The bill amends section 1923.06 and enacts section 1923.111 of the Revised Code to establish provisions for the suppression of eviction records under certain circumstances. It requires that any summons issued for eviction actions must include specific language informing defendants of their rights and the implications of the eviction process. Notably, the summons must now contain a statement indicating that records associated with the eviction action are suppressed and not publicly accessible until a court order grants possession to the plaintiff. Additionally, if possession is granted, the records may remain private if both parties agree to suppress them.

Under the newly enacted section 1923.111, a court is mandated to classify any court record of an eviction action as a "suppressed court record" at the commencement of the action. If the plaintiff prevails, the record will be made public unless both parties agree to keep it suppressed. The bill also stipulates that records will remain suppressed if the action is dismissed or if judgment is granted in favor of the defendant. Furthermore, while the names of the parties involved in a suppressed record can be used for administrative purposes, they cannot be published online. The existing section 1923.06 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 1923.06