Thanks to our Kirtland lobbyist for this information regarding mediation of records requests by the community activists.
If a governmental agency or non-profit fails to produce the requested records, the citizens have another option under Senate Bill 321. Here is a link to the bill: Bill 321 Mediation for Records Requests
How would the bill work?
- If a request for public records is denied or delayed, the requester can file a complaint in their county clerk’s office for the Ohio Court of Claims. The fee to file would be $25.
- The government entity would have seven days to respond.
- The Court of Claims would attempt to mediate the problem between the two parties, and could do so by phone from Columbus.
- If the mediation fails, a special master would render advisory opinion that would then be considered by a Court of Claims judge, who would issue a legally binding decision.
- Either party can appeal, but the appeal would also be handled into expedited manner.
Updated 3/26/19 – Thanks to GlindaAnon for this update.
Here is the form that can be used: public-records-complaint-form-2018
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