Am. S.B. No. 7 Summary

• Establishes a fraud-reporting system administered by the Auditor of State allowing Ohio residents and public employees to file anonymous complaints about fraud and misuse of public funds by public offices or officials through toll-free telephone, website, or mail.

• Requires public offices to inform all new employees about the fraud-reporting system within thirty days of employment and to make all current employees aware of the system upon the law's effective date.

• Allows complaints resulting in audit reports to become public records upon issuance, subject to applicable legal privileges including attorney-client privilege.

• Permits classified and unclassified civil service employees to file complaints with the Auditor of State's fraud-reporting system in addition to or instead of reporting to supervisors, internal auditing offices, or law enforcement.

• Prohibits disciplinary action against employees for making reports or filing complaints under this system and provides employee recourse through the state personnel board of review for retaliatory action.