Liston's bipartisan bill to safeguard personal information of mental health providers passes House unanimously

State Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today announced the unanimous House passage of House Bill (HB) 61, her bipartisan bill alongside joint sponsor Laura Lanese (R-Grove City) to make sensitive personal information of certain mental health workers and their families exempt from disclosure under Ohio’s public records law.

“I am proud that this bill to ensure the safety and security of Ohio’s mental health professionals and their families is one of the first bills to pass the People’s House this General Assembly,” said Rep. Liston. “We are working together to deliver real results for those who elected us to serve them.”

HB 61 expands the scope of those who are exempt from having their residential and familial information disclosed to the public to include forensic mental health providers, mental health evaluation providers, and regional psychiatric hospital employees. It also allows the redaction of an employee or provider’s address from any public office’s records with the exception of the county auditor’s records, in which case their initials can be used.

Ohio law already allows law enforcement officials and a number of others to qualify for this exemption.

After passing the House, the bill moves to the Senate for consideration.