Chapter 4776 | Criminal Records Checks

Section 4776.01 | Criminal records checks definitions.

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

As used in this chapter:

(A) "License" means an authorization evidenced by a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority that is issued or conferred by a licensing agency to a licensee or to an applicant for an initial license by which the licensee or initial license applicant has or claims the privilege to engage in a profession, occupation, or occupational activity, or, except in the case of the state dental board, to have control of and operate certain specific equipment, machinery, or premises, over which the licensing agency has jurisdiction.

(B) Except as provided in section 4776.20 of the Revised Code, "licensee" means the person to whom the license is issued by a licensing agency. "Licensee" includes a person who, for purposes of section 3796.13 of the Revised Code, has complied with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code and has been determined by the division of marijuana control, as the applicable licensing agency, to meet the requirements for employment.

(C) Except as provided in section 4776.20 of the Revised Code, "licensing agency" means any of the following:

(1) The board authorized by Chapters 4701., 4717., 4725., 4729., 4730., 4731., 4732., 4734., 4740., 4741., 4747., 4751., 4753., 4755., 4757., 4759., 4760., 4761., 4762., 4774., 4778., 4779., and 4783. of the Revised Code to issue a license to engage in a specific profession, occupation, or occupational activity, or to have charge of and operate certain specific equipment, machinery, or premises.

(2) The state dental board, relative to its authority to issue a license pursuant to section 4715.12, 4715.16, 4715.21, or 4715.27 of the Revised Code;

(3) The division of marijuana control, relative to its authority under Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code and any rules adopted under that chapter with respect to a person who is subject to section 3796.13 of the Revised Code;

(4) The director of agriculture, relative to the director's authority to issue licenses under Chapter 928. of the Revised Code.

(D) "Applicant for an initial license" includes persons seeking a license for the first time and persons seeking a license by reciprocity, endorsement, or similar manner of a license issued in another state. "Applicant for an initial license" also includes a person who, for purposes of section 3796.13 of the Revised Code, is required to comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Applicant for a restored license" includes persons seeking restoration of a license under section 4730.14, 4730.28, 4731.222, 4731.281, 4759.062, 4759.063, 4760.06, 4760.061, 4761.06, 4761.061, 4762.06, 4762.061, 4774.06, 4774.061, 4778.07, or 4778.071 of the Revised Code. "Applicant for a restored license" does not include a person seeking restoration of a license under section 4751.33 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Criminal records check" has the same meaning as in section 109.572 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 1:55 PM

Section 4776.02 | License applicants to request criminal records check.

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

(A) An applicant for an initial license or restored license from a licensing agency, or a person seeking to satisfy the requirements to be an employee of a pain management clinic as specified in section 4729.552 of the Revised Code, shall submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for a criminal records check of the applicant or person. The request shall be accompanied by a completed copy of the form prescribed under division (C)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, a set of fingerprint impressions obtained as described in division (C)(2) of that section, and the fee prescribed under division (C)(3) of that section. The applicant or person shall ask the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in the request to obtain from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has pertaining to the applicant or person.

An applicant or person requesting a criminal records check shall provide the bureau of criminal identification and investigation with the applicant's or person's name and address and, regarding an applicant, with the licensing agency's name and address.

(B) Upon receipt of the completed form, the set of fingerprint impressions, and the fee provided for in division (A) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check of the applicant or person under division (B) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Upon completion of the criminal records check, the superintendent shall do whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) If the request was submitted by an applicant for an initial license or restored license, report the results of the criminal records check and any information the federal bureau of investigation provides to the licensing agency identified in the request for a criminal records check;

(2) If the request was submitted by a person seeking to satisfy the requirements to be an employee of a pain management clinic, do both of the following:

(a) Report the results of the criminal records check and any information the federal bureau of investigation provides to the person who submitted the request;

(b) Report the results of the portion of the criminal records check performed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation under division (B)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code to the employer or potential employer specified in the request of the person who submitted the request and send a letter to that employer or potential employer regarding the information provided by the federal bureau of investigation that states whichever of the following is applicable:

(i) That based on that information there is no record of any conviction;

(ii) That based on that information the person who submitted the request may not meet the criteria that are specified in section 4729.552 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 1:57 PM

Section 4776.021 | Trainee licenses; criminal records check.

• Effective: September 28, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 337 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and section 4776.04 of the Revised Code, "trainee license" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority that is issued or conferred by any agency described in division (B) of this section that authorizes the holder to engage as a trainee in a profession, occupation, or occupational activity, or to operate as a trainee certain specific equipment, machinery, or premises, over which the agency described in division (B) of this section has jurisdiction.

(B) Except as provided in division (E) of this section, if any licensing agency issues trainee licenses, or if any agency that issues licenses under Chapter 3772., 4729., 4738., 4747., or 4749. of the Revised Code issues trainee licenses, an applicant for a trainee license from the licensing agency or other specified agency, in addition to any other eligibility requirements for the license, shall submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for a criminal records check of the applicant. Division (A) of section 4776.02 of the Revised Code applies with respect to a request required under this division.

(C) Upon receipt of the completed form, the set of fingerprint impressions, and the fee provided for in division (B) of this section and division (A) of section 4776.02 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check of the applicant under division (B) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Upon completion of the criminal records check, the superintendent shall report the results of the criminal records check and any information the federal bureau of investigation provides to the licensing agency or the agency that issues licenses under Chapter 3772., 4729., 4738., 4747., or 4749. of the Revised Code that was identified in the request for a criminal records check.

(D) Except as provided in division (E) of this section, no licensing agency that issues trainee licenses, and no agency that issues licenses under Chapter 3772., 4729., 4738., 4747., or 4749. of the Revised Code and that issues trainee licenses shall issue a trainee license to an applicant if the licensing agency or other agency determines that the applicant would not be eligible for issuance of a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority to engage in the profession, occupation, or occupational activity for which the trainee license would apply, or for issuance of a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority to operate certain specific equipment, machinery, or premises with respect to which the trainee license would apply, whichever is applicable.

(E) Divisions (B) to (D) of this section do not apply with respect to any person who is participating in an apprenticeship or training program operated by or under contract with the department of rehabilitation and correction.

Section 4776.03 | Licensing agencies to adopt criminal records check rules.

• Effective: March 24, 2008
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 104 - 127th General Assembly

Each licensing agency shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing administrative and procedural requirements for criminal records checks.

Section 4776.04 | Criminal records check results not public records - availability.

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

The results of any criminal records check conducted pursuant to a request made under this chapter and any report containing those results, including any information the federal bureau of investigation provides, are not public records for purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and shall not be made available to any person or for any purpose other than as follows:

(A) If the request for the criminal records check was submitted by an applicant for an initial license or restored license, as follows:

(1) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall make the results available to the licensing agency for use in determining, under the agency's authorizing chapter of the Revised Code and section 9.79 of the Revised Code, whether the applicant who is the subject of the criminal records check should be granted a license under that chapter and that section.

(2) The licensing agency shall make the results available to the applicant who is the subject of the criminal records check.

(B) If the request for the criminal records check was submitted by a person seeking to satisfy the requirements to be an employee of a pain management clinic as specified in section 4729.552 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall make the results available in accordance with the following:

(1) The superintendent shall make the results of the criminal records check, including any information the federal bureau of investigation provides, available to the person who submitted the request and is the subject of the criminal records check.

(2) The superintendent shall make the results of the portion of the criminal records check performed by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation under division (B)(1) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code available to the employer or potential employer specified in the request of the person who submitted the request and shall send a letter of the type described in division (B)(2) of section 4776.02 of the Revised Code to that employer or potential employer regarding the information provided by the federal bureau of investigation that contains one of the types of statements described in that division.

(C) If the request for the criminal records check was submitted by an applicant for a trainee license under section 4776.021 of the Revised Code, as follows:

(1) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall make the results available to the licensing agency or other agency identified in division (B) of section 4776.021 of the Revised Code for use in determining, under the agency's authorizing chapter of the Revised Code, division (D) of section 4776.021 of the Revised Code, and section 9.79 of the Revised Code, whether the applicant who is the subject of the criminal records check should be granted a trainee license under that chapter, that division, and that section.

(2) The licensing agency or other agency identified in division (B) of section 4776.021 of the Revised Code shall make the results available to the applicant who is the subject of the criminal records check.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 1:58 PM

Section 4776.10 | Definitions for terms used in Chapters 4713, 4738, 4740, 4747, and 4749, and sections 4725.40 to 4725.59 of the Revised Code.

• Effective: April 5, 2019
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 255 - 132nd General Assembly

As used in Chapters 4713., 4738., 4740., 4747., 4749., and 4764., and sections 4725.40 to 4725.59 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Crime of moral turpitude" or "moral turpitude" means all of the following:

(1) A violation of section 2903.01 or 2903.02 of the Revised Code;

(2) A sexually oriented offense as defined in section 2950.01 of the Revised Code;

(3) An offense that is an offense of violence as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code, if the offense is a felony of the first or second degree;

(4) Complicity in committing an offense described in division (A)(1) of this section;

(5) An attempt or conspiracy to commit or complicity in committing any offense described in division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section if the attempt, conspiracy, or complicity is a felony of the first or second degree;

(6) A violation of any former law of this state, any existing or former law applicable in a military court or in an Indian tribal court, or any existing or former law of any nation other than the United States that is or was substantially equivalent to any offense listed in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section.

(B) "Direct nexus" means that the nature of the offense for which the individual was convicted or to which the individual pleaded guilty has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability of the individual to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to a particular occupation, profession, or trade.

(C) "Disqualifying offense" means an offense that is a felony and that has a direct nexus to an individual's proposed or current field of licensure, certification, or employment.

Section 4776.20 | Violation of law regarding trafficking in persons by licensee; notification of agency; sanctions.

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

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Licensing agency" means, in addition to each board identified in division (C) of section 4776.01 of the Revised Code, the board or other government entity authorized to issue a license under Chapters 3776., 4703., 4707., 4709., 4712., 4713., 4719., 4723., 4727., 4728., 4733., 4735., 4737., 4738., 4740., 4747., 4749., 4752., 4753., 4758., 4759., 4763., 4764., 4765., 4766., 4771., 4773., and 4781. of the Revised Code. "Licensing agency" includes an administrative officer that has authority to issue a license.

(2) "Licensee" means, in addition to a licensee as described in division (B) of section 4776.01 of the Revised Code, the person to whom a license is issued by the board or other government entity authorized to issue a license under Chapters 3776., 4703., 4707., 4709., 4712., 4713., 4719., 4723., 4727., 4728., 4733., 4735., 4737., 4738., 4740., 4747., 4749., 4751., 4752., 4753., 4758., 4759., 4763., 4764., 4765., 4766., 4771., 4773., and 4781. of the Revised Code.

(3) "Prosecutor" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) On a licensee's conviction of, plea of guilty to, judicial finding of guilt of, or judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to the offense of trafficking in persons in violation of section 2905.32 of the Revised Code, the prosecutor in the case shall promptly notify the licensing agency of the conviction, plea, or finding and provide the licensee's name and residential address. On receipt of this notification, the licensing agency shall immediately suspend the licensee's license.

(C) If there is a conviction of, plea of guilty to, judicial finding of guilt of, or judicial finding of guilt resulting from a plea of no contest to the offense of trafficking in persons in violation of section 2905.32 of the Revised Code and all or part of the violation occurred on the premises of a facility that is licensed by a licensing agency, the prosecutor in the case shall promptly notify the licensing agency of the conviction, plea, or finding and provide the facility's name and address and the offender's name and residential address. On receipt of this notification, the licensing agency shall immediately suspend the facility's license.

(D) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the suspension of a license under division (B) or (C) of this section shall be implemented by a licensing agency without a prior hearing. After the suspension, the licensing agency shall give written notice to the subject of the suspension of the right to request a hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. After a hearing is held, the licensing agency shall either revoke or permanently revoke the license of the subject of the suspension, unless it determines that the license holder has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, been found guilty of, or been found guilty based on a plea of no contest to the offense of trafficking in persons in violation of section 2905.32 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 8, 2023 at 9:25 AM