Rep. Brown gives sponsor testimony on HB 567, which improves transparency and public access to Courts of Common Pleas

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) provided sponsor testimony on House Bill (HB) 567, his bipartisan bill with joint-sponsor Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), to require the Clerks of Courts of Common Pleas make the court’s general docket, including documents on each case file, available on that court’s website.

“House Bill 567, when enacted, will allow the public to access the general dockets along with pictures, which can save time, resources, and money for the staff that work in the courts,” said Rep. Brown. “This legislation will increase transparency and streamline this process for every county to ensure everyone is meeting the same basic standards.”

Currently, Courts of Common Pleas in only 37 counties have the docket with images online. 47 counties have the docket, but no pictures online, and 3 counties have neither a docket nor images online. Clerks of Courts of Common Pleas would have 18 months after the effective date to make these documents available online, including all individual documents in each case file pertaining to civil cases filed on or after the bills effective date. Additionally, the clerk of court may, but is not required to, make available online the general docket of domestic relation or the probate court.