the court's final judgment and supporting opinion to the issuing authority. Upon receipt of the court's judgment and opinion, the issuing authority shall promptly investigate to determine whether to institute proceedings to revoke or suspend the supplier's license or permit. The court's judgment, findings of fact, and conclusions of law shall be binding upon the issuing authority when it conducts its investigation. The issuing authority shall report its decision or action to the attorney general within twenty days of the conclusion of the issuing authority's investigation. If the issuing authority institutes proceedings to revoke or suspend the supplier's license or permit, it shall report its decision to the attorney general within twenty days of the conclusion of the issuing authority's proceedings.

Section 1345.12 | Applicability of chapter - exceptions.

• Effective: August 11, 1978
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 681 - 112th General Assembly

Sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code do not apply to:

(A) An act or practice required or specifically permitted by or under federal law, or by or under other sections of the Revised Code, except as provided in division (B) of section 1345.11 of the Revised Code;

(B) A publisher, broadcaster, printer, or other person engaged in the dissemination of information or the reproduction of printed or pictorial matter insofar as the information or matter has been disseminated or reproduced on behalf of others without knowledge that it violated sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code;

(C) Claims for personal injury or death.

Section 1345.13 | Remedies in addition to other remedies.

• Effective: July 14, 1972
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 103 - 109th General Assembly

The remedies in sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code, are in addition to remedies otherwise available for the same conduct under state or local law.

Section 1345.18 | Prior, verified consent required to switch natural gas or public telecommunications service provider.

• Effective: May 17, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 177 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Consumer," "person," and "supplier" have the same meanings as in section 1345.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Consumer transaction" has the same meaning as in section 1345.01 of the Revised Code except that the sale, lease, assignment, award by chance, or other transfer of an item of goods, a service, a franchise, or an intangible, or solicitation to supply any of those things, to an individual is for purposes that are primarily other than personal, family, or household.

(3) "Natural gas service" means the sale of natural gas, exclusive of any distribution or ancillary service.

(4) "Public telecommunications service" means the transmission by electromagnetic or other means, other than by a telephone company as defined in section 4927.01 of the Revised Code, of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, messages, or data originating in this state regardless of actual call routing. "Public telecommunications service" excludes a system, including its construction, maintenance, or operation, for the provision of telecommunications service, or any portion of such service, by any entity for the sole and exclusive use of that entity, its parent, a subsidiary, or an affiliated entity, and not for resale, directly or indirectly; the provision of terminal equipment used to originate telecommunications service; broadcast transmission by radio, television, or satellite broadcast stations regulated by the federal government; or cable television service.

(B)(1) No supplier, in connection with a consumer transaction involving natural gas service or public telecommunications service to a consumer in this state, shall request or submit, or cause to be requested or submitted, a change in the consumer's provider of natural gas service or public telecommunications service, without first obtaining, or causing to be obtained, the verified consent of the consumer. For the purpose of this division and with respect to public telecommunications service only, the procedures necessary for verifying the consent of a consumer shall be those prescribed by rule by the public utilities commission for public telecommunications service under division (D) of section 4905.72 of the Revised Code. Also, for the purpose of this division, the act, omission, or failure of any officer, agent, or other individual, acting for or employed by another person, while acting within the scope of that authority or employment, is the act or failure of that other person.

(2) Consistent with the exclusion, under 47 C.F.R. 64.1100(a)(3), of commercial mobile radio service providers from the verification requirements adopted in 47 C.F.R. 64.1100, 64.1150, 64.1160, 64.1170, 64.1180, and 64.1190 by the federal communications commission, division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a provider of commercial mobile radio service insofar as such provider is engaged in the provision of commercial mobile radio service. However, when that exclusion no longer is in effect, division (B)(1) of this section shall apply to such a provider.

Section 1345.19 | Jurisdiction.

• Effective: May 17, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 177 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The courts of common pleas, and municipal or county courts within their respective jurisdictions, have jurisdiction over any supplier with respect to a violation of section 1345.18 of the Revised Code or any claim arising from a consumer transaction subject to that section.

(B) The power, remedies, forfeitures, and penalties provided by sections 1345.18 to 1345.20 and division (C) of section 1345.99 of the Revised Code are in addition to any other power, remedy, forfeiture, or penalty provided by law.

Section 1345.20 | Action by aggrieved consumer for switch in natural gas or public telecommunications service providers with consent.

• Effective: May 17, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 177 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) An aggrieved consumer may bring an action for a declaratory judgment, an injunction, or other appropriate relief against a supplier that is violating or has violated section 1345.18 of the Revised Code. The court may issue any order or enter a judgment as necessary to ensure compliance with section 1345.18 of the Revised Code or prevent any act or practice that violates that section. In addition, upon a preponderance of the evidence, the court:

(1) Shall issue an order providing for all of the following:

(a) Rescinding the aggrieved consumer's change in service provider;

(b) Requiring the supplier to absolve the aggrieved consumer of any liability for any charges assessed the consumer, or refund to the aggrieved consumer any charges collected from the consumer, by the supplier during such period, after the violation occurred, that is determined reasonable by the court;

(c) Requiring the supplier to refund or pay to the aggrieved consumer any fees paid or costs incurred by the consumer resulting from the change of the consumer's service provider or providers, or from the resumption of the consumer's service with the service provider or providers from which the consumer was switched;

(d) Requiring the supplier to make the consumer whole regarding any bonuses or benefits, such as airline mileage or product discounts, to which the consumer is entitled, by restoring bonuses or benefits the consumer lost as a result of the violation and providing bonuses or benefits the consumer would have earned if not for the violation, or by providing something of equal value.

(2) May issue an order providing for any of the following:

(a) Requiring the supplier to comply or undertake any necessary corrective action;

(b) Assessing upon the supplier forfeitures of not more than one thousand dollars for each day of each violation. However, if the preponderance of the evidence shows that the supplier has engaged or is engaging in a pattern or practice of committing any such violations, the court may assess upon the supplier forfeitures of not more than five thousand dollars for each day of each violation. Upon collection, one-half of any such forfeiture assessed under this division shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the action was brought and one-half shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund.

(B) Upon a finding in an action under division (A) of this section that a supplier is violating or has violated section 1345.18 of the Revised Code, a service provider or providers of natural gas service or public telecommunications service from whom the aggrieved consumer was switched may bring an action seeking the relief authorized by this division. Upon the filing of such action, the court may issue an order providing for either of the following:

(1) Requiring the supplier to compensate the service provider or providers from which the aggrieved consumer was switched in the amount of all charges the consumer would have paid that particular service provider for the same or comparable service had the violation or failure to comply not occurred;

(2) Requiring the supplier to compensate the service provider or providers from which the aggrieved consumer was switched for any costs that the particular service provider incurs as a result of making the consumer whole as provided in division (A)(1)(d) of this section or of effecting the resumption of the consumer's service.

(C) No action may be brought under division (A) of this section to recover for a transaction more than two years after the occurrence of a violation. No action may be brought under division (B) of this section more than one year after the date on which a ruling in an action brought under division (A) of this section was rendered.

Section 1345.21 | Home solicitation sale definitions.

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

As used in sections 1345.21 to 1345.28 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Home solicitation sale" means a sale of consumer goods or services in which the seller or a person acting for the seller engages in a personal solicitation of the sale at a residence of the buyer, including solicitations in response to or following an invitation by the buyer, and the buyer's agreement or offer to purchase is there given to the seller or a person acting for the seller, or in which the buyer's agreement or offer to purchase is made at a place other than the seller's place of business. It does not include a transaction or transactions in which:

(1) The total purchase price to be paid by the buyer, whether under single or multiple contracts, is less than twenty-five dollars;

(2) The transaction was conducted and consummated entirely by mail or by telephone if initiated by the buyer, and without any other contact between the seller or the seller's representative prior to the delivery of goods or performance of the service;

(3) The final agreement is made pursuant to prior negotiations in the course of a visit by the buyer to a retail business establishment having a fixed permanent location where the goods are exhibited or the services are offered for sale on a continuing basis;

(4) The buyer initiates the contact between the parties for the purpose of negotiating a purchase and the seller has a business establishment at a fixed location in this state where the goods or services involved in the transaction are regularly offered or exhibited for sale.

Advertisements by such a seller in newspapers, magazines, catalogues, radio, or television do not constitute the seller initiation of the contact.

(5) The buyer initiates the contact between the parties, the goods or services are needed to meet a bona fide immediate personal emergency of the buyer which will jeopardize the welfare, health, or safety of natural persons, or endanger property which the buyer owns or for which the buyer is responsible, and the buyer furnishes the seller with a separate, dated, and signed statement in the buyer's handwriting describing the situation requiring immediate remedy and expressly acknowledging and waiving the right to cancel the sale within three business days;

(6) The buyer has initiated the contact between the parties and specifically requested the seller to visit the buyer's home for the purpose of repairing or performing maintenance upon the buyer's personal property. If, in the course of such a visit, the seller sells the buyer additional services or goods other than replacement parts necessarily used in performing the maintenance or in making the repairs, the sale of those additional goods or services does not fall within this exclusion.

(7) The buyer is accorded the right of rescission by the "Consumer Credit Protection Act," (1968) 82 Stat. 152, 15 U.S.C. 1635, or regulations adopted pursuant to it.

(B) "Sale" includes a lease or rental.

(C) "Seller" includes a lessor or anyone offering goods for rent.

(D) "Buyer" includes a lessee or anyone who gives a consideration for the privilege of using goods.

(E) "Consumer goods or services" means goods or services purchased, leased, or rented primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, including courses or instruction or training regardless of the purpose for which they are taken.

(F) "Consumer goods or services" does not include goods or services pertaining to any of the following:

(1) Sales or rentals of real property by a real estate broker or salesperson, or by a foreign real estate dealer or salesperson, who is licensed by the Ohio real estate commission under Chapter 4735. of the Revised Code;

(2) The sale of securities or commodities by a broker-dealer registered with the securities and exchange commission;

(3) The sale of securities or commodities by a securities dealer or salesperson licensed by the division of securities under Chapter 1707. of the Revised Code;

(4) The sale of insurance by a person licensed by the superintendent of insurance;

(5) Goods sold or services provided by automobile dealers and salespersons licensed by the registrar of motor vehicles under Chapter 4517. of the Revised Code;

(6) The sale of property at an auction by an auctioneer licensed by the department of agriculture under Chapter 4707. of the Revised Code.

(G) "Purchase price" means the total cumulative price of the consumer goods or services, including all interest and service charges.

(H) "Place of business" means the main office, or a permanent branch office or permanent local address of a seller.

(I) "Business day" means any calendar day except Sunday, or the following business holidays: New Year's day, Martin Luther King day, Presidents' day, Memorial day, Juneteenth day, Independence day, Labor day, Columbus day, Veterans day, Thanksgiving day, and Christmas day.

Last updated July 15, 2021 at 1:34 PM

Section 1345.22 | Right of buyer to cancel.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 274 - 130th General Assembly

(A) In addition to any right otherwise to revoke an offer, the buyer has the right to cancel a home solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day after the day on which the buyer signs an agreement or offer to purchase. Cancellation is evidenced by the buyer giving written notice of cancellation to the seller at the seller's address, electronic mail address, or facsimile number stated in the agreement or offer to purchase. The buyer shall deliver the notice by certified mail delivery, return receipt requested, manual delivery, personal delivery, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail. Notice of cancellation by certified mail shall be effective upon the date of post marking. Manual delivery or other personal delivery is effective when delivered to the seller or to the seller's address, whichever comes first. Facsimile delivery is effective when the facsimile transmission has been transmitted to the seller's facsimile number and the consumer has received confirmation of the facsimile transmission. Electronic mail delivery is effective when the electronic mail has been sent to the seller's electronic mail address. Notice of cancellation need not take a particular form and is sufficient if it indicates, by any form of written expression, the intention of the buyer not to be bound by the home solicitation sale. Notice of buyer's right to cancel must appear on all notes or other evidence of indebtedness given pursuant to any home solicitation sale.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, where a home solicitation sale requires a seller to provide services, the seller shall not commence performance of such services during the time in which the buyer may cancel.

(C)(1) Where a home solicitation sale involving the sale and installation of home security and automation systems and related security and monitoring services requires the seller to provide services, the seller shall not commence performance of such services during the time in which the buyer may cancel the sale unless the seller does all of the following:

(a) In addition to the notices required by section 1345.23 of the Revised Code, the seller informs the buyer in writing that the buyer's right to cancel under this section is not affected by commencing services and the buyer acknowledges in writing the buyer's understanding of this right.

(b) The seller does not make a substantial change in the condition of the property in question.

(c) The seller does not receive any compensation for the services performed if the buyer timely cancels the agreement or offer under this section.

(2) With respect to a home solicitation sale involving the sale and installation of home security and automation systems and related security and monitoring services, if the seller commences services during the time in which the buyer may cancel, in accordance with division (C)(1) of this section, and those services result in the alteration of the buyer's property, and the buyer exercises the buyer's right to cancel, the seller shall restore the property within fourteen calendar days from cancellation to substantially the same condition as it was at the time the services were rendered.

(D) As used in this section, "substantial change" means any change that requires repair of a significant nature, necessitating significant expense, time, or inconvenience to repair for the buyer. Substantial change also includes a change that is incapable of being returned to its original condition.

Section 1345.23 | Written agreement or offer to purchase.

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

(A) Every home solicitation sale shall be evidenced by a written agreement or offer to purchase in the same language as that principally used in the oral sales presentation and shall contain the name and address of the seller. The seller shall present the writing to the buyer and obtain the buyer's signature to it. The writing shall state the date on which the buyer actually signs. The seller shall leave with the buyer a copy of the writing which has been signed by the seller and complies with division (B) of this section.

(B) In connection with every home solicitation sale:

(1) The following statement shall appear clearly and conspicuously on the copy of the contract left with the buyer in bold-face type of the minimum size of ten points, in substantially the following form and in immediate proximity to the space reserved in the contract for the signature of the buyer: "You, the buyer, may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction. See the attached notice of cancellation for an explanation of this right."

(2) A completed form, in duplicate, captioned "notice of cancellation", shall be attached to the contract signed by the buyer and be easily detachable, and shall contain in ten-point, bold-face type, the following information and statements in the same language as that used in the contract:

NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

(enter date of transaction)

___________________________

(Date)

You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty or obligation, within three business days from the above date.

If you cancel, any property traded in, any payments made by you under the contract or sale, and any negotiable instrument executed by you will be returned within ten business days following receipt by the seller of your cancellation notice, and any security interest arising out of the transaction will be cancelled.

If you cancel, you must make available to the seller at your residence, in substantially as good condition as when received, any goods delivered to you under this contract or sale; or you may if you wish, comply with the instructions of the seller regarding the return shipment of the goods at the seller's expense and risk.

If you do make the goods available to the seller and the seller does not pick them up within twenty days of the date of your notice of cancellation, you may retain or dispose of the goods without any further obligation. If you fail to make the goods available to the seller, or if you agree to return the goods to the seller and fail to do so, then you remain liable for performance of all obligations under the contract.

To cancel this transaction, mail, with return receipt requested, or deliver, in person or manually, a signed and dated copy of this cancellation notice or any other written notice of cancellation, or send notice by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, to _______________ (Name of seller), at _______________ (address, electronic mail address, or facsimile number of seller's place of business) not later than midnight of ________ (Date)

I hereby cancel this transaction.

_______________

Date

(Buyer's signature)

______________________________

(3) Before furnishing copies of the notice of cancellation to the buyer, the seller shall complete both copies by entering the name of the seller, the address, electronic mail address, or facsimile number of the seller's place of business, the date of the transaction which is the date the buyer signed the contract and the date, not earlier than the third business day following the date of the transaction, by which the buyer may give notice of cancellation.

(4) A home solicitation sales contract which contains the notice of buyer's right to cancel and notice of cancellation in the form and language provided in the federal trade commission's trade regulation rule providing a cooling-off period for door-to-door sales shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of divisions (B)(1), (2), and (3) of this section with respect to the form and language of such notices so long as the federal trade commission language provides at least equal information to the consumer concerning the consumer's right to cancel as is required by divisions (B)(1), (2), and (3) of this section.

(C) Until the seller has complied with divisions (A) and (B) of this section the buyer may cancel the home solicitation sale by delivering to the seller by certified mail, return receipt requested, personal or manual delivery, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail, written notice to the seller of the buyer's intention to cancel. The three-day period prescribed by section 1345.22 of the Revised Code begins to run from the time the seller complies with divisions (A) and (B) of this section.

(D) In connection with any home solicitation sale, no seller shall:

(1) Include in any home solicitation sales contract, any confession of judgment or any waiver of any rights to which the buyer is entitled under this section, including specifically the buyer's right to cancel the sale in accordance with this section.

(2) Fail to inform each buyer orally, at the time of signing the contract for the goods or services, of the buyer's right to cancel.

(3) Misrepresent in any manner the buyer's right to cancel.

(4) Fail or refuse to honor any valid notice of cancellation by a buyer and within ten business days after receipt of such notice to:

(a) Refund all payments made under the contract or sale;

(b) Return any goods or property traded in, in substantially as good condition as when received by the seller;

(c) Cancel and return any note, negotiable instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness executed by the buyer in connection with the contract or sale and take any action necessary or appropriate to reflect the termination of any security interest or lien created under the sale or offer to purchase.

(5) Negotiate, transfer, sell, or assign any note or other evidence of indebtedness to a finance company or other third party prior to midnight of the fifth business day following the day the contract for the goods or services was signed.

(6) Fail to notify the buyer, within ten business days of receipt of the buyer's notice of cancellation, whether the seller intends to repossess or abandon any shipped or delivered goods.

Section 1345.24 | Retaining notice of cancellation.

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

In a home solicitation sale, the seller shall retain, for the period in which an action to enforce the sale could be commenced, any notice of cancellation made pursuant to section 1345.22 of the Revised Code. The seller shall also retain any envelope in which a notice of cancellation is sent or delivered. If the date of delivery is not indicated or recorded on the notice of cancellation or on the envelope, the seller shall record the date of delivery on the notice of cancellation.

Section 1345.25 | Presumption.

• Effective: January 1, 1973
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 24 - 109th General Assembly

Where a sale is made pursuant to negotiations that occur at a place other than the seller's fixed location business establishment where goods or services are offered or exhibited for sale, but the agreement or offer to purchase is signed at a seller's fixed location business establishment, a presumption arises that the sale was a home solicitation sale.

Section 1345.26 | Right of buyer after cancellation.

• Effective: September 20, 1974
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 241 - 110th General Assembly

If, following the cancellation of a home solicitation sale by the buyer, the seller fails to return any goods traded in by the buyer, the buyer may elect to recover an amount equal to the trade-in allowance stated in the agreement. Until division (D) (4) of section 1345.23 of the Revised Code has been complied with by the seller, the buyer may retain possession of the goods delivered to him by the seller and has a lien on the goods in his possession or control for any recovery to which he is entitled.

Section 1345.27 | Right of seller after cancellation.

• Effective: September 30, 1974
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 241 - 110th General Assembly

Except as provided in section 1345.26 of the Revised Code, within a reasonable time after a home solicitation sale has been cancelled or an offer to purchase has been revoked, the buyer upon demand must make available to the seller any goods delivered by the seller pursuant to the sale. The goods made available shall not have been diminished in quantity nor subjected to unreasonable wear or use. The buyer is not obligated to make the goods available at any place other than his residence. If the buyer does make the goods available to the seller and the seller fails to pick them up within twenty days of the buyer's notice of cancellation the goods become the property of the buyer without obligation to pay for them. The buyer has the duty to take reasonable care of the goods in his possession before cancellation and twenty days thereafter, during which time the goods are otherwise at the seller's risk.

Section 1345.28 | Deceptive acts or practices.

• Effective: September 30, 1974
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 241 - 110th General Assembly

Failure to comply with sections 1345.21 to 1345.27 of the Revised Code constitutes a deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction in violation of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.30 | Fitting, sale, and returns of hearing aids.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 109 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and in section 1345.31 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Consumer" means a person who engages in a consumer transaction with a hearing aid dealer, hearing aid fitter, physician, or audiologist.

(2) "Consumer transaction" means a sale, lease, assignment, award by chance, or other transfer of a hearing aid.

(3) "Hearing aid" has the same meaning as in section 4747.01 of the Revised Code, except that it does not include any instrument or device that fits into the ear and is intended to be used only while hunting or shooting.

(B) The following individuals are permitted to recommend or fit a hearing aid:

(1) A hearing aid dealer or hearing aid fitter licensed under Chapter 4747. of the Revised Code;

(2) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery;

(3) An audiologist licensed under Chapter 4753. of the Revised Code.

(C) No person shall sell or distribute a hearing aid through the mail to the ultimate consumer unless the person has received a written acknowledgment from the ultimate consumer that the ultimate consumer was advised that an in-person examination by a licensed professional is recommended. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the distribution of a repaired hearing aid to its owner through the mail upon completion of the repairs.

(D) A hearing aid dealer or hearing aid fitter licensed under Chapter 4747. of the Revised Code, a physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, or an audiologist licensed under Chapter 4753. of the Revised Code who enters into a consumer transaction with a consumer shall provide a refund to the consumer if the hearing aid is returned to the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist not later than thirty days after its original delivery. The refund shall be provided regardless of the reason for the hearing aid's return and regardless of whether the hearing aid is new, refabricated, or used. The thirty-day period for return of the hearing aid does not include any period during which the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist has possession or control of the hearing aid after its original delivery to the consumer or a person acting on the consumer's behalf.

A dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist shall make original delivery of a hearing aid to a consumer or person acting on the consumer's behalf either by delivery in person or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The date of in-person delivery or the date shown on the certified mail return receipt is the hearing aid's original delivery for purposes of this division.

Not later than fifteen days after presentation by the consumer to the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist of proof of payment of the agreed-upon consideration for the hearing aid and return of the hearing aid in the condition in which it was received, except for normal wear and tear, the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist shall give the consumer a full refund of the consideration paid for the hearing aid, less the amount specified by the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist in the receipt required by division (E) of this section to cover expenses incurred in connection with the hearing aid.

If the hearing aid is returned in a damaged condition that is beyond normal wear and tear, the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist, not later than fifteen days after presentation of proof of payment and return of the hearing aid, shall give the consumer a full refund of the consideration paid for the hearing aid, less an amount equal to the cost of repairing the damage to the hearing aid and the amount the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist could withhold under this division had the hearing aid been returned in the condition that it was received, except for normal wear and tear.

(E) When a hearing aid dealer, hearing aid fitter, physician, or audiologist enters into a consumer transaction with a consumer, the dealer, fitter, physician, or audiologist shall notify the consumer of the provisions of division (D) of this section and provide the consumer a receipt for the hearing aid that includes the following statement typed in boldface type of the minimum size of ten points:

"RIGHT TO RETURN THE HEARING AID

WITHIN 30 DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND

Under Ohio law (O.R.C. 1345.30), a consumer has the right to return a hearing aid for any reason within 30 days after it is originally delivered to the consumer or a person acting on the consumer's behalf and to receive a refund of the consideration paid for the hearing aid less an amount specified by the hearing aid dealer, hearing aid fitter, physician, or audiologist to cover expenses incurred in connection with the hearing aid not later than 15 days after presenting proof of payment for the hearing aid and returning it in the condition in which it was received, except for normal wear and tear. In this case the amount deducted from the refund will be $________"

A hearing aid dealer or fitter shall include the statement in the receipt required by section 4747.09 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.31 | Failing to comply with refund obligations.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

The failure of a hearing aid dealer, hearing aid fitter, physician, or audiologist to comply with section 1345.30 of the Revised Code is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code. All powers and remedies available to the attorney general to enforce sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code as regards an unfair or deceptive act or practice are available to the attorney general to enforce section 1345.30 of the Revised Code, and all remedies available to consumers under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code to remedy violations of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code are available to consumers to remedy failure to comply with section 1345.30 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.41 | Prepaid entertainment contract definitions.

• Effective: September 22, 1976
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 157 - 111th General Assembly

As used in sections 1345.41 to 1345.50 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Prepaid entertainment contract" means a contract under which the buyer of a service pays for or becomes obligated to pay for service prior to the buyer's receipt of or enjoyment of any or all of the service and that is a contract for:

(1) Dance studio lessons, which include related services and instruction in ballroom or other types of dancing, and lessons whether given to students individually or in groups;

(2) Social referral service, which includes any service that, for a fee, provides matching of members of the opposite sex, by any means, for purposes of introduction, dating, or general social contacts;

(3) Martial arts training, whether or not the training will lead to a specific degree of expertise;

(4) Health spa service, which includes contracts for instruction, training, or assistance in physical culture, body-building, exercising, reducing, figure development, or any other similar activity or for the use of the facilities of a health spa, gymnasium, or other facility used for any purpose described in this division, or for membership in any group, club, association, or organization formed for any purpose described in this division.

"Prepaid entertainment contracts" do not include contracts for services rendered by any public or private nonprofit school, college, or university; by the state or any of its political subdivisions; or by any nonprofit religious, ethnic, or community organization.

(B) "Purchase price" means the total cumulative price of a prepaid entertainment service, whether under single or multiple contracts, including all interest and service charges.

(C) "Business day" means any calendar day except Sunday, or a legal holiday as defined in section 1.14 of the Revised Code.

(D) "First service" means the first service rendered to the buyer under a prepaid entertainment contract that is typical of the type of service rendered throughout the course of the contract and that is not a special or an introductory service.

Section 1345.42 | Contract provision of prepaid entertainment contracts.

• Effective: July 26, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 198 - 115th General Assembly

(A) All prepaid entertainment contracts between the same seller and the same buyer that are in effect at the same time, or the terms of which overlap for any period, shall be considered as one contract for the purpose of sections 1345.43 and 1345.44 of the Revised Code.

(B) Prepaid entertainment contracts shall:

(1) Be in writing and be signed by the buyer and the seller, and a copy shall be provided to the buyer at the time he signs the contract;

(2) Not be measured by the life of the buyer;

(3) Not have a duration of service other than a duration that is a precisely measured period of years or any definite part of a year and shall not have a duration of service for a period in excess of three years;

(4) Provide that all information and material of a personal or private nature that is acquired directly or indirectly from a buyer including but not limited to, answers to tests or questionnaires, photographs, or background information, shall be returned by the seller to the buyer by regular mail within thirty days after the expiration of the contract or after the expiration for any reason of the service to be rendered by the seller;

(5) Provide that if by reason of death or disability, the buyer is unable to receive benefits from the seller's services, the contract shall be proportionally divided by all of the days in which the facility was made available to the buyer as part of the contract offering, and the buyer shall be liable for payments only for that portion of the contract that can be attributed to the period prior to the buyer's actual death or disability, exclusive of any period of time in which the facility was made available to the buyer free of charge as part of the contract offering, and the seller, within thirty days after receiving notice of the death or disability, shall return to the buyer or his representative the amount paid in excess of the proportional amount;

(6) Provide that performance of the contract will begin no later than one hundred eighty days from the date the contract is entered into;

(7) Provide that if the buyer relocates twenty-five miles or more from the facility operated by the seller or a substantially similar facility that would accept the seller's obligation under the contract and if the buyer gives the seller written notice that he intends to relocate and requests that the contract be terminated, the contract shall be proportionally divided by all of the days in which the facility was made available to the buyer as part of the contract offering, and the buyer shall be liable for payments for only that portion of the contract that can be attributed to the period prior to the buyer's actual relocation, exclusive of any period of time in which the facility was made available to the buyer free of charge as part of the contract offering, provided, that the seller may require and verify reasonable evidence of relocation, and the seller shall return to the buyer the amount paid in excess of the proportional amount;

(8) Provide that if the seller relocates the facility twenty-five miles or more from the buyer's residence or closes the facility and a substantially similar facility that would accept the seller's obligation under the contract is not within twenty-five miles of the buyer's residence, the contract shall be proportionally divided by all of the days in which the facility was made available to the buyer as part of the contract offering, and the buyer shall be liable for payments for only that portion of the contract that can be attributed to the period prior to the seller's actual relocation or closing of the facility, exclusive of any period of time in which the facility was made available to the buyer free of charge as part of the contract offering, and the seller shall return to the buyer the amount paid in excess of the proportional amount;

(9) Not require the buyer to pay more than fifty dollars or ten per cent of the total contract price, whichever is the lesser amount, prior to the date on which the facility or service that is the subject of the contract is available for use by the buyer.

Section 1345.421 | Surety bond where facility under construction and not available for service at time buyer signs contract.

• Effective: July 26, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 198 - 115th General Assembly

If the facility that is the subject of the contract is under construction, and is not available for service at the time the buyer signs the contract, the seller shall maintain a surety bond issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this state the principal sum of which shall be a minimum of ten thousand dollars. The seller is relieved from the obligation to maintain the bond twenty-four months after completion of the facility and commencement of service. The bond shall be in favor of the state of Ohio for the benefit of any person injured by having paid moneys for the use of a facility which fails to open within one hundred eighty days after the date upon which the buyer and seller entered into a contract, or closes within twenty-four months after completion of a facility and commencement of service. However, the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons for all breaches of the conditions of the bond provided herein shall in no event exceed the amount of the bond. Evidence of the bond shall be available for inspection upon request by the office of the attorney general, current contract holders, or prospective buyers.

Section 1345.43 | Right of buyer to cancel.

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

In addition to any right otherwise to revoke an offer or to terminate or cancel a sale or contract, the buyer has the right to cancel a prepaid entertainment contract until midnight of the third business day after the date on which the first service under the contract is available, and if the facility or service that is the subject of the contract is not available at the time that the buyer signs the contract, the buyer has until midnight of the seventh business day after the date on which the first service under the contract is available to cancel the contract. Cancellation is evidenced by the buyer giving written notice of cancellation to the seller at the address of any facility available for use by the buyer under the contract, the seller's electronic mail address, or the seller's facsimile number. The buyer shall deliver the notice by manual delivery, personal delivery, or by certified mail delivery, return receipt requested, electronic mail, or facsimile transmission. Notice of cancellation by certified mail delivery shall be effective upon the date of post marking. Electronic mail delivery is effective when the electronic mail is sent to the seller's electronic mail address. Facsimile delivery is effective when the facsimile is sent to the seller's facsimile number and the consumer has received confirmation of the facsimile transmission. Manual delivery or personal delivery is effective when delivered to the seller or to the seller's address, whichever comes first. Notice of cancellation need not take a particular form and is sufficient if it indicates, by any form of written expression, the intention of the buyer not to be bound by the contract. Notice of the buyer's right to cancel must appear on all notes or other evidence of indebtedness given pursuant to any prepaid entertainment contract.

Section 1345.44 | Prepaid entertainment contract form.

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

(A) Every prepaid entertainment contract shall state the date on which the buyer actually signs. The seller shall give the buyer a copy of the contract that has been signed by the seller and complies with division (B) of this section.

(B) All of the following apply to any prepaid entertainment contract:

(1) A completed form, in duplicate, captioned "notice of cancellation," shall be attached to the contract signed by the buyer and be easily detachable and shall contain in ten-point boldface type, the following statement:

"NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

(Enter date of contract)

___________________________________________________________

(Date)

You may cancel this contract for any reason at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date on which the first service under the contract is available, and if the facility or services that is the subject of the contract is not available when you sign the contract, you may cancel the contract at any time prior to midnight of the seventh business day after the date on which you receive your first service under the contract. If you cancel within this period, the seller must send you a full refund of any money you have paid, except that a reasonable expense fee not to exceed ten dollars may be charged if you have received your first service under the contract. The seller must also cancel and return to you within twenty business days any papers that you have signed.

To cancel this contract you must deliver in person, manually, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile transmission, the signed and dated copy of this cancellation notice or any other written notice of cancellation, or send an electronic mail message, to (name of seller), at (the address of any facility of the seller available for use by the buyer, the seller's facsimile number, or the seller's electronic mail address) not later than midnight of the third business day after the date on which the first service under the contract is available, and if the facility or service that is the subject of the contract is not available when the contract was signed, not later than midnight of the seventh business day after the date on which the first service under the contract is available.

I hereby cancel this contract.

____________________

(Date)

____________________

(Buyer's signature)"

(2) Before furnishing copies of the notice of cancellation to the buyer, the seller shall complete both copies by entering the name of the seller, the address of the facility available for use by the buyer, the seller's facsimile number, or the seller's electronic mail address, and the date of the contract.

(C) Until the seller has complied with this section, the buyer may cancel the contract by delivering to the seller by certified mail, personal or manual delivery, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail, written notice to the seller of the buyer's intention to cancel. The period within which the buyer may cancel the contract prescribed by this section begins to run from the time the seller complies with divisions (A) and (B) of this section.

(D) In any prepaid entertainment contract no seller shall:

(1) Include in any contract, any confession of judgment or any waiver of any rights to which the buyer is entitled under this section, including specifically the right to cancel the contract in accordance with this section;

(2) Fail to inform each buyer orally, at the time of signing the contract, of the right to cancel;

(3) Misrepresent in any manner the buyer's right to cancel;

(4) Fail or refuse to honor any valid notice of cancellation by a buyer and within ten business days after receipt of the notice to:

(a) Refund all payments made under the contract, except that if the buyer has received the buyer's first service under the contract the seller may retain or bill the buyer for ten dollars;

(b) Cancel and return any note, negotiable instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness executed by the buyer in connection with the contract and take any action necessary to reflect the termination of any security interest or lien created under the contract;

(c) Notify the buyer if the seller intends to repossess or abandon any evidence of membership or other goods provided to the buyer by the seller pursuant to the contract.

(E) If there is in effect an earlier prepaid entertainment contract, this section and section 1345.43 of the Revised Code apply to a transaction in which the seller and the buyer enter into a new prepaid entertainment contract, or a modification of the earlier contract.

Section 1345.45 | Retaining notice of cancellation.

• Effective: July 26, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 198 - 115th General Assembly

If a buyer cancels a prepaid entertainment contract pursuant to sections 1345.41 to 1345.50 of the Revised Code, the seller shall retain for the period in which an action to enforce the contract could be commenced, the notice of cancellation made pursuant to section 1345.43 of the Revised Code. If the date of delivery is not indicated or recorded on the notice of cancellation, the seller shall record the date of delivery on the notice of cancellation.

Section 1345.46 | Buyer to deliver goods or evidence of membership to seller after cancellation.

• Effective: July 26, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 198 - 115th General Assembly

Within twenty days after a prepaid entertainment contract has been canceled pursuant to sections 1345.41 to 1345.50 of the Revised Code, the buyer upon demand must deliver to the seller any evidence of membership or other goods provided to the buyer by the seller pursuant to the contract. The buyer may deliver evidence of membership or other goods provided under the contract by certified mail, manual delivery, or other personal delivery. The goods shall not be diminished in quantity nor subjected to unreasonable wear or use. If the seller fails to demand possession of the goods within twenty days of the buyer's notice of cancellation, the goods become the property of the buyer without obligation to pay for them. The buyer has the duty to take reasonable care of the goods in his possession before cancellation and twenty days thereafter, during which time the goods are otherwise at the seller's risk.

Section 1345.47 | Defenses of buyer against holder in due course.

• Effective: August 19, 1994
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 147 - 120th General Assembly

Notwithstanding section 1303.35 of the Revised Code, a buyer who executes a prepaid entertainment contract or a note in connection with such a contract may assert as a defense to a claim by a holder in due course, as defined in section 1303.32 of the Revised Code, any defense that the buyer may assert against the seller of the prepaid entertainment contract.

Section 1345.48 | Deceptive acts or practices - damages.

• Effective: September 22, 1976
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 157 - 111th General Assembly

(A) Failure to comply with sections 1345.41 to 1345.50 of the Revised Code constitutes a deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction in violation of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) If the seller of a prepaid entertainment contract fails to comply with division (D) (4) (a) of section 1345.44 of the Revised Code, the buyer may recover the amount of money due to him under that section and, in addition, may recover damages in an amount equal to the amount of money due to him and reasonable attorney's fees.

Section 1345.49 | Buyer's waiver void.

• Effective: September 22, 1976
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 157 - 111th General Assembly

Any waiver by the buyer of the provisions of sections 1345.41 to 1345.50 of the Revised Code is contrary to public policy and is void.

Section 1345.50 | Remedies.

• Effective: September 22, 1976
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 157 - 111th General Assembly

The remedies provided in sections 1345.41 to 1345.50 of the Revised Code are in addition to remedies otherwise available under state or local law.

Section 1345.51 | Consumer protection enforcement fund.

• Effective: September 30, 2011
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 84 - 129th General Assembly

There is hereby created in the state treasury the consumer protection enforcement fund. The fund shall include civil penalties ordered pursuant to divisions (A) and (D) of section 1345.07 of the Revised Code and paid as provided in division (G) of that section, all civil penalties assessed under division (A) of section 1349.192 of the Revised Code, all costs awarded to the attorney general and all penalties imposed under section 4549.48 of the Revised Code, and all money unclaimed under section 4549.50 of the Revised Code. The money in the consumer protection enforcement fund shall be used for the sole purpose of paying expenses incurred by the consumer protection section of the office of the attorney general.

Section 1345.52 | Title defect recision fund.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 318 - 130th General Assembly

There is hereby created in the state treasury the title defect recision fund. The fund shall consist of money collected under section 4505.09 of the Revised Code when a motor vehicle dealer is issued a certificate of title, money collected under section 4517.10 of the Revised Code when the registrar of motor vehicles grants the initial application of a person for a license as a motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle leasing dealer, money collected under division (L) of section 4517.22 of the Revised Code, money paid to the attorney general by motor vehicle dealers under division (A)(2) of section 4505.181 of the Revised Code for deposit into the fund, the proceeds of all sales conducted and collections obtained by the attorney general under division (E) of that section, and any recoveries to the fund obtained by the attorney general in actions filed under section 1345.07 of the Revised Code for violations of section 4505.181 of the Revised Code.

Money in the fund shall be used solely for maintaining and administering the fund, providing restitution or other remedies pursuant to division (E)(1) or (F) of section 4505.181 of the Revised Code to retail purchasers of motor vehicles who suffer damages due to failure of a motor vehicle dealer or person acting on behalf of such a dealer to comply with that section, and pursuit of deficiencies in the fund caused by the failure of motor vehicle dealers to comply with divisions (A), (B), and (G) of that section. The attorney general may adopt rules governing the maintenance and administration of the fund.

Section 1345.61 | Invention development services definitions.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

As used in sections 1345.61 to 1345.68 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Contract for invention development services" means a contract by which an invention developer undertakes invention development services for a customer.

(B) "Customer" means any person who enters into a contract for invention development services regarding an invention, except any person, other than an individual, who purchases invention development services as an adjunct to the traditional commercial enterprises in which it engages as a livelihood. "Customer" does not include a corporation.

(C) "Invention development services" means any act, including the evaluation, perfecting, marketing, brokering, or promoting of an invention, that is done by or for an invention developer in connection with the procurement or attempted procurement by the invention developer of a licensee or buyer of an intellectual property right in the invention.

(D) "Invention developer" means any person who offers to perform or performs for a customer any invention development services. "Invention developer" does not include any of the following:

(1) Any department or agency of the federal, state, or a local government;

(2) Any nonprofit, charitable, scientific, or educational organization that is tax exempt under section 501(a) and described in section 501(c)(3), or described in section 170(b)(1)(A), of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1954," 68A Stat. 3, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended, or any nonprofit, scientific, or educational organization qualified under a state nonprofit organization statute;

(3) Any attorney acting within the scope of the attorney's professional license;

(4) Any person duly registered before the United States patent and trademark office acting within the scope of that person's professional license;

(5) Any person who does not charge a fee for invention development services other than any payment made from a portion of the income received by a customer by virtue of invention development services performed by the person. For the purposes of this division, "fee" includes any payment made by the customer to the person including reimbursement for expenditures made or costs incurred by the person.

(E) "Invention" means a discovery, process, machine, design, formulation, product, concept, or idea, or any combination of them, whether patentable or not.

Section 1345.62 | Invention development services contracts.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

(A) Every contract for invention development services shall be in writing and is subject to sections 1345.61 to 1345.68 of the Revised Code. The invention developer shall give a copy of the written contract to the customer at the time the customer signs the contract.

(B) The invention developer shall provide in writing a description of the services to be performed pursuant to each contract. At the time the customer signs the contract, it shall state the fees and other consideration, if any, that may be required of the customer.

(C) Any contract for invention development services signed by the invention developer and the customer may be revoked by either party prior to the expiration of a four working day period commencing on the date on which the customer and the invention developer sign the contract.

(D) The invention developer or the customer may revoke the contract as follows:

(1) Either the invention developer or the customer may revoke the contract by written notice to the other within four working days of the date the contract was signed by both. Written notice of revocation is effective upon the date of postmarking, if mailed, or upon receipt.

(2) The invention developer upon revocation shall return to the customer any payment made on account of the performance of services specified in the contract and the customer shall return all materials and contracts submitted to him by the invention developer.

Section 1345.63 | Conspicuous and legible cover sheet with notice.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

(A) Every contract for invention development services shall have a conspicuous and legible cover sheet attached to it with the following notice to the customer imprinted on the cover sheet in boldface type of not less than ten-point size, or in capital letters of a size not less than that used in a standard office typewriter:

"The purchase of invention development services is a high risk expenditure. The performance of the services detailed in the contract provides no guarantee or promise of profits, or that your invention or idea will be purchased by a manufacturer. Only a very small percentage of inventions have a chance at receiving profits. An invention developer can assist you in your efforts."

(B) The cover sheet notice shall contain the name, home office address, and local office address of the invention developer.

(C) The cover sheet notice shall contain the items required by divisions (A) and (B) of this section and shall not contain anything except those items.

Section 1345.64 | Record of contacts.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

The invention developer shall maintain a record with respect to each contract which contains the name and address of each person to whom the customer's invention or idea is submitted, and the date of submission. The customer may request a copy of or inspect the record during normal working hours.

Section 1345.65 | Contract contents.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

Every contract for invention development services shall set forth in boldface type of not less than ten-point size, or in capital letters of a size not less than that used in a standard office typewriter, both of the following:

(A) The terms and conditions of payment and contract revocation rights required by section 1345.62 of the Revised Code.

(B) The name and principal place of business in Ohio of the invention developer. In the event that a substantial portion of the contractual services are to be performed outside of the state of Ohio, the name and address of the invention developer who will perform those services.

Section 1345.66 | Remedies.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

(A) Any customer who is injured by a violation of sections 1345.61 to 1345.67 of the Revised Code has an action at law as provided by this section.

(B) A customer has a cause of action pursuant to this division to remedy any injury caused by the invention developer arising from:

(1) A violation of sections 1345.61 to 1345.67 of the Revised Code, or

(2) The customer's acceptance of the invention development services contract in reliance upon any fraudulent misrepresentation or omission of material fact.

Section 1345.67 | Maintaining bond.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

(A) Every invention developer rendering or offering to render invention development services in this state shall maintain a bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars issued by a surety company that is authorized to do business in this state. The invention developer shall file a copy of the bond with the secretary of state prior to the time the invention developer first commences business in this state.

(B) The bond required by division (A) of this section shall be payable in favor of the state for the benefit of any person who, after entering into a contract for invention development services with an invention developer, is damaged by fraud, dishonesty, or the failure of the invention developer to provide the invention development services required in performance of the contract. Any person claiming against the bond may maintain an action against the invention developer and the surety. The aggregate liability of the surety to all persons for all breaches of conditions of the bond provided in this section shall not exceed the amount of the bond.

(C) In lieu of furnishing the bond as required by this section, the invention developer may deposit with the secretary of state a deposit in an amount equal to the required amount of the bond. The deposit may be satisfied by any of the following:

(1) Certificates of deposit payable to the secretary of state issued by banks doing business in this state and insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation;

(2) Investment certificates of share accounts assigned to the secretary of state and issued by a savings and loan association doing business in this state and insured by the federal savings and loan insurance corporation;

(3) Cash.

(D) The bond or deposit required by this section shall be canceled or returned to the invention developer two years after he ceases doing business in this state so long as no lawsuits by Ohio customers are pending against it at the time. The secretary of state shall cancel or return the bond or deposit as required by this section no later than sixty days after the invention developer gives notice of his eligibility for the cancellation and return of the bond or deposit.

Section 1345.68 | Effect on other obligations, rights, or remedies.

• Effective: March 28, 1985
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 385 - 115th General Assembly

Sections 1345.61 to 1345.68 of the Revised Code do not annul or limit any obligations, rights, or remedies that might otherwise be applicable or available under the laws of this state.

Section 1345.71 | Nonconforming new motor vehicle law definitions.

• Effective: September 15, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 21 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in sections 1345.71 to 1345.78 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Consumer" means any of the following:

(1) The purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor vehicle;

(2) Any lessee of a motor vehicle in a contractual arrangement under which a charge is made for the use of the vehicle at a periodic rate for a term of thirty days or more, and title to the vehicle is in the name of a person other than the user;

(3) Any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of the express warranty that is applicable to the motor vehicle;

(4) Any other person who is entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the warranty.

(B) "Manufacturer" and "distributor" have the same meanings as in section 4517.01 of the Revised Code, and "manufacturer" includes a remanufacturer as defined in that section.

(C) "Express warranty" and "warranty" mean the written warranty of the manufacturer or distributor of a new motor vehicle concerning the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under that warranty.

(D) "Motor vehicle" means any passenger car or noncommercial motor vehicle or those parts of any motor home that are not part of the permanently installed facilities for cold storage, cooking and consuming of food, and for sleeping but does not mean any mobile home or recreational vehicle, or any manufactured home as defined in section 3781.06 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Nonconformity" means any defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a motor vehicle to the consumer and does not conform to the express warranty of the manufacturer or distributor.

(F) "Full purchase price" means both of the following:

(1) In the case of a sale, the contract price for the motor vehicle, including charges for transportation, undercoating, dealer-installed options and accessories, dealer services, dealer preparation, and delivery charges; all finance, credit insurance, warranty, and service contract charges incurred by the consumer; and all sales tax, license and registration fees, and other government charges.

(2) In the case of a lease, the capitalized cost reduction, security deposit, taxes, title fees, all monthly lease payments, the residual value of the vehicle, and all finance, credit insurance, warranty, and service contract charges incurred by the consumer.

(G) "Buyback" means a motor vehicle that has been replaced or repurchased by a manufacturer as the result of a court judgment, a determination of an informal dispute settlement mechanism, or a settlement agreed to by a consumer regardless of whether it is in the context of a court, an informal dispute settlement mechanism, or otherwise, in this or any other state, in which the consumer has asserted that the motor vehicle does not conform to the warranty, has presented documentation to establish that a nonconformity exists pursuant to section 1345.72 or 1345.73 of the Revised Code, and has requested replacement or repurchase of the vehicle.

(H) "Mobile home," "motor home," "noncommercial motor vehicle," "passenger car," and "recreational vehicle" have the same meanings as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.72 | Duty to repair - repair unsuccessful.

• Effective: September 15, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 21 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) If a new motor vehicle does not conform to any applicable express warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer during the period of one year following the date of original delivery or during the first eighteen thousand miles of operation, whichever is earlier, the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer shall make any repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to such express warranty, notwithstanding the fact that the repairs are made after the expiration of the appropriate time period.

(B) If the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer is unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any nonconformity after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the manufacturer, at the consumer's option and subject to division (D) of this section, either shall replace the motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer or shall accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund each of the following:

(1) The full purchase price;

(2) All incidental damages, including, but not limited to, any fees charged by the lender or lessor for making or canceling the loan or lease, and any expenses incurred by the consumer as a result of the nonconformity, such as charges for towing, vehicle rental, meals, and lodging.

(C) Nothing in this section imposes any liability on a new motor vehicle dealer or creates a cause of action by a buyer against a new motor vehicle dealer.

(D) Sections 1345.71 to 1345.78 of the Revised Code do not affect the obligation of a consumer under a loan or retail installment sales contract or the interest of any secured party, except as follows:

(1) If the consumer elects to take a refund, the manufacturer shall forward the total sum required under division (B) of this section by an instrument jointly payable to the consumer and any lienholder that appears on the face of the certificate of title or the lessor. Prior to disbursing the funds to the consumer, the lienholder or lessor may deduct the balance owing to it, including any fees charged for canceling the loan or the lease and refunded pursuant to division (B) of this section, and shall immediately remit the balance if any, to the consumer and cancel the lien or the lease.

(2) If the consumer elects to take a new motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall notify any lienholder noted on the certificate of title under section 4505.13 of the Revised Code or the lessor. If both the lienholder or the lessor and the consumer consent to finance or lease the new motor vehicle obtained through the exchange in division (B) of this section, the lienholder or the lessor shall release the lien on or surrender the title to the nonconforming motor vehicle after it has obtained a lien on or title to the new motor vehicle. If the existing lienholder or lessor does not finance or lease the new motor vehicle, it has no obligation to discharge the note or cancel the lien on or surrender the title to the nonconforming motor vehicle until the original indebtedness or the lease terms are satisfied.

Section 1345.73 | Presumptions.

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

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, it shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken by the manufacturer, its dealer, or its authorized agent to conform a motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty if, during the period of one year following the date of original delivery or during the first eighteen thousand miles of operation, whichever is earlier, any of the following apply:

(1) Substantially the same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times and either continues to exist or recurs;

(2) The vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of thirty or more calendar days;

(3) There have been eight or more attempts to repair any nonconformity;

(4) There has been at least one attempt to repair a nonconformity that results in a condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, and the nonconformity either continues to exist or recurs.

(B)(1) Any period of time described in division (A) of this section shall be extended by any period of time during which the vehicle could not be reasonably repaired due to war, invasion, civil unrest, strike, fire, flood, or natural disaster.

(2) If an extension of time is necessitated under division (B)(1) of this section due to the conditions described in that division, the manufacturer shall arrange for the use of a vehicle for the consumer whose vehicle is out of service at no cost to the consumer. If the manufacturer utilizes or contracts with a motor vehicle dealer or other third party to provide the vehicle, the manufacturer shall reimburse the motor vehicle dealer or other third party at a reasonable rate for the use of the vehicle.

Section 1345.74 | Providing written statement of rights.

• Effective: September 15, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 21 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) At the time of purchase, the manufacturer, either directly or through its agent or its authorized dealer, shall provide to the consumer a written statement on a separate piece of paper, in ten-point type, all capital letters, in substantially the following form: IMPORTANT: IF THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED UNDER STATE LAW TO A REPLACEMENT OR TO COMPENSATION.

In the case of a leased motor vehicle, the written statement described in this division shall be provided to the consumer by the manufacturer, either directly or through the lessor, at the time of execution of the lease agreement.

(B) The manufacturer or authorized dealer shall provide to the consumer, each time the motor vehicle of the consumer is returned from being serviced or repaired, a fully itemized written statement indicating all work performed on the vehicle, including, but not limited to, parts and labor as described in the rules adopted pursuant to section 1345.77 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.75 | Civil action for loss.

• Effective: September 15, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 21 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Any consumer may bring a civil action in a court of common pleas or other court of competent jurisdiction against any manufacturer if the manufacturer fails to comply with section 1345.72 of the Revised Code and, in addition to the relief to which the consumer is entitled under that section, shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and all court costs.

(B) The remedies in sections 1345.71 to 1345.78 of the Revised Code are in addition to remedies otherwise available to consumers under law.

(C) Any action brought under division (A) of this section shall be commenced within five years of the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle. Any period of limitation of actions under any federal or Ohio laws with respect to any consumer shall be tolled for the period that begins on the date that a complaint is filed with an informal dispute resolution mechanism established pursuant to section 1345.77 of the Revised Code and ends on the date of the decision by the informal dispute resolution mechanism.

(D) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this section that a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or the unauthorized modification or alteration of a motor vehicle by anyone other than the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer.

Section 1345.76 | Resale or lease of buyback conditions.

• Effective: September 15, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 21 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) A buyback may not be resold or leased in this state unless each of the following applies:

(1) The manufacturer provides the same express warranty that was provided to the original consumer, except that the term of the warranty shall be the greater of either of the following:

(a) Twelve thousand miles or twelve months after the date of resale, whichever is earlier;

(b) The remaining term of any manufacturer's original warranty.

(2) The manufacturer provides to the consumer, either directly or through its agent or its authorized dealer, and prior to obtaining the signature of the consumer on any document, a written statement on a separate piece of paper, in ten-point type, all capital letters, in substantially the following form:

WARNING: THIS VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY WAS SOLD AS NEW. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER OR ITS AGENT IN EXCHANGE FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE OR REFUND AS A RESULT OF THE FOLLOWING DEFECT(S) OR CONDITION(S):

1. ______________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________

______________ _________________________ DATE BUYER'S SIGNATURE

The manufacturer shall list each defect or condition on a separate line of the written statement provided to the consumer.

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of division (A) of this section, if a new motor vehicle has been returned under the provisions of section 1345.72 of the Revised Code or a similar law of another state because of a nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, the motor vehicle may not be sold, leased, or operated in this state.

(C) A manufacturer that takes possession of a buyback shall obtain the certificate of title for the buyback from the consumer, lienholder, or the lessor. The manufacturer and any subsequent transferee, within thirty days and prior to transferring title to the buyback, shall deliver the certificate of title to the clerk of the court of common pleas and shall make application for a certificate of title for the buyback. The clerk shall issue a buyback certificate of title for the vehicle on a form, prescribed by the registrar of motor vehicles, that bears or is stamped on its face with the words "BUYBACK: This vehicle was returned to the manufacturer because it may not have conformed to its warranty." in black boldface letters in an appropriate location as determined by the registrar. The buyback certificate of title shall be assigned upon transfer of the buyback, for use as evidence of ownership of the buyback and is transferable to any person. Every subsequent certificate of title, memorandum certificate of title, or duplicate copy of a certificate of title or memorandum certificate of title issued for the buyback also shall bear or be stamped on its face with the words "BUYBACK: This vehicle was returned to the manufacturer because it may not have conformed to its warranty." in black boldface letters in the appropriate location.

The clerk of the court of common pleas shall charge a fee of five dollars for each buyback certificate of title, duplicate copy of a buyback certificate of title, memorandum buyback certificate of title, and notation of any lien on a buyback certificate of title. The clerk shall retain two dollars and twenty-five cents of the fee charged for each buyback certificate of title, four dollars and seventy-five cents of the fee charged for each duplicate copy of a buyback certificate of title, all of the fees charged for each memorandum buyback certificate of title, and four dollars and twenty-five cents of the fee charged for each notation of a lien.

The remaining two dollars and seventy-five cents charged for the buyback certificate of title, the remaining twenty-five cents charged for the duplicate copy of a buyback certificate of title, and the remaining seventy-five cents charged for the notation of any lien on a buyback certificate of title shall be paid to the registrar in accordance with division (A) of section 4505.09 of the Revised Code, who shall deposit it as required by division (B) of that section.

(D) No manufacturer that applies for a certificate of title for a buyback shall fail to clearly and unequivocally inform the clerk of the court of common pleas to whom application for a buyback certificate of title for the motor vehicle is submitted that the motor vehicle for which application for a buyback certificate of title is being made is a buyback and that the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer is applying for a buyback certificate of title for the motor vehicle and not a certificate of title.

Section 1345.77 | Establishment and qualification of informal dispute resolution mechanism.

• Effective: October 22, 1987
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 232 - 117th General Assembly

(A) The attorney general shall adopt rules for the establishment and qualification of an informal dispute resolution mechanism to provide for the resolution of warranty disputes between the consumer and the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer. The mechanism shall be under the supervision of the division of consumer protection of the office of the attorney general and shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements for an informal dispute resolution mechanism as provided by the "Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act," 88 Stat. 2183, 15 U.S.C.A. 2301, and regulations adopted thereunder.

(B) If a qualified informal dispute resolution mechanism exists and the consumer receives timely notification, in writing, of the availability of the mechanism with a description of its operation and effect, the cause of action under section 1345.75 of the Revised Code may not be asserted by the consumer until after the consumer has initially resorted to the informal dispute resolution mechanism. If such a mechanism does not exist, if the consumer is dissatisfied with the decision produced by the mechanism, or if the manufacturer, its agents, or its authorized dealer fails to promptly fulfill the terms determined by the mechanism, the consumer may assert a cause of action under section 1345.75 of the Revised Code.

(C) Any violation of a rule adopted pursuant to division (A) of this section is an unfair and deceptive act or practice as defined by section 1345.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.78 | Buyback violations.

• Effective: September 15, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 21 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) Failure to comply with section 1345.76 of the Revised Code, in connection with a consumer transaction as defined in division (A) of section 1345.01 of the Revised Code, is an unfair and deceptive act or practice in violation of division (A) of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) The attorney general shall investigate any alleged violation of division (D) of section 1345.76 of the Revised Code and, in an appropriate case, may bring an appropriate action in a court of competent jurisdiction, charging a manufacturer with a violation of that division.

Section 1345.81 | Using nonoriginal equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts.

• Effective: September 13, 2022
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 236 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Aftermarket crash part" means a replacement for any of the nonmechanical sheet metal or plastic parts that generally constitute the exterior of a motor vehicle, including inner and outer panels.

(2) "Nonoriginal equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash part" or "non-OEM aftermarket crash part" means any aftermarket crash part that is not made by or for the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

(3) "Repair facility" means any motor vehicle dealer, garage, body shop, or other commercial entity that undertakes the repair or replacement of those parts that generally constitute the exterior of a motor vehicle.

(4) "Installer" means any individual who actually performs the work of replacing or repairing parts of a motor vehicle.

(5) "Insurer" means any individual serving as an agent or authorized representative of an insurance company, involved with the coverage for repair of the motor vehicle in question.

(B) Any insurer who provides an estimate for the repair of a motor vehicle based in whole or in part upon the use of any non-OEM aftermarket crash part in the repair of the motor vehicle and any repair facility or installer who intends to use a non-OEM aftermarket crash part in the repair of a motor vehicle shall comply with the following provisions, as applicable:

(1) If the person requesting the repair chooses to receive a written estimate, the insurer, repair facility, or installer providing the estimate shall identify, clearly in the written estimate, each non-OEM aftermarket crash part and shall contain a written notice with the following language in ten-point or larger type: "This estimate has been prepared based upon the use of one or more aftermarket crash parts supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle. Warranties applicable to these aftermarket crash parts are provided by the parts manufacturer or distributor rather than by your own motor vehicle manufacturer." Receipt and approval of the written estimate shall be acknowledged by the signature of the person requesting the repair at the bottom of the written estimate.

(2) If the person requesting the repair chooses to receive an oral estimate or no estimate at all, the insurer, repair facility, or installer providing the estimate or seeking the person's approval for repair work to commence shall furnish or read to the person a written notice as described in division (B)(1) of this section at the time that the oral estimate is given or when the person requesting the repair gives approval for the repair work to commence. If the person has chosen to receive an oral estimate or no estimate, the written notice described in division (B)(1) of this section shall be provided with the final invoice for the repair.

(C) Any non-OEM aftermarket crash part manufactured after October 16, 1990, shall have permanently affixed thereto, or inscribed thereon, prior to the installation of the part, the business name or logo of the manufacturer.

Whenever practical, the location of the affixed or inscribed information upon the part shall ensure that the information shall be accessible after installation.

(D) An insurer, repair facility, or installer may use a salvage motor vehicle part in the repair of a motor vehicle, if the salvage motor vehicle part is of a like kind and quality to the part in need of repair and is sourced from a salvage motor vehicle dealer licensed under Chapter 4738. of the Revised Code.

(E) Any violation of this section in connection with a consumer transaction as defined in section 1345.01 of the Revised Code is an unfair and deceptive act or practice as defined by section 1345.02 of the Revised Code.

Last updated July 14, 2022 at 3:11 PM

Section 1345.90 | Defective assistive device definitions.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

As used in sections 1345.90 to 1345.95 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Assistive device" means a product designed and intended to be used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a disability in seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, working, or self-care. "Assistive device" includes a wheelchair, motorized scooter, assistive listening device, voice synthesized computer module, optical scanner, talking software, braille printer, environmental control, adaptive transportation aid, communication board, or any device that has a function similar to that of any of the foregoing devices. "Assistive device" does not include an invasive or noninvasive medical device that attempts to treat a medical condition or a hearing aid as defined in section 4747.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Consumer" means a person, other than a manufacturer or supplier, who purchases, leases, or otherwise acquires a new assistive device or a person who acquires an assistive device while the warranty required by section 1345.91 of the Revised Code is in effect.

(C) "Consumer transaction" means a sale, lease, or other transfer of an assistive device to a consumer for consideration of five hundred dollars or more.

(D) "Defect" means a condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of an assistive device. "Defect" does not include a condition resulting from abuse, misuse for the ordinary purpose or particular purpose, or unauthorized modification or alteration of an assistive device by a consumer.

(E) "Manufacturer" means a person who manufactures, assembles, imports, or distributes assistive devices, including an agent of a manufacturer. "Manufacturer" does not include a supplier.

(F) "Supplier" means a seller, lessor, assignor, franchiser, or other person, other than a manufacturer, engaged in the business of effecting consumer transactions, whether or not the person deals directly with the consumer.

Section 1345.91 | Express written warranty.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and in section 1345.92 of the Revised Code, "collateral costs" mean expenses incurred by a consumer in connection with the repair of a defect in an assistive device, including sales tax and the cost of shipping.

(B) A manufacturer that enters into a consumer transaction, either directly or through a supplier, shall provide an express written warranty to the consumer covering the full cost of any repair of the assistive device, or the cost, as specified in section 1345.92 of the Revised Code, of the replacement of the assistive device, necessitated by a defect in the assistive device. The warranty shall also cover the consumer's collateral costs associated with repair or replacement. The warranty shall be for a period of not less than one year from the day the consumer first possesses the assistive device. The warranty document shall specify whether the consumer is to return the assistive device to the manufacturer or to the supplier to invoke the warranty. A manufacturer who fails to provide the warranty is deemed to have provided it.

To invoke the warranty, the consumer shall return the assistive device to the manufacturer or supplier, as specified in the warranty document, with an explanation of the nature of the defect. The warranty shall be honored if the assistive device is returned during the warranty period or, if shipping is required, the consumer gives notice of the defect to the manufacturer or supplier during the warranty period, regardless of when repairs are actually made.

(C) A manufacturer or supplier that receives an assistive device under the warranty required by this section that has a defect shall replace or attempt to repair the assistive device. If the manufacturer or supplier chooses to attempt to repair the assistive device, it shall lend the consumer a comparable assistive device for use during the repair period if either of the following applies:

(1) The repair period exceeds twenty-one days, including the day the assistive device is tendered to the manufacturer or supplier for repair;

(2) The defect is the same defect for which the assistive device was returned to the manufacturer or supplier for repair on three or more previous occasions.

(D) A manufacturer's duty to provide a replacement or reimbursement under this section remains in effect for the duration of the warranty period.

Section 1345.92 | Repair is unsuccessful or untimely.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Current lease value" means the sum of the following:

(a) The total amount the consumer was obligated to pay under a lease for the period from the date the lease is terminated to the end of the lease period originally agreed to;

(b) The supplier's expenses incurred in terminating the lease prior to its agreed-to expiration and returning the assistive device to the manufacturer, plus any prepayment penalties under a financing agreement;

(c) The value of the assistive device at the lease expiration date if the lease sets forth that value.

(2) "Reasonable allowance for use" means an amount not to exceed the amount obtained by multiplying the total purchase or lease price by a fraction, the denominator of which is one thousand eight hundred twenty-five and the numerator of which is the number of days the consumer used the assistive device before first notifying the manufacturer or supplier of the defect.

(B) For the purpose of this section, any acquisition of an assistive device other than pursuant to a lease shall be treated as a purchase.

(C) If the manufacturer or supplier is unable to repair the defect in an assistive device despite three attempts to repair it or the assistive device is in the possession of the manufacturer or supplier for a cumulative total of forty-five or more days, the manufacturer or supplier, at the consumer's option, shall do one of the following:

(1)(a) If the assistive device was purchased, accept return of the device and refund to the consumer and to the holder of any perfected security interest in the assistive device, as their interest may appear, the full purchase price plus any finance charges and collateral costs, less a reasonable allowance for use;

(b) If the device was leased, accept return of the assistive device and refund to the consumer any amount the consumer paid under the lease plus collateral costs, less a reasonable allowance for use. The consumer's return of the assistive device to the manufacturer or supplier under this division terminates the lease.

(2) Replace the assistive device with a comparable new assistive device within thirty days after the consumer offers to return the defective assistive device. When the manufacturer or supplier provides the new assistive device, the consumer shall return the defective assistive device to the manufacturer along with any endorsements necessary to transfer legal possession.

(D) If the supplier attempts to repair an assistive device under the manufacturer's warranty, the manufacturer shall reimburse the supplier any costs reasonably incurred by the supplier in making or attempting to make the repair.

If a consumer receives a refund under division (C)(1)(b) of this section, the manufacturer shall refund to the supplier and to the holder of any perfected security interest in the assistive device, as their interest may appear, the current value of the written lease, less any expenses or obligations the supplier avoids as a result of the early termination of the lease.

If the supplier provides a new assistive device or a refund under division (C)(1)(a) of this section to the consumer, the manufacturer shall refund to the supplier an amount equal to the supplier's purchase price and any costs reasonably incurred by the supplier in the supplier's attempt to repair the assistive device. To receive the refund, the supplier shall return the defective assistive device to the manufacturer. The manufacturer shall provide the refund to the supplier on receipt of the assistive device. When the manufacturer provides the refund, the supplier shall provide to the manufacturer any endorsements necessary to transfer legal possession to the manufacturer.

Section 1345.93 | Returned devices.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

An assistive device returned to a manufacturer in accordance with section 1345.92 of the Revised Code by a consumer or supplier in this state or another state shall not be the subject of another consumer transaction in this state unless the manufacturer fully discloses the defect to the prospective consumer.

Section 1345.94 | Applicability of consumer sales practices act.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

The failure of a manufacturer to comply with sections 1345.91, 1345.93, and 1345.95 and division (C) of section 1345.92 of the Revised Code is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code. All powers and remedies available to the attorney general to enforce sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code are available to the attorney general to enforce sections 1345.90 to 1345.95 of the Revised Code, and all remedies available to consumers under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code to remedy violations of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code are available to consumers to remedy failure to comply with sections 1345.90 to 1345.95 of the Revised Code.

Section 1345.95 | Remedies waiver of rights.

• Effective: October 31, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 39 - 121st General Assembly

The remedies in sections 1345.90 to 1345.95 of the Revised Code are in addition to remedies otherwise available for the same conduct under state or local law.

Any waiver of rights by a consumer of the provisions of sections 1345.90 to 1345.95 of the Revised Code is void.

Section 1345.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: May 11, 2018
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 223, House Bill 52 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates section 1345.23 or 1345.24 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(B) Whoever violates division (C) of section 1345.30 or division (D) of section 1345.76 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars.

(C) Whoever knowingly violates division (E) of section 1345.02 or knowingly violates section 1345.18 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree for a first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree for any subsequent offense.

(D) Whoever recklessly violates section 1345.032 of the Revised Code shall be fined the following:

(1) For the first violation, not more than one hundred dollars for each solicitation document distributed;

(2) For any subsequent violation, not more than two hundred dollars for each solicitation document distributed.

(E) Whoever negligently violates section 1345.022 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars.

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.