Rep. Brown's bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in the courts passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS – Today, Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) announced the House passage of 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.

“I’m glad to see my bipartisan legislation pass the Ohio House today,” said Rep. Brown. “This bill allows the public to gain access to the general dockets of Courts of Common Pleas and saves time and resources for the staff working in the courts, as well as attorneys and their clients. This legislation increases transparency and ensures every county in Ohio 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.

HB 567 now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.