The bill proposes amendments to the Revised Code that clarify the roles and responsibilities of municipal court judges and clerks, allowing judges to adopt rules for court procedures in line with the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. It specifies that judges assigned outside their municipal corporation retain their jurisdictional authority and outlines procedures for civil actions in municipal courts, particularly for cases exceeding jurisdictional amounts. Additionally, the bill repeals sections related to county court clerks' powers and duties, including the requirement for clerks to maintain separate accounts for civil and criminal case receipts, thereby streamlining financial reporting.

Further amendments address testimonial privileges for various professionals, including healthcare providers and attorneys, clarifying when they may be compelled to testify and ensuring confidentiality in specific circumstances. The bill updates definitions and introduces new provisions regarding the confidentiality of communications with critical incident stress management team members and employee assistance professionals. It also revises the attorney-client privilege, admissibility of photographic evidence, and grand jury procedures, including the appointment of a foreperson and the administration of oaths, while repealing outdated legal language to modernize the legal framework.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 109.04, 1901.021, 1901.14, 1901.22, 1907.20, 2111.011, 2307.23, 2317.02, 2317.021, 2317.41, 2317.422, 2939.03, 2939.06, 2941.61, 2943.02, 2945.51, 2945.52, 2945.53, 2945.54, 1901.16, 1901.41, 1907.21, 1907.231, 2101.12, 2101.121, 2101.14, 2101.141, 2301.141, 2317.03, 2317.40, 2317.42, 2939.02, 2939.11, 2939.19, 2939.20, 2941.021, 2943.03, 2943.04, 2945.12, 2945.30, 2945.31, 2945.33, 2945.34, 2945.41, 2945.45, 2945.50