Ohio House Passes Bill to Protect First Responders

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 265, legislation to exempt certain sensitive information about first responders from disclosure under public records law, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Thomas Hall (R- Madison Twp.). Hall sponsored the legislation alongside State Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wayne County).

Under Ohio’s current public records law, work schedules, redaction request forms, and affidavits of Ohio’s first responders can be accessed through public records requests. Under House Bill 265, these documents will be protected from public use. 

“We have a collective responsibility to protect those who protect us,” said Hall during House session. “I look forward to seeing this commonsense legislation continue to advance in the Ohio Senate.”

This legislation aims to protect first responders and their families as the documents that will be protected as a result contain sensitive and personal information, such as addresses.

House Bill 265 now head to the Ohio Senate for consideration.