(A) A tactical medical professional may carry firearms while on duty in the same manner, to the same extent, and in the same areas as a law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency the professional is serving, if all of the following apply:

(1) The law enforcement agency that the tactical medical professional is serving has specifically authorized the professional to carry firearms while on duty.

(2) The tactical medical professional has done or received one of the following:

(a) The professional has been awarded a certificate by the executive director of the Ohio peace officer training commission, which certificate attests to satisfactory completion of an approved state, county, or municipal basic training program or a program at the Ohio peace officer training academy that qualifies the professional to carry firearms while on duty and that conforms to the rules adopted under section 109.748 of the Revised Code.

(b) Prior to or during employment as a tactical medical professional and prior to the effective date of this section, the professional has successfully completed a firearms training program, other than one described in division (A)(2)(a) of this section, that was approved by the Ohio peace officer training commission.

(B) A tactical medical professional to whom division (A) of this section applies and who is carrying one or more firearms under authority of that division has protection from potential civil or criminal liability for any conduct occurring while carrying the firearm or firearms to the same extent as a law enforcement officer of the law enforcement agency the professional is serving has such protection.

Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 79, §1, eff. 6/1/2018.