The Protecting Elected Officials Against Coercion and Extremism (PEACE) Act aims to enhance the privacy protections for elected officials in Ohio by amending sections of the Revised Code. The bill prohibits the disclosure of residential and familial information of elected officials under the Public Records Law, thereby safeguarding them from potential coercion and threats. It introduces new legal language defining "designated public service worker" to include elected officials and modifies the definition of "public record" to exclude certain entries on public calendars and records related to the work schedules of designated public service workers.

Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for public records requests, particularly concerning video records from law enforcement, and establishes limits on the fees that can be charged for such requests. It mandates timely responses to requests and requires public offices to provide explanations for any denied requests. The legislation also includes provisions for journalists requesting information about designated public service workers, ensures that victims can access video records without fees, and establishes a process for individuals to seek remedies for non-compliance with public records laws. Overall, the PEACE Act seeks to balance the privacy of public service workers with the need for transparency in public records management.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 149.43, 3503.13, 3503.153