HB 411 Summary

• Expands the definition of "public record" under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 to include records kept by police departments established by qualified nonprofit corporations and campus police departments at private colleges/universities that have agreements with political subdivisions granting authority outside campus property.

• Applies the expanded public records definition to both the current version of Section 149.43 and the version scheduled to take effect on March 20, 2015, ensuring continuous coverage.

• Maintains all existing exemptions from public record status, including medical records, confidential law enforcement investigatory records, trial preparation records, and personal residential information of law enforcement officers.

• Preserves existing public records access requirements, including mandamus action remedies, statutory damages of up to $1,000, and court cost/attorney fee awards for requestors whose records requests are improperly denied.