Roller Skates and NHL Records!

Public Records Briefing - Edition #85

While everyone else is busy talking about tariffs, a new NHL record, or the warming weather, we’ve been answering questions on Ohio Public Records Law.

We know you have too! And you can’t wait to get into today’s edition, right?

If it seems like it’s been a year or more since we started detailing each of the exceptions found within R.C. 149.43, you’re right. It feels like there are more exceptions than Beyoncé has fake cowboy hats!

Let’s cowboy up and go through the next one!

Exceptions A thru ZZ to 149.43

In Ohio, when young children tragically die, the State has programs in place to study the infant's death and use that information to (hopefully) prevent future infant mortality. The Fetal Infant Mortality Review Board is a multi-agency, community-based program that identifies local infant mortality issues through its review of fetal and infant deaths. Based on those reviews, the board develops recommendations and initiatives to reduce infant deaths throughout the state.

The Public Records Act protects much of this information. Under R.C. 149.43(A)(1)(kk), records and information submitted to a fetal-mortality review board, as well as the board’s statements during board meetings and the board's work product, are protected from disclosure.

You likely won’t confront this exception unless you work with such a board. But now you know!