Section 3733.471 | Investigations.
(A) Any person who believes that violations of this chapter, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code are taking place may report or cause reports to be made of the information directly to the state monitor advocate. No person who files a report is liable for civil damages resulting from the report if the report was made on the basis of personal knowledge and belief, and not on the basis of hearsay, and was made in good faith and without recklessness as to the truth of the information contained in the report.
(B) The state monitor advocate shall immediately forward to the attorney general all reports that the state monitor advocate receives under division (A) of this section. Within forty-eight hours of receiving a report alleging that conditions in violation of this chapter, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code exist that cause a direct or serious threat to the health or safety of migrant agricultural laborers, the attorney general, or the attorney general in conjunction with the director of health, shall investigate the complaint. If after an investigation period, which shall not exceed forty-eight hours, the attorney general finds probable cause to believe that existing conditions cause a direct or serious threat to the health or safety of the laborers, the attorney general, or the attorney general in conjunction with the appropriate prosecuting attorney, shall bring an action for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction.
(C) The attorney general, or the attorney general in conjunction with the director of health, shall, within seven days of receiving a complaint that does not allege a serious health or safety violation of this chapter, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code, begin an investigation of the complaint. If after an investigation period, which shall not exceed fourteen days, the attorney general finds probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code exists, the attorney general shall refer the matter to the appropriate prosecuting attorney, who shall prosecute the complaint.
(D) The state monitor advocate shall treat as confidential all information that the state monitor advocate receives as a result of reports filed with the state monitor advocate under division (A) of this section and shall not reveal that information to any person except under division (B) of this section or as required in the course of an investigation or prosecution.
Last updated October 10, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Available Versions of this Section
- March 20, 1984 – Senate Bill 244 - 115th General Assembly [ View March 20, 1984 Version ]
- October 3, 2023 – Amended by House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly [ View October 3, 2023 Version ]