Chapter 3109 | Children

Section 3109.01 | Age of majority.

• Effective: January 1, 1974
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 1 - 110th General Assembly

All persons of the age of eighteen years or more, who are under no legal disability, are capable of contracting and are of full age for all purposes.

Section 3109.011 | Capacity of person given consent to marry.

• Effective: April 8, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 511 - 132nd General Assembly

A person granted consent to marry under section 3101.04 of the Revised Code has the capacity of a person of the age of eighteen years or more, as described in section 3109.01 of the Revised Code, except that the person is not a qualified elector for purposes of Chapter 3503. of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.02 | Exception for veterans.

• Effective: January 1, 1974
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 1 - 110th General Assembly

Any person who is eligible for a loan under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, any amendments thereto or re-enactment thereof, the Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1952, any amendments thereto or re-enactment thereof, the Act of September 2, 1958, Public Law 85-857, 72 Stat. 1105, any amendments thereto or re-enactment thereof, or the Veterans' Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966, any amendments thereto or re-enactments thereof, whether or not he or his spouse is a minor, may, in his name and without any order of court or the intervention of a guardian or trustee, execute any instruments, take title to real property, borrow money thereon, and do all other acts necessary to secure to him all rights and benefits under said acts, or any regulations thereunder, in as full and ample manner as if he and his spouse had attained the age of eighteen years. No person eligible for such loan, or his spouse, is, by reason only of such minority, incompetent to acquire title to property by contract or to borrow thereon; and no instrument made in connection with acquiring title to real estate or making such loan shall be voidable on the grounds of minority of such person or his spouse.

Any person who has qualified under said acts or any regulations thereunder and has secured a loan and taken title to real property thereunder is capable of disposing of such property by deed or other conveyance, notwithstanding the fact that he or his spouse is a minor, and no such deed or other conveyance shall be voidable on the grounds of minority of such person or his spouse.

Section 3109.03 | Equality of parental rights and responsibilities.

• Effective: April 11, 1991
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 3 - 118th General Assembly

When husband and wife are living separate and apart from each other, or are divorced, and the question as to the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of their children and the place of residence and legal custodian of their children is brought before a court of competent jurisdiction, they shall stand upon an equality as to the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of their children and the place of residence and legal custodian of their children, so far as parenthood is involved.

Section 3109.04 | Allocating parental rights and responsibilities for care of children - shared parenting.

• Effective: June 9, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 121 - 129th General Assembly

(A) In any divorce, legal separation, or annulment proceeding and in any proceeding pertaining to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child, upon hearing the testimony of either or both parents and considering any mediation report filed pursuant to section 3109.052 of the Revised Code and in accordance with sections 3127.01 to 3127.53 of the Revised Code, the court shall allocate the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor children of the marriage. Subject to division (D)(2) of this section, the court may allocate the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children in either of the following ways:

(1) If neither parent files a pleading or motion in accordance with division (G) of this section, if at least one parent files a pleading or motion under that division but no parent who filed a pleading or motion under that division also files a plan for shared parenting, or if at least one parent files both a pleading or motion and a shared parenting plan under that division but no plan for shared parenting is in the best interest of the children, the court, in a manner consistent with the best interest of the children, shall allocate the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children primarily to one of the parents, designate that parent as the residential parent and the legal custodian of the child, and divide between the parents the other rights and responsibilities for the care of the children, including, but not limited to, the responsibility to provide support for the children and the right of the parent who is not the residential parent to have continuing contact with the children.

(2) If at least one parent files a pleading or motion in accordance with division (G) of this section and a plan for shared parenting pursuant to that division and if a plan for shared parenting is in the best interest of the children and is approved by the court in accordance with division (D)(1) of this section, the court may allocate the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children to both parents and issue a shared parenting order requiring the parents to share all or some of the aspects of the physical and legal care of the children in accordance with the approved plan for shared parenting. If the court issues a shared parenting order under this division and it is necessary for the purpose of receiving public assistance, the court shall designate which one of the parents' residences is to serve as the child's home. The child support obligations of the parents under a shared parenting order issued under this division shall be determined in accordance with Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) When making the allocation of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children under this section in an original proceeding or in any proceeding for modification of a prior order of the court making the allocation, the court shall take into account that which would be in the best interest of the children. In determining the child's best interest for purposes of making its allocation of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child and for purposes of resolving any issues related to the making of that allocation, the court, in its discretion, may and, upon the request of either party, shall interview in chambers any or all of the involved children regarding their wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation.

(2) If the court interviews any child pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section, all of the following apply:

(a) The court, in its discretion, may and, upon the motion of either parent, shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.

(b) The court first shall determine the reasoning ability of the child. If the court determines that the child does not have sufficient reasoning ability to express the child's wishes and concern with respect to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child, it shall not determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation. If the court determines that the child has sufficient reasoning ability to express the child's wishes or concerns with respect to the allocation, it then shall determine whether, because of special circumstances, it would not be in the best interest of the child to determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation. If the court determines that, because of special circumstances, it would not be in the best interest of the child to determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation, it shall not determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation and shall enter its written findings of fact and opinion in the journal. If the court determines that it would be in the best interests of the child to determine the child's wishes and concerns with respect to the allocation, it shall proceed to make that determination.

(c) The interview shall be conducted in chambers, and no person other than the child, the child's attorney, the judge, any necessary court personnel, and, in the judge's discretion, the attorney of each parent shall be permitted to be present in the chambers during the interview.

(3) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain from a child a written or recorded statement or affidavit setting forth the child's wishes and concerns regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities concerning the child. No court, in determining the child's best interest for purposes of making its allocation of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child or for purposes of resolving any issues related to the making of that allocation, shall accept or consider a written or recorded statement or affidavit that purports to set forth the child's wishes and concerns regarding those matters.

(C) Prior to trial, the court may cause an investigation to be made as to the character, family relations, past conduct, earning ability, and financial worth of each parent and may order the parents and their minor children to submit to medical, psychological, and psychiatric examinations. The report of the investigation and examinations shall be made available to either parent or the parent's counsel of record not less than five days before trial, upon written request. The report shall be signed by the investigator, and the investigator shall be subject to cross-examination by either parent concerning the contents of the report. The court may tax as costs all or any part of the expenses for each investigation.

If the court determines that either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being a neglected child, that either parent previously has been determined to be the perpetrator of the neglectful act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is a neglected child, or that there is reason to believe that either parent has acted in a manner resulting in a child being a neglected child, the court shall consider that fact against naming that parent the residential parent and against granting a shared parenting decree. When the court allocates parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children or determines whether to grant shared parenting in any proceeding, it shall consider whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code or a sexually oriented offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any sexually oriented offense or other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child. If the court determines that either parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code or a sexually oriented offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any sexually oriented offense or other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child, it may designate that parent as the residential parent and may issue a shared parenting decree or order only if it determines that it is in the best interest of the child to name that parent the residential parent or to issue a shared parenting decree or order and it makes specific written findings of fact to support its determination.

(D)(1)(a) Upon the filing of a pleading or motion by either parent or both parents, in accordance with division (G) of this section, requesting shared parenting and the filing of a shared parenting plan in accordance with that division, the court shall comply with division (D)(1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section, whichever is applicable:

(i) If both parents jointly make the request in their pleadings or jointly file the motion and also jointly file the plan, the court shall review the parents' plan to determine if it is in the best interest of the children. If the court determines that the plan is in the best interest of the children, the court shall approve it. If the court determines that the plan or any part of the plan is not in the best interest of the children, the court shall require the parents to make appropriate changes to the plan to meet the court's objections to it. If changes to the plan are made to meet the court's objections, and if the new plan is in the best interest of the children, the court shall approve the plan. If changes to the plan are not made to meet the court's objections, or if the parents attempt to make changes to the plan to meet the court's objections, but the court determines that the new plan or any part of the new plan still is not in the best interest of the children, the court may reject the portion of the parents' pleadings or deny their motion requesting shared parenting of the children and proceed as if the request in the pleadings or the motion had not been made. The court shall not approve a plan under this division unless it determines that the plan is in the best interest of the children.

(ii) If each parent makes a request in the parent's pleadings or files a motion and each also files a separate plan, the court shall review each plan filed to determine if either is in the best interest of the children. If the court determines that one of the filed plans is in the best interest of the children, the court may approve the plan. If the court determines that neither filed plan is in the best interest of the children, the court may order each parent to submit appropriate changes to the parent's plan or both of the filed plans to meet the court's objections, or may select one of the filed plans and order each parent to submit appropriate changes to the selected plan to meet the court's objections. If changes to the plan or plans are submitted to meet the court's objections, and if any of the filed plans with the changes is in the best interest of the children, the court may approve the plan with the changes. If changes to the plan or plans are not submitted to meet the court's objections, or if the parents submit changes to the plan or plans to meet the court's objections but the court determines that none of the filed plans with the submitted changes is in the best interest of the children, the court may reject the portion of the parents' pleadings or deny their motions requesting shared parenting of the children and proceed as if the requests in the pleadings or the motions had not been made. If the court approves a plan under this division, either as originally filed or with submitted changes, or if the court rejects the portion of the parents' pleadings or denies their motions requesting shared parenting under this division and proceeds as if the requests in the pleadings or the motions had not been made, the court shall enter in the record of the case findings of fact and conclusions of law as to the reasons for the approval or the rejection or denial. Division (D)(1)(b) of this section applies in relation to the approval or disapproval of a plan under this division.

(iii) If each parent makes a request in the parent's pleadings or files a motion but only one parent files a plan, or if only one parent makes a request in the parent's pleadings or files a motion and also files a plan, the court in the best interest of the children may order the other parent to file a plan for shared parenting in accordance with division (G) of this section. The court shall review each plan filed to determine if any plan is in the best interest of the children. If the court determines that one of the filed plans is in the best interest of the children, the court may approve the plan. If the court determines that no filed plan is in the best interest of the children, the court may order each parent to submit appropriate changes to the parent's plan or both of the filed plans to meet the court's objections or may select one filed plan and order each parent to submit appropriate changes to the selected plan to meet the court's objections. If changes to the plan or plans are submitted to meet the court's objections, and if any of the filed plans with the changes is in the best interest of the children, the court may approve the plan with the changes. If changes to the plan or plans are not submitted to meet the court's objections, or if the parents submit changes to the plan or plans to meet the court's objections but the court determines that none of the filed plans with the submitted changes is in the best interest of the children, the court may reject the portion of the parents' pleadings or deny the parents' motion or reject the portion of the parents' pleadings or deny their motions requesting shared parenting of the children and proceed as if the request or requests or the motion or motions had not been made. If the court approves a plan under this division, either as originally filed or with submitted changes, or if the court rejects the portion of the pleadings or denies the motion or motions requesting shared parenting under this division and proceeds as if the request or requests or the motion or motions had not been made, the court shall enter in the record of the case findings of fact and conclusions of law as to the reasons for the approval or the rejection or denial. Division (D)(1)(b) of this section applies in relation to the approval or disapproval of a plan under this division.

(b) The approval of a plan under division (D)(1)(a)(ii) or (iii) of this section is discretionary with the court. The court shall not approve more than one plan under either division and shall not approve a plan under either division unless it determines that the plan is in the best interest of the children. If the court, under either division, does not determine that any filed plan or any filed plan with submitted changes is in the best interest of the children, the court shall not approve any plan.

(c) Whenever possible, the court shall require that a shared parenting plan approved under division (D)(1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section ensure the opportunity for both parents to have frequent and continuing contact with the child, unless frequent and continuing contact with any parent would not be in the best interest of the child.

(d) If a court approves a shared parenting plan under division (D)(1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section, the approved plan shall be incorporated into a final shared parenting decree granting the parents the shared parenting of the children. Any final shared parenting decree shall be issued at the same time as and shall be appended to the final decree of dissolution, divorce, annulment, or legal separation arising out of the action out of which the question of the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children arose.

No provisional shared parenting decree shall be issued in relation to any shared parenting plan approved under division (D)(1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section. A final shared parenting decree issued under this division has immediate effect as a final decree on the date of its issuance, subject to modification or termination as authorized by this section.

(2) If the court finds, with respect to any child under eighteen years of age, that it is in the best interest of the child for neither parent to be designated the residential parent and legal custodian of the child, it may commit the child to a relative of the child or certify a copy of its findings, together with as much of the record and the further information, in narrative form or otherwise, that it considers necessary or as the juvenile court requests, to the juvenile court for further proceedings, and, upon the certification, the juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction.

(E)(1)(a) The court shall not modify a prior decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children unless it finds, based on facts that have arisen since the prior decree or that were unknown to the court at the time of the prior decree, that a change has occurred in the circumstances of the child, the child's residential parent, or either of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree, and that the modification is necessary to serve the best interest of the child. In applying these standards, the court shall retain the residential parent designated by the prior decree or the prior shared parenting decree, unless a modification is in the best interest of the child and one of the following applies:

(i) The residential parent agrees to a change in the residential parent or both parents under a shared parenting decree agree to a change in the designation of residential parent.

(ii) The child, with the consent of the residential parent or of both parents under a shared parenting decree, has been integrated into the family of the person seeking to become the residential parent.

(iii) The harm likely to be caused by a change of environment is outweighed by the advantages of the change of environment to the child.

(b) One or both of the parents under a prior decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children that is not a shared parenting decree may file a motion requesting that the prior decree be modified to give both parents shared rights and responsibilities for the care of the children. The motion shall include both a request for modification of the prior decree and a request for a shared parenting order that complies with division (G) of this section. Upon the filing of the motion, if the court determines that a modification of the prior decree is authorized under division (E)(1)(a) of this section, the court may modify the prior decree to grant a shared parenting order, provided that the court shall not modify the prior decree to grant a shared parenting order unless the court complies with divisions (A) and (D)(1) of this section and, in accordance with those divisions, approves the submitted shared parenting plan and determines that shared parenting would be in the best interest of the children.

(2) In addition to a modification authorized under division (E)(1) of this section:

(a) Both parents under a shared parenting decree jointly may modify the terms of the plan for shared parenting approved by the court and incorporated by it into the shared parenting decree. Modifications under this division may be made at any time. The modifications to the plan shall be filed jointly by both parents with the court, and the court shall include them in the plan, unless they are not in the best interest of the children. If the modifications are not in the best interests of the children, the court, in its discretion, may reject the modifications or make modifications to the proposed modifications or the plan that are in the best interest of the children. Modifications jointly submitted by both parents under a shared parenting decree shall be effective, either as originally filed or as modified by the court, upon their inclusion by the court in the plan. Modifications to the plan made by the court shall be effective upon their inclusion by the court in the plan.

(b) The court may modify the terms of the plan for shared parenting approved by the court and incorporated by it into the shared parenting decree upon its own motion at any time if the court determines that the modifications are in the best interest of the children or upon the request of one or both of the parents under the decree. Modifications under this division may be made at any time. The court shall not make any modification to the plan under this division, unless the modification is in the best interest of the children.

(c) The court may terminate a prior final shared parenting decree that includes a shared parenting plan approved under division (D)(1)(a)(i) of this section upon the request of one or both of the parents or whenever it determines that shared parenting is not in the best interest of the children. The court may terminate a prior final shared parenting decree that includes a shared parenting plan approved under division (D)(1)(a)(ii) or (iii) of this section if it determines, upon its own motion or upon the request of one or both parents, that shared parenting is not in the best interest of the children. If modification of the terms of the plan for shared parenting approved by the court and incorporated by it into the final shared parenting decree is attempted under division (E)(2)(a) of this section and the court rejects the modifications, it may terminate the final shared parenting decree if it determines that shared parenting is not in the best interest of the children.

(d) Upon the termination of a prior final shared parenting decree under division (E)(2)(c) of this section, the court shall proceed and issue a modified decree for the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children under the standards applicable under divisions (A), (B), and (C) of this section as if no decree for shared parenting had been granted and as if no request for shared parenting ever had been made.

(F)(1) In determining the best interest of a child pursuant to this section, whether on an original decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children or a modification of a decree allocating those rights and responsibilities, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

(a) The wishes of the child's parents regarding the child's care;

(b) If the court has interviewed the child in chambers pursuant to division (B) of this section regarding the child's wishes and concerns as to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities concerning the child, the wishes and concerns of the child, as expressed to the court;

(c) The child's interaction and interrelationship with the child's parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interest;

(d) The child's adjustment to the child's home, school, and community;

(e) The mental and physical health of all persons involved in the situation;

(f) The parent more likely to honor and facilitate court-approved parenting time rights or visitation and companionship rights;

(g) Whether either parent has failed to make all child support payments, including all arrearages, that are required of that parent pursuant to a child support order under which that parent is an obligor;

(h) Whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child; whether either parent, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused child or a neglected child, previously has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that is the basis of an adjudication; whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code or a sexually oriented offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the current proceeding; whether either parent or any member of the household of either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the current proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense; and whether there is reason to believe that either parent has acted in a manner resulting in a child being an abused child or a neglected child;

(i) Whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree has continuously and willfully denied the other parent's right to parenting time in accordance with an order of the court;

(j) Whether either parent has established a residence, or is planning to establish a residence, outside this state.

(2) In determining whether shared parenting is in the best interest of the children, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the factors enumerated in division (F)(1) of this section, the factors enumerated in section 3119.23 of the Revised Code, and all of the following factors:

(a) The ability of the parents to cooperate and make decisions jointly, with respect to the children;

(b) The ability of each parent to encourage the sharing of love, affection, and contact between the child and the other parent;

(c) Any history of, or potential for, child abuse, spouse abuse, other domestic violence, or parental kidnapping by either parent;

(d) The geographic proximity of the parents to each other, as the proximity relates to the practical considerations of shared parenting;

(e) The recommendation of the guardian ad litem of the child, if the child has a guardian ad litem.

(3) When allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children, the court shall not give preference to a parent because of that parent's financial status or condition.

(G) Either parent or both parents of any children may file a pleading or motion with the court requesting the court to grant both parents shared parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children in a proceeding held pursuant to division (A) of this section. If a pleading or motion requesting shared parenting is filed, the parent or parents filing the pleading or motion also shall file with the court a plan for the exercise of shared parenting by both parents. If each parent files a pleading or motion requesting shared parenting but only one parent files a plan or if only one parent files a pleading or motion requesting shared parenting and also files a plan, the other parent as ordered by the court shall file with the court a plan for the exercise of shared parenting by both parents. The plan for shared parenting shall be filed with the petition for dissolution of marriage, if the question of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children arises out of an action for dissolution of marriage, or, in other cases, at a time at least thirty days prior to the hearing on the issue of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the children. A plan for shared parenting shall include provisions covering all factors that are relevant to the care of the children, including, but not limited to, provisions covering factors such as physical living arrangements, child support obligations, provision for the children's medical and dental care, school placement, and the parent with which the children will be physically located during legal holidays, school holidays, and other days of special importance.

(H) If an appeal is taken from a decision of a court that grants or modifies a decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children, the court of appeals shall give the case calendar priority and handle it expeditiously.

(I)(1) Upon receipt of an order for active military service in the uniformed services, a parent who is subject to an order allocating parental rights and responsibilities or in relation to whom an action to allocate parental rights and responsibilities is pending and who is ordered for active military service shall notify the other parent who is subject to the order or in relation to whom the case is pending of the order for active military service within three days of receiving the military service order.

(2) On receipt of the notice described in division (I)(1) of this section, either parent may apply to the court for a hearing to expedite an allocation or modification proceeding so that the court can issue an order before the parent's active military service begins. The application shall include the date on which the active military service begins.

The court shall schedule a hearing upon receipt of the application and hold the hearing not later than thirty days after receipt of the application, except that the court shall give the case calendar priority and handle the case expeditiously if exigent circumstances exist in the case.

The court shall not modify a prior decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities unless the court determines that there has been a change in circumstances of the child, the child's residential parent, or either of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree, and that modification is necessary to serve the best interest of the child. The court shall not find past, present, or possible future active military service in the uniformed services to constitute a change in circumstances justifying modification of a prior decree pursuant to division (E) of this section. The court shall make specific written findings of fact to support any modification under this division.

(3) Nothing in division (I) of this section shall prevent a court from issuing a temporary order allocating or modifying parental rights and responsibilities for the duration of the parent's active military service. A temporary order shall specify whether the parent's active military service is the basis of the order and shall provide for termination of the temporary order and resumption of the prior order within ten days after receipt of notice pursuant to division (I)(5) of this section, unless the other parent demonstrates that resumption of the prior order is not in the child's best interest.

(4) At the request of a parent who is ordered for active military service in the uniformed services and who is a subject of a proceeding pertaining to a temporary order for the allocation or modification of parental rights and responsibilities, the court shall permit the parent to participate in the proceeding and present evidence by electronic means, including communication by telephone, video, or internet to the extent permitted by the rules of the supreme court of Ohio.

(5) A parent who is ordered for active military service in the uniformed services and who is a subject of a proceeding pertaining to the allocation or modification of parental rights and responsibilities shall provide written notice to the court, child support enforcement agency, and the other parent of the date of termination of the parent's active military service not later than thirty days after the date on which the service ends.

(J) As used in this section:

(1) "Abused child" has the same meaning as in section 2151.031 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Active military service" means service by a member of the uniformed services in compliance with military orders to report for combat operations, contingency operations, peacekeeping operations, a remote tour of duty, or other active service for which the member is required to report unaccompanied by any family member, including any period of illness, recovery from injury, leave, or other lawful absence during that operation, duty, or service.

(3) "Neglected child" has the same meaning as in section 2151.03 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Sexually oriented offense" has the same meaning as in section 2950.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Uniformed services" means the United States armed forces, the army national guard, and the air national guard or any reserve component thereof, or the commissioned corps of the United States public health service.

(K) As used in the Revised Code, "shared parenting" means that the parents share, in the manner set forth in the plan for shared parenting that is approved by the court under division (D)(1) and described in division (L)(6) of this section, all or some of the aspects of physical and legal care of their children.

(L) For purposes of the Revised Code:

(1) A parent who is granted the care, custody, and control of a child under an order that was issued pursuant to this section prior to April 11, 1991, and that does not provide for shared parenting has "custody of the child" and "care, custody, and control of the child" under the order, and is the "residential parent," the "residential parent and legal custodian," or the "custodial parent" of the child under the order.

(2) A parent who primarily is allocated the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child and who is designated as the residential parent and legal custodian of the child under an order that is issued pursuant to this section on or after April 11, 1991, and that does not provide for shared parenting has "custody of the child" and "care, custody, and control of the child" under the order, and is the "residential parent," the "residential parent and legal custodian," or the "custodial parent" of the child under the order.

(3) A parent who is not granted custody of a child under an order that was issued pursuant to this section prior to April 11, 1991, and that does not provide for shared parenting is the "parent who is not the residential parent," the "parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian," or the "noncustodial parent" of the child under the order.

(4) A parent who is not primarily allocated the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child and who is not designated as the residential parent and legal custodian of the child under an order that is issued pursuant to this section on or after April 11, 1991, and that does not provide for shared parenting is the "parent who is not the residential parent," the "parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian," or the "noncustodial parent" of the child under the order.

(5) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, if an order is issued by a court pursuant to this section and the order provides for shared parenting of a child, both parents have "custody of the child" or "care, custody, and control of the child" under the order, to the extent and in the manner specified in the order.

(6) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise and except as otherwise provided in the order, if an order is issued by a court pursuant to this section and the order provides for shared parenting of a child, each parent, regardless of where the child is physically located or with whom the child is residing at a particular point in time, as specified in the order, is the "residential parent," the "residential parent and legal custodian," or the "custodial parent" of the child.

(7) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise and except as otherwise provided in the order, a designation in the order of a parent as the residential parent for the purpose of determining the school the child attends, as the custodial parent for purposes of claiming the child as a dependent pursuant to section 152(e) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended, or as the residential parent for purposes of receiving public assistance pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section, does not affect the designation pursuant to division (L)(6) of this section of each parent as the "residential parent," the "residential parent and legal custodian," or the "custodial parent" of the child.

(M) The court shall require each parent of a child to file an affidavit attesting as to whether the parent, and the members of the parent's household, have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses identified in divisions (C) and (F)(1)(h) of this section.

Section 3109.041 | Custody decrees issued prior to shared parenting provisions.

• Effective: June 30, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly

(A) Parties to any custody decree issued pursuant to section 3109.04 of the Revised Code prior to April 11, 1991, may file a motion with the court that issued the decree requesting the issuance of a shared parenting decree in accordance with division (G) of section 3109.04 of the Revised Code. Upon the filing of the motion, the court shall determine whether to grant the parents shared rights and responsibilities for the care of the children in accordance with divisions (A), (D)(1), (E)(1), and (I) of section 3109.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) A custody decree issued pursuant to section 3109.04 of the Revised Code prior to April 11, 1991, that granted joint care, custody, and control of the children to the parents shall not be affected or invalidated by, and shall not be construed as being affected or invalidated by, the provisions of section 3109.04 of the Revised Code relative to the granting of a shared parenting decree or a decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children on and after April 11, 1991. The decree issued prior to April 11, 1991 shall remain in full force and effect, subject to modification or termination pursuant to section 3109.04 of the Revised Code as that section exists on and after April 11, 1991.

(C) As used in this section, "joint custody" and "joint care, custody, and control" have the same meaning as "shared parenting."

Section 3109.042 | Custody rights of unmarried mother.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

(A) An unmarried female who gives birth to a child is the sole residential parent and legal custodian of the child until a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order designating another person as the residential parent and legal custodian. A court designating the residential parent and legal custodian of a child described in this section shall treat the mother and father as standing upon an equality when making the designation.

(B) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, an unmarried female who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to rape or sexual battery and has been declared under section 3109.501 of the Revised Code to be the parent of a child born as a result of rape or sexual battery shall not be a residential parent and legal custodian of that child.

Section 3109.043 | Temporary custody order while action pending.

• Effective: May 17, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 136 - 126th General Assembly

In any proceeding pertaining to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child, when requested in the complaint, answer, or counterclaim, or by motion served with the pleading, upon satisfactory proof by affidavit duly filed with the clerk of the court, the court, without oral hearing and for good cause shown, may make a temporary order regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child while the action is pending.

If a parent and child relationship has not already been established pursuant to section 3111.02 of the Revised Code, the court may take into consideration when determining whether to award parenting time, visitation rights, or temporary custody to a putative father that the putative father is named on the birth record of the child, the child has the putative father's surname, or a clear pattern of a parent and child relationship between the child and the putative father exists.

Section 3109.05 | Child support determinations.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

(A)(1) In a divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or child support proceeding, the court may order either or both parents to support or help support their children, without regard to marital misconduct. In determining the amount reasonable or necessary for child support, including the medical needs of the child, the court shall comply with Chapter 3119. of the Revised Code.

(2) The court, in accordance with Chapter 3119. of the Revised Code, shall include in each support order made under this section the requirement that one or both of the parents provide for the health care needs of the child to the satisfaction of the court, and the court shall include in the support order a requirement that all support payments be made through the office of child support in the department of job and family services.

(3) The court shall comply with Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code when it makes or modifies an order for child support under this section.

(B) The juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction to enter the orders in any case certified to it from another court.

(C) If any person required to pay child support under an order made under division (A) of this section on or after April 15, 1985, or modified on or after December 1, 1986, is found in contempt of court for failure to make support payments under the order, the court that makes the finding, in addition to any other penalty or remedy imposed, shall assess all court costs arising out of the contempt proceeding against the person and require the person to pay any reasonable attorney's fees of any adverse party, as determined by the court, that arose in relation to the act of contempt and, on or after July 1, 1992, shall assess interest on any unpaid amount of child support pursuant to section 3123.17 of the Revised Code.

(D) The court shall not authorize or permit the escrowing, impoundment, or withholding of any child support payment ordered under this section or any other section of the Revised Code because of a denial of or interference with a right of parenting time granted to a parent in an order issued under this section or section 3109.051 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code or companionship or visitation granted in an order issued under this section, section 3109.051, 3109.11, 3109.12, or any other section of the Revised Code, or as a method of enforcing the specific provisions of any such order dealing with parenting time or visitation.

Section 3109.051 | Parenting time - companionship or visitation rights.

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

(A) If a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment proceeding involves a child and if the court has not issued a shared parenting decree, the court shall consider any mediation report filed pursuant to section 3109.052 of the Revised Code and, in accordance with division (C) of this section, shall make a just and reasonable order or decree permitting each parent who is not the residential parent to have parenting time with the child at the time and under the conditions that the court directs, unless the court determines that it would not be in the best interest of the child to permit that parent to have parenting time with the child and includes in the journal its findings of fact and conclusions of law. Whenever possible, the order or decree permitting the parenting time shall ensure the opportunity for both parents to have frequent and continuing contact with the child, unless frequent and continuing contact by either parent with the child would not be in the best interest of the child. The court shall include in its final decree a specific schedule of parenting time for that parent. Except as provided in division (E)(6) of section 3113.31 of the Revised Code, if the court, pursuant to this section, grants parenting time to a parent or companionship or visitation rights to any other person with respect to any child, it shall not require the public children services agency to provide supervision of or other services related to that parent's exercise of parenting time or that person's exercise of companionship or visitation rights with respect to the child. This section does not limit the power of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code to issue orders with respect to children who are alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent children or to make dispositions of children who are adjudicated abused, neglected, or dependent children or of a common pleas court to issue orders pursuant to section 3113.31 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) In a divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, or child support proceeding that involves a child, the court may grant reasonable companionship or visitation rights to any grandparent, any person related to the child by consanguinity or affinity, or any other person other than a parent, if all of the following apply:

(a) The grandparent, relative, or other person files a motion with the court seeking companionship or visitation rights.

(b) The court determines that the grandparent, relative, or other person has an interest in the welfare of the child.

(c) The court determines that the granting of the companionship or visitation rights is in the best interest of the child.

(2) A motion may be filed under division (B)(1) of this section during the pendency of the divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, or child support proceeding or, if a motion was not filed at that time or was filed at that time and the circumstances in the case have changed, at any time after a decree or final order is issued in the case.

(C) When determining whether to grant parenting time rights to a parent pursuant to this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or to grant companionship or visitation rights to a grandparent, relative, or other person pursuant to this section or section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, when establishing a specific parenting time or visitation schedule, and when determining other parenting time matters under this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or visitation matters under this section or section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, the court shall consider any mediation report that is filed pursuant to section 3109.052 of the Revised Code and shall consider all other relevant factors, including, but not limited to, all of the factors listed in division (D) of this section. In considering the factors listed in division (D) of this section for purposes of determining whether to grant parenting time or visitation rights, establishing a specific parenting time or visitation schedule, determining other parenting time matters under this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or visitation matters under this section or under section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, and resolving any issues related to the making of any determination with respect to parenting time or visitation rights or the establishment of any specific parenting time or visitation schedule, the court, in its discretion, may interview in chambers any or all involved children regarding their wishes and concerns. If the court interviews any child concerning the child's wishes and concerns regarding those parenting time or visitation matters, the interview shall be conducted in chambers, and no person other than the child, the child's attorney, the judge, any necessary court personnel, and, in the judge's discretion, the attorney of each parent shall be permitted to be present in the chambers during the interview. No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain from a child a written or recorded statement or affidavit setting forth the wishes and concerns of the child regarding those parenting time or visitation matters. A court, in considering the factors listed in division (D) of this section for purposes of determining whether to grant any parenting time or visitation rights, establishing a parenting time or visitation schedule, determining other parenting time matters under this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or visitation matters under this section or under section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, or resolving any issues related to the making of any determination with respect to parenting time or visitation rights or the establishment of any specific parenting time or visitation schedule, shall not accept or consider a written or recorded statement or affidavit that purports to set forth the child's wishes or concerns regarding those parenting time or visitation matters.

(D) In determining whether to grant parenting time to a parent pursuant to this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or companionship or visitation rights to a grandparent, relative, or other person pursuant to this section or section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, in establishing a specific parenting time or visitation schedule, and in determining other parenting time matters under this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or visitation matters under this section or section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, the court shall consider all of the following factors:

(1) The prior interaction and interrelationships of the child with the child's parents, siblings, and other persons related by consanguinity or affinity, and with the person who requested companionship or visitation if that person is not a parent, sibling, or relative of the child;

(2) The geographical location of the residence of each parent and the distance between those residences, and if the person is not a parent, the geographical location of that person's residence and the distance between that person's residence and the child's residence;

(3) The child's and parents' available time, including, but not limited to, each parent's employment schedule, the child's school schedule, and the child's and the parents' holiday and vacation schedule;

(4) The age of the child;

(5) The child's adjustment to home, school, and community;

(6) If the court has interviewed the child in chambers, pursuant to division (C) of this section, regarding the wishes and concerns of the child as to parenting time by the parent who is not the residential parent or companionship or visitation by the grandparent, relative, or other person who requested companionship or visitation, as to a specific parenting time or visitation schedule, or as to other parenting time or visitation matters, the wishes and concerns of the child, as expressed to the court;

(7) The health and safety of the child;

(8) The amount of time that will be available for the child to spend with siblings;

(9) The mental and physical health of all parties;

(10) Each parent's willingness to reschedule missed parenting time and to facilitate the other parent's parenting time rights, and with respect to a person who requested companionship or visitation, the willingness of that person to reschedule missed visitation;

(11) In relation to parenting time, whether either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child; whether either parent, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused child or a neglected child, previously has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that is the basis of the adjudication; and whether there is reason to believe that either parent has acted in a manner resulting in a child being an abused child or a neglected child;

(12) In relation to requested companionship or visitation by a person other than a parent, whether the person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child; whether the person, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused child or a neglected child, previously has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that is the basis of the adjudication; whether either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the current proceeding; whether either parent previously has been convicted of an offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the current proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense; and whether there is reason to believe that the person has acted in a manner resulting in a child being an abused child or a neglected child;

(13) Whether the residential parent or one of the parents subject to a shared parenting decree has continuously and willfully denied the other parent's right to parenting time in accordance with an order of the court;

(14) Whether either parent has established a residence or is planning to establish a residence outside this state;

(15) In relation to requested companionship or visitation by a person other than a parent, the wishes and concerns of the child's parents, as expressed by them to the court;

(16) Any other factor in the best interest of the child.

(E) The remarriage of a residential parent of a child does not affect the authority of a court under this section to grant parenting time rights with respect to the child to the parent who is not the residential parent or to grant reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to the child to any grandparent, any person related by consanguinity or affinity, or any other person.

(F)(1) If the court, pursuant to division (A) of this section, denies parenting time to a parent who is not the residential parent or denies a motion for reasonable companionship or visitation rights filed under division (B) of this section and the parent or movant files a written request for findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court shall state in writing its findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Civil Rule 52.

(2) On or before July 1, 1991, each court of common pleas, by rule, shall adopt standard parenting time guidelines. A court shall have discretion to deviate from its standard parenting time guidelines based upon factors set forth in division (D) of this section.

(G)(1) If the residential parent intends to move to a residence other than the residence specified in the parenting time order or decree of the court, the parent shall file a notice of intent to relocate with the court that issued the order or decree. Except as provided in divisions (G)(2), (3), and (4) of this section, the court shall send a copy of the notice to the parent who is not the residential parent. Upon receipt of the notice, the court, on its own motion or the motion of the parent who is not the residential parent, may schedule a hearing with notice to both parents to determine whether it is in the best interest of the child to revise the parenting time schedule for the child.

(2) When a court grants parenting time rights to a parent who is not the residential parent, the court shall determine whether that parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child. If the court determines that that parent has not been so convicted and has not been determined to be the perpetrator of an abusive act that is the basis of a child abuse adjudication, the court shall issue an order stating that a copy of any notice of relocation that is filed with the court pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section will be sent to the parent who is given the parenting time rights in accordance with division (G)(1) of this section.

If the court determines that the parent who is granted the parenting time rights has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child, it shall issue an order stating that that parent will not be given a copy of any notice of relocation that is filed with the court pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section unless the court determines that it is in the best interest of the children to give that parent a copy of the notice of relocation, issues an order stating that that parent will be given a copy of any notice of relocation filed pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, and issues specific written findings of fact in support of its determination.

(3) If a court, prior to April 11, 1991, issued an order granting parenting time rights to a parent who is not the residential parent and did not require the residential parent in that order to give the parent who is granted the parenting time rights notice of any change of address and if the residential parent files a notice of relocation pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, the court shall determine if the parent who is granted the parenting time rights has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child. If the court determines that the parent who is granted the parenting time rights has not been so convicted and has not been determined to be the perpetrator of an abusive act that is the basis of a child abuse adjudication, the court shall issue an order stating that a copy of any notice of relocation that is filed with the court pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section will be sent to the parent who is granted parenting time rights in accordance with division (G)(1) of this section.

If the court determines that the parent who is granted the parenting time rights has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child, it shall issue an order stating that that parent will not be given a copy of any notice of relocation that is filed with the court pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section unless the court determines that it is in the best interest of the children to give that parent a copy of the notice of relocation, issues an order stating that that parent will be given a copy of any notice of relocation filed pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, and issues specific written findings of fact in support of its determination.

(4) If a parent who is granted parenting time rights pursuant to this section or any other section of the Revised Code is authorized by an order issued pursuant to this section or any other court order to receive a copy of any notice of relocation that is filed pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section or pursuant to court order, if the residential parent intends to move to a residence other than the residence address specified in the parenting time order, and if the residential parent does not want the parent who is granted the parenting time rights to receive a copy of the relocation notice because the parent with parenting time rights has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child, the residential parent may file a motion with the court requesting that the parent who is granted the parenting time rights not receive a copy of any notice of relocation. Upon the filing of the motion, the court shall schedule a hearing on the motion and give both parents notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing. If the court determines that the parent who is granted the parenting time rights has been so convicted or has been determined to be the perpetrator of an abusive act that is the basis of a child abuse adjudication, the court shall issue an order stating that the parent who is granted the parenting time rights will not be given a copy of any notice of relocation that is filed with the court pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section or that the residential parent is no longer required to give that parent a copy of any notice of relocation unless the court determines that it is in the best interest of the children to give that parent a copy of the notice of relocation, issues an order stating that that parent will be given a copy of any notice of relocation filed pursuant to division (G)(1) of this section, and issues specific written findings of fact in support of its determination. If it does not so find, it shall dismiss the motion.

(H)(1) Subject to section 3125.16 and division (F) of section 3319.321 of the Revised Code, a parent of a child who is not the residential parent of the child is entitled to access, under the same terms and conditions under which access is provided to the residential parent, to any record that is related to the child and to which the residential parent of the child legally is provided access, unless the court determines that it would not be in the best interest of the child for the parent who is not the residential parent to have access to the records under those same terms and conditions. If the court determines that the parent of a child who is not the residential parent should not have access to records related to the child under the same terms and conditions as provided for the residential parent, the court shall specify the terms and conditions under which the parent who is not the residential parent is to have access to those records, shall enter its written findings of facts and opinion in the journal, and shall issue an order containing the terms and conditions to both the residential parent and the parent of the child who is not the residential parent. The court shall include in every order issued pursuant to this division notice that any keeper of a record who knowingly fails to comply with the order or division (H) of this section is in contempt of court.

(2) Subject to section 3125.16 and division (F) of section 3319.321 of the Revised Code, subsequent to the issuance of an order under division (H)(1) of this section, the keeper of any record that is related to a particular child and to which the residential parent legally is provided access shall permit the parent of the child who is not the residential parent to have access to the record under the same terms and conditions under which access is provided to the residential parent, unless the residential parent has presented the keeper of the record with a copy of an order issued under division (H)(1) of this section that limits the terms and conditions under which the parent who is not the residential parent is to have access to records pertaining to the child and the order pertains to the record in question. If the residential parent presents the keeper of the record with a copy of that type of order, the keeper of the record shall permit the parent who is not the residential parent to have access to the record only in accordance with the most recent order that has been issued pursuant to division (H)(1) of this section and presented to the keeper by the residential parent or the parent who is not the residential parent. Any keeper of any record who knowingly fails to comply with division (H) of this section or with any order issued pursuant to division (H)(1) of this section is in contempt of court.

(3) The prosecuting attorney of any county may file a complaint with the court of common pleas of that county requesting the court to issue a protective order preventing the disclosure pursuant to division (H)(1) or (2) of this section of any confidential law enforcement investigatory record. The court shall schedule a hearing on the motion and give notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing to all parties.

(I) A court that issues a parenting time order or decree pursuant to this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code shall determine whether the parent granted the right of parenting time is to be permitted access, in accordance with section 5104.039 of the Revised Code, to any child care center that is, or that in the future may be, attended by the children with whom the right of parenting time is granted. Unless the court determines that the parent who is not the residential parent should not have access to the center to the same extent that the residential parent is granted access to the center, the parent who is not the residential parent and who is granted parenting time rights is entitled to access to the center to the same extent that the residential parent is granted access to the center. If the court determines that the parent who is not the residential parent should not have access to the center to the same extent that the residential parent is granted such access under section 5104.039 of the Revised Code, the court shall specify the terms and conditions under which the parent who is not the residential parent is to have access to the center, provided that the access shall not be greater than the access that is provided to the residential parent under section 5104.039 of the Revised Code, the court shall enter its written findings of fact and opinions in the journal, and the court shall include the terms and conditions of access in the parenting time order or decree.

(J)(1) Subject to division (F) of section 3319.321 of the Revised Code, when a court issues an order or decree allocating parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child, the parent of the child who is not the residential parent of the child is entitled to access, under the same terms and conditions under which access is provided to the residential parent, to any student activity that is related to the child and to which the residential parent of the child legally is provided access, unless the court determines that it would not be in the best interest of the child to grant the parent who is not the residential parent access to the student activities under those same terms and conditions. If the court determines that the parent of the child who is not the residential parent should not have access to any student activity that is related to the child under the same terms and conditions as provided for the residential parent, the court shall specify the terms and conditions under which the parent who is not the residential parent is to have access to those student activities, shall enter its written findings of facts and opinion in the journal, and shall issue an order containing the terms and conditions to both the residential parent and the parent of the child who is not the residential parent. The court shall include in every order issued pursuant to this division notice that any school official or employee who knowingly fails to comply with the order or division (J) of this section is in contempt of court.

(2) Subject to division (F) of section 3319.321 of the Revised Code, subsequent to the issuance of an order under division (J)(1) of this section, all school officials and employees shall permit the parent of the child who is not the residential parent to have access to any student activity under the same terms and conditions under which access is provided to the residential parent of the child, unless the residential parent has presented the school official or employee, the board of education of the school, or the governing body of the chartered nonpublic school with a copy of an order issued under division (J)(1) of this section that limits the terms and conditions under which the parent who is not the residential parent is to have access to student activities related to the child and the order pertains to the student activity in question. If the residential parent presents the school official or employee, the board of education of the school, or the governing body of the chartered nonpublic school with a copy of that type of order, the school official or employee shall permit the parent who is not the residential parent to have access to the student activity only in accordance with the most recent order that has been issued pursuant to division (J)(1) of this section and presented to the school official or employee, the board of education of the school, or the governing body of the chartered nonpublic school by the residential parent or the parent who is not the residential parent. Any school official or employee who knowingly fails to comply with division (J) of this section or with any order issued pursuant to division (J)(1) of this section is in contempt of court.

(K) If any person is found in contempt of court for failing to comply with or interfering with any order or decree granting parenting time rights issued pursuant to this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or companionship or visitation rights issued pursuant to this section, section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, or any other provision of the Revised Code, the court that makes the finding, in addition to any other penalty or remedy imposed, shall assess all court costs arising out of the contempt proceeding against the person and require the person to pay any reasonable attorney's fees of any adverse party, as determined by the court, that arose in relation to the act of contempt, and may award reasonable compensatory parenting time or visitation to the person whose right of parenting time or visitation was affected by the failure or interference if such compensatory parenting time or visitation is in the best interest of the child. Any compensatory parenting time or visitation awarded under this division shall be included in an order issued by the court and, to the extent possible, shall be governed by the same terms and conditions as was the parenting time or visitation that was affected by the failure or interference.

(L) Any parent who requests reasonable parenting time rights with respect to a child under this section or section 3109.12 of the Revised Code or any person who requests reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to a child under this section, section 3109.11 or 3109.12 of the Revised Code, or any other provision of the Revised Code may file a motion with the court requesting that it waive all or any part of the costs that may accrue in the proceedings. If the court determines that the movant is indigent and that the waiver is in the best interest of the child, the court, in its discretion, may waive payment of all or any part of the costs of those proceedings.

(M)(1) A parent who receives an order for active military service in the uniformed services and who is subject to a parenting time order may apply to the court for any of the following temporary orders for the period extending from the date of the parent's departure to the date of return:

(a) An order delegating all or part of the parent's parenting time with the child to a relative or to another person who has a close and substantial relationship with the child if the delegation is in the child's best interest;

(b) An order that the other parent make the child reasonably available for parenting time with the parent when the parent is on leave from active military service;

(c) An order that the other parent facilitate contact, including telephone and electronic contact, between the parent and child while the parent is on active military service.

(2)(a) Upon receipt of an order for active military service, a parent who is subject to a parenting time order and seeks an order under division (M)(1) of this section shall notify the other parent who is subject to the parenting time order and apply to the court as soon as reasonably possible after receipt of the order for active military service. The application shall include the date on which the active military service begins.

(b) The court shall schedule a hearing upon receipt of an application under division (M) of this section and hold the hearing not later than thirty days after its receipt, except that the court shall give the case calendar priority and handle the case expeditiously if exigent circumstances exist in the case. No hearing shall be required if both parents agree to the terms of the requested temporary order and the court determines that the order is in the child's best interest.

(c) In determining whether a delegation under division (M)(1)(a) of this section is in the child's best interest, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the factors set forth in division (D) of this section.

(d) An order delegating all or part of the parent's parenting time pursuant to division (M)(1)(a) of this section does not create standing on behalf of the person to whom parenting time is delegated to assert visitation or companionship rights independent of the order.

(3) At the request of a parent who is ordered for active military service in the uniformed services and who is a subject of a proceeding pertaining to a parenting time order or pertaining to a request for companionship rights or visitation with a child, the court shall permit the parent to participate in the proceeding and present evidence by electronic means, including communication by telephone, video, or internet to the extent permitted by rules of the supreme court of Ohio.

(N) The juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction to enter the orders in any case certified to it from another court.

(O) As used in this section:

(1) "Abused child" has the same meaning as in section 2151.031 of the Revised Code, and "neglected child" has the same meaning as in section 2151.03 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Active military service" and "uniformed services" have the same meanings as in section 3109.04 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Confidential law enforcement investigatory record" has the same meaning as in section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Parenting time order" means an order establishing the amount of time that a child spends with the parent who is not the residential parent or the amount of time that the child is to be physically located with a parent under a shared parenting order.

(5) "Record" means any record, document, file, or other material that contains information directly related to a child, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

(a) Records maintained by public and nonpublic schools;

(b) Records maintained by facilities that provide child care, as defined in section 5104.01 of the Revised Code, publicly funded child care, as defined in section 5104.01 of the Revised Code, or pre-school services operated by or under the supervision of a school district board of education or a nonpublic school;

(c) Records maintained by hospitals, other facilities, or persons providing medical or surgical care or treatment for the child;

(d) Records maintained by agencies, departments, instrumentalities, or other entities of the state or any political subdivision of the state, other than a child support enforcement agency. Access to records maintained by a child support enforcement agency is governed by section 3125.16 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 16, 2023 at 5:22 PM

Section 3109.052 | Mediation of differences as to allocating parental rights and responsibilities.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) If a proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child involves one or more children, if the parents of the children do not agree upon an appropriate allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of their children or do not agree upon a specific schedule of parenting time for their children, the court may order the parents to mediate their differences on those matters in accordance with mediation procedures adopted by the court by local rule. When the court determines whether mediation is appropriate in any proceeding, it shall consider whether either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, whether either parent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, and whether either parent has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child. If either parent has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2919.25 of the Revised Code involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any other offense involving a victim who at the time of the commission of the offense was a member of the family or household that is the subject of the proceeding and caused physical harm to the victim in the commission of the offense, or has been determined to be the perpetrator of the abusive act that is the basis of an adjudication that a child is an abused child, the court may order mediation only if the court determines that it is in the best interests of the parties to order mediation and makes specific written findings of fact to support its determination.

If a court issues an order pursuant to this division requiring mediation, it also may order the parents to file a mediation report within a specified period of time and order the parents to pay the cost of mediation, unless either or both of the parents file a motion requesting that the court waive that requirement. Upon the filing of a motion requesting the waiver of that requirement, the court, for good cause shown, may waive the requirement that either or both parents pay the cost of mediation or may require one of the parents to pay the entire cost of mediation. Any mediation procedures adopted by local court rule for use under this division shall include, but are not limited to, provisions establishing qualifications for mediators who may be employed or used and provisions establishing standards for the conduct of the mediation.

(B) If a mediation order is issued under division (A) of this section and the order requires the parents to file a mediation report, the mediator and each parent who takes part in mediation in accordance with the order jointly shall file a report of the results of the mediation process with the court that issued the order under that division. A mediation report shall indicate only whether agreement has been reached on any of the issues that were the subject of the mediation, and, if agreement has been reached, the content and details of the agreement. No mediation report shall contain any background information concerning the mediation process or any information discussed or presented in the process. The court shall consider the mediation report when it allocates parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children under section 3109.04 of the Revised Code and when it establishes a specific schedule of parenting time under section 3109.051 of the Revised Code. The court is not bound by the mediation report and shall consider the best interest of the children when making that allocation or establishing the parenting time schedule.

(C) If a mediation order is issued under division (A) of this section, the mediator shall not be made a party to, and shall not be called as a witness or testify in, any action or proceeding, other than a criminal, delinquency, child abuse, child neglect, or dependent child action or proceeding, that is brought by or against either parent and that pertains to the mediation process, to any information discussed or presented in the mediation process, to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the parents' children, or to the awarding of parenting time rights in relation to their children. The mediator shall not be made a party to, or be called as a witness or testify in, such an action or proceeding even if both parents give their prior consent to the mediator being made a party to or being called as a witness or to testify in the action or proceeding.

(D) Division (A) of this section does not apply to either of the following:

(1) Any proceeding, or the use of mediation in any proceeding that is not a proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child;

(2) The use of mediation in any proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child, in relation to issues other than the appropriate allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the parents' children and other than a specific parenting time schedule for the parents' children.

Section 3109.053 | Parenting classes or counseling.

• Effective: October 5, 2000
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 537 - 123rd General Assembly

In any divorce, legal separation, or annulment proceeding and in any proceeding pertaining to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child, the court may require, by rule or otherwise, that the parents attend classes on parenting or other related issues or obtain counseling before the court issues an order allocating the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor children of the marriage. If a court in any proceeding requires parents to attend classes on parenting or other related issues or to obtain counseling, the court may require that the parents' children attend the classes or counseling with the parents. If the court orders the parents to attend classes or obtain counseling, the court shall impose the cost of the classes and counseling on, and may allocate the costs between, the parents, except that if the court determines that both parents are indigent, the court shall not impose the cost of the classes or counseling on the parents.

Section 3109.054 | Parental decisions regarding child's gender identity and gender transition.

• Effective: April 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 68 - 135th General Assembly

When allocating parental rights and responsibilities or parenting time, no court shall deny or limit a parent's parental rights and responsibilities or parenting time based on the parent's decision to do any of the following:

(A) Refer to and raise the child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex;

(B) Decline to consent to the child receiving gender transition services as defined in section 3129.01 of the Revised Code;

(C) Decline to consent to the child receiving counseling or other mental health services for the purpose of affirming the child's perception of the child's gender or sex, if the child's perception is inconsistent with the child's biological sex.

Last updated February 6, 2024 at 1:15 PM

Section 3109.055 | Conciliation for custody disputes between unmarried parents.

• Effective: October 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 301 - 135th General Assembly

(A) If a child is born to an unmarried woman and the father of the child has acknowledged the child and that acknowledgment has become final pursuant to section 2151.232, 3111.25, or 3111.821 of the Revised Code or has been determined in an action under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code to be the father of the child, the court, upon its own motion or the motion of one of the parties, may order the parents to undergo conciliation with a magistrate in order to resolve any disputes regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities between the parents in a case pending before the court. An order requiring conciliation shall set forth the the name of the magistrate who will serve as the conciliator and the manner in which the costs of any conciliation procedures are to be paid.

(B) A magistrate who serves as a conciliator shall use conciliation procedures to resolve a dispute regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities and, upon resolution of the dispute, issue an order regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, parenting time, or companionship or visitation pursuant to section 2151.23, 3109.04, or 3109.12 of the Revised Code. The conciliation procedures may include without limitation the use of family counselors and service agencies, community health services, physicians, licensed psychologists, or clergy. If the magistrate orders the parties to undergo family counseling, the magistrate shall name the counselor and set forth the required type of counseling, the length of time for the counseling, and any other specific conditions. No order regarding the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, parenting time, or companionship or visitation shall be issued until the conciliation has concluded and been reported to the magistrate.

Last updated September 25, 2024 at 4:22 PM

Section 3109.06 | Certification to juvenile court.

• Effective: March 22, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 595 - 132nd General Assembly

Except as provided in division (K) of section 2301.03 of the Revised Code, any court, other than a juvenile court, that has jurisdiction in any case respecting the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a child under eighteen years of age and the designation of the child's place of residence and legal custodian or in any case respecting the support of a child under eighteen years of age, may, on its own motion or on motion of any interested party, certify the record in the case or so much of the record and such further information, in narrative form or otherwise, as the court deems necessary or the juvenile court requests, to the juvenile court for further proceedings; upon the certification, the juvenile court shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

In cases in which the court of common pleas finds the parents unsuitable to have the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child or children and unsuitable to provide the place of residence and to be the legal custodian of the child or children, consent of the juvenile court shall not be required to such certification. This section applies to actions pending on August 28, 1951.

In any case in which a court of common pleas, or other court having jurisdiction, has issued an order that allocates parental rights and responsibilities for the care of minor children and designates their place of residence and legal custodian of minor children, has made an order for support of minor children, or has done both, the jurisdiction of the court shall not abate upon the death of the person awarded custody but shall continue for all purposes during the minority of the children. The court, upon its own motion or the motion of either parent or of any interested person acting on behalf of the children, may proceed to make further disposition of the case in the best interests of the children and subject to sections 3109.42 to 3109.48 of the Revised Code. If the children are under eighteen years of age, it may certify them, pursuant to this section, to the juvenile court of any county for further proceedings. After certification to a juvenile court, the jurisdiction of the court of common pleas, or other court, shall cease, except as to any payments of spousal support due for the spouse and support payments due and unpaid for the children at the time of the certification.

Any disposition made pursuant to this section, whether by a juvenile court after a case is certified to it, or by any court upon the death of a person awarded custody of a child, shall be made in accordance with sections 3109.04 and 3109.42 to 3109.48 of the Revised Code. If an appeal is taken from a decision made pursuant to this section that allocates parental rights and responsibilities for the care of a minor child and designates the child's place of residence and legal custodian, the court of appeals shall give the case calendar priority and handle it expeditiously.

Section 3109.061 | Construction of sections 2151.233 to 2151.236.

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

Nothing in sections 2151.233 to 2151.236 and 2301.03 of the Revised Code shall be construed to prevent a domestic relations court from certifying a case to a juvenile court under division (D)(2) of section 3109.04 of the Revised Code or section 3109.06 of the Revised Code. Consent of the juvenile court shall not be required for the certification.

As used in this section, "domestic relations court" has the same meaning as in section 2151.233 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.07 | Appeals.

• Effective: March 17, 1987
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 412 - 116th General Assembly

An appeal to the court of appeals may be had pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.09 | Liability of parents for willful damage of property or theft by their children.

• Effective: October 29, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 121st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "parent" means one of the following:

(1) Both parents unless division (A)(2) or (3) of this section applies;

(2) The parent designated the residential parent and legal custodian pursuant to an order issued under section 3109.04 of the Revised Code that is not a shared parenting order;

(3) The custodial parent of a child born out of wedlock with respect to whom no custody order has been issued.

(B) Any owner of property, including any board of education of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district, may maintain a civil action to recover compensatory damages not exceeding ten thousand dollars and court costs from the parent of a minor if the minor willfully damages property belonging to the owner or commits acts cognizable as a "theft offense," as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, involving the property of the owner. The action may be joined with an action under Chapter 2737. of the Revised Code against the minor, or the minor and the minor's parent, to recover the property regardless of value, but any additional damages recovered from the parent pursuant to this section shall be limited to compensatory damages not exceeding ten thousand dollars, as authorized by this section. A finding of willful destruction of property or of committing acts cognizable as a theft offense is not dependent upon a prior finding that the child is a delinquent child or upon the child's conviction of any criminal offense.

(C)(1) If a court renders a judgment in favor of a board of education of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district in an action brought pursuant to division (B) of this section, if the board of education agrees to the parent's performance of community service in lieu of full payment of the judgment, and if the parent who is responsible for the payment of the judgment agrees to voluntarily participate in the performance of community service in lieu of full payment of the judgment, the court may order the parent to perform community service in lieu of providing full payment of the judgment.

(2) If a court, pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, orders a parent to perform community service in lieu of providing full payment of a judgment, the court shall specify in its order the amount of the judgment, if any, to be paid by the parent, the type and number of hours of community service to be performed by the parent, and any other conditions necessary to carry out the order.

(D) This section shall not apply to a parent of a minor if the minor was married at the time of the commission of the acts or violations that would otherwise give rise to a civil action commenced under this section.

(E) Any action brought pursuant to this section shall be commenced and heard as in other civil actions.

(F) The monetary limitation upon compensatory damages set forth in this section does not apply to a civil action brought pursuant to section 2307.70 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.10 | Liability of parents for willful and malicious assaults by their children.

• Effective: October 29, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 601 - 121st General Assembly

As used in this section, "parent" has the same meaning as in section 3109.09 of the Revised Code.

Any person is entitled to maintain an action to recover compensatory damages in a civil action, in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars and costs of suit in a court of competent jurisdiction, from the parent of a child under the age of eighteen if the child willfully and maliciously assaults the person by a means or force likely to produce great bodily harm. A finding of willful and malicious assault by a means or force likely to produce great bodily harm is not dependent upon a prior finding that the child is a delinquent child.

Any action brought pursuant to this section shall be commenced and heard as in other civil actions for damages.

The monetary limitation upon compensatory damages set forth in this section does not apply to a civil action brought pursuant to section 2307.70 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.11 | Companionship or visitation rights for parents or other relatives of deceased mother or father.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

If either the father or mother of an unmarried minor child is deceased, the court of common pleas of the county in which the minor child resides may grant the parents and other relatives of the deceased father or mother reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to the minor child during the child's minority if the parent or other relative files a complaint requesting reasonable companionship or visitation rights and if the court determines that the granting of the companionship or visitation rights is in the best interest of the minor child. In determining whether to grant any person reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to any child, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the factors set forth in division (D) of section 3109.051 of the Revised Code. Divisions (C), (K), and (L) of section 3109.051 of the Revised Code apply to the determination of reasonable companionship or visitation rights under this section and to any order granting any such rights that is issued under this section.

The remarriage of the surviving parent of the child or the adoption of the child by the spouse of the surviving parent of the child does not affect the authority of the court under this section to grant reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to the child to a parent or other relative of the child's deceased father or mother.

If the court denies a request for reasonable companionship or visitation rights made pursuant to this section and the complainant files a written request for findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court shall state in writing its findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Civil Rule 52.

Except as provided in division (E)(6) of section 3113.31 of the Revised Code, if the court, pursuant to this section, grants any person companionship or visitation rights with respect to any child, it shall not require the public children services agency to provide supervision of or other services related to that person's exercise of companionship or visitation rights with respect to the child. This section does not limit the power of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code to issue orders with respect to children who are alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent children or to make dispositions of children who are adjudicated abused, neglected, or dependent children or of a common pleas court to issue orders pursuant to section 3113.31 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.12 | Mother unmarried - parenting time, companionship or visitation rights.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) If a child is born to an unmarried woman, the parents of the woman and any relative of the woman may file a complaint requesting the court of common pleas of the county in which the child resides to grant them reasonable companionship or visitation rights with the child. If a child is born to an unmarried woman and if the father of the child has acknowledged the child and that acknowledgment has become final pursuant to section 2151.232, 3111.25, or 3111.821 of the Revised Code or has been determined in an action under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code to be the father of the child, the father may file a complaint requesting that the court of appropriate jurisdiction of the county in which the child resides grant him reasonable parenting time rights with the child and the parents of the father and any relative of the father may file a complaint requesting that the court grant them reasonable companionship or visitation rights with the child.

(B) The court may grant the parenting time rights or companionship or visitation rights requested under division (A) of this section, if it determines that the granting of the parenting time rights or companionship or visitation rights is in the best interest of the child. In determining whether to grant reasonable parenting time rights or reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to any child, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the factors set forth in division (D) of section 3109.051 of the Revised Code. Divisions (C), (K), and (L) of section 3109.051 of the Revised Code apply to the determination of reasonable parenting time rights or reasonable companionship or visitation rights under this section and to any order granting any such rights that is issued under this section.

The marriage or remarriage of the mother or father of a child does not affect the authority of the court under this section to grant the natural father reasonable parenting time rights or the parents or relatives of the natural father or the parents or relatives of the mother of the child reasonable companionship or visitation rights with respect to the child.

If the court denies a request for reasonable parenting time rights or reasonable companionship or visitation rights made pursuant to division (A) of this section and the complainant files a written request for findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court shall state in writing its findings of fact and conclusions of law in accordance with Civil Rule 52.

Except as provided in division (E)(6) of section 3113.31 of the Revised Code, if the court, pursuant to this section, grants parenting time rights or companionship or visitation rights with respect to any child, it shall not require the public children services agency to provide supervision of or other services related to that parent's exercise of parenting time rights with the child or that person's exercise of companionship or visitation rights with the child. This section does not limit the power of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code to issue orders with respect to children who are alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent children or to make dispositions of children who are adjudicated abused, neglected, or dependent children or of a common pleas court to issue orders pursuant to section 3113.31 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.13 | Prevention of child abuse and child neglect definitions.

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

As used in sections 3109.13 to 3109.179 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Child abuse and child neglect prevention programs" means programs that use primary and secondary prevention strategies that are conducted at the local level and activities and projects of statewide significance designed to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and child neglect.

(B) "Primary prevention strategies" are activities and services provided to the public designed to prevent or reduce the prevalence of child abuse and child neglect before signs of abuse or neglect can be observed.

(C) "Secondary prevention strategies" are activities and services that are provided to a specific population identified as having risk factors for child abuse and child neglect and are designed to intervene at the earliest warning signs of child abuse or child neglect, or whenever a child can be identified as being at risk of abuse or neglect.

Section 3109.14 | Fees for vital statistics records.

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

(A) As used in this section, "birth record" and "certification of birth" have the meanings given in section 3705.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) The director of health, a person authorized by the director, a local commissioner of health, or a local registrar of vital statistics shall charge and collect a fee for each certified copy of a birth record, for each certification of birth, and for each copy of a death record. The fee shall be three dollars. The fee is in addition to the fee imposed by section 3705.24 or any other section of the Revised Code. A local commissioner of health or a local registrar of vital statistics may retain an amount of each additional fee collected, not to exceed three per cent of the amount of the additional fee, to be used for costs directly related to the collection of the fee and the forwarding of the fee to the department of health.

The additional fees collected by the director of health or a person authorized by the director and the additional fees collected but not retained by a local commissioner of health or a local registrar of vital statistics shall be forwarded to the department of health not later than thirty days following the end of each quarter. Not later than two days after the fees are forwarded to the department each quarter, the department shall pay the collected fees to the treasurer of state in accordance with rules adopted by the treasurer of state under section 113.08 of the Revised Code.

(2) Upon the filing for a divorce decree under section 3105.10 or a decree of dissolution under section 3105.65 of the Revised Code, a court of common pleas shall charge and collect a fee. The fee shall be eleven dollars. The fee is in addition to any other court costs or fees. The county clerk of courts may retain an amount of each additional fee collected, not to exceed three per cent of the amount of the additional fee, to be used for costs directly related to the collection of the fee and the forwarding of the fee to the treasurer of state. The additional fees collected, but not retained, under division (B)(2) of this section shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state not later than twenty days following the end of each month.

(C) The treasurer of state shall deposit the fees paid or forwarded under this section in the state treasury to the credit of the children's trust fund, which is hereby created. A person or government entity that fails to forward the fees in a timely manner, as determined by the treasurer of state, shall send to the treasurer of state, in addition to the fees, a penalty equal to ten per cent of the fees.

The treasurer of state shall invest the moneys in the fund, and all earnings resulting from investment of the fund shall be credited to the fund, except that actual administrative costs incurred by the treasurer of state in administering the fund may be deducted from the earnings resulting from investments. The amount that may be deducted shall not exceed three per cent of the total amount of fees credited to the fund in each fiscal year, except that the children's trust fund board may approve an amount for actual administrative costs exceeding three per cent but not exceeding four per cent of such amount. The balance of the investment earnings shall be credited to the fund. Moneys credited to the fund shall be used only for the purposes described in sections 3109.13 to 3109.179 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.15 | Children's trust fund board.

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

There is hereby created within the department of children and youth the children's trust fund board consisting of fifteen members. The directors of mental health and addiction services, health, and children and youth shall be members of the board. Eight public members shall be appointed by the governor. These members shall be persons with demonstrated knowledge in programs for children, shall be representative of the demographic composition of this state, and, to the extent practicable, shall be representative of the following categories: the educational community; the legal community; the social work community; the medical community; the voluntary sector; and professional providers of child abuse and child neglect services. Two members of the board shall be members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and shall be members of two different political parties. Two members of the board shall be members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate and shall be members of two different political parties. All members of the board appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives or the president of the senate shall serve until the expiration of the sessions of the general assembly during which they were appointed. They may be reappointed to an unlimited number of successive terms of two years at the pleasure of the speaker of the house of representatives or president of the senate.

Public members shall serve terms of three years. Each member shall serve until the member's successor is appointed, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. No public member may serve more than two consecutive full terms. However, a member may serve two consecutive full terms following the remainder of a term for which the member was appointed to fill a vacancy.

All vacancies on the board shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

Any member of the board may be removed by the member's appointing authority for misconduct, incompetency, or neglect of duty after first being given the opportunity to be heard in the member's own behalf. Pursuant to section 3.17 of the Revised Code, a member, except a member of the general assembly or a judge of any court in the state, who fails to attend at least three-fifths of the regular and special meetings held by the board during any two-year period forfeits the member's position on the board.

Each member of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

At the beginning of the first year of each even-numbered general assembly, the chairperson of the board shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives from among members of the board who are members of the house of representatives. At the beginning of the first year of each odd-numbered general assembly, the chairperson of the board shall be appointed by the president of the senate from among the members of the board who are senate members.

The board shall biennially select a vice-chair from among its nonlegislative members.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 2:19 PM

Section 3109.16 | Powers of the board.

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

(A) The children's trust fund board, upon the recommendation of the director of children and youth, shall approve the employment of an executive director who will administer the programs of the board.

(B) The department of children and youth shall provide budgetary, procurement, accounting, and other related management functions for the board and may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for these purposes. An amount not to exceed three per cent of the total amount of fees deposited in the children's trust fund in each fiscal year may be used for costs directly related to these administrative functions of the department. Each fiscal year, the board shall approve a budget for administrative expenditures for the next fiscal year.

(C) The board may request that the department adopt rules the board considers necessary for the purpose of carrying out the board's responsibilities under this section, and the department may adopt those rules. The department may, after consultation with the board and the executive director, adopt any other rules to assist the board in carrying out its responsibilities under this section. In either case, the rules shall be adopted under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(D) The board shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chairperson to conduct its official business. All business transactions of the board shall be conducted in public meetings. A majority of the members appointed to the board constitute a quorum. A majority of the quorum is required to make all decisions of the board.

(E) With respect to funding, all of the following apply:

(1) The board may apply for and accept federal and other funds for the purpose of funding child abuse and child neglect prevention programs.

(2) The board may solicit and accept gifts, money, and other donations from any public or private source, including individuals, philanthropic foundations or organizations, corporations, or corporation endowments.

(3) The board may develop private-public partnerships to support the mission of the children's trust fund.

(4) The acceptance and use of federal and other funds shall not obligate the general assembly to continue the programs or activities for which the federal and other funds are made available.

(5) All funds received in the manner described in this section shall be transmitted to the treasurer of state, who shall credit them to the children's trust fund created in section 3109.14 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 2:21 PM

Section 3109.17 | Biennial state plan for comprehensive child abuse and child neglect prevention.

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

(A) The children's trust fund board shall establish a strategic plan for child abuse and child neglect prevention. The plan shall be transmitted to the governor, the president and minority leader of the senate, and the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives and shall be made available to the general public.

(B) In developing and carrying out the strategic plan, the children's trust fund board shall, in accordance with rules adopted by the department pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, do all of the following:

(1) Ensure that an opportunity exists for assistance through child abuse and child neglect prevention programs to persons throughout the state of various social and economic backgrounds;

(2) Allocate funds to entities for the purpose of funding child abuse and child neglect prevention programs that have statewide significance and that have been approved by the children's trust fund board;

(3) Provide for the monitoring of expenditures from the children's trust fund and of programs that receive money from the children's trust fund;

(4) Establish reporting requirements for regional child abuse and child neglect prevention councils, including deadlines for the submission of the progress and annual reports required under section 3107.172 of the Revised Code.

(5) Collaborate with appropriate persons and government entities and facilitate the exchange of information among those persons and entities for the purpose of child abuse and child neglect prevention;

(6) Provide for the education of the public and professionals for the purpose of child abuse and child neglect prevention.

(C) The children's trust fund board shall prepare a report for each fiscal biennium that delineates the expenditure of money from the children's trust fund. On or before January 1, 2002, and on or before the first day of January of a year that follows the end of a fiscal biennium of this state, the board shall file a copy of the report with the governor, the president and minority leader of the senate, and the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 2:24 PM

Section 3109.171 | Child abuse and child neglect prevention regions.

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

For the purpose of administering child abuse and child neglect prevention programming and services approved by the children's trust fund board, there are hereby created the following eight child abuse and child neglect prevention regions in the state:

One region consisting of the following counties: Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot.

One region consisting of the following counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake.

One region consisting of the following counties: Ashland, Columbiana, Holmes, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne.

One region consisting of the following counties: Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby.

One region consisting of the following counties: Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Richland, and Union.

One region consisting of the following counties: Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble, and Tuscarawas.

One region consisting of the following counties: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren.

One region consisting of the following counties: Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington.

Section 3109.172 | Child abuse and child neglect regional prevention councils.

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

(A) As used in this section, "county prevention specialist" includes the following:

(1) Members of agencies responsible for the administration of children's services in the counties within a child abuse and child neglect prevention region established in section 3109.171 of the Revised Code;

(2) Providers of alcohol or drug addiction services or members of boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that serve counties within a region;

(3) Providers of mental health services or members of boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services that serve counties within a region;

(4) Members of county boards of developmental disabilities that serve counties within a region;

(5) Members of the educational community appointed by the superintendent of the school district with the largest enrollment in the counties within a region;

(6) Juvenile justice officials serving counties within a region;

(7) Pediatricians, health department nurses, and other members of the medical community in the counties within a region;

(8) Counselors and social workers serving counties within a region;

(9) Head start agencies serving counties within a region;

(10) Child care providers serving counties within a region;

(11) Parent advocates with relevant experience and knowledge of services in a region;

(12) Other persons with demonstrated knowledge in programs for children serving counties within a region.

(B) Each child abuse and child neglect prevention region shall have a child abuse and child neglect regional prevention council as appointed under divisions (C), (D), and (E) of this section. Each council shall operate in accordance with rules adopted by the department of job and family services pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) Each board of county commissioners within a region may appoint up to two county prevention specialists to the council representing the county, in accordance with rules adopted by the department of job and family services under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(2) The children's trust fund board may appoint additional county prevention specialists to each region's council at the board's discretion.

(D) Each council member appointed under division (C)(1) of this section shall be appointed for a two-year term. Each council member appointed under division (C)(2) of this section shall be appointed for a three-year term. A member may be reappointed, but for two consecutive terms only.

(E) A member may be removed from the council by the member's appointing authority for misconduct, incompetence, or neglect of duty.

(F) Each appointed member of a council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(G) A chairperson shall be selected by the council's regional prevention coordinator from among the county prevention specialists serving on the council.

(1) The chairperson shall serve as a nonvoting member of the council.

(2) The chairperson shall preside over council meetings or may call upon the vice-chairperson to preside over meetings.

(H) At the first regular meeting of the year, which shall be called by the chairperson, the members shall elect a vice-chairperson by a majority vote.

(1) The vice-chairperson shall preside over council meetings in the absence of the chairperson or upon the request of the chairperson.

(2) The vice-chairperson functions in the same capacity as the chairperson and becomes a nonvoting member when presiding over a council meeting.

(I) Each council shall meet at least quarterly.

(J) Council members shall do all of the following:

(1) Attend meetings of the council on which they serve;

(2) Assist the regional prevention coordinator in conducting a needs assessment to ascertain the child abuse and child neglect prevention programming and services that are needed in their region;

(3) Collaborate on assembling the council's regional prevention plan based on children's trust fund board guidelines pursuant to section 3109.174 of the Revised Code;

(4) Assist the council's regional prevention coordinator with all of the following:

(a) Implementing the regional prevention plan, including monitoring fulfillment of child abuse and child neglect prevention deliverables and achievement of prevention outcomes;

(b) Coordinating county data collection;

(c) Ensuring timely and accurate reporting to the children's trust fund board.

(5) Any additional duties specified in accordance with rules adopted by the department pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(K) No council member shall participate in matters of the council pertaining to their own interests, including applications for funding by a council member or any entity, public or private, of which a council member serves as either a board member or employee.

(L) Each council shall file with the children's trust fund board, not later than the due dates specified by the board, a progress report and an annual report regarding the council's child abuse and child neglect prevention programs and activities undertaken in accordance with the council's regional prevention plan. The reports shall contain all information required by the board.

Last updated September 29, 2023 at 9:47 AM

Section 3109.173 | Regional prevention coordinator.

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

(A) Each child abuse and child neglect regional prevention council shall be under the direction of a regional prevention coordinator. The children's trust fund board shall select each region's coordinator through a competitive selection process conducted by the board.

(B) Regional prevention coordinators shall do all of the following:

(1) Select a representative to serve as chairperson of the regional prevention council;

(2) Conduct a needs assessment to ascertain the child abuse and neglect prevention programming and services that are needed in the region;

(3) Work with county prevention specialists in the region to assemble the regional prevention plan based on children's trust fund board guidelines pursuant to section 3109.174 of the Revised Code;

(4) Implement the regional prevention plan, including the following:

(a) Monitoring fulfillment of prevention deliverables and achievement of prevention outcomes;

(b) Coordinating county data collection;

(c) Ensuring timely and accurate reporting to the board.

(5) Any additional duties specified by the department in rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.174 | Submission of regional prevention plan.

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

Each child abuse and child neglect regional prevention council shall submit to the children's trust fund board a regional prevention plan for funding child abuse and child neglect prevention programs and activities based on criteria set forth by the children's trust fund.

The plan shall be submitted on the form and in the manner specified in rules adopted by the department of job and family services pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 28, 2023 at 12:18 PM

Section 3109.175 | Evaluation of plans.

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

On receipt of a regional prevention plan submitted pursuant to section 3109.174 of the Revised Code, the children's trust fund board may do either of the following:

(A) Approve the plan;

(B) Deny the plan;

(C) Require the submitting council to make changes to the plan and submit an amended plan to the board.

Section 3109.176 | Denial or reduction of funding.

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

(A) The children's trust fund board may deny funding or allocate a reduced amount of funds on a pro-rated daily basis to a child abuse and child neglect regional prevention council for the fiscal year for which a regional prevention plan was required to be developed under any of the following circumstances:

(1) If a council fails to submit to the board a regional prevention plan pursuant to section 3109.174 of the Revised Code by the date specified by the board;

(2) If a council fails to submit to the board an amended plan pursuant to division (C) of section 3109.175 of the Revised Code;

(3) If the board fails to approve a plan or an amended plan submitted by a council.

(B) The board may allocate a reduced amount of funds to a council on a pro-rated daily basis for the following fiscal year if the council fails to submit to the board a progress report or annual report as required by section 3109.172 of the Revised Code not later than the due dates specified by the board for those reports.

Section 3109.177 | Primary prevention strategies.

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

(A) As used in this section and section 3107.178 of the Revised Code, "primary prevention strategies" has the same meaning as in section 3109.13 of the Revised Code.

(B) Each children's advocacy center may annually request funds from the children's trust fund board to conduct primary prevention strategies.

Last updated January 10, 2024 at 2:41 PM

Section 3109.178 | Requests for start-up costs.

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

(A) Each child abuse and child neglect regional prevention council may request from the children's trust fund board up to five thousand dollars for each county within the council's region to be used as one-time, start-up costs for the establishment and operation of a children's advocacy center to serve each county in the region or a center to serve two or more contiguous counties within the region.

(B) On receipt of a request made under this section, the board shall review and approve or disapprove the request.

(C) If the board disapproves the request, the board shall send to the requesting council written notice of the disapproval that states the reasons for the disapproval.

(D) No funds allocated to a council under this section may be used as start-up costs for any children's advocacy center unless the center has as a component a primary prevention strategy.

(E) A council that receives funds under this section in any fiscal year shall not use the funds received in a different fiscal year or for a different center in any fiscal year without the approval of the board.

(F) A children's advocacy center established using funds awarded under this section shall comply with sections 2151.425 to 2151.428 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 4, 2023 at 4:01 PM

Section 3109.179 | Rules.

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

(A) The department of children and youth shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding all of the following:

(1) Operation requirements for child abuse and child neglect regional prevention councils;

(2) The manner in which boards of county commissioners are to appoint council members;

(3) The form and manner by which councils are to submit regional prevention plans.

(B) The department may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regarding the following:

(1) Duties of council members;

(2) Duties of regional prevention coordinators;

(3) Any other rules necessary to implement sections 3109.13 to 3109.178 of the Revised Code.

(C) The department shall consult with the children's trust fund board and the board's executive director regarding all rules adopted under this section.

Last updated September 29, 2023 at 9:48 AM

Section 3109.19 | Parentage or support action brought by grandparent who is providing support to child born to unmarried and unemancipated minors.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "minor" has the same meaning as in section 3107.01 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) If a child is born to parents who are unmarried and unemancipated minors, a parent of one of the minors is providing support for the minors' child, and the minors have not signed an acknowledgment of paternity or a parent and child relationship has not been established between the child and the male minor, the parent who is providing support for the child may request a determination of the existence or nonexistence of a parent and child relationship between the child and the male minor pursuant to Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code.

(2) If a child is born to parents who are unmarried and unemancipated minors, a parent of one of the minors is providing support for the child, and the minors have signed an acknowledgment of paternity that has become final pursuant to section 2151.232, 3111.25, or 3111.821 of the Revised Code or a parent and child relationship has been established between the child and the male minor pursuant to Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, the parent who is providing support for the child may file a complaint requesting that the court issue an order or may request the child support enforcement agency of the county in which the child resides to issue an administrative order requiring all of the minors' parents to pay support for the child.

(C)(1) On receipt of a complaint filed under division (B)(2) of this section, the court shall schedule a hearing to determine, in accordance with Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code, the amount of child support the minors' parents are required to pay, the method of paying the support, and the method of providing for the child's health care needs. On receipt of a request under division (B)(2) of this section, the agency shall schedule a hearing to determine, in accordance with Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code, the amount of child support the minors' parents are required to pay, the method of paying the support, and the method of providing for the child's health care needs. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court or agency shall issue an order requiring the payment of support of the child and provision for the child's health care needs. The court or agency shall calculate the child support amount using the income of the minors' parents instead of the income of the minors. If any of the minors' parents are divorced, the court or agency shall calculate the child support as if they were married, and issue a child support order requiring the parents to pay a portion of any support imposed as a separate obligation. If a child support order issued pursuant to section 2151.23, 2151.231, 2151.232, 3111.13, or 3111.81 of the Revised Code requires one of the minors to pay support for the child, the amount the minor is required to pay shall be deducted from any amount that minor's parents are required to pay pursuant to an order issued under this section. The hearing shall be held not later than sixty days after the day the complaint is filed or the request is made nor earlier than thirty days after the court or agency gives the minors' parents notice of the action.

(2) An order issued by an agency for the payment of child support shall include a notice stating all of the following: that the parents of the minors may object to the order by filing a complaint pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section with the court requesting that the court issue an order requiring the minors' parents to pay support for the child and provide for the child's health care needs; that the complaint may be filed no later than thirty days after the date of the issuance of the agency's order; and that, if none of the parents of the minors file a complaint pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section, the agency's order is final and enforceable by a court and may be modified and enforced only in accordance with Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code.

(D) An order issued by a court or agency under this section shall remain in effect, except as modified pursuant to Chapters 3119., 3121., 3123., and 3125. of the Revised Code until the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) The minor who resides with the parents required to pay support under this section reaches the age of eighteen years, dies, marries, enlists in the armed services, is deported, gains legal or physical custody of the child, or is otherwise emancipated.

(2) The child who is the subject of the order dies, is adopted, is deported, or is transferred to the legal or physical custody of the minor who lives with the parents required to pay support under this section.

(3) The minor's parents to whom support is being paid pursuant to this section is no longer providing any support for the child.

(E) The minor's parents to whom support is being paid under a child support order issued by a court or agency pursuant to this section shall notify, and the minor's parents who are paying support may notify the child support enforcement agency of the occurrence of any event described in division (D) of this section. A willful failure to notify the agency as required by this division is contempt of court with respect to a court child support order. Upon receiving notification pursuant to this division, the agency shall comply with sections 3119.90 to 3119.94 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.401 | State policy on parent and child relationship.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 548 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The general assembly finds the following:

(1) That the parent and child relationship is of fundamental importance to the welfare of a child, and that the relationship between a child and each parent should be fostered unless inconsistent with the child's best interests;

(2) That parents have the responsibility to make decisions and perform other parenting functions necessary for the care and growth of their children;

(3) That the courts, when allocating parenting functions and responsibilities with respect to the child in a divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, or any other proceeding addressing the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, must determine the child's best interests;

(4) That the courts and parents must take into consideration the following general principles when allocating parental rights and responsibilities and developing appropriate terms for parenting plans:

(a) Children are served by a parenting arrangement that best provides for a child's safety, emotional growth, health, stability, and physical care.

(b) Exposure of the child to harmful parental conflict should be minimized as much as possible.

(c) Whenever appropriate, parents should be encouraged to meet their responsibilities to their children through agreements rather than by relying on judicial intervention.

(d) When a parenting plan provides for mutual decision-making responsibility by the parents but they are unable to make decisions mutually, they should make a good faith effort to utilize the mediation process as required by the parenting plan.

(e) In apportioning between the parents the daily physical living arrangements of the child and the child's location during legal and school holidays, vacations, and days of special importance, a court should not impose any type of standard schedule unless a standard schedule meets the needs of the child better than any proposed alternative parenting plan.

(B) It is, therefore, the purpose of this chapter, when it is in the child's best interest, to foster the relationship between the child and each parent when a court allocates parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or any other proceeding addressing the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.

(C) There is hereby created the task force on family law and children consisting of twenty-four members. The Ohio state bar association shall appoint three members who shall be attorneys with extensive experience in the practice of family law. The Ohio association of domestic relations judges shall appoint three members who shall be domestic relations judges. The Ohio association of juvenile and family court judges shall appoint three members who shall be juvenile or family court judges. The chief justice of the supreme court shall appoint eight members, three of whom shall be persons who practice in the field of family law mediation, two of whom shall be persons who practice in the field of child psychology, one of whom shall be a person who represents parent and child advocacy organizations, one of whom shall be a person who provides parenting education services, and one of whom shall be a magistrate employed by a domestic relations or juvenile court. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two members who shall be members of the house of representatives and who shall be from different political parties. The president of the senate shall appoint two members who shall be members of the senate and who shall be from different political parties. The governor shall appoint two members who shall represent child caring agencies. One member shall be the director of job and family services or the director's designee. The chief justice shall designate one member of the task force to chair the task force.

The appointing authorities and persons shall make appointments to the task force on family law and children within thirty days after September 1, 1998. Sections 101.82 to 101.87 of the Revised Code do not apply to the task force.

(D) The task force on family law and children shall do all of the following:

(1) Appoint and fix the compensation of any technical, professional, and clerical employees and perform any services that are necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the task force on family law and children. All employees of the task force shall serve at the pleasure of the task force.

(2) By July 1, 2001, submit to the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives and to the president and the minority leader of the senate a report of its findings and recommendations on how to create a more civilized and constructive process for the parenting of children whose parents do not reside together. The recommendations shall propose a system to do all of the following:

(a) Put children first;

(b) Provide families with choices before they make a decision to obtain or finalize a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment;

(c) Redirect human services to intervention and prevention, rather than supporting the casualties of the current process;

(d) Avoid needless conflict between the participants;

(e) Encourage problem solving among the participants;

(f) Force the participants to act responsibly;

(g) Shield both the participants and their children from lasting emotional damage.

(3) Gather information on and study the current state of family law in this state;

(4) Collaborate and consult with entities engaged in family and children's issues including, but not limited to, the Ohio association of child caring agencies, the Ohio family court feasibility study, and the Ohio courts futures commission;

(5) Utilize findings and outcomes from pilot projects conducted by the Ohio family court feasibility study to explore alternatives in creating a more civilized and constructive process for the parenting of children whose parents do not reside together with an emphasis on the areas of mediation and obtaining visitation compliance.

(E) Courts of common pleas shall cooperate with the task force on family law and children in the performance of the task force's duties described in division (D) of this section.

Last updated September 29, 2023 at 9:49 AM

Section 3109.41 | Parent killing other parent definitions.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 179 - 123rd General Assembly

As used in sections 3109.41 to 3109.48 of the Revised Code:

(A) A person is "convicted of killing" if the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, or 2903.03 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Custody order" means an order designating a person as the residential parent and legal custodian of a child under section 3109.04 of the Revised Code or any order determining custody of a child under section 2151.23, 2151.33, 2151.353, 2151.354, 2151.415, 2151.417, 2152.16, 2152.17, 2152.19, 2152.21, or 3113.31 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Visitation order" means an order issued under division (B)(1)(c) of section 2151.33 or under section 2151.412, 3109.051, 3109.12, or 3113.31 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.42 | Ineligibility for custody of parent killing other parent.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

Except as provided in section 3109.47 of the Revised Code, if a parent is convicted of killing the other parent of a child, no court shall issue a custody order designating the parent as the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or granting custody of the child to the parent.

Section 3109.43 | Ineligibility for visitation rights of parent killing other parent.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

Except as provided in section 3109.47 of the Revised Code, if a parent is convicted of killing the other parent of a child, no court shall issue a visitation order granting the parent visitation rights with the child.

Section 3109.44 | Notice by court where parent convicted of killing other parent.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

Upon receipt of notice that a visitation order is pending or has been issued granting a parent visitation rights with a child or a custody order is pending or has been issued designating a parent as the residential parent and legal custodian of a child or granting custody of a child to a parent prior to that parent being convicted of killing the other parent of the child, the court in which the parent is convicted of killing the other parent shall immediately notify the court that issued the visitation or custody order of the conviction.

Section 3109.45 | Termination of visitation order upon receipt of notice.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

On receipt of notice under section 3109.44 of the Revised Code, a court that issued a visitation order described in that section shall terminate the order.

Section 3109.46 | Termination of custody order upon receipt of notice.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

If the court to which notice is sent under section 3109.44 of the Revised Code is a juvenile court that issued a custody order described in that section, the court shall retain jurisdiction over the order. If the court to which notice is sent is not a juvenile court but the court issued a custody order described in that section, the court shall transfer jurisdiction over the custody order to the juvenile court of the county in which the child has a residence or legal settlement.

On receipt of the notice in cases in which the custody order was issued by a juvenile court or after jurisdiction is transferred, the juvenile court with jurisdiction shall terminate the custody order.

The termination order shall be treated as a complaint filed under section 2151.27 of the Revised Code alleging the child subject of the custody order to be a dependent child. If a juvenile court issued the terminated custody order under a prior juvenile proceeding under Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code in which the child was adjudicated an abused, neglected, dependent, unruly, or delinquent child or a juvenile traffic offender, the court shall treat the termination order as a new complaint.

Section 3109.47 | Custody or visitation granted to surviving parent.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) A court may do one of the following with respect to a parent convicted of killing the other parent of a child if the court determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that it is in the best interest of the child and the child consents:

(1) Issue a custody order designating the parent as the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or granting custody of the child to that parent;

(2) Issue a visitation order granting that parent visitation rights with the child.

(B) When considering the ability of a child to consent and the validity of a child's consent under this section, the court shall consider the wishes of the child, as expressed directly by the child or through the child's guardian ad litem, with due regard for the maturity of the child.

Section 3109.48 | Visit to surviving parent with child present.

• Effective: October 20, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 191 - 123rd General Assembly

No person, with the child of the parent present, shall visit the parent who has been convicted of killing the child's other parent unless a court has issued an order granting the parent visitation rights with the child and the child's custodian or legal guardian consents to the visit.

Section 3109.50 | Definitions.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

As used in sections 3109.501 to 3109.507 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Parental rights" means parental rights and responsibilities, parenting time, or any other similar right established by the laws of this state with respect to a child. "Parental rights" does not include the parental duty of support for a child.

(B) "Rape" means a violation of section 2907.02 of the Revised Code or similar law of another state.

(C) "Sexual battery" means a violation of section 2907.03 of the Revised Code or similar law of another state.

Section 3109.501 | Children conceived as result of rape or sexual battery; declaration of paternity.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (C) and subject to division (D) of this section, a person who is the victim of rape or sexual battery for which a child was conceived as a result may bring an action to declare the person who was convicted of or pleaded guilty to the offense to be the parent of the child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery committed by the other person.

(B) In an action seeking a declaration described in division (A) of this section, a court may issue an order declaring that the other person is the parent of a child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery committed by the other person if all of the following are established by clear and convincing evidence:

(1) The other person was convicted of or pleaded guilty to the rape or sexual battery.

(2) The person bringing the action was the victim of the rape or sexual battery.

(3) The child was conceived as a result of the rape or sexual battery.

(4) Both persons are the parents of the child established pursuant to genetic testing conducted in different places or at different times or as provided in Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code.

(C) A person to whom the following apply may seek a declaration described in division (A) of this section only pursuant to a proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment:

(1) The person is the victim of a rape or sexual battery for which a child was conceived as a result.

(2) The person is married to the person who was convicted of or pleaded guilty to the rape or sexual battery.

(D) An action seeking a declaration under division (A) of this section shall be filed in a court with jurisdiction over juvenile matters if the parents of the child are not married and in a court with jurisdiction over domestic relations matters, pursuant to a proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment, if the parents of the child are married.

Section 3109.502 | Continuation of declaration of paternity proceedings during criminal proceedings.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

An action under section 3109.501 of the Revised Code shall be continued until the court renders a judgment and all appeals have been exhausted in the criminal proceedings regarding the charge of rape or sexual battery that is the basis of the action. On the final disposition of the criminal proceedings, the court shall do one of the following:

(A) Proceed with the action if the person was convicted of or pleaded guilty to rape or sexual battery;

(B) Dismiss the action if the person was acquitted of the charge of rape or sexual battery.

Section 3109.503 | Notice of parental rights.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A person who brings an action under division (A) of section 3109.501 of the Revised Code seeking a declaration that another person is the parent of a child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery committed by the other person shall notify the court in which the action is brought of any order previously issued by any court that grants the other person parental rights with respect to that child. The notice shall include the name of the court that issued the order, the date of issuance of the order, the name and number of the case in which the order was issued, the parental rights granted under the order, and the name of the person to whom the parental rights were granted.

(B) A court that issues an order under section 3109.501 of the Revised Code declaring a person to be the parent of a child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery committed by the person shall notify any court that has issued an order granting the person parental rights with respect to that child and that was identified in accordance with division (A) of this section by the person who brought the action.

Section 3109.504 | Granting of parental rights prohibited.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

(A) No court shall issue an order granting parental rights with respect to a child to a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to rape or sexual battery and has been declared, in an action or proceeding under section 3109.501 or 3109.505 of the Revised Code regarding that child, to be the parent of a child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery committed by the person.

(B) On receipt of a notice under section 3109.503 of the Revised Code, a court that has issued an order granting parental rights regarding the person and child addressed in the notice shall terminate the order.

Section 3109.505 | Consolidation of actions.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

Any action described in section 3109.501 of the Revised Code may be consolidated with any action or proceeding for parental rights regarding a child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery.

Section 3109.506 | Rights of relatives.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

A relative of a person whose parental rights with that person's child have been terminated, denied, or limited pursuant to sections 3109.50 to 3109.505 of the Revised Code may be granted only those rights consented to by the other parent of the child.

Section 3109.507 | Revocation or modification of order.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 207 - 130th General Assembly

(A) If a court issues an order under section 3109.501 of the Revised Code declaring a person to be the parent of a child conceived as a result of rape or sexual battery committed by the person, no court shall revoke or modify the order or the resulting denial, termination, or limitation of the person's parental rights and the person's relatives' rights under sections 3109.50 to 3109.506 of the Revised Code, except upon motion of the victim of the rape or sexual battery requesting the revocation or modification. The motion shall be made in the court that issued the order under section 3109.501 of the Revised Code.

(B) The denial, termination, or limitation of parental rights under sections 3109.50 to 3109.506 of the Revised Code does not relieve the person of any debts owed to the other parent or the child prior to the denial, termination, or limitation.

Section 3109.51 | Definitions.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

As used in sections 3109.52 to 3109.80 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Child" means a person under eighteen years of age.

(B) "Custodian" means an individual with legal custody of a child.

(C) "Guardian" means an individual granted authority by a probate court pursuant to Chapter 2111. of the Revised Code to exercise parental rights over a child to the extent provided in the court's order and subject to the residual parental rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the child's parents.

(D) "Legal custody" and "residual parental rights, privileges, and responsibilities" have the same meanings as in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.52 | Power of attorney for residential grandparent.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child may create a power of attorney that grants to a grandparent of the child with whom the child is residing any of the parent's, guardian's, or custodian's rights and responsibilities regarding the care, physical custody, and control of the child, including the ability to enroll the child in school, to obtain from the school district educational and behavioral information about the child, to consent to all school-related matters regarding the child, and to consent to medical, psychological, or dental treatment for the child. The power of attorney may not grant authority to consent to the marriage or adoption of the child. The power of attorney does not affect the rights of the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child in any future proceeding concerning custody of the child or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child and does not grant legal custody to the attorney in fact.

Section 3109.53 | Form of power of attorney for residential grandparent.

• Effective: April 3, 2024
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

To create a power of attorney under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code, a parent, guardian, or custodian shall use a form that is identical in form and content to the following:

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, the undersigned, residing at ___________, in the county of __________, state of __________, hereby appoint the child's grandparent, __________, residing at __________, in the county of ___________, in the state of Ohio, with whom the child of whom I am the parent, guardian, or custodian is residing, my attorney in fact to exercise any and all of my rights and responsibilities regarding the care, physical custody, and control of the child, __________, born __________, having social security number (optional) __________, except my authority to consent to marriage or adoption of the child __________, and to perform all acts necessary in the execution of the rights and responsibilities hereby granted, as fully as I might do if personally present. The rights I am transferring under this power of attorney include the ability to enroll the child in school, to obtain from the school district educational and behavioral information about the child, to consent to all school-related matters regarding the child, and to consent to medical, psychological, or dental treatment for the child. This transfer does not affect my rights in any future proceedings concerning the custody of the child or the allocation of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child and does not give the attorney in fact legal custody of the child. This transfer does not terminate my right to have regular contact with the child.

I hereby certify that I am transferring the rights and responsibilities designated in this power of attorney because one of the following circumstances exists:

(1) I am: (a) Seriously ill, incarcerated, or about to be incarcerated, (b) Temporarily unable to provide financial support or parental guidance to the child, (c) Temporarily unable to provide adequate care and supervision of the child because of my physical or mental condition, (d) Homeless or without a residence because the current residence is destroyed or otherwise uninhabitable, or (e) In or about to enter a residential treatment program for substance abuse;

(2) I am a parent of the child, the child's other parent is deceased, and I have authority to execute the power of attorney; or

(3) I have a well-founded belief that the power of attorney is in the child's best interest.

I hereby certify that I am not transferring my rights and responsibilities regarding the child for the purpose of enrolling the child in a school or school district so that the child may participate in the academic or interscholastic athletic programs provided by that school or district.

If there is a court order naming me the residential parent and legal custodian of the child who is the subject of this power of attorney and I am the sole parent signing this document, I hereby certify that one of the following is the case:

(1) I have made reasonable efforts to locate and provide notice of the creation of this power of attorney to the other parent and have been unable to locate that parent;

(2) The other parent is prohibited from receiving a notice of relocation; or

(3) The parental rights of the other parent have been terminated by order of a juvenile court.

This POWER OF ATTORNEY is valid until the occurrence of whichever of the following events occurs first: (1) I revoke this POWER OF ATTORNEY in writing and give notice of the revocation to the grandparent designated as attorney in fact and the juvenile court with which this POWER OF ATTORNEY was filed; (2) the child ceases to reside with the grandparent designated as attorney in fact; (3) this POWER OF ATTORNEY is terminated by court order; (4) the death of the child who is the subject of the power of attorney; or (5) the death of the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact.

WARNING: DO NOT EXECUTE THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY IF ANY STATEMENT MADE IN THIS INSTRUMENT IS UNTRUE. FALSIFICATION IS A CRIME UNDER SECTION 2921.13 OF THE REVISED CODE, PUNISHABLE BY THE SANCTIONS UNDER CHAPTER 2929. OF THE REVISED CODE, INCLUDING A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO 6 MONTHS, A FINE OF UP TO $1,000, OR BOTH.

Witness my hand this ______ day of _________, _____

_____________________________________

Parent/Custodian/Guardian's signature

_____________________________________

Parent's signature

_____________________________________

Grandparent designated as attorney in fact

State of Ohio )

) ss:

County of _______________)

Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me this ______ day of _________, _____________

_____________________________________

Notary Public

Notices:

1. A power of attorney may be executed only if one of the following circumstances exists: (1) The parent, guardian, or custodian of the child is: (a) Seriously ill, incarcerated, or about to be incarcerated; (b) Temporarily unable to provide financial support or parental guidance to the child; (c) Temporarily unable to provide adequate care and supervision of the child because of the parent's, guardian's, or custodian's physical or mental condition; (d) Homeless or without a residence because the current residence is destroyed or otherwise uninhabitable; or (e) In or about to enter a residential treatment program for substance abuse; (2) One of the child's parents is deceased and the other parent, with authority to do so, seeks to execute a power of attorney; or (3) The parent, guardian, or custodian has a well-founded belief that the power of attorney is in the child's best interest.

2. The signatures of the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child and the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact must be notarized by an Ohio notary public.

3. A parent, guardian, or custodian who creates a power of attorney must notify the parent of the child who is not the residential parent and legal custodian of the child unless one of the following circumstances applies: (a) the parent is prohibited from receiving a notice of relocation in accordance with section 3109.051 of the Revised Code of the creation of the power of attorney; (b) the parent's parental rights have been terminated by order of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code; (c) the parent cannot be located with reasonable efforts; (d) both parents are executing the power of attorney. The notice must be sent by certified mail not later than five days after the power of attorney is created and must state the name and address of the person designated as the attorney in fact.

4. A parent, guardian, or custodian who creates a power of attorney must file it with the juvenile court of the county in which the attorney in fact resides, or any other court that has jurisdiction over the child under a previously filed motion or proceeding. The power of attorney must be filed not later than five days after the date it is created and be accompanied by a receipt showing that the notice of creation of the power of attorney was sent to the parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian by certified mail.

5. This power of attorney does not affect the rights of the child's parents, guardian, or custodian regarding any future proceedings concerning the custody of the child or the allocation of the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child and does not give the attorney in fact legal custody of the child.

6. A person or entity that relies on this power of attorney, in good faith, has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation.

7. This power of attorney terminates on the occurrence of whichever of the following occurs first: (1) the power of attorney is revoked in writing by the person who created it and that person gives written notice of the revocation to the grandparent who is the attorney in fact and the juvenile court with which the power of attorney was filed; (2) the child ceases to live with the grandparent who is the attorney in fact; (3) the power of attorney is terminated by court order; (4) the death of the child who is the subject of the power of attorney; or (5) the death of the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact.

If this power of attorney terminates other than by the death of the attorney in fact, the grandparent who served as the attorney in fact shall notify, in writing, all of the following:

(a) Any schools, health care providers, or health insurance coverage provider with which the child has been involved through the grandparent;

(b) Any other person or entity that has an ongoing relationship with the child or grandparent such that the other person or entity would reasonably rely on the power of attorney unless notified of the termination;

(c) The court in which the power of attorney was filed after its creation;

(d) The parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian of the child who is required to be given notice of its creation. The grandparent shall make the notifications not later than one week after the date the power of attorney terminates.

8. If this power of attorney is terminated by written revocation of the person who created it, or the revocation is regarding a second or subsequent power of attorney, a copy of the revocation must be filed with the court with which that power of attorney was filed.

Additional information:

To the grandparent designated as attorney in fact:

1. If the child stops living with you, you are required to notify, in writing, any school, health care provider, or health care insurance provider to which you have given this power of attorney. You are also required to notify, in writing, any other person or entity that has an ongoing relationship with you or the child such that the person or entity would reasonably rely on the power of attorney unless notified. The notification must be made not later than one week after the child stops living with you.

2. You must include with the power of attorney the following information:

(a) The child's present address, the addresses of the places where the child has lived within the last five years, and the name and present address of each person with whom the child has lived during that period;

(b) Whether you have participated as a party, a witness, or in any other capacity in any other litigation, in this state or any other state, that concerned the allocation, between the parents of the same child, of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child and the designation of the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or that otherwise concerned the custody of the same child;

(c) Whether you have information of any parenting proceeding concerning the child pending in a court of this or any other state;

(d) Whether you know of any person who has physical custody of the child or claims to be a parent of the child who is designated the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or to have parenting time rights with respect to the child or to be a person other than a parent of the child who has custody or visitation rights with respect to the child;

(e) Whether you previously have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child's being an abused child or a neglected child or previously have been determined, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused child or a neglected child, to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that was the basis of the adjudication.

3. If you receive written notice of revocation of the power of attorney or the parent, custodian, or guardian removes the child from your home and if you believe that the revocation or removal is not in the best interest of the child, you may, within fourteen days, file a complaint in the juvenile court to seek custody. You may retain physical custody of the child until the fourteen-day period elapses or, if you file a complaint, until the court orders otherwise.

To school officials:

1. Except as provided in section 3313.649 of the Revised Code, this power of attorney, properly completed and notarized, authorizes the child in question to attend school in the district in which the grandparent designated as attorney in fact resides and that grandparent is authorized to provide consent in all school-related matters and to obtain from the school district educational and behavioral information about the child. This power of attorney does not preclude the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child from having access to all school records pertinent to the child.

2. The school district may require additional reasonable evidence that the grandparent lives in the school district.

3. A school district or school official that reasonably and in good faith relies on this power of attorney has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation.

To health care providers:

1. A person or entity that acts in good faith reliance on a power of attorney to provide medical, psychological, or dental treatment, without actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated in the power of attorney, is not subject to criminal liability or to civil liability to any person or entity, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action, solely for such reliance if the power of attorney is completed and the signatures of the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child and the grandparent designated as attorney in fact are notarized.

2. The decision of a grandparent designated as attorney in fact, based on a power of attorney, shall be honored by a health care facility or practitioner, school district, or school official.

Last updated April 3, 2024 at 4:06 AM

Section 3109.54 | Signatures - notarization.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

A power of attorney created pursuant to section 3109.52 of the Revised Code must be signed by the parent, guardian, or custodian granting it and by the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact. For the power of attorney to be effective, the signatures must be notarized. The child's social security number need not appear on the power of attorney for the power of attorney to be effective.

Section 3109.55 | Notice of creation of power of attorney.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) A person who creates a power of attorney under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code shall send notice of the creation to the parent of the child who is not the residential parent and legal custodian of the child unless one of the following is the case:

(1) The parent is prohibited from receiving a notice of relocation in accordance with section 3109.051 of the Revised Code.

(2) The parent's parental rights have been terminated by order of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code.

(3) The parent cannot be located with reasonable efforts.

(4) The power of attorney is being created by both parents.

(B) The notice shall be sent by certified mail not later than five days after the power of attorney is created. The notice shall state the name and address of the person designated as the attorney in fact.

Section 3109.56 | Requirements for creating power of attorney.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

When a parent seeks to create a power of attorney pursuant to section 3109.52 of the Revised Code, all of the following apply:

(A) The power of attorney shall be executed by both parents if any of the following apply:

(1) The parents are married to each other and are living as husband and wife.

(2) The child is the subject of a shared parenting order issued pursuant to section 3109.04 of the Revised Code.

(3) The child is the subject of a custody order issued pursuant to section 3109.04 of the Revised Code unless one of the following is the case:

(a) The parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian is prohibited from receiving a notice of relocation in accordance with section 3109.051 of the Revised Code.

(b) The parental rights of the parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian have been terminated by order of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code.

(c) The parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian cannot be located with reasonable efforts.

(B) In all other cases, the power of attorney may be executed only by one of the following persons:

(1) The parent who is the residential parent and legal custodian of the child, as determined by court order or as provided in section 3109.042 of the Revised Code;

(2) The parent with whom the child is residing the majority of the school year in cases in which no court has issued an order designating a parent as the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or section 3109.042 of the Revised Code is not applicable.

Section 3109.57 | Further requirements for creating power of attorney.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section and subject to sections 3109.56 and 3109.58 of the Revised Code, a parent, guardian, or custodian may create a power of attorney under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code only under the following circumstances:

(1) The parent, guardian, or custodian of the child is any of the following:

(a) Seriously ill, incarcerated, or about to be incarcerated;

(b) Temporarily unable to provide financial support or parental guidance to the child;

(c) Temporarily unable to provide adequate care and supervision of the child because of the parent's, guardian's, or custodian's physical or mental condition;

(d) Homeless or without a residence because the current residence is destroyed or otherwise uninhabitable;

(e) In or about to enter a residential treatment program for substance abuse.

(2) The parent, guardian, or custodian of the child has a well-founded belief that the power of attorney is in the child's best interest.

(B) In addition to the circumstances described in division (A) of this section and subject to sections 3109.56 and 3109.58 of the Revised Code, a parent may execute a power of attorney if the other parent of the child is deceased.

Section 3109.58 | Pending proceedings may preclude creation of power of attorney.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "temporary custody," "permanent custody," and "planned permanent living arrangement" have the same meanings as in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code.

(B) A power of attorney created pursuant to section 3109.52 of the Revised Code may not be executed with respect to a child while any of the following proceedings are pending regarding the child:

(1) A proceeding for the appointment of a guardian for, or the adoption of, the child;

(2) A juvenile proceeding in which one of the following applies:

(a) The temporary, permanent, or legal custody of the child or the placement of the child in a planned permanent living arrangement has been requested.

(b) The child is the subject of an ex parte emergency custody order issued under division (D) of section 2151.31 of the Revised Code, and no hearing has yet been held regarding the child under division (A) of section 2151.314 of the Revised Code.

(c) The child is the subject of a temporary custody order issued under section 2151.33 of the Revised Code.

(3) A proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or allocation of parental rights and responsibilities regarding the child.

Section 3109.59 | Termination of power of attorney.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A power of attorney created under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code terminates on the occurrence of whichever of the following events occurs first:

(1) The power of attorney is revoked in writing by the person who created it, and that person gives written notice of the revocation to the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact and to the juvenile court with which the power of attorney was filed.

(2) The child ceases to reside with the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact.

(3) The power of attorney is terminated by court order.

(4) The death of the child who is the subject of the power of attorney.

(5) The death of the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact.

(B) Not later than five days after a power of attorney is revoked, a copy of the revocation of the power of attorney must be filed with the court with which the power of attorney is filed pursuant to section 3109.74 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.60 | Notice of termination.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 129th General Assembly

When a power of attorney created pursuant to section 3109.52 of the Revised Code terminates pursuant to division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 3109.59 of the Revised Code, the grandparent designated as the attorney in fact shall notify, in writing, all of the following:

(A) The school district in which the child attends school;

(B) The child's health care providers;

(C) The child's health insurance coverage provider;

(D) The court in which the power of attorney was filed under section 3109.74 of the Revised Code;

(E) The parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian and who is required to be given notice under section 3109.55 of the Revised Code;

(F) Any other person or entity that has an ongoing relationship with the child or grandparent such that the person or entity would reasonably rely on the power of attorney unless notified of the termination.

The grandparent shall make the notifications not later than one week after the date the power of attorney terminates.

Section 3109.61 | Immunity.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

A person who, in good faith, relies on or takes action in reliance on a power of attorney created under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code is immune from any criminal or civil liability for injury, death, or loss to persons or property that might otherwise be incurred or imposed solely as a result of the person's reliance or action. The person is not subject to any disciplinary action from an entity that licenses or certifies the person.

Any medical, psychological, or dental treatment provided to a child in reliance on a power of attorney created under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code shall be considered to have been provided in good faith if the person providing the treatment had no actual knowledge of opposition by the parent, guardian, or custodian.

This section does not provide immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person for actions that are wanton, reckless, or inconsistent with the ordinary standard of care required to be exercised by anyone acting in the same capacity as the person.

Section 3109.62 | Military power of attorney.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

A military power of attorney executed pursuant to section 574(a) of the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994," 107 Stat. 1674 (1993), 10 U.S.C. 1044b, that grants a person's rights and responsibilities regarding the care, custody, and control of the person's child, including the ability to enroll the child in school, to obtain from the school district educational and behavioral information about the child, to consent to all school-related matters regarding the child, and to consent to medical, psychological, or dental treatment for the child shall be considered a power of attorney created pursuant to sections 3109.51 to 3109.61 of the Revised Code, as long as the military power of attorney, according to its terms, remains in effect.

Section 3109.65 | Caretaker authorization affidavit.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, if a child is living with a grandparent who has made reasonable attempts to locate and contact both of the child's parents, or the child's guardian or custodian, but has been unable to do so, the grandparent may obtain authority to exercise care, physical custody, and control of the child including authority to enroll the child in school, to discuss with the school district the child's educational progress, to consent to all school-related matters regarding the child, and to consent to medical, psychological, or dental treatment for the child by executing a caretaker authorization affidavit in accordance with section 3109.67 of the Revised Code.

(B) The grandparent may execute a caretaker authorization affidavit without attempting to locate the following parent:

(1) If paternity has not been established with regard to the child, the child's father.

(2) If the child is the subject of a custody order, the following parent:

(a) A parent who is prohibited from receiving a notice of relocation in accordance with section 3109.051 of the Revised Code;

(b) A parent whose parental rights have been terminated by order of a juvenile court pursuant to Chapter 2151. of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.66 | Form of caretaker authorization affidavit.

• Effective: April 3, 2024
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

The caretaker authorization affidavit that a grandparent described in section 3109.65 of the Revised Code may execute shall be identical in form and content to the following:

CARETAKER AUTHORIZATION AFFIDAVIT

Use of this affidavit is authorized by sections 3109.65 to 3109.73 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Completion of items 1-7 and the signing and notarization of this affidavit is sufficient to authorize the grandparent signing to exercise care, physical custody, and control of the child who is its subject, including authority to enroll the child in school, to discuss with the school district the child's educational progress, to consent to all school-related matters regarding the child, and to consent to medical, psychological, or dental treatment for the child.

The child named below lives in my home, I am 18 years of age or older, and I am the child's grandparent.

1. Name of child:

2. Child's date and year of birth:

3. Child's social security number (optional):

4. My name:

5. My home address:

6. My date and year of birth:

7. My Ohio driver's license number or identification card number:

8. Despite having made reasonable attempts, I am either:

(a) Unable to locate or contact the child's parents, or the child's guardian or custodian; or

(b) I am unable to locate or contact one of the child's parents and I am not required to contact the other parent because paternity has not been established; or

(c) I am unable to locate or contact one of the child's parents and I am not required to contact the other parent because there is a custody order regarding the child and one of the following is the case:

(i) The parent has been prohibited from receiving notice of a relocation; or

(ii) The parental rights of the parent have been terminated.

9. I hereby certify that this affidavit is not being executed for the purpose of enrolling the child in a school or school district so that the child may participate in the academic or interscholastic athletic programs provided by that school or district.

WARNING: DO NOT SIGN THIS FORM IF ANY OF THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INCORRECT. FALSIFICATION IS A CRIME UNDER SECTION 2921.13 OF THE REVISED CODE, PUNISHABLE BY THE SANCTIONS UNDER CHAPTER 2929. OF THE REVISED CODE, INCLUDING A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO 6 MONTHS, A FINE OF UP TO $1,000, OR BOTH.

I declare that the foregoing is true and correct:

Signed:__________________________Date:___________________

Grandparent

State of Ohio )

) ss:

County of _______________)

Subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged before me this ______ day of _________, _____________

_____________________________________

Notary Public

Notices:

1. The grandparent's signature must be notarized by an Ohio notary public.

2. The grandparent who executed this affidavit must file it with the juvenile court of the county in which the grandparent resides or any other court that has jurisdiction over the child under a previously filed motion or proceeding not later than five days after the date it is executed.

3. This affidavit does not affect the rights of the child's parents, guardian, or custodian regarding the care, physical custody, and control of the child, and does not give the grandparent legal custody of the child.

4. A person or entity that relies on this affidavit, in good faith, has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation.

5. This affidavit terminates on the occurrence of whichever of the following occurs first: (1) the child ceases to live with the grandparent who signs this form; (2) the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child acts to negate, reverse, or otherwise disapprove an action or decision of the grandparent who signed this affidavit, and the grandparent either voluntarily returns the child to the physical custody of the parent, guardian, or custodian or fails to file a complaint to seek custody within fourteen days; (3) the affidavit is terminated by court order; (4) the death of the child who is the subject of the affidavit; or (5) the death of the grandparent who executed the affidavit.

A parent, guardian, or custodian may negate, reverse, or disapprove a grandparent's action or decision only by delivering written notice of negation, reversal, or disapproval to the grandparent and the person acting on the grandparent's action or decision in reliance on this affidavit.

If this affidavit terminates other than by the death of the grandparent, the grandparent who signed this affidavit shall notify, in writing, all of the following:

(a) Any schools, health care providers, or health insurance coverage provider with which the child has been involved through the grandparent;

(b) Any other person or entity that has an ongoing relationship with the child or grandparent such that the person or entity would reasonably rely on the affidavit unless notified of the termination;

(c) The court in which the affidavit was filed after its creation.

The grandparent shall make the notifications not later than one week after the date the affidavit terminates.

6. The decision of a grandparent to consent to or to refuse medical treatment or school enrollment for a child is superseded by a contrary decision of a parent, custodian, or guardian of the child, unless the decision of the parent, guardian, or custodian would jeopardize the life, health, or safety of the child.

Additional information:

To caretakers:

1. If the child stops living with you, you are required to notify, in writing, any school, health care provider, or health care insurance provider to which you have given this affidavit. You are also required to notify, in writing, any other person or entity that has an ongoing relationship with you or the child such that the person or entity would reasonably rely on the affidavit unless notified. The notifications must be made not later than one week after the child stops living with you.

2. If you do not have the information requested in item 7 (Ohio driver's license or identification card), provide another form of identification such as your social security number or medicaid number.

3. You must include with the caretaker authorization affidavit the following information:

(a) The child's present address, the addresses of the places where the child has lived within the last five years, and the name and present address of each person with whom the child has lived during that period;

(b) Whether you have participated as a party, a witness, or in any other capacity in any other litigation, in this state or any other state, that concerned the allocation, between the parents of the same child, of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the child and the designation of the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or that otherwise concerned the custody of the same child;

(c) Whether you have information of any parenting proceeding concerning the child pending in a court of this or any other state;

(d) Whether you know of any person who has physical custody of the child or claims to be a parent of the child who is designated the residential parent and legal custodian of the child or to have parenting time rights with respect to the child or to be a person other than a parent of the child who has custody or visitation rights with respect to the child;

(e) Whether you previously have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child's being an abused child or a neglected child or previously have been determined, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused child or a neglected child, to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that was the basis of the adjudication.

4. If the child's parent, guardian, or custodian acts to terminate the caretaker authorization affidavit by delivering a written notice of negation, reversal, or disapproval of an action or decision of yours or removes the child from your home and if you believe that the termination or removal is not in the best interest of the child, you may, within fourteen days, file a complaint in the juvenile court to seek custody. You may retain physical custody of the child until the fourteen-day period elapses or, if you file a complaint, until the court orders otherwise.

To school officials:

1. This affidavit, properly completed and notarized, authorizes the child in question to attend school in the district in which the grandparent who signed this affidavit resides and the grandparent is authorized to provide consent in all school-related matters and to discuss with the school district the child's educational progress. This affidavit does not preclude the parent, guardian, or custodian of the child from having access to all school records pertinent to the child.

2. The school district may require additional reasonable evidence that the grandparent lives at the address provided in item 5 of the affidavit.

3. A school district or school official that reasonably and in good faith relies on this affidavit has no obligation to make any further inquiry or investigation.

4. The act of a parent, guardian, or custodian of the child to negate, reverse, or otherwise disapprove an action or decision of the grandparent who signed this affidavit constitutes termination of this affidavit. A parent, guardian, or custodian may negate, reverse, or disapprove a grandparent's action or decision only by delivering written notice of negation, reversal, or disapproval to the grandparent and the person acting on the grandparent's action or decision in reliance on this affidavit.

To health care providers:

1. A person or entity that acts in good faith reliance on a CARETAKER AUTHORIZATION AFFIDAVIT to provide medical, psychological, or dental treatment, without actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated in the affidavit, is not subject to criminal liability or to civil liability to any person or entity, and is not subject to professional disciplinary action, solely for such reliance if the applicable portions of the form are completed and the grandparent's signature is notarized.

2. The decision of a grandparent, based on a CARETAKER AUTHORIZATION AFFIDAVIT, shall be honored by a health care facility or practitioner, school district, or school official unless the health care facility or practitioner or educational facility or official has actual knowledge that a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child has made a contravening decision to consent to or to refuse medical treatment for the child.

3. The act of a parent, guardian, or custodian of the child to negate, reverse, or otherwise disapprove an action or decision of the grandparent who signed this affidavit constitutes termination of this affidavit. A parent, guardian, or custodian may negate, reverse, or disapprove a grandparent's action or decision only by delivering written notice of negation, reversal, or disapproval to the grandparent and the person acting on the grandparent's action or decision in reliance on this affidavit.

Last updated April 3, 2024 at 4:06 AM

Section 3109.67 | Execution of affidavit.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

A caretaker authorization affidavit described in section 3109.66 of the Revised Code is executed when the affidavit is completed, signed by a grandparent described in section 3109.65 of the Revised Code, and notarized.

Section 3109.68 | Pending proceedings may preclude creation of affidavit.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "temporary custody," "permanent custody," and "planned permanent living arrangement" have the same meanings as in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code.

(B) A caretaker authorization affidavit may not be executed with respect to a child while any of the following proceedings are pending regarding the child:

(1) A proceeding for the appointment of a guardian for, or the adoption of, the child;

(2) A juvenile proceeding in which one of the following applies:

(a) The temporary, permanent, or legal custody of the child or the placement of the child in a planned permanent living arrangement has been requested.

(b) The child is the subject of an ex parte emergency custody order issued under division (D) of section 2151.31 of the Revised Code, and no hearing has yet been held regarding the child under division (A) of section 2151.314 of the Revised Code.

(c) The child is the subject of a temporary custody order issued under section 2151.33 of the Revised Code.

(3) A proceeding for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or allocation of parental rights and responsibilities regarding the child.

Section 3109.69 | Limitations on authority granted by affidavit.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

Once a caretaker authorization affidavit has been executed under section 3109.67 of the Revised Code, the grandparent may exercise care, physical custody, and control of the child, including enrolling the child in school, discussing with the school district the child's educational progress, consenting to all school-related matters regarding the child, and consenting to medical, psychological, or dental treatment for the child. The affidavit does not affect the rights and responsibilities of the parent, guardian, or custodian regarding the child, does not grant legal custody to the grandparent, and does not grant authority to the grandparent to consent to the marriage or adoption of the child.

Section 3109.70 | Termination of affidavit.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 129th General Assembly

An executed caretaker authorization affidavit shall terminate on the occurrence of whichever of the following comes first:

(A) The child ceases to reside with the grandparent.

(B) The parent, guardian, or custodian of the child who is the subject of the affidavit acts, in accordance with section 3109.72 of the Revised Code, to negate, reverse, or otherwise disapprove an action or decision of the grandparent who signed the affidavit with respect to the child, and the grandparent either voluntarily returns the child to the physical custody of the parent, guardian, or custodian or fails to file a complaint to seek custody within fourteen days after the delivery of written notice of negation, reversal, or other disapproval.

(C) The affidavit is terminated by court order.

(D) The death of the child who is the subject of the affidavit.

(E) The death of the grandparent who executed the affidavit.

Section 3109.71 | Notice of termination.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 129th General Assembly

When a caretaker authorization affidavit terminates pursuant to division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of section 3109.70 of the Revised Code, the grandparent shall notify, in writing, the school district in which the child attends school, the child's health care providers, the child's health insurance coverage provider, the court in which the affidavit was filed under section 3109.74 of the Revised Code, and any other person or entity that has an ongoing relationship with the child or grandparent such that the person or entity would reasonably rely on the affidavit unless notified of the termination. The grandparent shall make the notifications not later than one week after the date the affidavit terminates.

Section 3109.72 | Negation of actions taken under caretaker authorization affidavit.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 129th General Assembly

The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child may negate, reverse, or otherwise disapprove any action taken or decision made pursuant to a caretaker authorization affidavit unless negation, reversal, or disapproval would jeopardize the life, health, or safety of the child. A parent, guardian, or custodian may negate, reverse, or disapprove a caretaker's action or decision only by delivering written notice of negation, reversal, or disapproval to the caretaker and the person responding to the caretaker's action or decision in reliance on the affidavit. The act to negate, reverse, or disapprove the action or decision, regardless of whether it is effective, terminates the affidavit as of the date the caretaker returns the child to the parent, guardian, or custodian or upon the expiration of fourteen days from the delivery of written notice of the negation, reversal, or disapproval if the caretaker has not filed a complaint in the interim pursuant to section 3109.76 of the Revised Code.

Section 3109.73 | Immunity.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

A person who, in good faith, relies on or takes action in reliance on a caretaker authorization affidavit is immune from any criminal or civil liability for injury, death, or loss to persons or property that might otherwise be incurred or imposed solely as a result of the reliance or action. The person is not subject to any disciplinary action from an entity that licenses or certifies the person. Any medical, psychological, or dental treatment provided to a child in reliance on an affidavit with respect to the child shall be considered to have been provided in good faith if the the person providing the treatment had no actual knowledge of opposition by the parent, guardian, or custodian.

This section does not provide immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person for actions that are wanton, reckless, or inconsistent with the ordinary standard of care required to be exercised by anyone acting in the same capacity as the person.

Section 3109.74 | Filing with court.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) A person who creates a power of attorney under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code or executes a caretaker authorization affidavit under section 3109.67 of the Revised Code shall file the power of attorney or affidavit with the juvenile court of the county in which the grandparent designated as attorney in fact or grandparent who executed the affidavit resides or any other court that has jurisdiction over the child under a previously filed motion or proceeding. The power of attorney or affidavit shall be filed not later than five days after the date it is created or executed and may be sent to the court by certified mail.

(B) A power of attorney filed under this section shall be accompanied by a receipt showing that the notice of creation of the power of attorney was sent to the parent who is not the residential parent and legal custodian by certified mail under section 3109.55 of the Revised Code.

(C)(1) The grandparent designated as attorney in fact or the grandparent who executed the affidavit shall include with the power of attorney or the caretaker authorization affidavit the information described in section 3109.27 of the Revised Code.

(2) If the grandparent provides information that the grandparent previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving any act that resulted in a child being an abused child or a neglected child or previously has been determined, in a case in which a child has been adjudicated an abused child or a neglected child, to be the perpetrator of the abusive or neglectful act that was the basis of the adjudication, the court may report that information to the public children services agency pursuant to section 2151.421 of the Revised Code. Upon the receipt of that information, the public children services agency shall initiate an investigation pursuant to section 2151.421 of the Revised Code.

(3) If the court has reason to believe that a power of attorney or caretaker authorization affidavit is not in the best interest of the child, the court may report that information to the public children services agency pursuant to section 2151.421 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of that information, the public children services agency shall initiate an investigation pursuant to section 2151.421 of the Revised Code. The public children services agency shall submit a report of its investigation to the court not later than thirty days after the court reports the information to the public children services agency or not later than forty-five days after the court reports the information to the public children services agency when information that is needed to determine the case disposition cannot be compiled within thirty days and the reasons are documented in the case record.

(D) The court shall waive any filing fee imposed for the filing of the power of attorney or caretaker authorization affidavit.

Section 3109.75 | Verification of filing.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

On the request of the person in charge of admissions of a school or a person described under division (A)(1)(b) of section 2151.421 of the Revised Code, the court in which the power of attorney or caretaker authorization affidavit was filed shall verify whether a power of attorney or caretaker authorization affidavit has been filed under section 3109.74 of the Revised Code with respect to a child.

Section 3109.76 | Determination of custody after notice of revocation of grandparent's power of attorney, termination or removal.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A grandparent who has physical custody of a child under a power of attorney, within fourteen days after the child's parent, guardian, or custodian gives written notice of revocation of the power of attorney to the grandparent and files a written notice of revocation of the power of attorney with the juvenile court or within fourteen days after removal of the child from the grandparent's home, may file a complaint under division (A)(2) of section 2151.23 or division (D) of section 2151.27 of the Revised Code seeking a determination of custody if the grandparent believes that the revocation or removal is not in the best interest of the child.

(B) A grandparent who has physical custody of a child under a caretaker authorization affidavit, within fourteen days after a parent, guardian, or custodian terminates the affidavit by delivering a written notice of negation, reversal, or disapproval of an action or decision of the grandparent or within fourteen days after removal of the child from the grandparent's home, may file a complaint under division (A)(2) of section 2151.23 or division (D) of section 2151.27 of the Revised Code seeking a determination of custody if the grandparent believes that the termination or removal is not in the best interest of the child.

(C) Pending a hearing and decision on a complaint filed under division (A) or (B) of this section, the juvenile court, in accordance with section 2151.33 of the Revised Code, may make any temporary disposition of any child that it considers necessary to protect the best interest of the child.

(D) If a parent, guardian, or custodian revokes a power of attorney or terminates a caretaker authorization affidavit, the grandparent may retain custody of the child until the fourteen-day period for filing a complaint under division (A) or (B) of this section has expired or, if the grandparent files a complaint, until the court orders otherwise.

Section 3109.78 | Purpose may void power or affidavit.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

(A) No person shall create a power of attorney under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code or execute a caretaker authorization affidavit under section 3109.67 of the Revised Code for the purpose of enrolling the child in a school or school district so that the child may participate in the academic or interscholastic athletic programs provided by the school or school district.

(B) A person who violates division (A) of this section is in violation of section 2921.13 of the Revised Code and is guilty of falsification, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(C) A power of attorney created, or an affidavit executed, in violation of this section is void as of the date of its creation or execution.

Section 3109.79 | Child support order unaffected by power or affidavit.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

As used in this section, "administrative child support order" and "court child support order" have the same meanings as in section 3119.01 of the Revised Code.

A power of attorney created under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code or a caretaker authorization affidavit executed under section 3109.67 of the Revised Code shall not affect the enforcement of an administrative child support order or court child support order, unless a child support enforcement agency, with respect to an administrative child support order, or a court, with respect to either order, issues an order providing otherwise.

Section 3109.80 | Only one power or affidavit may be in effect at a time.

• Effective: July 20, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 130 - 125th General Assembly

Only one power of attorney created under section 3109.52 of the Revised Code or one caretaker authorization executed under section 3109.67 of the Revised Code may be in effect for a child at one time.