(A)

(1) The auditor of state shall establish and maintain a system for the reporting of fraud, including misuse and misappropriation of public money, by any public office or public official. The system shall allow Ohio residents and the employees of any public office to make anonymous complaints through a toll-free telephone number, the auditor of state's web site, or the United States mail to the auditor of state's office. The auditor of state shall review all complaints in a timely manner.

(2)

(a) Subject to division (A)(2)(b) of this section, the auditor of state shall keep a log of all complaints filed under this section, which is a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The log shall include the date the complaint was received, a general description of the nature of the complaint, the name of the public office or agency with regard to which the complaint is directed, and a general description of the status of the review by the auditor of state. If section 149.43 of the Revised Code or another statute provides for an applicable exemption from the definition of public record for the information recorded on the log, that information may be redacted.

(b) The auditor shall not log a complaint regarding an ongoing criminal investigation, but shall log the complaint not later than thirty days after the investigation is complete.

(B)

(1) A public office shall provide information about the Ohio fraud-reporting system and the means of reporting fraud to each new employee upon employment with the public office. Each new employee shall confirm receipt of this information within thirty days after beginning employment. The auditor of state shall provide a model form on the auditor of state's web site to be printed and used by new public employees to sign and verify their receipt of information as required by this section. The auditor of state shall confirm, when conducting an audit under section 117.11 of the Revised Code, that new employees have been provided information as required by this division.

(2) On May 4, 2012, each public office shall make all its employees aware of the fraud-reporting system required by this section.

(3) Divisions (B)(1) and (2) of this section are satisfied if a public office provides information about the fraud-reporting system and the means of reporting fraud in the employee handbook or manual for the public office. An employee shall sign and verify the employee's receipt of such a handbook or manual.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 312, §1, eff. 11/2/2018.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.73, HB 66, §1, eff. 5/4/2012.