5123.602 Access to information.

5123.602 Access to information.

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the ombudsperson section of the legal rights service may, in order to carry out its duties under this chapter, make necessary inquiries and obtain information it considers necessary. Upon receiving a complaint and in the course of conducting an investigation in accordance with division (B) of section 5123.601 of the Revised Code, the section shall have ready access to the premises and records of all providers of services to mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or mentally ill persons and shall have the right to communicate in a private and confidential setting with any mentally retarded, developmentally disabled, or mentally ill persons, with their parents, guardians, or advocates, and with employees of any provider.

(B) Records held by community residential facilities, contract agencies of boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services, and contract agencies of county boards of developmental disabilities shall only be accessible by the ombudsperson section of the legal rights service in a situation as described in division (E)(5) of section 5123.60 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 128th General Assembly ch. 7, SB 79, § 1, eff. 10/6/2009.

Effective Date: 07-01-1988; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007