Chapter 2301 | Organization

Section 2301.01 | Courts of common pleas.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 134th General Assembly

(A) There shall be a court of common pleas in each county held by one or more judges, each of whom has been admitted to practice as an attorney at law in this state for at least one year preceding the judge's appointment or commencement of the judge's term, resides in the county, is elected by the electors therein, and, for a total of at least six years preceding the judge's appointment or commencement of the judge's term, has either served as a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States or done any of the following:

(1) Engaged in the practice of law in this state;

(2) Practiced in a federal court in this state, regardless of whether at the time of that practice the person was admitted to practice as an attorney at law in this state or practiced in the courts of this state;

(3) Engaged in the authorized practice of law as in-house counsel for a business in this state or as an attorney for a government entity in this state, regardless of whether at the time of that practice the person was admitted to practice as an attorney at law in this state or practiced in the courts of this state.

(B) Each judge of a court of common pleas shall be elected for six years at the general election immediately preceding the year in which the term, as provided in sections 2301.02 and 2301.03 of the Revised Code, commences, and the judge's successor shall be elected at the general election immediately preceding the expiration of that term.

Last updated March 3, 2023 at 1:59 PM

Section 2301.02 | Number of judges for each county and date term of office begins.

• Effective: January 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 312 - 133rd General Assembly

The number of judges of the court of common pleas for each county, the time for the next election of the judges in the several counties, and the beginning of their terms shall be as follows:

(A) In Adams, Ashland, Fayette, and Pike counties, one judge, elected in 1956, term to begin February 9, 1957;

In Brown, Crawford, Defiance, Highland, Holmes, Morgan, Ottawa, and Union counties, one judge, to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955;

In Auglaize county, one judge, to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 9, 1957;

In Coshocton, Darke, Fulton, Gallia, Guernsey, Hardin, Jackson, Knox, Madison, Mercer, Monroe, Paulding, Vinton, and Wyandot counties, one judge, to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957;

In Morrow county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, and one to be elected in 2006, term to begin January 1, 2007;

In Logan county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, and one to be elected in 2004, term to begin January 2, 2005;

In Carroll, Clinton, Hocking, Meigs, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby, Van Wert, and Williams counties, one judge, to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953;

In Champaign county, two judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, and one to be elected in 2008, term to begin February 10, 2009;

In Harrison and Noble counties, one judge, to be elected in 1954, term to begin April 18, 1955;

In Henry county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin May 9, 1957, and one to be elected in 2004, term to begin January 1, 2005;

In Putnam county, one judge, to be elected in 1956, term to begin May 9, 1957;

In Huron county, one judge, to be elected in 1952, term to begin May 14, 1953;

In Perry county, one judge, to be elected in 1954, term to begin July 6, 1956;

In Sandusky county, two judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 10, 1955, and one to be elected in 1978, term to begin January 1, 1979;

In Hardin County, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, and one to be elected in 2026, term to begin February 9, 2027.

(B) In Allen county, three judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin February 9, 1957, the second to be elected in 1958, term to begin January 1, 1959, and the third to be elected in 1992, term to begin January 1, 1993;

In Ashtabula county, three judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, one to be elected in 1960, term to begin January 1, 1961, and one to be elected in 1978, term to begin January 2, 1979;

In Athens county, two judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, and one to be elected in 1990, term to begin July 1, 1991;

In Erie county, four judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, the second to be elected in 1970, term to begin January 2, 1971, the third to be elected in 2004, term to begin January 2, 2005, and the fourth to be elected in 2008, term to begin February 9, 2009;

In Fairfield county, three judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, the second to be elected in 1970, term to begin January 1, 1971, and the third to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 2, 1995;

In Geauga county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, and the second to be elected in 1976, term to begin January 6, 1977;

In Greene county, four judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin February 9, 1957, the second to be elected in 1960, term to begin January 1, 1961, the third to be elected in 1978, term to begin January 2, 1979, and the fourth to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 1, 1995;

In Hancock county, two judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, and the second to be elected in 1978, term to begin January 1, 1979;

In Lawrence county, two judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, and the second to be elected in 1976, term to begin January 1, 1977;

In Marion county, three judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, the second to be elected in 1976, term to begin January 2, 1977, and the third to be elected in 1998, term to begin February 9, 1999;

In Medina county, three judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, the second to be elected in 1966, term to begin January 1, 1967, and the third to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 1, 1995;

In Miami county, two judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, and one to be elected in 1970, term to begin on January 1, 1971;

In Muskingum county, three judges, one to be elected in 1968, term to begin August 9, 1969, one to be elected in 1978, term to begin January 1, 1979, and one to be elected in 2002, term to begin January 2, 2003;

In Portage county, three judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, the second to be elected in 1960, term to begin January 1, 1961, and the third to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 2, 1987;

In Ross county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin February 9, 1957, and the second to be elected in 1976, term to begin January 1, 1977;

In Scioto county, three judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 10, 1955, the second to be elected in 1960, term to begin January 1, 1961, and the third to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 2, 1995;

In Seneca county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, and the second to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 2, 1987;

In Warren county, four judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, the second to be elected in 1970, term to begin January 1, 1971, the third to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 1, 1987, and the fourth to be elected in 2004, term to begin January 2, 2005;

In Washington county, two judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, and one to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 1, 1987;

In Wood county, three judges, one to be elected in 1968, term beginning January 1, 1969, the second to be elected in 1970, term to begin January 2, 1971, and the third to be elected in 1990, term to begin January 1, 1991;

In Belmont and Jefferson counties, two judges, to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively;

In Clark county, four judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, the second to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 2, 1957, the third to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 3, 1987, and the fourth to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 2, 1995;

In Clermont county, five judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, the second to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 1, 1965, the third to be elected in 1982, term to begin January 2, 1983, the fourth to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 2, 1987, and the fifth to be elected in 2006, term to begin January 3, 2007;

In Columbiana county, two judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, and the second to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957;

In Delaware county, three judges, one to be elected in 1990, term to begin February 9, 1991, the second to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 1, 1995, and the third to be elected in 2016, term to begin January 1, 2017;

In Lake county, six judges, one to be elected in 1958, term to begin January 1, 1959, the second to be elected in 1960, term to begin January 2, 1961, the third to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 3, 1965, the fourth and fifth to be elected in 1978, terms to begin January 4, 1979, and January 5, 1979, respectively, and the sixth to be elected in 2000, term to begin January 6, 2001;

In Licking county, four judges, one to be elected in 1954, term to begin February 9, 1955, one to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 1, 1965, one to be elected in 1990, term to begin January 1, 1991, and one to be elected in 2004, term to begin January 1, 2005;

In Lorain county, nine judges, two to be elected in 1952, terms to begin January 1, 1953, and January 2, 1953, respectively, one to be elected in 1958, term to begin January 3, 1959, one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 1, 1969, two to be elected in 1988, terms to begin January 4, 1989, and January 5, 1989, respectively, two to be elected in 1998, terms to begin January 2, 1999, and January 3, 1999, respectively; and one to be elected in 2006, term to begin January 6, 2007;

In Butler county, eleven judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957; two to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 2, 1969; one to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 3, 1987; two to be elected in 1988, terms to begin January 1, 1989, and January 2, 1989, respectively; one to be elected in 1992, term to begin January 4, 1993; two to be elected in 2002, terms to begin January 2, 2003, and January 3, 2003, respectively; and one to be elected in 2006, term to begin January 3, 2007;

In Richland county, four judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, the second to be elected in 1960, term to begin February 9, 1961, the third to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 2, 1969, and the fourth to be elected in 2004, term to begin January 3, 2005;

In Tuscarawas county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, and the second to be elected in 1960, term to begin January 2, 1961;

In Wayne county, two judges, one to be elected in 1956, term beginning January 1, 1957, and one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 2, 1969;

In Trumbull county, six judges, one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953, the second to be elected in 1954, term to begin January 1, 1955, the third to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957, the fourth to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 1, 1965, the fifth to be elected in 1976, term to begin January 2, 1977, and the sixth to be elected in 1994, term to begin January 3, 1995;

(C) In Cuyahoga county, thirty-nine judges; eight to be elected in 1954, terms to begin on successive days beginning from January 1, 1955, to January 7, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; eight to be elected in 1956, terms to begin on successive days beginning from January 1, 1957, to January 8, 1957; three to be elected in 1952, terms to begin from January 1, 1953, to January 3, 1953; two to be elected in 1960, terms to begin on January 8, 1961, and January 9, 1961, respectively; two to be elected in 1964, terms to begin January 4, 1965, and January 5, 1965, respectively; one to be elected in 1966, term to begin on January 10, 1967; four to be elected in 1968, terms to begin on successive days beginning from January 9, 1969, to January 12, 1969; two to be elected in 1974, terms to begin on January 18, 1975, and January 19, 1975, respectively; five to be elected in 1976, terms to begin on successive days beginning January 6, 1977, to January 10, 1977; two to be elected in 1982, terms to begin January 11, 1983, and January 12, 1983, respectively; and two to be elected in 1986, terms to begin January 13, 1987, and January 14, 1987, respectively;

In Franklin county, twenty-four judges; two to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; four to be elected in 1956, terms to begin January 1, 1957, to January 4, 1957; four to be elected in 1958, terms to begin January 1, 1959, to January 4, 1959; three to be elected in 1968, terms to begin January 5, 1969, to January 7, 1969; three to be elected in 1976, terms to begin on successive days beginning January 5, 1977, to January 7, 1977; one to be elected in 1982, term to begin January 8, 1983; one to be elected in 1986, term to begin January 9, 1987; two to be elected in 1990, terms to begin July 1, 1991, and July 2, 1991, respectively; one to be elected in 1996, term to begin January 2, 1997; one to be elected in 2004, term to begin July 1, 2005; one to be elected in 2018, term to begin January 9, 2019; and one to be elected in 2020, term to begin January 3, 2021;

In Hamilton county, twenty-one judges; eight to be elected in 1966, terms to begin January 1, 1967, January 2, 1967, and from February 9, 1967, to February 14, 1967, respectively; five to be elected in 1956, terms to begin from January 1, 1957, to January 5, 1957; one to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 1, 1965; one to be elected in 1974, term to begin January 15, 1975; one to be elected in 1980, term to begin January 16, 1981; two to be elected at large in the general election in 1982, terms to begin April 1, 1983; one to be elected in 1990, term to begin July 1, 1991; and two to be elected in 1996, terms to begin January 3, 1997, and January 4, 1997, respectively;

In Lucas county, fourteen judges; two to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; two to be elected in 1956, terms to begin January 1, 1957, and October 29, 1957, respectively; two to be elected in 1952, terms to begin January 1, 1953, and January 2, 1953, respectively; one to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 3, 1965; one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 4, 1969; two to be elected in 1976, terms to begin January 4, 1977, and January 5, 1977, respectively; one to be elected in 1982, term to begin January 6, 1983; one to be elected in 1988, term to begin January 7, 1989; one to be elected in 1990, term to begin January 2, 1991; and one to be elected in 1992, term to begin January 2, 1993;

In Mahoning county, seven judges; three to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, January 2, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; one to be elected in 1956, term to begin January 1, 1957; one to be elected in 1952, term to begin January 1, 1953; one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 2, 1969; and one to be elected in 1990, term to begin July 1, 1991;

In Montgomery county, fifteen judges; three to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, January 2, 1955, and January 3, 1955, respectively; four to be elected in 1952, terms to begin January 1, 1953, January 2, 1953, July 1, 1953, and July 2, 1953, respectively; one to be elected in 1964, term to begin January 3, 1965; one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 3, 1969; three to be elected in 1976, terms to begin on successive days beginning January 4, 1977, to January 6, 1977; two to be elected in 1990, terms to begin July 1, 1991, and July 2, 1991, respectively; and one to be elected in 1992, term to begin January 1, 1993;

In Stark county, eight judges; one to be elected in 1958, term to begin on January 2, 1959; two to be elected in 1954, terms to begin on January 1, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; two to be elected in 1952, terms to begin January 1, 1953, and April 16, 1953, respectively; one to be elected in 1966, term to begin on January 4, 1967; and two to be elected in 1992, terms to begin January 1, 1993, and January 2, 1993, respectively;

In Summit county, thirteen judges; four to be elected in 1954, terms to begin January 1, 1955, January 2, 1955, January 3, 1955, and February 9, 1955, respectively; three to be elected in 1958, terms to begin January 1, 1959, January 2, 1959, and May 17, 1959, respectively; one to be elected in 1966, term to begin January 4, 1967; one to be elected in 1968, term to begin January 5, 1969; one to be elected in 1990, term to begin May 1, 1991; one to be elected in 1992, term to begin January 6, 1993; and two to be elected in 2008, terms to begin January 5, 2009, and January 6, 2009, respectively.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in any county having two or more judges of the court of common pleas, in which more than one-third of the judges plus one were previously elected at the same election, if the office of one of those judges so elected becomes vacant more than forty days prior to the second general election preceding the expiration of that judge's term, the office that that judge had filled shall be abolished as of the date of the next general election, and a new office of judge of the court of common pleas shall be created. The judge who is to fill that new office shall be elected for a six-year term at the next general election, and the term of that judge shall commence on the first day of the year following that general election, on which day no other judge's term begins, so that the number of judges that the county shall elect shall not be reduced.

Judges of the probate division of the court of common pleas are judges of the court of common pleas but shall be elected pursuant to sections 2101.02 and 2101.021 of the Revised Code, except in Adams, Harrison, Henry, Morgan, Noble, and Wyandot counties in which the judge of the court of common pleas elected pursuant to this section also shall serve as judge of the probate division, except in Lorain county in which the judges of the domestic relations division of the Lorain county court of common pleas elected pursuant to this section also shall perform the duties and functions of the judge of the probate division from February 9, 2009, through September 28, 2009, and except in Morrow county in which the judges of the court of common pleas elected pursuant to this section also shall perform the duties and functions of the judge of the probate division.

Last updated May 4, 2022 at 8:55 AM

Section 2301.03 | Designation domestic relations, juvenile and probate duties.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 518 (GA 134), Senate Bill 21 (GA 135), House Bill 33 (GA 135)

(A) In Franklin county, the judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 1, 1953, January 2, 1953, January 5, 1969, January 5, 1977, January 2, 1997, January 9, 2019, and January 3, 2021, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Franklin county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. They shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all parentage proceedings under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, and all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases shall be assigned to them. In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge who is senior in point of service shall serve on the children services board and the county advisory board and shall be the administrator of the domestic relations division and its subdivisions and departments.

(B) In Hamilton county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas, whose term begins on January 1, 1957, and successors, and the judge of the court of common pleas, whose term begins on February 14, 1967, and successors, shall be the juvenile judges as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, with the powers and jurisdiction conferred by those chapters.

(2) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 5, 1957, January 16, 1981, and July 1, 1991, and successors, shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, and shall have assigned to them all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court. On or after the first day of July and before the first day of August of 1991 and each year thereafter, a majority of the judges of the division of domestic relations shall elect one of the judges of the division as administrative judge of that division. If a majority of the judges of the division of domestic relations are unable for any reason to elect an administrative judge for the division before the first day of August, a majority of the judges of the Hamilton county court of common pleas, as soon as possible after that date, shall elect one of the judges of the division of domestic relations as administrative judge of that division. The term of the administrative judge shall begin on the earlier of the first day of August of the year in which the administrative judge is elected or the date on which the administrative judge is elected by a majority of the judges of the Hamilton county court of common pleas and shall terminate on the date on which the administrative judge's successor is elected in the following year.

In addition to the judge's regular duties, the administrative judge of the division of domestic relations shall be the administrator of the domestic relations division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the division engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, including any referees considered necessary by the judges in the discharge of their various duties.

The administrative judge of the division of domestic relations also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division, and shall fix the duties of its personnel. The duties of the personnel, in addition to those provided for in other sections of the Revised Code, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and counseling and conciliation services that may be made available to persons requesting them, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division.

The board of county commissioners shall appropriate the sum of money each year as will meet all the administrative expenses of the division of domestic relations, including reasonable expenses of the domestic relations judges and the division counselors and other employees designated to conduct the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, conciliation and counseling, and all matters relating to those cases and counseling, and the expenses involved in the attendance of division personnel at domestic relations and welfare conferences designated by the division, and the further sum each year as will provide for the adequate operation of the division of domestic relations.

The compensation and expenses of all employees and the salary and expenses of the judges shall be paid by the county treasurer from the money appropriated for the operation of the division, upon the warrant of the county auditor, certified to by the administrative judge of the division of domestic relations.

The summonses, warrants, citations, subpoenas, and other writs of the division may issue to a bailiff, constable, or staff investigator of the division or to the sheriff of any county or any marshal, constable, or police officer, and the provisions of law relating to the subpoenaing of witnesses in other cases shall apply insofar as they are applicable. When a summons, warrant, citation, subpoena, or other writ is issued to an officer, other than a bailiff, constable, or staff investigator of the division, the expense of serving it shall be assessed as a part of the costs in the case involved.

(3) The judge of the court of common pleas of Hamilton county whose term begins on January 3, 1997, and the successors to that judge shall each be elected and designated as the drug court judge of the court of common pleas of Hamilton county.

Eligibility for admission of a case into the drug court shall be set forth in a local rule adopted by the court of common pleas of Hamilton county. The local rule specifying eligibility shall not permit referral to the drug court of a case that involves a felony of the first or second degree, a violation of any prohibition contained in Chapter 2907. of the Revised Code that is a felony of the third degree, or a violation of section 2903.01 or 2903.02 of the Revised Code.

(4) If the administrative judge of the court of common pleas of Hamilton county determines that the volume of cases pending before the drug court judge does not constitute a sufficient caseload for the drug court judge, the administrative judge, in accordance with the Rules of Superintendence for Courts of Common Pleas, shall assign individual cases to the drug court judge from the general docket of the court. If the assignments so occur, the administrative judge shall cease the assignments when the administrative judge determines that the volume of cases pending before the drug court judge constitutes a sufficient caseload for the drug court judge.

(C)(1) In Lorain county:

(a) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 3, 1959, January 4, 1989, and January 2, 1999, and successors, and the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on February 9, 2009, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Lorain county and shall be elected and designated as the judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 3, 1959, January 4, 1989, and January 2, 1999, and successors, shall have all of the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all parentage proceedings over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, and all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases shall be assigned to them, except cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas. From February 9, 2009, through September 28, 2009, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on February 9, 2009, shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, parentage proceedings over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, and divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases shall be assigned to that judge, except cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas.

(b) From January 1, 2006, through September 28, 2009, the judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, in addition to the powers and jurisdiction set forth in division (C)(1)(a) of this section, shall have jurisdiction over matters that are within the jurisdiction of the probate court under Chapter 2101. and other provisions of the Revised Code.

(c) The judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, whose term begins on February 9, 2009, is the successor to the probate judge who was elected in 2002 for a term that began on February 9, 2003. After September 28, 2009, the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, whose term begins on February 9, 2009, shall be the probate judge.

(2)(a) From February 9, 2009, through September 28, 2009, with respect to Lorain county, all references in law to the probate court shall be construed as references to the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, and all references to the probate judge shall be construed as references to the judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations.

(b) From February 9, 2009, through September 28, 2009, with respect to Lorain county, all references in law to the clerk of the probate court shall be construed as references to the judge who is serving pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio as the administrative judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations.

(D) In Lucas county:

(1) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 1, 1955, and January 3, 1965, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Lucas county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. All divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases shall be assigned to them.

The judge of the division of domestic relations, senior in point of service, shall be considered as the presiding judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, and shall be charged exclusively with the assignment and division of the work of the division and the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the domestic relations division.

(2) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 5, 1977, and January 2, 1991, and successors shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Lucas county, shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be the juvenile judges as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code with the powers and jurisdictions conferred by those chapters. In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, senior in point of service, shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the division engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases, including any referees considered necessary by the judges of the division in the discharge of their various duties.

The judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, senior in point of service, also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowance, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and counseling and conciliation services that may be made available to persons requesting them, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division.

(3) If one of the judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, or one of the judges of the juvenile division is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties or the volume of cases pending in that judge's division necessitates it, the duties shall be performed by the judges of the other of those divisions.

(E) In Mahoning county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term began on January 1, 1955, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Mahoning county, shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, and shall be assigned all the divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court. In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, shall be the administrator of the domestic relations division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the division engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, including any referees considered necessary in the discharge of the various duties of the judge's office.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and counseling and conciliation services that may be made available to persons requesting them, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term began on January 2, 1969, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Mahoning county, shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, with the powers and jurisdictions conferred by those chapters. In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the division engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases, including any referees considered necessary by the judge in the discharge of the judge's various duties.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and counseling and conciliation services that may be made available to persons requesting them, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division.

(3) If a judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations or juvenile division, is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties, or the volume of cases pending in that judge's division necessitates it, that judge's duties shall be performed by another judge of the court of common pleas.

(F) In Montgomery county:

(1) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 2, 1953, and January 4, 1977, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Montgomery county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. These judges shall have assigned to them all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases.

The judge of the division of domestic relations, senior in point of service, shall be charged exclusively with the assignment and division of the work of the division and shall have charge of the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, including any necessary referees, except those employees who may be appointed by the judge, junior in point of service, under this section and sections 2301.12 and 2301.18 of the Revised Code. The judge of the division of domestic relations, senior in point of service, also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties.

(2) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 1, 1953, and January 1, 1993, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Montgomery county, shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be, and have the powers and jurisdiction of, the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code.

In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, senior in point of service, shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the juvenile division, including any necessary referees, who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases. The judge, senior in point of service, also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and of any counseling and conciliation services that are available upon request to persons, whether or not they are parties to an action pending in the division.

If one of the judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, or one of the judges of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's duties or the volume of cases pending in that judge's division necessitates it, the duties of that judge may be performed by the judge or judges of the other of those divisions.

(G) In Richland county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 1957, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Richland county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. That judge shall be assigned and hear all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all domestic violence cases arising under section 3113.31 of the Revised Code, and all post-decree proceedings arising from any case pertaining to any of those matters. The division of domestic relations has concurrent jurisdiction with the juvenile division of the court of common pleas of Richland county to determine the care, custody, or control of any child not a ward of another court of this state, and to hear and determine a request for an order for the support of any child if the request is not ancillary to an action for divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal separation, a criminal or civil action involving an allegation of domestic violence, or an action for support brought under Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code. Except in cases that are subject to the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court, the judge of the division of domestic relations shall be assigned and hear all cases pertaining to paternity or parentage, the care, custody, or control of children, parenting time or visitation, child support, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children, all proceedings arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings arising under the uniform interstate family support act contained in Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code, and all post-decree proceedings arising from any case pertaining to any of those matters.

In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, shall be the administrator of the domestic relations division and its subdivisions and departments. The judge shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the domestic relations division, including any magistrates the judge considers necessary for the discharge of the judge's duties. The judge shall also designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, vacation, and other employment-related matters of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 3, 2005, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Richland county, shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be, and have the powers and jurisdiction of, the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code. Except in cases that are subject to the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court, the judge of the juvenile division shall not have jurisdiction or the power to hear, and shall not be assigned, any case pertaining to paternity or parentage, the care, custody, or control of children, parenting time or visitation, child support, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children or any post-decree proceeding arising from any case pertaining to any of those matters. The judge of the juvenile division shall not have jurisdiction or the power to hear, and shall not be assigned, any proceeding under the uniform interstate family support act contained in Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code.

In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the juvenile division shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments. The judge shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the juvenile division who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases, including any magistrates whom the judge considers necessary for the discharge of the judge's various duties.

The judge of the juvenile division also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and providing any counseling, conciliation, and mediation services that the court makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the court, who request the services.

(H)(1) In Stark county, the judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 1, 1953, January 2, 1959, and January 1, 1993, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Stark county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, family court division. They shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all parentage proceedings over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, and all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, except cases that are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas for some special reason, shall be assigned to the judges.

(2) The judge of the family court division, second most senior in point of service, shall have charge of the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, and necessary referees required for the judge's respective court.

(3) The judge of the family court division, senior in point of service, shall be charged exclusively with the administration of sections 2151.13, 2151.16, 2151.17, and 2152.71 of the Revised Code and with the assignment and division of the work of the division and the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the division, including, but not limited to, that judge's necessary referees, but excepting those employees who may be appointed by the judge second most senior in point of service. The senior judge further shall serve in every other position in which the statutes permit or require a juvenile judge to serve.

(4) On and after September 29, 2015, all references in law to "the division of domestic relations," "the domestic relations division," "the domestic relations court," "the judge of the division of domestic relations," or "the judge of the domestic relations division" shall be construed, with respect to Stark county, as being references to "the family court division" or "the judge of the family court division."

(I) In Summit county:

(1) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 4, 1967, and January 6, 1993, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Summit county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judges of the division of domestic relations shall have assigned to them and hear all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases that come before the court. Except in cases that are subject to the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court, the judges of the division of domestic relations shall have assigned to them and hear all cases pertaining to paternity, custody, visitation, child support, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and all post-decree proceedings arising from any case pertaining to any of those matters. The judges of the division of domestic relations shall have assigned to them and hear all proceedings under the uniform interstate family support act contained in Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code.

The judge of the division of domestic relations, senior in point of service, shall be the administrator of the domestic relations division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the division, including any necessary referees, who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases. That judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and of any counseling and conciliation services that are available upon request to all persons, whether or not they are parties to an action pending in the division.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 1955, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Summit county, shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be, and have the powers and jurisdiction of, the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code. Except in cases that are subject to the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court, the judge of the juvenile division shall not have jurisdiction or the power to hear, and shall not be assigned, any case pertaining to paternity, custody, visitation, child support, or the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children or any post-decree proceeding arising from any case pertaining to any of those matters. The judge of the juvenile division shall not have jurisdiction or the power to hear, and shall not be assigned, any proceeding under the uniform interstate family support act contained in Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code.

The juvenile judge shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments and shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the juvenile division, including any necessary referees, who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases. The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and of any counseling and conciliation services that are available upon request to persons, whether or not they are parties to an action pending in the division.

(J) In Trumbull county, the judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 1, 1953, and January 2, 1977, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Trumbull county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. They shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all parentage proceedings over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, and all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases shall be assigned to them, except cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas.

(K) In Butler county:

(1) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 1, 1957, and January 4, 1993, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Butler county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judges of the division of domestic relations shall have assigned to them all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas. The judges of the division of domestic relations also have concurrent jurisdiction with judges of the juvenile division of the court of common pleas of Butler county with respect to and may hear cases to determine the custody, support, or custody and support of a child who is born of issue of a marriage and who is not the ward of another court of this state, cases commenced by a party of the marriage to obtain an order requiring support of any child when the request for that order is not ancillary to an action for divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal separation, a criminal or civil action involving an allegation of domestic violence, an action for support under Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code, or an action that is within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile division of the court of common pleas of Butler county and that involves an allegation that the child is an abused, neglected, or dependent child, and post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those types of cases. The judge senior in point of service shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the domestic relations division.

The judge senior in point of service also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(2) The judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 3, 1987, and January 2, 2003, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Butler county, shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be the juvenile judges as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, with the powers and jurisdictions conferred by those chapters. Except in cases that are subject to the exclusive original jurisdiction of the juvenile court, the judges of the juvenile division shall not have jurisdiction or the power to hear and shall not be assigned, but shall have the limited ability and authority to certify, any case commenced by a party of a marriage to determine the custody, support, or custody and support of a child who is born of issue of the marriage and who is not the ward of another court of this state when the request for the order in the case is not ancillary to an action for divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal separation. The judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, who is senior in point of service, shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments. The judge, senior in point of service, shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the juvenile division who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases, including any referees whom the judge considers necessary for the discharge of the judge's various duties.

The judge, senior in point of service, also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(3) If a judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations or juvenile division, is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties or the volume of cases pending in the judge's division necessitates it, the duties of that judge shall be performed by the other judges of the domestic relations and juvenile divisions.

(L)(1) In Cuyahoga county, the judges of the court of common pleas whose terms begin on January 8, 1961, January 9, 1961, January 18, 1975, January 19, 1975, and January 13, 1987, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Cuyahoga county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. They shall have all the powers relating to all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, except in cases that are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas for some special reason.

(2) The administrative judge is administrator of the domestic relations division and its subdivisions and departments and has the following powers concerning division personnel:

(a) Full charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision;

(b) Sole determination of compensation, duties, expenses, allowances, hours, leaves, and vacations.

(3) "Division personnel" include persons employed or referees engaged in hearing, servicing, investigating, counseling, or conciliating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation and annulment matters.

(M) In Lake county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 2, 1961, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Lake county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all the divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the domestic relations division.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 4, 1979, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Lake county, shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, with the powers and jurisdictions conferred by those chapters. The judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments. The judge shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the juvenile division who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases, including any referees whom the judge considers necessary for the discharge of the judge's various duties.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(3) If a judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations or juvenile division, is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties or the volume of cases pending in the judge's division necessitates it, the duties of that judge shall be performed by the other judges of the domestic relations and juvenile divisions.

(N) In Erie county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 2, 1971, and the successors to that judge whose terms begin before January 2, 2007, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judge of the court of common pleas of Erie county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and shall be assigned all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, parentage proceedings over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, and divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, except cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge.

On or after January 2, 2007, the judge of the court of common pleas who is elected in 2006 shall be the successor to the judge of the domestic relations division whose term expires on January 1, 2007, shall be designated as judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and shall be the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code with the powers and jurisdictions conferred by those chapters.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas, general division, whose term begins on January 1, 2005, and successors, the judge of the court of common pleas, general division whose term begins on January 2, 2005, and successors, and the judge of the court of common pleas, general division, whose term begins February 9, 2009, and successors, shall have assigned to them, in addition to all matters that are within the jurisdiction of the general division of the court of common pleas, all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court, and all matters that are within the jurisdiction of the probate court under Chapter 2101., and other provisions, of the Revised Code.

(O) In Greene county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 1961, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Greene county and shall be elected and designated as the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, uniform reciprocal support enforcement, and domestic violence cases and all other cases related to domestic relations, except cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas.

The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the division. The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel of the division, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and the provision of counseling and conciliation services that the division considers necessary and makes available to persons who request the services, whether or not the persons are parties in an action pending in the division. The compensation for the personnel shall be paid from the overall court budget and shall be included in the appropriations for the existing judges of the general division of the court of common pleas.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 1995, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Greene county, shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, and, on or after January 1, 1995, shall be the juvenile judge as provided in Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code with the powers and jurisdiction conferred by those chapters. The judge of the court of common pleas, juvenile division, shall be the administrator of the juvenile division and its subdivisions and departments. The judge shall have charge of the employment, assignment, and supervision of the personnel of the juvenile division who are engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating juvenile cases, including any referees whom the judge considers necessary for the discharge of the judge's various duties.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacation of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of juvenile cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the court makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the court, who request the services.

(3) If one of the judges of the court of common pleas, general division, is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties or the volume of cases pending in the general division necessitates it, the duties of that judge of the general division shall be performed by the judge of the division of domestic relations and the judge of the juvenile division.

(P) In Portage county, the judge of the court of common pleas, whose term begins January 2, 1987, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Portage county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, all proceedings arising under the uniform interstate family support act contained in Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code, all proceedings arising under sections 3119.96 to 3119.967 of the Revised Code, all proceedings arising under the uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement act contained in Chapter 3127. of the Revised Code, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the domestic relations division.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, proceedings arising under the uniform interstate family support act contained in Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code, proceedings arising under sections 3119.96 to 3119.967 of the Revised Code, and proceedings arising under the uniform child custody jurisdiction and enforcement act contained in Chapter 3127. of the Revised Code, and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(Q) In Clermont county, the judge of the court of common pleas, whose term begins January 2, 1987, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Clermont county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the domestic relations division.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(R) In Warren county, the judge of the court of common pleas, whose term begins January 1, 1987, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Warren county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to some other judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of all other personnel of the domestic relations division.

The judge also shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix their duties. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(S) In Licking county, the judges of the court of common pleas, whose terms begin on January 1, 1991, and January 1, 2005, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Licking county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judges shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas. The administrative judge of the division of domestic relations shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division.

The administrative judge of the division of domestic relations shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel of the division, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, and proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(T) In Allen county, the judge of the court of common pleas, whose term begins January 1, 1993, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Allen county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division.

The judge shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel of the division, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, and proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(U) In Medina county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins January 1, 1995, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Medina county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division.

The judge shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, and proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and providing counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(V) In Fairfield county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins January 2, 1995, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Fairfield county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas. The judge also has concurrent jurisdiction with the probate-juvenile division of the court of common pleas of Fairfield county with respect to and may hear cases to determine the custody of a child, as defined in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code, who is not the ward of another court of this state, cases that are commenced by a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child, as defined in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code, to obtain an order requiring a parent of the child to pay child support for that child when the request for that order is not ancillary to an action for divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal separation, a criminal or civil action involving an allegation of domestic violence, an action for support under Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code, or an action that is within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the probate-juvenile division of the court of common pleas of Fairfield county and that involves an allegation that the child is an abused, neglected, or dependent child, and post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those types of cases.

The judge of the domestic relations division shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division.

The judge shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel of the division, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, and proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, regardless of whether the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services. When the judge hears a case to determine the custody of a child, as defined in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code, who is not the ward of another court of this state or a case that is commenced by a parent, guardian, or custodian of a child, as defined in section 2151.011 of the Revised Code, to obtain an order requiring a parent of the child to pay child support for that child when the request for that order is not ancillary to an action for divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment, or legal separation, a criminal or civil action involving an allegation of domestic violence, an action for support under Chapter 3115. of the Revised Code, or an action that is within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the probate-juvenile division of the court of common pleas of Fairfield county and that involves an allegation that the child is an abused, neglected, or dependent child, the duties of the personnel of the domestic relations division also include the handling, servicing, and investigation of those types of cases.

(W)(1) In Clark county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 2, 1995, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Clark county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, domestic relations division. The judge shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code and all parentage proceedings under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction shall be assigned to the judge of the division of domestic relations. All divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, uniform reciprocal support enforcement, and other cases related to domestic relations shall be assigned to the domestic relations division, and the presiding judge of the court of common pleas shall assign the cases to the judge of the domestic relations division and the judges of the general division.

(2) In addition to the judge's regular duties, the judge of the division of domestic relations shall serve on the children services board and the county advisory board.

(3) If the judge of the court of common pleas of Clark county, division of domestic relations, is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties or if the presiding judge of the court of common pleas of Clark county determines that the volume of cases pending in the division of domestic relations necessitates it, the duties of the judge of the division of domestic relations shall be performed by the judges of the general division or probate division of the court of common pleas of Clark county, as assigned for that purpose by the presiding judge of that court, and the judges so assigned shall act in conjunction with the judge of the division of domestic relations of that court.

(X) In Scioto county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins January 2, 1995, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as other judges of the court of common pleas of Scioto county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division.

The judge shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel, in addition to other statutory duties, include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, and proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and providing counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(Y) In Auglaize county, the judge of the probate and juvenile divisions of the Auglaize county court of common pleas also shall be the administrative judge of the domestic relations division of the court and shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases coming before the court. The judge shall have all powers as administrator of the domestic relations division and shall have charge of the personnel engaged in handling, servicing, or investigating divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, including any referees considered necessary for the discharge of the judge's various duties.

(Z)(1) In Marion county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on February 9, 1999, and the successors to that judge, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Marion county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, domestic relations-juvenile-probate division. Except as otherwise specified in this division, that judge, and the successors to that judge, shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings shall be assigned to that judge and the successors to that judge. Except as provided in division (Z)(2) of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of any section of the Revised Code, on and after February 9, 2003, the judge of the court of common pleas of Marion county whose term begins on February 9, 1999, and the successors to that judge, shall have all the powers relating to the probate division of the court of common pleas of Marion county in addition to the powers previously specified in this division, and shall exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the judge of the probate division of that court over all matters that are within the jurisdiction of the probate division of that court under Chapter 2101., and other provisions, of the Revised Code in addition to the jurisdiction of the domestic relations-juvenile-probate division of that court otherwise specified in division (Z)(1) of this section.

(2) The judge of the domestic relations-juvenile-probate division of the court of common pleas of Marion county or the judge of the probate division of the court of common pleas of Marion county, whichever of those judges is senior in total length of service on the court of common pleas of Marion county, regardless of the division or divisions of service, shall serve as the clerk of the probate division of the court of common pleas of Marion county.

(3) On and after February 9, 2003, all references in law to "the probate court," "the probate judge," "the juvenile court," or "the judge of the juvenile court" shall be construed, with respect to Marion county, as being references to both "the probate division" and "the domestic relations-juvenile-probate division" and as being references to both "the judge of the probate division" and "the judge of the domestic relations- juvenile-probate division." On and after February 9, 2003, all references in law to "the clerk of the probate court" shall be construed, with respect to Marion county, as being references to the judge who is serving pursuant to division (Z)(2) of this section as the clerk of the probate division of the court of common pleas of Marion county.

(AA) In Muskingum county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 2, 2003, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Muskingum county and shall be elected and designated as the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall be assigned all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas. The judge shall be charged with the assignment and division of the work of the division and with the employment and supervision of the personnel of the division.

The judge shall designate the title, compensation, expense allowances, hours, leaves of absence, and vacations of the personnel of the division and shall fix the duties of the personnel of the division. The duties of the personnel of the division, in addition to other statutory duties, shall include the handling, servicing, and investigation of divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, and proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation and providing any counseling and conciliation services that the division makes available to persons, whether or not the persons are parties to an action pending in the division, who request the services.

(BB) In Henry county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 2005, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judge of the court of common pleas of Henry county and shall be elected and designated as the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall have all of the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapter 2151. or 2152. of the Revised Code, all parentage proceedings arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings shall be assigned to that judge, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to the other judge of the court of common pleas.

(CC)(1) In Logan county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins January 2, 2005, and the successors to that judge, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Logan county and shall be elected and designated as judge of the court of common pleas, family court division. Except as otherwise specified in this division, that judge, and the successors to that judge, shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings shall be assigned to that judge and the successors to that judge. Notwithstanding any other provision of any section of the Revised Code, on and after January 2, 2005, the judge of the court of common pleas of Logan county whose term begins on January 2, 2005, and the successors to that judge, shall have all the powers relating to the probate division of the court of common pleas of Logan county in addition to the powers previously specified in this division and shall exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the judge of the probate division of that court over all matters that are within the jurisdiction of the probate division of that court under Chapter 2101., and other provisions, of the Revised Code in addition to the jurisdiction of the family court division of that court otherwise specified in division (CC)(1) of this section.

(2) The judge of the family court division of the court of common pleas of Logan county or the probate judge of the court of common pleas of Logan county who is elected as the administrative judge of the family court division of the court of common pleas of Logan county pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules of Superintendence shall be the clerk of the family court division of the court of common pleas of Logan county.

(3) On and after April 5, 2019, all references in law to "the probate court," "the probate judge," "the juvenile court," or "the judge of the juvenile court" shall be construed, with respect to Logan county, as being references to both "the probate division" and the "family court division" and as being references to both "the judge of the probate division" and the "judge of the family court division." On and after April 5, 2019, all references in law to "the clerk of the probate court" shall be construed, with respect to Logan county, as being references to the judge who is serving pursuant to division (CC)(2) of this section as the clerk of the family court division of the court of common pleas of Logan county.

(DD)(1) In Champaign county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins February 9, 2003, and the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins February 10, 2009, and the successors to those judges, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Champaign county and shall be elected and designated as judges of the court of common pleas, domestic relations-juvenile-probate division. Except as otherwise specified in this division, those judges, and the successors to those judges, shall have all the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapters 2151. and 2152. of the Revised Code, all cases arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code, all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings shall be assigned to those judges and the successors to those judges. Notwithstanding any other provision of any section of the Revised Code, on and after February 9, 2009, the judges designated by this division as judges of the court of common pleas of Champaign county, domestic relations-juvenile-probate division, and the successors to those judges, shall have all the powers relating to probate courts in addition to the powers previously specified in this division and shall exercise jurisdiction over all matters that are within the jurisdiction of probate courts under Chapter 2101., and other provisions, of the Revised Code in addition to the jurisdiction of the domestic relations-juvenile-probate division otherwise specified in division (DD)(1) of this section.

(2) On and after February 9, 2009, all references in law to "the probate court," "the probate judge," "the juvenile court," or "the judge of the juvenile court" shall be construed with respect to Champaign county as being references to the "domestic relations-juvenile-probate division" and as being references to the "judge of the domestic relations-juvenile-probate division." On and after February 9, 2009, all references in law to "the clerk of the probate court" shall be construed with respect to Champaign county as being references to the judge who is serving pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio as the administrative judge of the court of common pleas, domestic relations-juvenile-probate division.

(EE) In Delaware county, the judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 2017, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judges of the court of common pleas of Delaware county and shall be elected and designated as the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. Divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, including any post-decree proceedings, and cases involving questions of paternity, custody, visitation, child support, and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children, regardless of whether those matters arise in post-decree proceedings or involve children born between unmarried persons, shall be assigned to that judge, except cases that for some special reason are assigned to another judge of the court of common pleas.

(FF) In Hardin county:

(1) The judge of the court of common pleas whose term begins on January 1, 2023, and successors, shall have the same qualifications, exercise the same powers and jurisdiction, and receive the same compensation as the other judge of the court of common pleas of Hardin county and shall be elected and designated as the judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations. The judge shall have all of the powers relating to juvenile courts, and all cases under Chapter 2151. or 2152. of the Revised Code, all parentage proceedings arising under Chapter 3111. of the Revised Code over which the juvenile court has jurisdiction, all divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and annulment cases, civil protection orders issued under sections 2903.214 and 3113.31 of the Revised Code, all proceedings involving child support, the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children and the designation for the children of a place of residence and legal custodian, parenting time, and visitation, and all post-decree proceedings and matters arising from those cases and proceedings shall be assigned to that judge, except in cases that for some special reason are assigned to the other judge of the court of common pleas.

(2) The judge of the court of common pleas, general division, whose term begins on February 9, 2027, and successors, shall have assigned to the judge, in addition to all matters that are within the jurisdiction of the general division of the court of common pleas, all matters that are within the jurisdiction of the probate court under Chapter 2101., and other provisions, of the Revised Code.

(GG) If a judge of the court of common pleas, division of domestic relations, or juvenile judge, of any of the counties mentioned in this section is sick, absent, or unable to perform that judge's judicial duties or the volume of cases pending in the judge's division necessitates it, the duties of that judge shall be performed by another judge of the court of common pleas of that county, assigned for that purpose by the presiding judge of the court of common pleas of that county to act in place of or in conjunction with that judge, as the case may require.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated August 29, 2023 at 3:12 PM

Section 2301.031 | Computerizing court of paying cost of computerized legal research.

• Effective: September 29, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly

(A)(1) The domestic relations judges of a domestic relations division created by section 2301.03 of the Revised Code may determine that, for the efficient operation of their division, additional funds are required to computerize the division, to make available computerized legal research services, or both. Upon making a determination that additional funds are required for either or both of those purposes, the judges shall do one of the following:

(a) Authorize and direct the clerk or a deputy clerk of the division to charge one additional fee not to exceed three dollars on the filing of each cause of action or appeal under division (A), (Q), or (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code;

(b) If the clerk of the court of common pleas serves as the clerk of the division, authorize and direct the clerk of the court of common pleas to charge one additional fee not to exceed three dollars on the filing of each cause of action or appeal under division (A), (Q), or (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code.

(2) All moneys collected under division (A)(1) of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer. The treasurer shall place the moneys from the fees in a separate fund to be disbursed either upon an order of the domestic relations judges, subject to an appropriation by the board of county commissioners, or upon an order of the domestic relations judge, subject to the court making an annual report available to the public listing the use of all such funds, in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the division of procuring and maintaining computerization of the court, computerized legal research services, or both.

(3) If the court determines that the funds in the fund described in division (A)(2) of this section are more than sufficient to satisfy the purpose for which the additional fee described in division (A)(1) of this section was imposed, the court may declare a surplus in the fund and, subject to an appropriation by the board of county commissioners, expend those surplus funds, or upon an order of the court, subject to the court making an annual report available to the public listing the use of all such funds, expend those surplus funds, for other appropriate technological expenses of the court.

(B)(1) If the clerk of the court of common pleas is not serving as the clerk of a juvenile or domestic relations division created by section 2301.03 of the Revised Code, the juvenile or domestic relations judges may determine that, for the efficient operation of their division, additional funds are required to computerize the office of the clerk of their division and, upon that determination, may authorize and direct the clerk or a deputy clerk of their division to charge an additional fee, not to exceed ten dollars, on the filing of each cause of action or appeal, on the filing, docketing, and endorsing of each certificate of judgment, or on the docketing and indexing of each aid in execution or petition to vacate, revive, or modify a judgment under divisions (A), (P), (Q), (T), and (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code. Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, all moneys collected under this division shall be paid to the county treasurer to be disbursed, upon an order of the juvenile or domestic relations judges and subject to appropriation by the board of county commissioners, in an amount no greater than the actual cost to the juvenile or domestic relations division of procuring and maintaining computer systems for the clerk's office.

(2) If juvenile or domestic relations judges make the determination described in division (B)(1) of this section, the board of county commissioners may issue one or more general obligation bonds for the purpose of procuring and maintaining the computer systems for the office of the clerk of the juvenile or domestic relations division. In addition to the purposes stated in division (B)(1) of this section for which the moneys collected under that division may be expended, the moneys additionally may be expended to pay debt charges on and financing costs related to any general obligation bonds issued pursuant to this division as they become due. General obligation bonds issued pursuant to this division are Chapter 133. securities.

Section 2301.04 | Temporary location of division in event of emergency.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 290 - 130th General Assembly

(A) In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, civil disorder, or any extraordinary circumstance that interrupts or threatens to interrupt the orderly operation of a division of a court of common pleas within the territorial jurisdiction of the division, the administrative judge of the division may issue an order authorizing the division to operate at a temporary location inside or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the division. The order shall identify the temporary location at which the division shall operate and the date on which operations shall commence at the temporary location. The division shall operate at the temporary location until the administrative judge withdraws, cancels, or rescinds the order.

(B) The authority of an administrative judge of a division of a court of common pleas to issue an order authorizing the division to operate at a temporary location pursuant to division (A) of this section is independent of and shall not be conditioned upon a declaration of a judicial emergency issued by the chief justice of the supreme court pursuant to Rule 14 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio.

(C) For the period during which a division of a court of common pleas operates in a temporary location pursuant to division (A) of this section, the division shall continue to have the territorial jurisdiction set forth in section 2301.01 of the Revised Code and the court shall have jurisdiction to hear actions and conduct proceedings the same as if the division were operating within that territorial jurisdiction.

(D) As soon as practicable following issuance of an order pursuant to division (A) of this section, both of the following shall occur:

(1) The administrative judge of the division of the court of common pleas shall provide notice and a copy of the order by regular or electronic mail to all of the following:

(a) The chief justice and administrative director of the supreme court;

(b) The legislative authorities of the local funding authorities of the court;

(c) All appropriate law enforcement agencies, prosecuting authorities, public defender agencies, and local bar associations within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.

(2) If the division operates and maintains a web site, the web site shall provide notification of the operation of the division at the temporary location, including the site of the temporary location and the date on which operations shall commence at the temporary location.

(E) As soon as practicable following the withdrawal, cancellation, or rescission of an order issued pursuant to division (A) of this section, each of the following shall occur:

(1) The administrative judge of the division of the court of common pleas shall provide notice by regular or electronic mail to all of the following:

(a) The chief justice and administrative director of the supreme court;

(b) The legislative authorities of the local funding authorities of the court;

(c) All appropriate law enforcement agencies, prosecuting authorities, public defender agencies, and local bar associations within the territorial jurisdiction of the court.

(2) If the division operates and maintains a web site, the web site shall provide notification of the operation of the division at the permanent location of the division, including the site of the permanent location and the date on which operations shall commence at the permanent location.

Section 2301.05 | Common pleas court terms.

• Effective: August 6, 1976
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 390 - 111th General Assembly

The term of any division of a court of common pleas is one calendar year, which may, by written order of the judges of the division, be divided into parts for purposes of Chapter 2313. of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.10 | Order for accused to appear for fingerprinting.

• Effective: August 14, 2008
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 163 - 127th General Assembly

(A) If a sheriff or chief of police has not taken, or caused to be taken, a person's or child's fingerprints in accordance with division (A)(1) of section 109.60 of the Revised Code with respect to a crime or act set forth in that division by the time of the arraignment or first appearance of the person or child with respect to that crime or act, the court of common pleas shall order the person or child to appear before the sheriff or chief of police within twenty-four hours of the arraignment or first appearance to have the person's or child's fingerprints taken as provided in division (A)(2) of section 109.60 of the Revised Code.

(B) If the court of common pleas has jurisdiction over a case involving a person or child with respect to whom division (A)(1) or (2) of section 109.60 of the Revised Code requires a sheriff or chief of police to take the person's or child's fingerprints, the court of common pleas shall inquire at the time of the person's or child's sentencing or adjudication for the crime or act for which the fingerprints were required to be taken whether or not the person or child has been fingerprinted pursuant to division (A)(1) or (2) of section 109.60 of the Revised Code for the original arrest or court appearance upon which the sentence or adjudication is based. If a person or child was not fingerprinted for the original arrest or court appearance, the court of common pleas shall order the person or child to appear before the sheriff or chief of police within twenty-four hours to have the person's or child's fingerprints taken as provided in division (A)(3) of section 109.60 of the Revised Code.

(C) Pursuant to an order issued under division (A) or (B) of this section, the sheriff or chief of police shall take the person's or child's fingerprints, or cause the fingerprints to be taken, as provided in division (A)(3) of section 109.60 of the Revised Code or shall provide written notification to the court if the person or child failed to appear or provide impressions of the person's or child's fingerprints.

Section 2301.11 | Days of open session.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Not less than two hundred forty days of open session of the court of common pleas shall be held by each judge during the year, unless all business assigned him is disposed of in less than such period.

Section 2301.12 | Appointments by court of common pleas.

• Effective: March 20, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 291 - 132nd General Assembly

The court of common pleas of a county may appoint:

(A) A court interpreter, who shall take an oath of office, hold the position at the will and under the direction of the court, interpret the testimony of witnesses, translate any writing necessary to be translated in court, or in a cause therein, and perform such other services as are required by the court. The interpreter shall, without extra compensation, render such services in the court of appeals and probate court as the judges of those courts require. The interpreter shall receive for this service compensation fixed by the appointing court, not to exceed twelve hundred dollars in any year, or such sum in each particular case as the court deems just. If a stipulated salary, such compensation shall be payable monthly from the county treasury, upon the warrant of the county auditor; in other cases, at the conclusion of the interpreter's services, upon the certificate of the judge of the court in which they were rendered.

(B) A criminal bailiff, who shall be a deputy sheriff and hold the position at the will of such court. The criminal bailiff shall receive compensation to be fixed by such court at the time of appointment, not to exceed the amount allowed court constables in the same court, which shall be paid monthly from the county treasury upon the warrant of the auditor.

(C) In counties where there are four or more judges of the court of common pleas, the judges of such court in joint session shall, instead of a criminal bailiff as provided in division (B), appoint a chief court constable, who shall, in connection with the court constables appointed by the several judges, have supervision over the jurors regularly drawn for service as jurors, so that there may be at all times sufficient jurors in attendance subject to the call of the several court constables when the said jurors are required to fill the panel in any case upon trial. Said chief court constable, who shall be a deputy sheriff, shall perform all the duties required to be performed by a criminal bailiff, and perform such other duties as the court directs. Except as otherwise provided in section 3.061 of the Revised Code, the chief court constable shall give a bond required to be given by a criminal bailiff. The chief court constable shall receive such compensation as the judges of the court in joint session fix, not to exceed the sum of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, which shall be paid monthly from the county treasury, upon the warrant of the auditor. Said chief court constable shall hold the position during the pleasure of the judges of the court and shall be subject to and under their direction.

(D) In counties having a population in excess of three hundred thousand as ascertained by the federal census, one or more psychiatrists, psychologists, or other examiners or investigators, who shall take an oath of office, hold their positions at the will of such judges, and receive compensation to be fixed by the judges appointing them, not exceeding in the aggregate such amount as is appropriated therefor by the board of county commissioners, which compensation shall be in place of all fees. Such compensation so fixed shall be payable monthly from the county treasury upon the warrant of the auditor.

Such employees, whenever called upon by a judge of such court, in a criminal case, shall perform the duties which are prescribed by section 2947.06 of the Revised Code respectively for psychiatrists or psychologists appointed in the particular case, or for probation officers or departments.

(E) In counties having a population in excess of three hundred thousand as ascertained by the last preceding federal census, an administrative assistant, who shall take an oath of office, hold the position at the will of the appointing judges, and under the direction and supervision of the judges, assume such duties, other than judicial, as may be delegated to the administrative assistant by the judges, and receive compensation to be fixed by the judges appointing the administrative assistant sitting in joint session, payable in equal monthly installments from the county treasury, upon the warrant of the county auditor.

Section 2301.13 | Use of psychiatrists by municipal courts.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

In counties in which one or more psychiatrists, psychologists, or other examiners or investigators have been appointed pursuant to section 2301.12 of the Revised Code, the judges of the court of common pleas may enter into an agreement with the judges of any municipal court located in such county for the participation by such municipal judges in the services made available by the employment of such psychiatrists, psychologists, or other examiners or investigators upon such terms as are mutually agreed upon.

Section 2301.14 | Taxing costs.

• Effective: September 17, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 309 - 130th General Assembly

The clerk of the court of common pleas in which the service of a court interpreter is rendered shall tax in the cost bill in such case, to be collected as other costs, the sum of three dollars for each day of service of such interpreter, which fees shall be paid into the county treasury to the credit of the county fund. If the party taxed with costs is indigent, the clerk shall not tax the interpreter's fees as costs, and the county shall pay the interpreter's fees.

Section 2301.141 | Documentation of criminal convictions and guilty pleas to be retained in admissible form.

• Effective: March 23, 2005
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 125th General Assembly

Notwithstanding section 149.38 of the Revised Code, each clerk of a court of common pleas shall retain documentation regarding each criminal conviction and plea of guilty involving a case that is or was before the court. The documentation shall be in a form that is admissible as evidence in a criminal proceeding as evidence of a prior conviction or that is readily convertible to or producible in a form that is admissible as evidence in a criminal proceeding as evidence of a prior conviction and may be retained in any form authorized by section 9.01 of the Revised Code. The clerk shall retain this documentation for a period of fifty years after the entry of judgment in the case, except that documentation regarding cases solely concerned with minor misdemeanor offenses or minor misdemeanor traffic offenses shall be retained as provided in divisions (A) and (B) of section 1901.41 of the Revised Code, and documentation regarding other misdemeanor traffic offenses shall be retained for a period of twenty-five years after the entry of judgment in the case. This section shall apply to records currently retained and to records created on or after September 23, 2004.

Section 2301.15 | Duties of criminal bailiff - costs.

• Effective: October 6, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 571 - 120th General Assembly

The criminal bailiff shall act for the sheriff in criminal cases and matters of a criminal nature in the court of common pleas and the probate court of the county. Under the direction of the sheriff, he shall be present during trials of criminal cases in those courts and during such trials perform all the duties as are performed by the sheriff. The criminal bailiff shall conduct prisoners to and from the jail of the county and for that purpose shall have access to the jail and to the courtroom, whenever ordered by such courts, and have care and charge of such prisoners when so doing. Under the direction of the sheriff, the criminal bailiff shall convey to state correctional institutions all persons sentenced thereto. He shall receive and collect from the treasurer of state all costs in such criminal cases in the same manner as the sheriff is required to do, and pay the amount so collected to the sheriff of such county.

Section 2301.16 | Bailiff shall give bond.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Before entering upon the discharge of his duties, the criminal bailiff shall give a bond to the sheriff in the sum of five thousand dollars, with good and sufficient sureties, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his duties. The judges of the court of common pleas shall fix a compensation for his services, payable monthly from the fee fund, upon the warrant of the county auditor.

Section 2301.17 | Additional temporary bailiff.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

On the application of the sheriff, in a criminal case, if the court of common pleas is satisfied that the administration of justice requires an additional criminal bailiff to execute process, it may appoint such additional bailiff, whose powers and duties shall cease when such case is determined.

Section 2301.18 | Appointment of official and assistant reporters - term - oath.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The court of common pleas shall appoint a reporter as the official reporter of the court for a term not exceeding three years, unless removed by the court after good cause shown for neglect of duty, misconduct in office, or incompetency. The court may appoint assistant reporters as the business of the court requires for terms not exceeding three years under one appointment. The official reporter and assistant reporters shall take an oath faithfully and impartially to discharge the duties of their positions.

Section 2301.20 | Recording of actions; preservation of records.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

All civil and criminal actions in the court of common pleas shall be recorded. The reporter shall take accurate notes of or electronically record the oral testimony. The notes and electronic records shall be filed in the office of the official reporter and carefully preserved for either of the following periods of time:

(A) If the action is not a capital case, the notes and electronic records shall be preserved for the period of time specified by the court of common pleas, which period of time shall not be longer than the period of time that the other records of the particular action are required to be kept.

(B) If the action is a capital case, the notes and electronic records shall be preserved for the longer of ten years or until the final disposition of the action and exhaustion of all appeals.

Section 2301.21 | Fees for reporters.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

In every case recorded as provided in section 2301.20 of the Revised Code, there shall be taxed for each day's service of the official or assistant reporters a fee of twenty-five dollars, to be collected as other costs in the case. The fees so collected shall be paid quarterly by the clerk of the court of common pleas in which the cases were tried into the treasury of the county and shall be credited by the county treasurer to the general fund.

Section 2301.22 | Reporters - compensation.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

Each reporter shall receive the compensation that the court of common pleas making the appointment fixes. That compensation shall be in place of all per diem compensation in those courts. In case the appointment is for a term of less than one year, the court may allow a per diem compensation to be fixed by the court, plus actual and necessary expenses incurred, for each day the reporter is actually engaged in taking testimony or performing other duties under the orders of the court, which allowance shall be in full payment for all services so rendered.

The county auditor shall issue warrants on the county treasurer for the payment of the compensation under this section in equal monthly installments if the compensation is allowed annually, and in case of services per diem, for the amount of the bill approved by the court, from the general fund upon the presentation of a certified copy of the journal entry of appointment and compensation of the reporters.

Section 2301.23 | Furnishing of transcripts or electronic reporting of testimony as requested.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

When notes have been taken or an electronic recording has been made in a case as provided in section 2301.20 of the Revised Code, if the court or either party to the suit requests written transcripts of any portion of the proceeding, the reporter reporting the case shall make full and accurate transcripts of the notes or electronic recording. The court may direct the official reporter to furnish to the court and the parties copies of decisions rendered and charges delivered by the court in pending cases.

When the compensation for transcripts, copies of decisions, or charges is taxed as a part of the costs, the transcripts, copies of decisions, and charges shall remain on file with the papers of the case.

Section 2301.24 | Compensation for making transcripts and copies.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

The compensation of reporters for making written transcripts as provided in section 2301.23 of the Revised Code shall be fixed by the court of common pleas of the county in which the trial is held. If more than one transcript of the same testimony or proceeding is ordered, the reporter shall make copies of the transcript at cost pursuant to division (B)(1) of section 149.43 of the Revised Code or shall provide an electronic copy of the transcript free of charge. The compensation shall be paid by the party for whose benefit a transcript is made. The compensation for transcripts requested by the prosecuting attorney or an indigent defendant in criminal cases or by the trial judge in either civil or criminal cases, and for copies of decisions and charges furnished by direction of the court shall be paid from the county treasury and taxed and collected as costs.

Section 2301.25 | Costs of transcripts.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

When ordered by the prosecuting attorney or the defendant in a criminal case or when ordered by a judge of the court of common pleas in either civil or criminal cases, the costs of transcripts shall be taxed as costs in the case, collected as other costs, whether the transcripts have been prepaid or not, as provided by section 2301.24 of the Revised Code, paid by the clerk of the court of common pleas quarterly into the county treasury, and credited to the general fund. If, upon final judgment, the costs or any part of the costs are adjudged against a defendant in a criminal case, the defendant shall be allowed credit on the cost bill of the amount paid for the transcript the defendant ordered and, if the costs are finally adjudged against the state, the defendant shall have the defendant's deposit refunded. All transcripts shall be taken and received as prima-facie evidence of their correctness. If the testimony of witnesses is taken before the grand jury by reporters, they shall receive for the transcripts the same compensation and be paid in the same manner as provided in this section and section 2301.24 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.26 | Reporters as referees.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

Reporters appointed under section 2301.18 of the Revised Code may be appointed referees to take and report evidence in causes pending in any of the courts of this state. In the taking of evidence as referees, the reporters may administer oaths to witnesses. They shall be furnished by the board of county commissioners with a suitable room in the courthouse, and with supplies and equipment necessary for the proper discharge of their duties and for the preservation of their notes and electronic records. The notes and electronic records shall be the property of the county and carefully preserved in the office of the reporters.

Section 2301.27 | Probation and supervisory services.

• Effective: September 28, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 337, House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A)(1)(a) The court of common pleas may establish a county department of probation. The establishment of the department shall be entered upon the journal of the court, and the clerk of the court of common pleas shall certify a copy of the journal entry establishing the department to each elective officer and board of the county. The department shall consist of a chief probation officer and the number of other probation officers and employees, clerks, and stenographers that is fixed from time to time by the court. The court shall appoint those individuals, fix their salaries, and supervise their work.

(b) When appointing a chief probation officer, the court shall do all of the following:

(i) Publicly advertise the position on the court's web site, including, but not limited to, the job description, qualifications for the position, and the application requirements;

(ii) Conduct a competitive hiring process that adheres to state and federal equal employment opportunity laws;

(iii) Review applicants who meet the posted qualifications and comply with the application requirements.

(c) The court shall not appoint as a probation officer any person who does not possess the training, experience, and other qualifications prescribed by the adult parole authority created by section 5149.02 of the Revised Code or the department of youth services, as applicable. Probation officers have all the powers of regular police officers and shall perform any duties that are designated by the judge or judges of the court. All positions within the department of probation, except positions held by probation officers in the juvenile division of a court of common pleas, shall be in the classified service of the civil service of the county.

(2) If two or more counties desire to jointly establish a probation department for those counties, the judges of the courts of common pleas of those counties may establish a probation department for those counties. If a probation department is established pursuant to division (A)(2) of this section to serve more than one county, the judges of the courts of common pleas that established the department shall designate the county treasurer of one of the counties served by the department as the treasurer to whom probation fees paid under section 2951.021 of the Revised Code are to be appropriated and transferred under division (A)(2) of section 321.44 of the Revised Code for deposit into the multicounty probation services fund established under division (B) of section 321.44 of the Revised Code.

The cost of the administration and operation of a probation department established for two or more counties shall be prorated to the respective counties on the basis of population.

(3) Probation officers shall receive, in addition to their respective salaries, their necessary and reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Their salaries and expenses shall be paid monthly from the county treasury in the manner provided for the payment of the compensation of other appointees of the court.

(4) Adult probation officers shall be trained in accordance with a set of minimum standards that are established by the adult parole authority of the department of rehabilitation and correction. Probation officers in the juvenile division of a court of common pleas shall be trained in accordance with a set of minimum standards that are established by the department of youth services.

(B)(1)(a) In lieu of establishing a county department of probation under division (A) of this section and in lieu of entering into an agreement with the adult parole authority as described in division (B) of section 2301.32 of the Revised Code, the court of common pleas may request the board of county commissioners to contract with, and upon that request the board may contract with, any nonprofit, public or private agency, association, or organization for the provision of probation services and supervisory services for persons placed under community control sanctions. The contract shall specify that each individual providing the probation services and supervisory services shall possess the training, experience, and other qualifications prescribed by the adult parole authority or the department of youth services, as applicable. The individuals who provide the probation services and supervisory services shall not be included in the classified or unclassified civil service of the county.

(b) A court of common pleas that has established a county probation department or has entered into an agreement with the adult parole authority as described in division (A) or (B) of section 2301.32 of the Revised Code may request the board of county commissioners to contract with, and upon that request the board may contract with, any nonprofit, public or private agency, association, or organization for the provision of probation services and supervisory services, including the preparation of presentence investigation reports to supplement the probation services and supervisory services provided by the county probation department or adult parole authority, as applicable. The contract shall specify that each individual providing the probation services and supervisory services shall possess the training, experience, and other qualifications prescribed by the adult parole authority. The individuals who provide the probation services and supervisory services shall not be included in the classified or unclassified civil service of the county. A nonprofit, public or private agency, association, or organization providing probation services or supervisory services under this division is hereby designated a criminal justice agency in the provision of those services, and as such is authorized by this state to apply for access to the computerized databases administered by the national crime information center or the law enforcement automated data system in Ohio and to other computerized databases administered for the purpose of making criminal justice information accessible to state criminal justice agencies.

(2)(a) In lieu of establishing a county department of probation under division (A) of this section and in lieu of entering into an agreement with the adult parole authority as described in division (B) of section 2301.32 of the Revised Code, the courts of common pleas of two or more adjoining counties jointly may request the boards of county commissioners of those counties to contract with, and upon that request the boards of county commissioners of two or more adjoining counties jointly may contract with, any nonprofit, public or private agency, association, or organization for the provision of probation services and supervisory services for persons placed under community control sanctions for those counties. The contract shall specify that each individual providing the probation services and supervisory services shall possess the training, experience, and other qualifications prescribed by the adult parole authority or the department of youth services, as applicable. The individuals who provide the probation services and supervisory services shall not be included in the classified or unclassified civil service of any of those counties.

(b) The courts of common pleas of two or more adjoining counties that have jointly established a probation department for those counties or have entered into an agreement with the adult parole authority as described in division (A) or (B) of section 2301.32 of the Revised Code may jointly request the board of county commissioners of each county to contract with, and upon that request the board may contract with, any nonprofit, public or private agency, association, or organization for the provision of probation services and supervisory services, including the preparation of presentence investigation reports to supplement the probation services and supervisory services provided by the probation department or adult parole authority, as applicable. The contract shall specify that each individual providing the probation services and supervisory services shall possess the training, experience, and other qualifications prescribed by the adult parole authority. The individuals who provide the probation services and supervisory services shall not be included in the classified or unclassified civil service of the county. A nonprofit, public or private agency, association, or organization providing probation services or supervisory services under this division is hereby designated a criminal justice agency in the provision of those services, and as such is authorized by this state to apply for access to the computerized databases administered by the national crime information center or the law enforcement automated data system in Ohio and to other computerized databases administered for the purpose of making criminal justice information accessible to state criminal justice agencies.

(C) The chief probation officer may grant permission to a probation officer to carry firearms when required in the discharge of official duties if the probation officer has successfully completed a basic firearm training program that is approved by the executive director of the Ohio peace officer training commission. A probation officer who has been granted permission to carry a firearm in the discharge of official duties, annually shall successfully complete a firearms requalification program in accordance with section 109.801 of the Revised Code.

(D) As used in this section and sections 2301.28 to 2301.32 of the Revised Code, "community control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2929.01 of the Revised Code.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 2301.271 | Minimum standards for the training of adult probation officers.

• Effective: September 28, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 337, House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) The adult parole authority of the department of rehabilitation and correction shall develop minimum standards for the training of adult probation officers as provided by section 2301.27 of the Revised Code. The adult parole authority shall consult and collaborate with the supreme court in developing the standards. The department of youth services shall develop minimum standards for the training of probation officers who supervise juvenile offenders.

(B) Within six months after September 30, 2011, the department of rehabilitation and correction and, within six months after the effective date of this amendment, the department of youth services shall make available a copy of the minimum standards developed by the department, as applicable, to the following entities:

(1) Every municipal court, county court, and court of common pleas;

(2) Every probation department.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 2301.28 | Legal control or supervision person placed on probation.

• Effective: January 1, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 490 - 124th General Assembly

The court of common pleas of a county in which a county department of probation has been established under division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code, in addition to employing the department in investigation and in the administration of its own orders imposing community control sanctions, shall receive into the legal control or supervision of the department any person who is a resident of the county and who has been placed under a community control sanction by order of any other court exercising criminal jurisdiction in this state, whether within or without the county in which the department of probation is located, upon the request of the other court and subject to its continuing jurisdiction. The court of common pleas also shall receive into the legal custody or supervision of the department any person who is paroled, released under a post-release control sanction, or conditionally pardoned from a state correctional institution and who resides or remains in the county, if requested by the adult parole authority created by section 5149.02 of the Revised Code or any other authority having power to parole or release from any institution of that nature.

As used in this section and section 2301.30 of the Revised Code, "post-release control sanction" has the same meaning as in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.29 | Rules of adult parole authority to govern - local court rules.

• Effective: October 6, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 571 - 120th General Assembly

In all cases in which the county department of probation provided for in division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code acquires legal custody of or supervision over a person who is granted a conditional pardon or a parole from a state correctional institution, the court of common pleas and the department shall be governed by the rules of the adult parole authority created by section 5149.02 of the Revised Code that are applicable to those cases and by the laws of the state applicable to those cases. In the case of other persons placed in its legal control or under its supervision, the department shall administer the orders and conditions of the authority so placing those persons. The court may exercise supervision over the department by adopting rules that are not inconsistent with law or with the rules of the adult parole authority and that shall be observed and enforced by the probation officers of the department.

As used in this section "pardon," "parole," and "state correctional institution" have the same meanings as in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.30 | County department of probation - duties.

• Effective: September 30, 2011
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 86 - 129th General Assembly

The court of common pleas of a county in which a county department of probation is established under division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code shall require the department, in the rules through which the supervision of the department is exercised or otherwise, to do all of the following:

(A) Furnish to each person under a community control sanction or post-release control sanction or on parole under its supervision or in its custody, a written statement of the conditions of the community control sanction, post-release control sanction, or parole and instruct the person regarding the conditions;

(B) Keep informed concerning the conduct and condition of each person in its custody or under its supervision by visiting, the requiring of reports, and otherwise;

(C) Use all suitable methods, not inconsistent with the conditions of the community control sanction, post-release control sanction, or parole, to aid and encourage the persons under its supervision or in its custody and to bring about improvement in their conduct and condition;

(D) Establish policies regarding the supervision of probationers that shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) The minimum number of supervision contacts required for probationers, based on each probationer's risk to reoffend as determined by the single validated risk assessment tool selected by the department of rehabilitation and correction under section 5120.114 of the Revised Code, under which higher risk probationers receive the greatest amount of supervision;

(2) A graduated response policy to govern which types of violations a probation officer may respond to administratively and which type require a violation hearing by the court.

(E) Keep detailed records of the work of the department, keep accurate and complete accounts of all moneys collected from persons under its supervision or in its custody, and keep or give receipts for those moneys;

(F) Make reports to the adult parole authority created by section 5149.02 of the Revised Code that it requires.

Section 2301.31 | Arrest of parolees without warrant.

• Effective: January 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 179 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) If a person on parole is in the custody of a county department of probation provided for in division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code, any probation officer of that department may arrest the person without a warrant for any violation of any condition of parole, as defined in section 2967.01 of the Revised Code, or of any rule governing persons on parole. If a person on parole is in the custody of a county department of probation provided for in division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code, any probation officer or peace officer shall arrest the person without a warrant for any violation of any condition of parole or any rule governing persons on parole upon the written order of the chief probation officer of that department. Any peace officer may arrest the person without a warrant, in accordance with section 2941.46 of the Revised Code, if the peace officer has reasonable ground to believe that the person has violated or is violating any of the following that is a condition of the person's parole:

(1) A condition that prohibits ownership, possession, or use of a firearm, deadly weapon, ammunition, or dangerous ordnance;

(2) A condition that prohibits the person from being within a specified structure or geographic area;

(3) A condition that confines the person to a residence, facility, or other structure;

(4) A condition that prohibits the person from contacting or communicating with any specified individual;

(5) A condition that prohibits the person from associating with a specified individual.

(B) A person who is arrested as provided in this section may be confined in the jail or juvenile detention facility, as the case may be, of the county in which the person is arrested, until released or removed to the proper institution. Upon making an arrest under this section, the arresting probation officer or peace officer or the arresting officer's department or agency promptly shall notify the chief probation officer of the county department of probation with custody of the person or the chief probation officer's designee that the person has been arrested.

Upon the written order of the chief probation officer of the county department with custody of the person, the person may be released on parole or reimprisoned or recommitted to the proper institution. An appeal from an order of reimprisonment or recommitment may be taken to the adult parole authority created by section 5149.02 of the Revised Code, and the decision of the authority on the appeal shall be final. The manner of taking an appeal of that nature and the disposition of the appellant pending the making and determination of the appeal shall be governed by the rules and orders of the adult parole authority.

(C) Nothing in this section limits the powers of arrest granted to certain law enforcement officers and citizens under sections 2935.03 and 2935.04 of the Revised Code.

(D) As used in this section:

(1) "Peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Firearm," "deadly weapon," and "dangerous ordnance" have the same meanings as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.32 | Supplemental investigation or supervisory services from adult parole authority.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) In any county in which a county department of probation has been established under division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code and complies with standards and conditions prescribed by the adult parole authority created by section 5149.02 of the Revised Code, an agreement may be entered into between the court of common pleas and the authority under which the county department of probation may receive supplemental investigation or supervisory services from the authority.

(B) In any county in which a county department of probation has not been established under division (A) of section 2301.27 of the Revised Code, an agreement may be entered into between the court of common pleas of that county and the adult parole authority under which the court of common pleas may place defendants under a community control sanction in charge of the authority, and, in consideration of those placements, the county shall pay to the state from time to time the amounts that are provided for in the agreement.

(C) In lieu of an agreement made under division (A) or (B) of this section, the adult parole authority may offer a county funding for probation services, provided that the general assembly has appropriated sufficient funds for that purpose. If the county accepts funds under this section, the adult parole authority is relieved of its duties to supervise offenders placed on community control by courts of that county under division (A)(2) of section 2929.15 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.33 | Common pleas judge not to act as attorney in county court.

• Effective: January 1, 1958
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 937 - 102nd General Assembly

No judge of a court of common pleas shall act as attorney, counsel, or advocate for another in a county court.

Section 2301.51 | Community-based correctional proposals.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 162 - 126th General Assembly

(A)(1) Any county that has a population of two hundred thousand or more is eligible to formulate a community-based correctional proposal pursuant to this section that, upon implementation, would provide a community-based correctional facility and program for the use of that county's court of common pleas in accordance with sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code. Any county that has a population of two hundred thousand or more is eligible to formulate more than one community-based correctional proposal pursuant to this section upon approval of the director of rehabilitation and correction. In determining whether to grant approval to formulate more than one proposal, the director shall consider the rate at which the county commits felony offenders to the state correctional system. If a county formulates more than one proposal, each proposal shall be for a separate community-based correctional facility and program.

(2) Two or more adjoining or neighboring counties that have an aggregate population of two hundred thousand or more are eligible to formulate a district community-based correctional proposal pursuant to this section that, upon implementation, would provide a district community-based correctional facility and program for the use of those counties' courts of common pleas in accordance with sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code. Two or more adjoining or neighboring counties that have an aggregate population of two hundred thousand or more are eligible to formulate more than one district community-based correctional proposal upon approval of the director of rehabilitation and correction. In determining whether to grant approval for more than one proposal, the director shall consider the rate at which the counties commit felony offenders to the state correctional system. If two or more adjoining or neighboring counties formulate more than one proposal, each proposal shall be for a separate district community-based correctional facility and program.

(3)(a) The formulation of a proposal for a community-based correctional facility or a district community-based correctional facility shall begin by the establishment of a judicial advisory board by judgment entry. The judicial advisory board shall consist of not less than three judges. Each general division judge of the court of common pleas in the county or counties wishing to formulate a proposal or to continue operation of an existing facility is eligible to become a member of the judicial advisory board but is not required to do so. In addition, a judicial advisory board may invite a non-general division judge of a court of common pleas from within the county or counties proposing the creation of a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility or a general division judge of a court of common pleas from outside the county or counties proposing the creation of a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility who regularly sends offenders to its facility to become a member of that judicial advisory board.

(b) A judge shall not receive any additional compensation for service on a judicial advisory board, but a judge may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as a result of service on the board. Service of a judge on a judicial advisory board pursuant to this section is a judicial function.

(c) There shall be a facility governing board for each community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program, whose members shall be appointed in accordance with division (E) of this section.

The judicial advisory board shall meet at least once a year to provide advice to the facility governing board regarding the public safety needs of the community, admission criteria for any community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program, and the general requirements of the community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program. The judicial advisory board may meet as often as considered necessary by its members, may communicate directly with the division of parole and community services of the department of rehabilitation and correction, and may provide advice to the facility governing board specifically regarding the agreement entered into between the facility governing board and the division of parole and community services pursuant to section 5120.112 of the Revised Code.

(4) A facility governing board shall formulate the proposal for a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program and shall govern the facility.

(5) Chapter 2744. of the Revised Code applies to the county or counties served by a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program established and operated under sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code, to the community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program so established and operated, and to the facility governing board of the community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program so established and operated.

(6) The members of the judicial advisory board and of the facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program established and operated under sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code shall be considered to be public officials or employees for purposes of Chapter 102. of the Revised Code and public officials or public servants for purposes of sections 2921.42 and 2921.43 of the Revised Code.

(7) Each member of a facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program established and operated under sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code shall attend orientation training developed by the judicial advisory board of the community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program, as well as annual ethics training developed by the judicial advisory board in consultation with the Ohio ethics commission or provided by the Ohio ethics commission.

(8) A community-based correctional facility and program or a district community-based correctional facility and program established by a judicial corrections board under a prior version of this section shall continue to exist under its existing contractual arrangements but, on and after the effective date of this amendment, shall be governed by a facility governing board and advised by a judicial advisory board created according to this section. Appointments to the facility governing board shall be made in accordance with the appointment procedure set forth in division (E) of this section. The judicial advisory board and the board or boards of county commissioners of the member counties shall make their respective appointments within thirty days after the effective date of this amendment.

(B)(1) Each proposal for the establishment of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program that is formulated pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be submitted by the facility governing board to the division of parole and community services for its approval under section 5120.10 of the Revised Code.

(2) No person shall be sentenced to or placed in a community-based correctional facility and program or to a district community-based correctional facility and program by a court pursuant to section 2929.16 or 2929.17 of the Revised Code or by the parole board pursuant to section 2967.28 of the Revised Code, or otherwise committed or admitted to a facility and program of that type until after the proposal for the establishment of the facility and program has been approved by the division of parole and community services under section 5120.10 of the Revised Code. A person shall be sentenced to a facility and program of that type only pursuant to a sanction imposed by a court pursuant to section 2929.16 or 2929.17 of the Revised Code as the sentence or as any part of the sentence of the person or otherwise shall be committed or referred to a facility and program of that type only when authorized by law.

(C) Upon the approval by the division of parole and community services of a proposal for the establishment of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program submitted to it under division (B) of this section, the facility governing board that submitted the proposal may establish and operate the facility and program addressed by the proposal in accordance with the approved proposal and division (B)(2) of this section. The facility governing board may submit a request for funding of some or all of its community-based correctional facilities and programs or district community-based correctional facilities and programs to the board of county commissioners of the county, if the facility governing board serves a community-based correctional facility and program, or to the boards of county commissioners of all of the member counties, if the facility governing board serves a district community-based correctional facility and program. The board or boards may appropriate, but are not required to appropriate, a sum of money for funding all aspects of each facility and program as outlined in sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code. The facility governing board has no recourse against a board or boards of county commissioners if the board or boards of county commissioners do not appropriate money for funding any facility and program or if they appropriate money for funding a facility and program in an amount less than the total amount of the submitted request for funding.

(D)(1) If a court of common pleas that is being served by a community-based correctional facility and program established pursuant to division (C) of this section determines that it no longer wants to be served by the facility and program, the facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, may dissolve the facility and program by notifying, in writing, the division of parole and community services of the determination to dissolve the facility and program. If the court is served by more than one community-based correctional facility and program, the facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, may dissolve some or all of the facilities and programs and, if it does not dissolve all of the facilities and programs, the facility governing board shall continue the operation of the remaining facilities and programs.

(2) If all of the courts of common pleas being served by any district community-based correctional facility and program established pursuant to division (C) of this section determine that they no longer want to be served by the facility and program, the facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, may dissolve the facility and program by notifying, in writing, the division of parole and community services of the determination to dissolve the facility and program. If the courts are served by more than one district community-based correctional facility and program, the facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, may dissolve some or all of the facilities and programs, and, if it does not dissolve all of the facilities and programs, it shall continue the operation of the remaining facilities and programs.

(3) If at least one, but not all, of the courts of common pleas being served by one or more district community-based correctional facilities and programs established pursuant to division (C) of this section determines that it no longer wants to be served by the facilities and programs, the court may terminate its involvement with each of the facilities and programs by entering upon the journal of the court the fact of the determination to terminate its involvement with the facilities and programs and by the court notifying, in writing, the division of parole and community services of the determination to terminate its involvement with the facilities and programs.

If at least one, but not all, of the courts of common pleas being served by one or more district community-based correctional facilities and programs terminates its involvement with each of the facilities and programs in accordance with this division, the other courts of common pleas being served by the facilities and programs may continue to be served by each of the facilities and programs. A court may use a facility and program by remaining as a member county of the district community-based correctional facility and program or by making a written service agreement with the facility governing board without remaining as a member county.

(E) A facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program shall consist of at least six members, each member serving a three-year term. A facility governing board of a district community-based correctional facility and program shall consist of at least six members, each member serving a three-year term, except that not more than one-half of the members shall be from any one county.

The judicial advisory board shall appoint two-thirds of the members, and the board or boards of county commissioners of the member counties shall appoint the remaining one-third, or portion thereof, of the members. Of the initial appointments, one-third of the members shall be appointed for a one-year term, one-third of the members shall be appointed for a two-year term, and the remaining one-third or portion thereof of the members shall be appointed for a three-year term. Thereafter, terms of persons appointed to the facility governing board shall be for a three-year term, with each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term it succeeds.

(F) Any member of a facility governing board may be reappointed to serve additional terms. Vacancies on the board shall be filled in the same manner as provided for original appointments. Any member of the board who is appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the predecessor's term. Members of the board shall not receive compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as a result of service on the board.

(G) Nothing in this section, sections 2301.52 to 2301.58, or section 5120.10, 5120.111, or 5120.122 of the Revised Code modifies or affects or shall be interpreted as modifying or affecting sections 5149.30 to 5149.37 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.52 | Minimum provisions for community-based correctional proposals.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 162 - 126th General Assembly

Each proposal for a community-based correctional facility and program or a district community-based correctional facility and program shall provide for or contain at least the following:

(A) The designation of a physical facility that will be used for the confinement of persons sentenced to the facility and program by a court pursuant to section 2929.16 or 2929.17 of the Revised Code or persons otherwise committed or admitted pursuant to law to the facility and program. The designated facility shall satisfy all of the following:

(1) Be a secure facility that contains lockups and other measures sufficient to ensure the safety of the surrounding community;

(2) Provide living space and accommodations that are suitable and adequate for the housing of persons sentenced, or otherwise admitted with the consent of the facility governing board, to the facility and program;

(3) Be constructed or modified, and maintained and operated, so that it complies with the rules adopted pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code by the division of parole and community services of the department of rehabilitation and correction for community-based correctional facilities and programs and district community-based correctional facilities and programs.

(B) The designation of a program that will be applied individually to each person sentenced to the facility and program by a court pursuant to section 2929.16 or 2929.17 of the Revised Code or otherwise committed or admitted pursuant to law to the facility and program. The designated program shall include, but not be limited to, education, treatment, or work release.

(C) A provision that each person sentenced, or otherwise admitted with the consent of the facility governing board, to a facility shall be provided an orientation period of at least thirty days, during which period the person is not permitted to leave the facility and is evaluated in relation to the person's placement in rehabilitative programs;

(D) Provisions to ensure that the facility and program will be staffed to ensure security and the effective delivery of services;

(E) Provisions for the facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, to set standards for the screening and admission of each felony offender who is referred by a court pursuant to section 2929.16 or 2929.17 of the Revised Code or by the parole board pursuant to section 2967.28 of the Revised Code;

(F) A statement that a good faith effort will be made to ensure that the persons who staff and operate the facility and program proportionately represent the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the persons released, sentenced, or otherwise committed or admitted to the facility and program.

Section 2301.55 | Judicial corrections board - powers and duties.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 162 - 126th General Assembly

(A)(1) Upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, the facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program shall appoint a director who, or enter into a contract with a nonprofit or private entity that, shall control, manage, operate, and have general charge of the facility and program and shall have custody of its property, files, and records. When a facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, enters into a contract for the management, operation, and control of a facility and program, an agreement that includes, at a minimum, terms and conditions established by the department of rehabilitation and correction shall be in effect with the chosen contractor. When a facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, appoints a director, the facility governing board shall fix or approve the compensation of the director of the facility and program and other professional, technical, and clerical employees who are necessary to properly maintain and operate the facility and program.

(2) All of the following shall be considered to be public officials or employees for purposes of Chapter 102. of the Revised Code and public officials or public servants for purposes of Chapter 2921. of the Revised Code and to be within the authority of the Ohio ethics commission:

(a) The director and employees of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program appointed by its facility governing board under division (A)(1) of this section;

(b) Any individual serving as director or in a substantially equivalent capacity to director pursuant to a contract between a nonprofit or private entity and a facility governing board entered into under division (A)(1) of this section, in connection with the performance of any duties of the director under the contract;

(c) Each trustee or member of the facility governing board;

(d) Each officer or board member of a nonprofit or private entity with which a facility governing board contracts under division (A)(1) of this section, in connection with the performance of any duties of the officer or board member under the contract, except that each officer or board member who serves solely as an officer or board member and who does not serve the facility and program as director or in a substantially equivalent capacity to director shall not be required to file a disclosure statement with the Ohio ethics commission under section 102.02 of the Revised Code.

(3) Nothing in Chapters 102. and 2921. of the Revised Code shall prohibit a board member of a nonprofit or private entity with which a facility governing board contracts under division (A)(1) of this section, who is not serving the facility and program as director or in a substantially equivalent capacity to director, from also being a shareholder, director, or employee of, or otherwise from having a financial interest in, a nonprofit or private entity that contracts under division (A)(1) of this section or from being a shareholder, director, officer, or employee of, or otherwise from having a financial interest in, a private entity that contracts to sell goods or services to a nonprofit or private entity that contracts under division (A)(1) of this section.

(4) Nothing in Chapters 102. and 2921. of the Revised Code shall prohibit an officer of a nonprofit or private entity with which a facility governing board contracts under division (A)(1) of this section from:

(a) Having an interest in the profits or benefits of the contract awarded by a facility governing board under division (A)(1) of this section;

(b) Participating in negotiations for the renewal or extension of an existing contract awarded under division (A)(1) of this section; or

(c) Negotiating a new contract on behalf of that entity with a facility governing board under division (A)(1) of this section.

(5)(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a nonprofit or private entity with which a facility governing board contracts under division (A)(1) of this section is a public agency as defined in division (C) of section 102.01 of the Revised Code, a public body as defined in division (B)(1) of section 121.22 of the Revised Code, a political subdivision, public employer, or public office, or otherwise a public entity.

(b) Nothing in division (A)(5)(a) of this section shall be construed to prohibit the auditor of state from conducting audits, as provided in division (D)(1) of section 2301.56 of the Revised Code, of a nonprofit or private entity performing the day-to-day operation of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program pursuant to a contract under division (A)(1) of this section.

(B) The facility governing board may enter into contracts with the board of county commissioners of the county in which the facility and program is located or, in the case of a district facility and program, with the county commissioners of any county included in the district, whereby the county is to provide buildings, goods, and services to the facility and program.

(C) The facility governing board, upon the advice of the judicial advisory board, shall adopt rules for the commitment or admission pursuant to law of persons to, and the operation of, the facility and program. The rules shall provide procedures that conform to sections 2301.51 to 2301.58, 5120.10, 5120.111, and 5120.112 of the Revised Code.

(D) A facility governing board that establishes one or more community-based correctional facilities and programs or district community-based correctional facilities and programs may accept any gift, donation, devise, or bequest of real or personal property made to it by any person, or any grant or appropriation made to it by any federal, state, or local governmental unit or agency, and use the gift, donation, devise, bequest, grant, or appropriation in any manner that is consistent with any conditions of the gift, donation, devise, bequest, grant, or appropriation and that it considers to be in the interests of the facility and program. The facility governing board may sell, lease, convey, or otherwise transfer any real or personal property that it accepts pursuant to this division following the procedures specified in sections 307.09, 307.10, and 307.12 of the Revised Code.

(E) A facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program may purchase liability insurance to cover members of the facility governing board, the judicial advisory board, and the community-based correctional facility employees or district community-based correctional facility employees when engaged in the performance of their duties.

(F)(1) A facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program may contract for legal services for the facility governing board, the judicial advisory board, and the community-based correctional facility employees or district community-based correctional facility employees when engaged in the performance of their duties. Except as otherwise provided in division (F)(2) of this section, in the absence of a contract for legal services, the prosecuting attorney of the county in which a community-based correctional facility and program is located or the prosecuting attorney of any county in which a district community-based correctional facility and program is located shall provide legal services to the facility governing board, the judicial advisory board, and the community-based correctional facility employees or district community-based correctional facility employees when engaged in the performance of their duties. The prosecuting attorney shall be reasonably reimbursed for these legal services.

(2) Nothing in division (F)(1) of this section obligates a prosecuting attorney to provide legal services to a nonprofit or private entity that has entered into a contract with a facility governing board to manage, operate, and control a community-based correctional facility and program or a district community-based correctional facility and program, or to provide legal services to the employees of any such entity.

(G)(1) A facility governing board of a community-based correctional facility and program or a district community-based correctional facility and program may contract with a fiscal agent that shall be responsible for the deposit of funds and compliance with division (D)(1) of section 2301.56 of the Revised Code. Except as otherwise provided in division (G)(2) of this section, in the absence of a contract for a fiscal agent, the county auditor of the county in which a community-based correctional facility and program is located or the county auditor of any county in which a district community-based correctional facility and program is located shall provide fiscal services to the facility governing board. The county auditor shall be reasonably reimbursed for these fiscal services.

(2) Nothing in division (G)(1) of this section obligates a county auditor to provide fiscal services to a nonprofit or private entity that has entered into a contract with a facility governing board to manage, operate, and control a community-based correctional facility and program or a district community-based correctional facility and program.

Section 2301.56 | Application for state financial assistance.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) A facility governing board that proposes or establishes one or more community-based correctional facilities and programs or district community-based correctional facilities and programs may apply to the division of parole and community services of the department of rehabilitation and correction for state financial assistance for the cost of renovation, maintenance, and operation of any of the facilities and programs. If the facility governing board has proposed or established more than one facility and program and if it desires state financial assistance for more than one of the facilities and programs, the board shall submit a separate application for each facility and program for which it desires the financial assistance.

An application for state financial assistance under this section may be made when the facility governing board submits for approval of the division of parole and community services its proposal for the establishment of the facility and program in question under division (B) of section 2301.51 of the Revised Code, or at any time after the division has approved the proposal. All applications for state financial assistance for proposed or approved facilities and programs shall be made on forms that are prescribed and furnished by the department of rehabilitation and correction, and in accordance with section 5120.112 of the Revised Code.

(B) The facility governing board may submit a request for funding of some or all of its community-based correctional facilities and programs or district community-based correctional facilities and programs to the board of county commissioners of the county, if the facility governing board serves a community-based correctional facility and program, or to the boards of county commissioners of all of the member counties, if the facility governing board serves a district community-based correctional facility and program. The board or boards may appropriate, but are not required to appropriate, a sum of money for funding all aspects of each facility and program as outlined in sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code. The facility governing board has no recourse against a board or boards of county commissioners if the board or boards of county commissioners do not appropriate money for funding any facility and program or if they appropriate money for funding a facility and program in an amount less than the total amount of the submitted request for funding.

(C) Pursuant to section 2929.37 of the Revised Code, a board of county commissioners may require a person who was convicted of an offense and who is confined in a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility as provided in sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code to reimburse the county for its expenses incurred by reason of the person's confinement.

(D)(1) Community-based correctional facilities and programs and district community-based correctional facilities and programs are public offices under section 117.01 of the Revised Code and are subject to audit under section 117.10 of the Revised Code. The audits of the facilities and programs shall include financial audits and, in addition, in the circumstances specified in this division, performance audits by the auditor of state. If a private or nonprofit entity performs the day-to-day operation of any community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program, the private or nonprofit entity also is subject to financial audits under section 117.10 of the Revised Code, and, in addition, in the circumstances specified in this division, to performance audits by the auditor of state. The auditor of state shall conduct the performance audits of a facility and program and of an entity required under section 117.10 of the Revised Code and this division and, notwithstanding the time period for audits specified in section 117.11 of the Revised Code, shall conduct the financial audits of a facility and program and of an entity required under section 117.10 of the Revised Code and this division, in accordance with the following criteria:

(a) For each facility and program and each entity, the auditor of state shall conduct the initial financial audit within two years after March 31, 2003, or, if the facility and program in question is established on or after March 31, 2003, within two years after the date on which it is established.

(b) After the initial financial audit described in division (D)(1)(a) of this section, for each facility and program and each entity, the auditor of state shall conduct the financial audits of the facility and program or the entity at least once every two fiscal years.

(c) At any time after March 31, 2003, regarding a facility and program or regarding an entity that performs the day-to-day operation of a facility and program, the department of rehabilitation and correction or the facility governing board that established the facility and program may request, or the auditor of state on its own initiative may undertake, a performance audit of the facility and program or the entity. Upon the receipt of the request, or upon the auditor of state's own initiative as described in this division, the auditor of state shall conduct a performance audit of the facility and program or the entity.

(2) Each community-based correctional facility and program, district community-based correctional facility and program, and, to the extent that information is available, private or nonprofit entity that performs the day-to-day operation of any community-based correctional facility and program or district community-based correctional facility and program shall prepare and provide to the auditor of state an annual financial report in accordance with section 117.38 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.57 | Health insurance claims of inmates - medical tests.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 162 - 126th General Assembly

(A) For each person who is confined in a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility as provided in sections 2301.51 to 2301.58 of the Revised Code, the facility may make a determination as to whether the person is covered under a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan and, if the person has such coverage, what terms and conditions are imposed by it for the filing and payment of claims.

(B) If, pursuant to division (A) of this section, it is determined that the person is covered under a policy, contract, or plan and, while that coverage is in force, the correctional facility renders or arranges for the rendering of health care services to the person in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, the person, facility, or provider of the health care services, as appropriate under the terms and conditions of the policy, contract, or plan, shall promptly submit a claim for payment for the health care services to the appropriate third-party payer and shall designate, or make any other arrangement necessary to ensure, that payment of any amount due on the claim be made to the facility or provider, as the case may be.

(C) This section also applies to any person who is under the custody of a law enforcement officer, as defined in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code, prior to the person's confinement in the correctional facility.

(D) Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this section or section 2929.18, 2929.21, 2929.26, or 2929.37 of the Revised Code, the facility governing board may establish a policy that complies with section 2929.38 of the Revised Code and that requires any person who is not indigent and who is confined in the community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility to pay a reception fee.

(E) If a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense is confined in a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility, the person in charge of the facility's operation may cause the offender, at the time of reception and at other times the person in charge of the operation of the facility determines to be appropriate, to be examined and tested for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including, but not limited to, hepatitis A, B, and C, and other contagious diseases. The person in charge of the facility's operation may cause an offender in the facility who refuses to be tested or treated for tuberculosis, HIV infection, hepatitis, including, but not limited to, hepatitis A, B, and C, or another contagious disease to be tested and treated involuntarily.

Section 2301.571 | Inmate responsibility for medical expenses.

• Effective: September 10, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense and who is confined in a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility is financially responsible for the payment of any medical expense or service requested by and provided to that person.

(B) No person confined in a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility shall be denied any necessary medical care because of inability to pay for medical treatment or service.

(C) Nothing in this section shall cause a community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility to be responsible for the payment of any medical or other health care expenses incurred in connection with an offender who is serving a term in the facility pursuant to section 2929.16 of the Revised Code.

Section 2301.58 | Resident program fund - commissary.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 162 - 126th General Assembly

(A) Upon approval of the facility governing board, the director of the community-based correctional facility or district community-based correctional facility may establish a resident program fund. The director shall deposit in the fund all revenues received by the facility from commissions on telephone systems, commissary operations, reimbursable costs such as per diem and medical services, and similar services. The money in the fund shall only be used to pay for the costs of the following expenses:

(1) The purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment used in any library program, educational program, vocational program, rehabilitative program, religious program, medical services program, or recreational program operated by the facility for the benefit of the residents;

(2) The construction, alteration, repair, or reconstruction of a facility under the control of the facility governing board for use in any library program, educational program, vocational program, rehabilitative program, religious program, medical services program, or recreational program operated by the facility for the benefit of the residents;

(3) The payment of salaries, wages, and other compensation to employees of the facility who are employed in any library program, educational program, vocational program, rehabilitative program, religious program, medical services program, or recreational program operated by the facility for the benefit of the residents;

(4) The compensation of vendors that contract with the facility for the provision of services for any library program, educational program, vocational program, rehabilitative program, religious program, medical services program, or recreational program for the benefit of the residents;

(5) The purchase of other goods and the payment of other services that are determined, at the discretion of the director, to be goods and services that may provide additional benefit to the residents;

(6) The costs for the auditing of the resident program fund.

(B) If a commissary is established by the community-based correctional facility or the district community-based correctional facility, all persons confined in the facility shall receive commissary privileges, and the commissary shall provide for the distribution of necessary hygiene articles and writing materials to indigent residents.

(C) The director shall establish rules, to be approved by the facility governing board, for the operation of the resident program fund that follow guidelines established by the auditor of state.

Section 2301.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

Whoever violates section 2301.33 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars and imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty days.