(A) As used in this section:

(1) "License" means an authorization evidenced by a license, certificate, registration, permit, card, or other authority that is issued or conferred by a licensing authority to an individual by which the individual has or claims the privilege to engage in a profession, occupation, or occupational activity over which the licensing authority has jurisdiction.

(2) "Licensing authority" means both of the following:

(a) A board, commission, or other entity that issues licenses under Title XLVII or any other provision of the Revised Code to practice an occupation or profession;

(b) A political subdivision that issues a license or that charges a fee for an individual to practice an occupation or profession in that political subdivision.

(B) An individual who has been convicted of any criminal offense may request, at any time, that a licensing authority determine whether the individual's criminal conviction disqualifies the individual from obtaining a license issued or conferred by the licensing authority. An individual making such a request shall include details of the individual's criminal conviction and any payment required by the licensing authority. A licensing authority may charge a fee of not more than twenty-five dollars for each request made under this section, to reimburse the costs it incurs in making the determination.

Not later than thirty days after receiving a request under this section, the licensing authority shall inform the individual whether, based on the criminal record information submitted, the individual is disqualified from receiving or holding the license about which the individual inquired. A licensing authority is not bound by a determination made under this section, if, on further investigation, the licensing authority determines that the individual's criminal convictions differ from the information presented in the determination request.

(C) A licensing authority shall make available to the public on the licensing authority's internet web site a list of all criminal offenses of which conviction of that offense shall disqualify an individual from obtaining a license issued or conferred by the licensing authority.

Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 255, §1, eff. 4/5/2019.