The Grand Jury Privacy and Protection Act proposes amendments to section 149.43 of the Revised Code to enhance the privacy of grand jurors by exempting their names, addresses, and the signature of the grand jury foreperson from disclosure under Public Records Law. This change aims to safeguard the identities and personal information of individuals involved in the grand jury process, promoting their safety and privacy. The bill also clarifies that certain records will become public after a retention period of seventy-five years or three years, with exceptions for records protected by attorney-client privilege or other specific laws.

In addition to the provisions for grand jurors, the bill introduces new definitions and protections for designated public service workers, including peace officers and emergency service telecommunicators, regarding their personal information. It outlines the process for public records requests, particularly for video records from law enforcement, and establishes guidelines for handling sensitive information captured by body-worn and dashboard cameras. The legislation also addresses the conditions under which attorney's fees may be awarded in public records mandamus actions, mandates training for elected officials on public records obligations, and requires public offices to adopt compliant policies. Overall, the bill seeks to balance the need for transparency in public records management with the privacy rights of individuals serving in public service roles.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 149.43