S.B. No. 350 Summary

• Establishes a testimonial privilege for confidential communications between qualified advocates and victims of sexual violence, menacing by stalking, or domestic violence, protecting these communications from disclosure in civil, criminal, administrative, and education discipline proceedings.

• Exempts qualified advocates from the requirement to report child abuse or neglect of victims under section 2151.421, except when required by specific conditions outlined in the bill.

• Specifies circumstances under which victims are considered to have waived the privilege, including when the victim is a minor or vulnerable person and the advocate knows of abuse or neglect not arising from abortion-related situations.

• Requires qualified advocates to report knowledge or reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect of the victim when conditions for waiving privilege are met, ensuring child safety is not compromised.

• Amends sections 2151.421, 2317.02, and 2921.22 of the Revised Code to define "qualified advocate" as a person with at least 40 hours of training employed or volunteering with a qualified victim services program serving victims of sexual violence, stalking, or domestic violence.