Enact Kei'Mani's Law

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 707

2025-2026

Representatives Williams, Brewer

To
amend sections 2151.421, 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24,
5180.40
,

5180.401
,

5180.402
,

5180.403
,
and
5180.404

and to enact sections 3313.961,
5180.408
,

5180.409
,

5180.4010
,
and
5180.4011

of the Revised Code
to
make changes to the law regarding the uniform statewide automated
child welfare information system, to require public schools to
appoint a child protection liaison, and to name this act Kei'Mani's
Law.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
sections 2151.421, 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24,
5180.40
,

5180.401
,

5180.402
,

5180.403
,
and
5180.404

be amended and sections 3313.961,
5180.408
,

5180.409
,

5180.4010
,
and
5180.4011

of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
2151.421.
(A)(1)(a)
No person described in division (A)(1)(b) of this section who is
acting in an official or professional capacity and knows, or has
reasonable cause to suspect based on facts that would cause a
reasonable person in a similar position to suspect, that a child
under eighteen years of age, or a person under twenty-one years of
age with a developmental disability or physical impairment, has
suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound,
injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably
indicates abuse or neglect of the child shall fail to immediately
report that knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect to the entity or
persons specified in this division. Except as otherwise provided in
this division or section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, the person
making the report shall make it to the public children services
agency or a peace officer in the county in which the child resides or
in which the abuse or neglect is occurring or has occurred. If the
person making the report is a peace officer, the officer shall make
it to the public children services agency in the county in which the
child resides or in which the abuse or neglect is occurring or has
occurred. In the circumstances described in section 5120.173 of the
Revised Code, the person making the report shall make it to the
entity specified in that section.

(b)
Division (A)(1)(a) of this section applies to any person who is an
attorney; health care professional; practitioner of a limited branch
of medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the Revised Code;
licensed school psychologist; independent marriage and family
therapist or marriage and family therapist; coroner; administrator or
employee of a child care center; administrator or employee of a
residential camp, child day camp, or private, nonprofit therapeutic
wilderness camp; administrator or employee of a certified child care
agency or other public or private children services agency; school
teacher; school employee; school authority; peace officer; humane
society agent; dog warden, deputy dog warden, or other person
appointed to act as an animal control officer for a municipal
corporation or township in accordance with state law, an ordinance,
or a resolution; person, other than a cleric, rendering spiritual
treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets of a
well-recognized religion; employee of a county department of job and
family services who is a professional and who works with children and
families; employee of an entity that provides home visiting services
under the help me grow program established by the department of
children and youth pursuant to section 5180.21 of the Revised Code;
superintendent or regional administrator employed by the department
of youth services; superintendent, board member, or employee of a
county board of developmental disabilities; investigative agent
contracted with by a county board of developmental disabilities;
employee of the department of developmental disabilities; employee of
a facility or home that provides respite care in accordance with
section 5123.171 of the Revised Code; employee of an entity that
provides homemaker services; employee of a qualified organization as
defined in section 2151.90 of the Revised Code; a host family as
defined in section 2151.90 of the Revised Code; foster caregiver; a
person performing the duties of an assessor pursuant to Chapter 3107.
or 5103. of the Revised Code; third party employed by a public
children services agency to assist in providing child or family
related services; court appointed special advocate; or guardian ad
litem.

(c)
If two or more health care professionals, after providing health care
services to a child, determine or suspect that the child has been or
is being abused or neglected, the health care professionals may
designate one of the health care professionals to report the abuse or
neglect. A single report made under this division shall meet the
reporting requirements of division (A)(1) of this section.

(2)
Except as provided in division (A)(3) of this section, an attorney,
physician, or advanced practice registered nurse is not required to
make a report pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section concerning
any communication the attorney, physician, or advanced practice
registered nurse receives from a client or patient in an
attorney-client, physician-patient, or advanced practice registered
nurse-patient relationship, if, in accordance with division (A) or
(B) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code, the attorney, physician,
or advanced practice registered nurse could not testify with respect
to that communication in a civil or criminal proceeding.

(3)
The client or patient in an attorney-client, physician-patient, or
advanced practice registered nurse-patient relationship described in
division (A)(2) of this section is deemed to have waived any
testimonial privilege under division (A) or (B) of section 2317.02 of
the Revised Code with respect to any communication the attorney,
physician, or advanced practice registered nurse receives from the
client or patient in that relationship, and the attorney, physician,
or advanced practice registered nurse shall make a report pursuant to
division (A)(1) of this section with respect to that communication,
if all of the following apply:

(a)
The client or patient, at the time of the communication, is a child
under eighteen years of age or is a person under twenty-one years of
age with a developmental disability or physical impairment.

(b)
The attorney, physician, or advanced practice registered nurse knows,
or has reasonable cause to suspect based on facts that would cause a
reasonable person in similar position to suspect that the client or
patient has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or
mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that
reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the client or patient.

(c)
The abuse or neglect does not arise out of the client's or patient's
attempt to have an abortion without the notification of her parents,
guardian, or custodian in accordance with section 2151.85 of the
Revised Code.

(4)(a)
No cleric and no person, other than a volunteer, designated by any
church, religious society, or faith acting as a leader, official, or
delegate on behalf of the church, religious society, or faith who is
acting in an official or professional capacity, who knows, or has
reasonable cause to believe based on facts that would cause a
reasonable person in a similar position to believe, that a child
under eighteen years of age, or a person under twenty-one years of
age with a developmental disability or physical impairment, has
suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound,
injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably
indicates abuse or neglect of the child, and who knows, or has
reasonable cause to believe based on facts that would cause a
reasonable person in a similar position to believe, that another
cleric or another person, other than a volunteer, designated by a
church, religious society, or faith acting as a leader, official, or
delegate on behalf of the church, religious society, or faith caused,
or poses the threat of causing, the wound, injury, disability, or
condition that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect shall fail to
immediately report that knowledge or reasonable cause to believe to
the entity or persons specified in this division. Except as provided
in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, the person making the report
shall make it to the public children services agency or a peace
officer in the county in which the child resides or in which the
abuse or neglect is occurring or has occurred. In the circumstances
described in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, the person making
the report shall make it to the entity specified in that section.

(b)
Except as provided in division (A)(4)(c) of this section, a cleric is
not required to make a report pursuant to division (A)(4)(a) of this
section concerning any communication the cleric receives from a
penitent in a cleric-penitent relationship, if, in accordance with
division (C) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code, the cleric could
not testify with respect to that communication in a civil or criminal
proceeding.

(c)
The penitent in a cleric-penitent relationship described in division
(A)(4)(b) of this section is deemed to have waived any testimonial
privilege under division (C) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code
with respect to any communication the cleric receives from the
penitent in that cleric-penitent relationship, and the cleric shall
make a report pursuant to division (A)(4)(a) of this section with
respect to that communication, if all of the following apply:

(i)
The penitent, at the time of the communication, is a child under
eighteen years of age or is a person under twenty-one years of age
with a developmental disability or physical impairment.

(ii)
The cleric knows, or has reasonable cause to believe based on facts
that would cause a reasonable person in a similar position to
believe, as a result of the communication or any observations made
during that communication, the penitent has suffered or faces a
threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability,
or condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect
of the penitent.

(iii)
The abuse or neglect does not arise out of the penitent's attempt to
have an abortion performed upon a child under eighteen years of age
or upon a person under twenty-one years of age with a developmental
disability or physical impairment without the notification of her
parents, guardian, or custodian in accordance with section 2151.85 of
the Revised Code.

(d)
Divisions (A)(4)(a) and (c) of this section do not apply in a
cleric-penitent relationship when the disclosure of any communication
the cleric receives from the penitent is in violation of the sacred
trust.

(e)
As used in divisions (A)(1) and (4) of this section, "cleric"
and "sacred trust" have the same meanings as in section
2317.02 of the Revised Code.

(B)
Anyone who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect based on facts
that would cause a reasonable person in similar circumstances to
suspect, that a child under eighteen years of age, or a person under
twenty-one years of age with a developmental disability or physical
impairment, has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical
or mental wound, injury, disability, or other condition of a nature
that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the child may report or
cause reports to be made of that knowledge or reasonable cause to
suspect to the entity or persons specified in this division. Except
as provided in section 5120.173 of the Revised Code, a person making
a report or causing a report to be made under this division shall
make it or cause it to be made to the public children services agency
or to a peace officer. In the circumstances described in section
5120.173 of the Revised Code, a person making a report or causing a
report to be made under this division shall make it or cause it to be
made to the entity specified in that section.

(C)
Any report made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section shall
be made forthwith either by telephone, in person, or electronically
and shall be followed by a written report, if requested by the
receiving agency or officer. The written report shall contain:

(1)
The names and addresses of the child and the child's parents or the
person or persons having custody of the child, if known;

(2)
The child's age and the nature and extent of the child's injuries,
abuse, or neglect that is known or reasonably suspected or believed,
as applicable, to have occurred or of the threat of injury, abuse, or
neglect that is known or reasonably suspected or believed, as
applicable, to exist, including any evidence of previous injuries,
abuse, or neglect;

(3)
Any other information, including, but not limited to, results and
reports of any medical examinations, tests, or procedures performed
under division (D) of this section, that might be helpful in
establishing the cause of the injury, abuse, or neglect that is known
or reasonably suspected or believed, as applicable, to have occurred
or of the threat of injury, abuse, or neglect that is known or
reasonably suspected or believed, as applicable, to exist.

(D)(1)
Any person, who is required by division (A) of this section to report
child abuse or child neglect that is known or reasonably suspected or
believed to have occurred, may take or cause to be taken color
photographs of areas of trauma visible on a child and, if medically
necessary for the purpose of diagnosing or treating injuries that are
suspected to have occurred as a result of child abuse or child
neglect, perform or cause to be performed radiological examinations
and any other medical examinations of, and tests or procedures on,
the child.

(2)
The results and any available reports of examinations, tests, or
procedures made under division (D)(1) of this section shall be
included in a report made pursuant to division (A) of this section.
Any additional reports of examinations, tests, or procedures that
become available shall be provided to the public children services
agency, upon request.

(3)
If a health care professional provides health care services in a
hospital, children's advocacy center, or emergency medical facility
to a child about whom a report has been made under division (A) of
this section, the health care professional may take any steps that
are reasonably necessary for the release or discharge of the child to
an appropriate environment. Before the child's release or discharge,
the health care professional may obtain information, or consider
information obtained, from other entities or individuals that have
knowledge about the child. Nothing in division (D)(3) of this section
shall be construed to alter the responsibilities of any person under
sections 2151.27 and 2151.31 of the Revised Code.

(4)
A health care professional may conduct medical examinations, tests,
or procedures on the siblings of a child about whom a report has been
made under division (A) of this section and on other children who
reside in the same home as the child, if the professional determines
that the examinations, tests, or procedures are medically necessary
to diagnose or treat the siblings or other children in order to
determine whether reports under division (A) of this section are
warranted with respect to such siblings or other children. The
results of the examinations, tests, or procedures on the siblings and
other children may be included in a report made pursuant to division
(A) of this section.

(5)
Medical examinations, tests, or procedures conducted under divisions
(D)(1) and (4) of this section and decisions regarding the release or
discharge of a child under division (D)(3) of this section do not
constitute a law enforcement investigation or activity.

(E)(1)
When a peace officer receives a report made pursuant to division (A)
or (B) of this section, upon receipt of the report, the peace officer
who receives the report shall refer the report to the appropriate
public children services agency, in accordance with requirements
specified under division (B)(6) of section 2151.4221 of the Revised
Code, unless an arrest is made at the time of the report that results
in the appropriate public children services agency being contacted
concerning the possible abuse or neglect of a child or the possible
threat of abuse or neglect of a child.

(2)
When a public children services agency receives a report pursuant to
this division or division (A) or (B) of this section, upon receipt of
the report, the public children services agency shall do all of the
following:

(a)
Comply with section 2151.422 of the Revised Code;

(b)
If the county served by the agency is also served by a children's
advocacy center and the report alleges sexual abuse of a child or
another type of abuse of a child that is specified in the memorandum
of understanding that creates the center as being within the center's
jurisdiction, comply regarding the report with the protocol and
procedures for referrals and investigations, with the coordinating
activities, and with the authority or responsibility for performing
or providing functions, activities, and services stipulated in the
interagency agreement entered into under section 2151.428 of the
Revised Code relative to that center;

(c)
Unless an arrest is made at the time of the report that results in
the appropriate law enforcement agency being contacted concerning the
possible abuse or neglect of a child or the possible threat of abuse
or neglect of a child, and in accordance with requirements specified
under division (B)(6) of section 2151.4221 of the Revised Code,
notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of the report, if the
public children services agency received either of the following:

(i)
A report of abuse of a child;

(ii)
A report of neglect of a child that alleges a type of neglect
identified by the department of children and youth in rules adopted
under division (L)(2) of this section.

(F)
No peace officer shall remove a child about whom a report is made
pursuant to this section from the child's parents, stepparents, or
guardian or any other persons having custody of the child without
consultation with the public children services agency, unless, in the
judgment of the officer, and, if the report was made by a physician
or advanced practice registered nurse, the physician or nurse,
immediate removal is considered essential to protect the child from
further abuse or neglect. The agency that must be consulted shall be
the agency conducting the investigation of the report as determined
pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code.

(G)(1)
Except as provided in section 2151.422 of the Revised Code or in an
interagency agreement entered into under section 2151.428 of the
Revised Code that applies to the particular report, the public
children services agency shall investigate, within twenty-four hours,
each report of child abuse or child neglect that is known or
reasonably suspected or believed to have occurred and of a threat of
child abuse or child neglect that is known or reasonably suspected or
believed to exist that is referred to it under this section to
determine the circumstances surrounding the injuries, abuse, or
neglect or the threat of injury, abuse, or neglect, the cause of the
injuries, abuse, neglect, or threat, and the person or persons
responsible. The investigation shall be made in cooperation with the
law enforcement agency and in accordance with the memorandum of
understanding prepared under sections 2151.4220 to 2151.4234 of the
Revised Code. A representative of the public children services agency
shall, at the time of initial contact with the person subject to the
investigation, inform the person of the specific complaints or
allegations made against the person. The information shall be given
in a manner that is consistent with division (I)(1) of this section
and protects the rights of the person making the report under this
section.

A
failure to make the investigation in accordance with the memorandum
is not grounds for, and shall not result in, the dismissal of any
charges or complaint arising from the report or the suppression of
any evidence obtained as a result of the report and does not give,
and shall not be construed as giving, any rights or any grounds for
appeal or post-conviction relief to any person. The public children
services agency shall
immediately

report
each case to the uniform statewide automated child welfare
information system that the department of children and youth shall
maintain in accordance with section 5180.40 of the Revised Code. The
public children services agency shall submit a report of its
investigation, in writing, to the law enforcement agency.

(2)
The public children services agency shall make any recommendations to
the county prosecuting attorney or city director of law that it
considers necessary to protect any children that are brought to its
attention.

(H)(1)(a)
Except as provided in divisions (H)(1)(b) and (I)(3) of this section,
any person, health care professional, hospital, institution, school,
health department, or agency shall be immune from any civil or
criminal liability for injury, death, or loss to person or property
that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as a result of any of the
following:

(i)
Participating in the making of reports pursuant to division (A) of
this section or in the making of reports in good faith, pursuant to
division (B) of this section;

(ii)
Participating in medical examinations, tests, or procedures under
division (D) of this section;

(iii)
Providing information used in a report made pursuant to division (A)
of this section or providing information in good faith used in a
report made pursuant to division (B) of this section;

(iv)
Participating in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report made
pursuant to division (A) of this section or participating in good
faith in a proceeding resulting from a report made pursuant to
division (B) of this section.

(b)
Immunity under division (H)(1)(a)(ii) of this section shall not apply
when a health care provider has deviated from the standard of care
applicable to the provider's profession.

(c)
Notwithstanding section 4731.22 of the Revised Code, the
physician-patient privilege shall not be a ground for excluding
evidence regarding a child's injuries, abuse, or neglect, or the
cause of the injuries, abuse, or neglect in any judicial proceeding
resulting from a report submitted pursuant to this section.

(2)
In any civil or criminal action or proceeding in which it is alleged
and proved that participation in the making of a report under this
section was not in good faith or participation in a judicial
proceeding resulting from a report made under this section was not in
good faith, the court shall award the prevailing party reasonable
attorney's fees and costs and, if a civil action or proceeding is
voluntarily dismissed, may award reasonable attorney's fees and costs
to the party against whom the civil action or proceeding is brought.

(I)(1)
Except as provided in divisions (I)(4) and (N) of this section and
sections 2151.423 and 2151.4210 of the Revised Code, a report made
under this section is confidential. The information provided in a
report made pursuant to this section and the name of the person who
made the report shall not be released for use, and shall not be used,
as evidence in any civil action or proceeding brought against the
person who made the report. Nothing in this division shall preclude
the use of reports of other incidents of known or suspected abuse or
neglect in a civil action or proceeding brought pursuant to division
(M) of this section against a person who is alleged to have violated
division (A)(1) of this section, provided that any information in a
report that would identify the child who is the subject of the report
or the maker of the report, if the maker of the report is not the
defendant or an agent or employee of the defendant, has been
redacted. In a criminal proceeding, the report is admissible in
evidence in accordance with the Rules of Evidence and is subject to
discovery in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(2)(a)
Except as provided in division (I)(2)(b) of this section, no person
shall permit or encourage the unauthorized dissemination of the
contents of any report made under this section.

(b)
A health care professional that obtains the same information
contained in a report made under this section from a source other
than the report may disseminate the information, if its dissemination
is otherwise permitted by law.

(3)
A person who knowingly makes or causes another person to make a false
report under division (B) of this section that alleges that any
person has committed an act or omission that resulted in a child
being an abused child or a neglected child is guilty of a violation
of section 2921.14 of the Revised Code.

(4)
If a report is made pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section
and the child who is the subject of the report dies for any reason at
any time after the report is made, but before the child attains
eighteen years of age, the public children services agency or peace
officer to which the report was made or referred, on the request of
the child fatality review board, the suicide fatality review
committee, or the director of health pursuant to guidelines
established under section 3701.70 of the Revised Code, shall submit a
summary sheet of information providing a summary of the report to the
review board or review committee of the county in which the deceased
child resided at the time of death or to the director. On the request
of the review board, review committee, or director, the agency or
peace officer may, at its discretion, make the report available to
the review board, review committee, or director. If the county served
by the public children services agency is also served by a children's
advocacy center and the report of alleged sexual abuse of a child or
another type of abuse of a child is specified in the memorandum of
understanding that creates the center as being within the center's
jurisdiction, the agency or center shall perform the duties and
functions specified in this division in accordance with the
interagency agreement entered into under section 2151.428 of the
Revised Code relative to that advocacy center.

(5)
Not later than five business days after the determination of a
disposition, a public children services agency shall advise a person
alleged to have inflicted abuse or neglect on a child who is the
subject of a report made pursuant to this section, including a report
alleging sexual abuse of a child or another type of abuse of a child
referred to a children's advocacy center pursuant to an interagency
agreement entered into under section 2151.428 of the Revised Code, in
writing of the disposition of the investigation. The agency shall not
provide to the person any information that identifies the person who
made the report, statements of witnesses, or police or other
investigative reports. The written notice of disposition shall be
made in a form designated by the department of children and youth and
shall inform the person of the right to appeal the disposition.

(J)
Any report that is required by this section, other than a report that
is made to the state highway patrol as described in section 5120.173
of the Revised Code, shall result in protective services and
emergency supportive services being made available by the public
children services agency on behalf of the children about whom the
report is made. The agency required to provide the services shall be
the agency conducting the investigation of the report pursuant to
section 2151.422 of the Revised Code. If a family is determined to
benefit from prevention services, the agency also may make efforts to
prevent neglect or abuse, to enhance a child's welfare, and to
preserve the family unit intact by referring a report for assessment
and provision of services to an agency providing prevention services,
if appropriate prevention services are available from a local
provider or other reasonable source.

(K)(1)
Except as provided in division (K)(4) or (5) of this section, a
person who is required to make a report under division (A) of this
section may make a reasonable number of requests of the public
children services agency that receives or is referred the report, or
of the children's advocacy center that is referred the report if the
report is referred to a children's advocacy center pursuant to an
interagency agreement entered into under section 2151.428 of the
Revised Code, to be provided with the following information:

(a)
Whether the agency or center has initiated an investigation of the
report;

(b)
Whether the agency or center is continuing to investigate the report;

(c)
Whether the agency or center is otherwise involved with the child who
is the subject of the report;

(d)
The general status of the health and safety of the child who is the
subject of the report;

(e)
Whether the report has resulted in the filing of a complaint in
juvenile court or of criminal charges in another court.

(2)(a)
A person may request the information specified in division (K)(1) of
this section only if, at the time the report is made, the person's
name, address, and telephone number are provided to the person who
receives the report.

(b)
When a peace officer or employee of a public children services agency
receives a report pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section the
recipient of the report shall inform the person of the right to
request the information described in division (K)(1) of this section.
The recipient of the report shall include in the initial child abuse
or child neglect report that the person making the report was so
informed and, if provided at the time of the making of the report,
shall include the person's name, address, and telephone number in the
report.

(c)
If the person making the report provides the person's name and
contact information on making the report, the public children
services agency that received or was referred the report shall send a
written notice via United States mail or electronic mail, in
accordance with the person's preference, to the person not later than
seven calendar days after receipt of the report. The notice shall
provide the status of the agency's investigation into the report
made, who the person may contact at the agency for further
information, and a description of the person's rights under division
(K)(1) of this section.

(d)
Each request is subject to verification of the identity of the person
making the report. If that person's identity is verified, the agency
shall provide the person with the information described in division
(K)(1) of this section a reasonable number of times, except that the
agency shall not disclose any confidential information regarding the
child who is the subject of the report other than the information
described in those divisions.

(3)
A request made pursuant to division (K)(1) of this section is not a
substitute for any report required to be made pursuant to division
(A) of this section.

(4)
If an agency other than the agency that received or was referred the
report is conducting the investigation of the report pursuant to
section 2151.422 of the Revised Code, the agency conducting the
investigation shall comply with the requirements of division (K) of
this section.

(5)
A health care professional who made a report under division (A) of
this section, or on whose behalf such a report was made as provided
in division (A)(1)(c) of this section, may authorize a person to
obtain the information described in division (K)(1) of this section
if the person requesting the information is associated with or acting
on behalf of the health care professional who provided health care
services to the child about whom the report was made.

(6)
If the person making the report provides the person's name and
contact information on making the report, the public children
services agency that received or was referred the report shall send a
written notice via United States mail or electronic mail, in
accordance with the person's preference, to the person not later than
seven calendar days after the agency closes the investigation into
the case reported by the person. The notice shall notify the person
that the agency has closed the investigation.

(L)(1)
The director of children and youth shall adopt rules in accordance
with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section. The
department of children and youth may enter into a plan of cooperation
with any other governmental entity to aid in ensuring that children
are protected from abuse and neglect. The department shall make
recommendations to the attorney general that the department
determines are necessary to protect children from child abuse and
child neglect.

(2)
The director of children and youth shall adopt rules in accordance
with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to identify the types of
neglect of a child that a public children services agency shall be
required to notify law enforcement of pursuant to division
(E)(2)(c)(ii) of this section.

(M)
Whoever violates division (A) of this section is liable for
compensatory and exemplary damages to the child who would have been
the subject of the report that was not made. A person who brings a
civil action or proceeding pursuant to this division against a person
who is alleged to have violated division (A)(1) of this section may
use in the action or proceeding reports of other incidents of known
or suspected abuse or neglect, provided that any information in a
report that would identify the child who is the subject of the report
or the maker of the report, if the maker is not the defendant or an
agent or employee of the defendant, has been redacted.

(N)(1)
As used in this division:

(a)
"Out-of-home care" includes a nonchartered nonpublic school
if the alleged child abuse or child neglect, or alleged threat of
child abuse or child neglect, described in a report received by a
public children services agency allegedly occurred in or involved the
nonchartered nonpublic school and the alleged perpetrator named in
the report holds a certificate, permit, or license issued by the
state board of education under section 3301.071 or Chapter 3319. of
the Revised Code.

(b)
"Administrator, director, or other chief administrative officer"
means the superintendent of the school district if the out-of-home
care entity subject to a report made pursuant to this section is a
school operated by the district.

(2)
No later than the end of the day following the day on which a public
children services agency receives a report of alleged child abuse or
child neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of child abuse or
child neglect, that allegedly occurred in or involved an out-of-home
care entity, the agency shall provide written notice of the
allegations contained in and the person named as the alleged
perpetrator in the report to the administrator, director, or other
chief administrative officer of the out-of-home care entity that is
the subject of the report unless the administrator, director, or
other chief administrative officer is named as an alleged perpetrator
in the report. If the administrator, director, or other chief
administrative officer of an out-of-home care entity is named as an
alleged perpetrator in a report of alleged child abuse or child
neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of child abuse or child
neglect, that allegedly occurred in or involved the out-of-home care
entity, the agency shall provide the written notice to the owner or
governing board of the out-of-home care entity that is the subject of
the report. The agency shall not provide witness statements or police
or other investigative reports.

(3)
No later than three days after the day on which a public children
services agency that conducted the investigation as determined
pursuant to section 2151.422 of the Revised Code makes a disposition
of an investigation involving a report of alleged child abuse or
child neglect, or a report of an alleged threat of child abuse or
child neglect, that allegedly occurred in or involved an out-of-home
care entity, the agency shall send written notice of the disposition
of the investigation to the administrator, director, or other chief
administrative officer and the owner or governing board of the
out-of-home care entity. The agency shall not provide witness
statements or police or other investigative reports.

(O)
As used in this section:

(1)
"Children's advocacy center" and "sexual abuse of a
child" have the same meanings as in section 2151.425 of the
Revised Code.

(2)
"Health care professional" means an individual who provides
health-related services. "Health care professional"
includes all of the following: a physician, including a hospital
intern or resident; a dentist; a podiatrist; a registered nurse,
including such a nurse who is an advanced practice registered nurse;
a licensed practical nurse; a home care nurse; a licensed
psychologist; a speech-language pathologist; an audiologist; a person
engaged in social work or the practice of professional counseling;
and an employee of a home health agency. "Health care
professional" does not include a practitioner of a limited
branch of medicine as specified in section 4731.15 of the Revised
Code, licensed school psychologist, independent marriage and family
therapist or marriage and family therapist, or coroner.

(3)
"Investigation" means the public children services agency's
response to an accepted report of child abuse or neglect through
either an alternative response or a traditional response.

(4)
"Peace officer" means a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable,
police officer of a township or joint police district, marshal,
deputy marshal, municipal police officer, or a state highway patrol
trooper.

Sec.
3313.961.
(A)
As used in this section, "law enforcement agency" has the
same meaning as in section 5180.402 of the Revised Code.

(B)
Each school district, community school established under Chapter
3314. of the Revised Code, STEM school established under Chapter
3326. of the Revised Code, and college-preparatory boarding school
established under Chapter 3328. of the Revised Code shall appoint a
child protection liaison who shall do all of the following regarding
any case of child abuse or neglect involving a student who attends
the district or school:

(1)
Receive, monitor, and respond to the school district's or school's
notifications under section 5180.408 of the Revised Code and any
other correspondence or communication from a public children services
agency or law enforcement agency;

(2)
Serve as the point of contact between the district or school and a
public children services agency, law enforcement agency, county
prosecuting attorney, and court;

(3)
Monitor the progression and resolution of a case.

(C)
An appointed child protection liaison shall utilize the uniform
statewide automated child welfare information system established
under section 5180.40 of the Revised Code in accordance with rules
adopted under section 5180.404 of the Revised Code as needed to
fulfill the duties provided under division (B) of this section.

(D)
Each appointed child protection liaison shall complete both of the
following:

(1)
The training prescribed by section 5180.403 of the Revised Code;

(2)
The training prescribed by section 5180.4010 of the Revised Code.

Sec.
3314.03.
A
copy of every contract entered into under this section shall be filed
with the director of education and workforce. The department of
education and workforce shall make available on its web site a copy
of every approved, executed contract filed with the director under
this section.

(A)
Each contract entered into between a sponsor and the governing
authority of a community school shall specify the following:

(1)
That the school shall be established as either of the following:

(a)
A nonprofit corporation established under Chapter 1702. of the
Revised Code, if established prior to April 8, 2003;

(b)
A public benefit corporation established under Chapter 1702. of the
Revised Code, if established after April 8, 2003.

(2)
The education program of the school, including the school's mission
and educational philosophy, the characteristics of the students the
school is expected to attract, the ages and grades of students, and
the focus of the curriculum;

(3)
The academic goals to be achieved and the method of measurement that
will be used to determine progress toward those goals, which shall
include the statewide achievement assessments;

(4)
Performance standards, including but not limited to all applicable
report card measures set forth in section 3302.03 or 3314.017 of the
Revised Code, by which the success of the school will be evaluated by
the sponsor;

(5)
The admission standards of section 3314.06 of the Revised Code and,
if applicable, section 3314.061 of the Revised Code;

(6)(a)
Dismissal procedures;

(b)
A requirement that the governing authority adopt an attendance policy
that includes a procedure for automatically withdrawing a student
from the school if the student without a legitimate excuse fails to
participate in seventy-two consecutive hours of the learning
opportunities offered to the student.

(7)
The ways by which the school will achieve racial and ethnic balance
reflective of the community it serves;

(8)
Requirements for financial audits by the auditor of state. The
contract shall require financial records of the school to be
maintained in the same manner as are financial records of school
districts, pursuant to rules of the auditor of state. Audits shall be
conducted in accordance with section 117.10 of the Revised Code.

(9)
An addendum to the contract outlining the facilities to be used that
contains at least the following information:

(a)
A detailed description of each facility used for instructional
purposes;

(b)
The annual costs associated with leasing each facility that are paid
by or on behalf of the school;

(c)
The annual mortgage principal and interest payments that are paid by
the school;

(d)
The name of the lender or landlord, identified as such, and the
lender's or landlord's relationship to the operator, if any.

(10)
Qualifications of employees, including both of the following:

(a)
A requirement that the school's classroom teachers be licensed in
accordance with sections 3319.22 to 3319.31 of the Revised Code,
except that a community school may engage noncertificated persons to
teach up to twelve hours or forty hours per week pursuant to section
3319.301 of the Revised Code;

(b)
A prohibition against the school employing an individual described in
section 3314.104 of the Revised Code in any position.

(11)
That the school will comply with the following requirements:

(a)
The school will provide learning opportunities to a minimum of
twenty-five students for a minimum of nine hundred twenty hours per
school year.

(b)
The governing authority will purchase liability insurance, or
otherwise provide for the potential liability of the school.

(c)
The school will be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies,
employment practices, and all other operations, and will not be
operated by a sectarian school or religious institution.

(d)
The school will comply with sections 9.90, 9.91, 109.65, 121.22,
149.43, 2151.357, 2151.421, 2313.19, 3301.0710, 3301.0711, 3301.0712,
3301.0715, 3301.0729, 3301.24, 3301.948, 3302.037, 3313.472,
3313.473, 3313.474, 3313.50, 3313.539, 3313.5310, 3313.5318,
3313.5319, 3313.608, 3313.609, 3313.6012, 3313.6013, 3313.6014,
3313.6020, 3313.6024, 3313.6026, 3313.6028, 3313.6029, 3313.6031,
3313.643, 3313.648, 3313.6411, 3313.6413, 3313.66, 3313.661,
3313.662, 3313.666, 3313.667, 3313.668, 3313.669, 3313.6610, 3313.67,
3313.671, 3313.672, 3313.673, 3313.69, 3313.71, 3313.716, 3313.718,
3313.719, 3313.7112, 3313.7117, 3313.721, 3313.753, 3313.80,
3313.814, 3313.816, 3313.817, 3313.818, 3313.819, 3313.86, 3313.89,
3313.96,
3313.961,

3319.073,
3319.077, 3319.078, 3319.0812, 3319.238, 3319.318, 3319.321,
3319.324, 3319.39, 3319.391, 3319.393, 3319.41, 3319.46, 3319.90,
3319.614, 3320.01, 3320.02, 3320.03, 3320.04, 3321.01, 3321.041,
3321.13, 3321.14, 3321.141, 3321.17, 3321.18, 3321.19, 3322.20,
3322.24, 3323.251, 3327.10, 4111.17, 4113.52, 5502.262, 5502.703, and
5705.391 and Chapters 117., 1347., 2744., 3365., 3742., 4112., 4123.,
4141., and 4167. of the Revised Code as if it were a school district
and will comply with section 3301.0714 of the Revised Code in the
manner specified in section 3314.17 of the Revised Code.

(e)
The school shall comply with Chapter 102. and section 2921.42 of the
Revised Code.

(f)
The school will comply with sections 3313.61, 3313.611, 3313.614,
3313.617, 3313.618, and 3313.6114 of the Revised Code, except that
for students who enter ninth grade for the first time before July 1,
2010, the requirement in sections 3313.61 and 3313.611 of the Revised
Code that a person must successfully complete the curriculum in any
high school prior to receiving a high school diploma may be met by
completing the curriculum adopted by the governing authority of the
community school rather than the curriculum specified in Title XXXIII
of the Revised Code or any rules of the department. Beginning with
students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1,
2010, the requirement in sections 3313.61 and 3313.611 of the Revised
Code that a person must successfully complete the curriculum of a
high school prior to receiving a high school diploma shall be met by
completing the requirements prescribed in section 3313.6027 and
division (C) of section 3313.603 of the Revised Code, unless the
person qualifies under division (D) or (F) of that section. Each
school shall comply with the plan for awarding high school credit
based on demonstration of subject area competency, and beginning with
the 2017-2018 school year, with the updated plan that permits
students enrolled in seventh and eighth grade to meet curriculum
requirements based on subject area competency adopted by the
department under divisions (J)(1) and (2) of section 3313.603 of the
Revised Code. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, the school
shall comply with the framework for granting units of high school
credit to students who demonstrate subject area competency through
work-based learning experiences, internships, or cooperative
education developed by the department under division (J)(3) of
section 3313.603 of the Revised Code.

(g)
The school governing authority will submit within four months after
the end of each school year a report of its activities and progress
in meeting the goals and standards of divisions (A)(3) and (4) of
this section and its financial status to the sponsor and the parents
of all students enrolled in the school.

(h)
The school, unless it is an internet- or computer-based community
school, will comply with section 3313.801 of the Revised Code as if
it were a school district.

(i)
If the school is the recipient of moneys from a grant awarded under
the federal race to the top program, Division (A), Title XIV,
Sections 14005 and 14006 of the "American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009," Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 115, the
school will pay teachers based upon performance in accordance with
section 3317.141 and will comply with section 3319.111 of the Revised
Code as if it were a school district.

(j)
If the school operates a preschool program that is licensed by the
department under sections 3301.52 to 3301.59 of the Revised Code, the
school shall comply with sections 3301.50 to 3301.59 of the Revised
Code and the minimum standards for preschool programs prescribed in
rules adopted by the department of children and youth under section
3301.53 of the Revised Code.

(k)
The school will comply with sections 3313.6021 and 3313.6023 of the
Revised Code as if it were a school district unless it is either of
the following:

(i)
An internet- or computer-based community school;

(ii)
A community school in which a majority of the enrolled students are
children with disabilities as described in division (B)(2) of section
3314.35 of the Revised Code.

(l)
The school will comply with section 3321.191 of the Revised Code,
unless it is an internet- or computer-based community school that is
subject to section 3314.261 of the Revised Code.

(m)
The school will comply with section 3313.7118 of the Revised Code if
it serves elementary school students.

(12)
Arrangements for providing health and other benefits to employees;

(13)
The length of the contract, which shall begin at the beginning of an
academic year. No contract shall exceed five years unless such
contract has been renewed pursuant to division (D) of this section.

(14)
The governing authority of the school, which shall be responsible for
carrying out the provisions of the contract;

(15)
A financial plan detailing an estimated school budget for each year
of the period of the contract and specifying the total estimated per
pupil expenditure amount for each such year.

(16)
Requirements and procedures regarding the disposition of employees of
the school in the event the contract is terminated or not renewed
pursuant to section 3314.07 of the Revised Code;

(17)
Whether the school is to be created by converting all or part of an
existing public school or educational service center building or is
to be a new start-up school, and if it is a converted public school
or service center building, both of the following:

(a)
Specification of any duties or responsibilities of an employer that
the board of education or service center governing board that
operated the school or building before conversion is delegating to
the governing authority of the community school with respect to all
or any specified group of employees provided the delegation is not
prohibited by a collective bargaining agreement applicable to such
employees;

(b)
Alternative arrangements for current public school students who
choose not to attend the converted school and for teachers who choose
not to teach in the school or building after conversion.

(18)
Provisions establishing procedures for resolving disputes or
differences of opinion between the sponsor and the governing
authority of the community school;

(19)
A provision requiring the governing authority to adopt a policy
regarding the admission of students who reside outside the district
in which the school is located. That policy shall comply with the
admissions procedures specified in sections 3314.06 and 3314.061 of
the Revised Code and, at the sole discretion of the authority, shall
do one of the following:

(a)
Prohibit the enrollment of students who reside outside the district
in which the school is located;

(b)
Permit the enrollment of students who reside in districts adjacent to
the district in which the school is located;

(c)
Permit the enrollment of students who reside in any other district in
the state.

(20)
A provision recognizing the authority of the department to take over
the sponsorship of the school in accordance with the provisions of
division (C) of section 3314.015 of the Revised Code;

(21)
A provision recognizing the sponsor's authority to assume the
operation of a school under the conditions specified in division (B)
of section 3314.073 of the Revised Code;

(22)
A provision recognizing both of the following:

(a)
The authority of public health and safety officials to inspect the
facilities of the school and to order the facilities closed if those
officials find that the facilities are not in compliance with health
and safety laws and regulations;

(b)
The authority of the department as the community school oversight
body to suspend the operation of the school under section 3314.072 of
the Revised Code if the department has evidence of conditions or
violations of law at the school that pose an imminent danger to the
health and safety of the school's students and employees and the
sponsor refuses to take such action.

(23)
A description of the learning opportunities that will be offered to
students including both classroom-based and non-classroom-based
learning opportunities that is in compliance with criteria for
student participation established by the department under division
(H)(2) of section 3314.08 of the Revised Code;

(24)
The school will comply with sections 3302.04 and 3302.041 of the
Revised Code, except that any action required to be taken by a school
district pursuant to those sections shall be taken by the sponsor of
the school.

(25)
Beginning in the 2006-2007 school year, the school will open for
operation not later than the thirtieth day of September each school
year, unless the mission of the school as specified under division
(A)(2) of this section is solely to serve dropouts. In its initial
year of operation, if the school fails to open by the thirtieth day
of September, or within one year after the adoption of the contract
pursuant to division (D) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code if
the mission of the school is solely to serve dropouts, the contract
shall be void.

(26)
Whether the school's governing authority is planning to seek
designation for the school as a STEM school equivalent under section
3326.032 of the Revised Code;

(27)
That the school's attendance and participation policies will be
available for public inspection;

(28)
That the school's attendance and participation records shall be made
available to the department, auditor of state, and school's sponsor
to the extent permitted under and in accordance with the "Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974," 88 Stat. 571, 20
U.S.C. 1232g, as amended, and any regulations promulgated under that
act, and section 3319.321 of the Revised Code;

(29)
If a school operates using the blended learning model, as defined in
section 3301.079 of the Revised Code, all of the following
information:

(a)
An indication of what blended learning model or models will be used;

(b)
A description of how student instructional needs will be determined
and documented;

(c)
The method to be used for determining competency, granting credit,
and promoting students to a higher grade level;

(d)
The school's attendance requirements, including how the school will
document participation in learning opportunities;

(e)
A statement describing how student progress will be monitored;

(f)
A statement describing how private student data will be protected;

(g)
A description of the professional development activities that will be
offered to teachers.

(30)
A provision requiring that all moneys the school's operator loans to
the school, including facilities loans or cash flow assistance, must
be accounted for, documented, and bear interest at a fair market
rate;

(31)
A provision requiring that, if the governing authority contracts with
an attorney, accountant, or entity specializing in audits, the
attorney, accountant, or entity shall be independent from the
operator with which the school has contracted.

(32)
A provision requiring the governing authority to adopt an enrollment
and attendance policy that requires a student's parent to notify the
community school in which the student is enrolled when there is a
change in the location of the parent's or student's primary
residence.

(33)
A provision requiring the governing authority to adopt a student
residence and address verification policy for students enrolling in
or attending the school.

(34)
A provision establishing the process by which the governing authority
of the school will be selected in the future.

(35)
A description of the management and administration of the school.

(36)
A provision requiring the governing authority to adopt policies and
procedures to establish internal financial controls for the school.

(B)
A contract entered into under section 3314.02 of the Revised Code
between a sponsor and the governing authority of a community school
may provide for the community school governing authority to make
payments to the sponsor, which is hereby authorized to receive such
payments as set forth in the contract between the governing authority
and the sponsor. The total amount of such payments for monitoring,
oversight, and technical assistance of the school shall not exceed
three per cent of the total amount of payments for operating expenses
that the school receives from the state.

(C)
The contract shall specify the duties of the sponsor which shall be
in accordance with the written agreement entered into with the
department under division (B) of section 3314.015 of the Revised Code
and shall include the following:

(1)
Monitor the community school's compliance with all laws applicable to
the school and with the terms of the contract;

(2)
Monitor and evaluate the academic and fiscal performance and the
organization and operation of the community school on at least an
annual basis;

(3)
Provide technical assistance to the community school in complying
with laws applicable to the school and terms of the contract;

(4)
Take steps to intervene in the school's operation to correct problems
in the school's overall performance, declare the school to be on
probationary status pursuant to section 3314.073 of the Revised Code,
suspend the operation of the school pursuant to section 3314.072 of
the Revised Code, or terminate the contract of the school pursuant to
section 3314.07 of the Revised Code as determined necessary by the
sponsor;

(5)
Have in place a plan of action to be undertaken in the event the
community school experiences financial difficulties or closes prior
to the end of a school year.

(D)
Upon the expiration of a contract entered into under this section,
the sponsor of a community school may, with the approval of the
governing authority of the school, renew that contract for a period
of time determined by the sponsor, but not ending earlier than the
end of any school year, if the sponsor finds that the school's
compliance with applicable laws and terms of the contract and the
school's progress in meeting the academic goals prescribed in the
contract have been satisfactory. Any contract that is renewed under
this division remains subject to the provisions of sections 3314.07,
3314.072, and 3314.073 of the Revised Code.

(E)
If a community school fails to open for operation within one year
after the contract entered into under this section is adopted
pursuant to division (D) of section 3314.02 of the Revised Code or
permanently closes prior to the expiration of the contract, the
contract shall be void and the school shall not enter into a contract
with any other sponsor. A school shall not be considered permanently
closed because the operations of the school have been suspended
pursuant to section 3314.072 of the Revised Code.

Sec.
3326.11.
Each
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics school established
under this chapter and its governing body shall comply with sections
9.90, 9.91, 109.65, 121.22, 149.43, 2151.357, 2151.421, 2313.19,
2921.42, 2921.43, 3301.0714, 3301.0715, 3301.0729, 3301.24, 3301.948,
3302.037, 3313.14, 3313.15, 3313.16, 3313.18, 3313.201, 3313.26,
3313.472, 3313.473, 3313.474, 3313.48, 3313.481, 3313.482, 3313.50,
3313.539, 3313.5310, 3313.5318, 3313.5319, 3313.608, 3313.6012,
3313.6013, 3313.6014, 3313.6020, 3313.6021, 3313.6023, 3313.6024,
3313.6026, 3313.6028, 3313.6029, 3313.6031, 3313.61, 3313.611,
3313.614, 3313.615, 3313.617, 3313.618, 3313.6114, 3313.643,
3313.648, 3313.6411, 3313.6413, 3313.66, 3313.661, 3313.662,
3313.666, 3313.667, 3313.668, 3313.669, 3313.6610, 3313.67, 3313.671,
3313.672, 3313.673, 3313.69, 3313.71, 3313.716, 3313.717, 3313.718,
3313.719, 3313.7112, 3313.7117, 3313.7118, 3313.721, 3313.753,
3313.80, 3313.801, 3313.814, 3313.816, 3313.817, 3313.818, 3313.819,
3313.86, 3313.89, 3313.96,
3313.961,

3319.073,
3319.077, 3319.078, 3319.0812, 3319.21, 3319.238, 3319.318, 3319.32,
3319.321, 3319.324, 3319.35, 3319.39, 3319.391, 3319.393, 3319.41,
3319.45, 3319.46, 3319.90, 3319.614, 3320.01, 3320.02, 3320.03,
3320.04, 3321.01, 3321.041, 3321.05, 3321.13, 3321.14, 3321.141,
3321.17, 3321.18, 3321.19, 3321.191, 3322.20, 3322.24, 3323.251,
3327.10, 4111.17, 4113.52, 5502.262, 5502.703, and 5705.391 and
Chapters 102., 117., 1347., 2744., 3307., 3309., 3365., 3742., 4112.,
4123., 4141., and 4167. of the Revised Code as if it were a school
district.

Sec.
3328.24.
A
college-preparatory boarding school established under this chapter
and its board of trustees shall comply with sections 102.02,
3301.0710, 3301.0711, 3301.0712, 3301.0714, 3301.0729, 3301.948,
3302.037, 3313.474, 3313.5318, 3313.5319, 3313.6013, 3313.6021,
3313.6023, 3313.6024, 3313.6026, 3313.6029, 3313.6031, 3313.617,
3313.618, 3313.6114, 3313.6411, 3313.6413, 3313.668, 3313.669,
3313.6610, 3313.717, 3313.7112, 3313.7117, 3313.721, 3313.753,
3313.89,

3313.961,

3319.073, 3319.077, 3319.078, 3319.318, 3319.324, 3319.39, 3319.391,
3319.393, 3319.46, 3320.01, 3320.02, 3320.03, 3320.04, 3323.251, and
5502.262, and Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code as if the school were
a school district and the school's board of trustees were a district
board of education.

Sec.
5180.40.
(A)
The department of children and youth shall establish and maintain a
uniform statewide automated child welfare information system in
accordance with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 674(a)(3)(C) and
related federal regulations and guidelines. The information system
shall contain records regarding any of the following:

(1)
Investigations of children and families, and children's care in
out-of-home care, in accordance with sections 2151.421 and 5153.16 of
the Revised Code;

(2)
Care and treatment provided to children and families;

(3)

Real-time
notifications and deadlines to respond to inquiries from public
children services agencies, law enforcement, courts, school
districts, community schools, STEM schools, college-preparatory
boarding schools, and medical personnel regarding children and
families;

(4)

Any
other information related to children and families that state or
federal law, regulation, or rule requires the department or a public
children services agency to maintain.

(B)
"Out-of-home care" has the same meaning as in section
2151.011 of the Revised Code.

Sec.
5180.401.
(A)

Except
as provided in section 5180.402 of the Revised Code, information
contained in or obtained from the information system established and
maintained under section 5180.40 of the Revised Code is confidential
and is not subject to disclosure pursuant to section 149.43 or
1347.08 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1)
The information contained in the information system established and
maintained under section 5180.40 of the Revised Code shall comply
with all privacy and security standards under state and federal law,
including the HIPAA privacy rule and the "Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974," 20 U.S.C. 1232g.

(2)
As used in this section, "HIPAA privacy rule" has the same
meaning as in section 3798.01 of the Revised Code.

Sec.
5180.402.
(A)
Information contained in the information system established and
maintained under section 5180.40 of the Revised Code may be accessed
or entered only as follows:

(1)
The department of job and family services, the department of children
and youth, a public children services agency, a title IV-E agency,
a
juvenile court, a law enforcement agency,
a
prosecuting attorney,
a
child protection liaison under section 3313.961 of the Revised Code,

a
private child placing agency, and a private noncustodial agency may
access or enter the information when either of the following is the
case:

(a)
The access or entry is directly connected with assessment,
investigation, or services regarding a child or family;

(b)
The access or entry is permitted by state or federal law, rule, or
regulation.

(2)
A person may access or enter the information in a manner, to the
extent, and for the purposes authorized by rules adopted by the
department.

(B)

A
criminal court may be provided information contained in the
information system established and maintained under section 5180.40
of the Revised Code upon request to the public children services
agency. The agency shall either disseminate relevant information
regarding a case that is pending before the court or limit a criminal
court's access to such information in accordance with rules adopted
under section 5180.404 of the Revised Code.

(C)

As
used in this section
,
"title
:

(1)
"Law enforcement agency" means a police department, the
office of a sheriff, the state highway patrol, or a federal, state,
or local governmental body that enforces criminal laws and that has
employees who have a statutory power of arrest.

(2)
"Title

IV-E agency" means a public children services agency or a public
entity with which the department of job and family services or
department of children and youth has a title IV-E subgrant agreement
in effect.

Sec.
5180.403.
(A)(1)

No
person shall access or use information contained in the information
system established and maintained under section 5180.40 of the
Revised Code other than in accordance with section 5180.402 of the
Revised Code or rules authorized by that section.

(2)

No
person shall disclose information obtained from the information
system established and maintained under section 5180.40 of the
Revised Code in a manner not specified by rules authorized by section
5180.404 of the Revised Code.

(B)
The department of children and youth shall provide mandatory training
for all individuals and entities that have access to the information
system established and maintained under section 5180.40 of the
Revised Code. The training shall include all aspects related to the
use of and access to the information system, including privacy and
confidentiality.

Sec.
5180.404.
(A)
Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code that requires
confidentiality of information that is contained in the uniform
statewide automated child welfare information system established in
section 5180.40 of the Revised Code, the department of children and
youth shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code regarding
a
private child placing agency's or private noncustodial agency's

access,
data entry, and use of information in the uniform statewide automated
child welfare information system

for a private child placing agency, a private noncustodial agency, a
criminal court under section 5180.402 of the Revised Code, and a
child protection liaison under section 3313.961 of the Revised Code
.

(B)(1)
The department of children and youth may adopt rules in accordance
with section 111.15 of the Revised Code, as if they were internal
management rules, as necessary to carry out the purposes of sections
5180.40 to 5180.403 of the Revised Code.

(2)
The department may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the
Revised Code as necessary to carry out the purposes of division
(A)(2) of section 5180.402 of the Revised Code.

(C)
Public children services agencies shall implement and use the
information system established pursuant to section 5180.40 of the
Revised Code in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

Sec.
5180.408.
(A)
When a public children services agency enters a report of child abuse
or neglect in the uniform statewide automated child welfare
information system in accordance with section 2151.421 of the Revised
Code, the agency shall provide through the information system
automatic notifications of the report to each of the following:

(1)
The law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the case;

(2)
The school district or school attended by the child who is the
subject of the report of abuse or neglect;

(3)
The county prosecuting attorney, in accordance with division (G)(2)
of section 2151.421 of the Revised Code.

(B)
The department of children and youth shall ensure that the uniform
statewide automated child welfare information system has the
capability to allow a public children services agency to provide
automatic notifications upon entering a report of child abuse or
neglect in accordance with division (A) of this section.

Sec.
5180.409.
(A)
A public children services agency shall update each case reported in
the uniform statewide automated child welfare system established in
section 5180.40 of the Revised Code on at least a bi-weekly basis.

(B)
A public children services agency shall ensure that an entry in the
uniform statewide automated child welfare information system remains
active until the agency has confirmed that one or more of the
following has occurred:

(1)
The agency has determined upon investigation that a report of child
abuse or neglect is unsubstantiated.

(2)
A child's case plan has been resolved, and the child has been
reunified with one or both parents or the child's adoption has been
finalized or closed.

(3)
Services to a family or child are no longer needed or being provided,
and the agency has terminated involvement with the family.

Sec.
5180.4010.
The
department of children and youth shall develop, provide, and certify
a training program for all child protection liaisons under section
3313.961 of the Revised Code. A child protection liaison shall
complete the training upon appointment and annually thereafter. The
training shall include a comprehensive overview of the state's child
protection process, including the child protection liaison's role in
the process and use of the uniform statewide automated child welfare
information system established under section 5180.40 of the Revised
Code. The department shall ensure that the training is updated
annually to include any new developments in child protection law. The
training under this section shall be separate and in addition to the
training prescribed under section 5180.403 of the Revised Code.

Sec.
5180.4011.
The
department of children and youth shall submit, on a quarterly basis,
a report to the general assembly in accordance with section 101.68 of
the Revised Code regarding the uniform statewide automated child
welfare information system established under section 5180.40 of the
Revised Code. The report shall certify compliance with sections
5180.40 to 5180.4010 of the Revised Code and any rules adopted under
those sections and provide updates on the performance of the
information system.

Section
2.
That
existing sections 2151.421, 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24,
5180.40
,

5180.401
,

5180.402
,

5180.403
,
and
5180.404

of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.

Section
3.
This
act shall be known as Kei'Mani's Law.