(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Employee" and "employer" have the same meanings as in section 4113.51 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Retaliatory action" includes physical, mental, or verbal abuse; change of room assignment; withholding of services; failure to provide care in a timely manner; discharge; and termination of employment.

(B) An employee providing information to or participating in good faith in registering a complaint with the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program or participating in the investigation of a complaint or in administrative or judicial proceedings resulting from a complaint registered with the office shall have the full protection against disciplinary or retaliatory action provided by division (G) of section 3721.17 and by sections 4113.51 to 4113.53 of the Revised Code.

(C) No long-term care provider or other entity, no person employed by a long-term care provider or other entity, and no other individual shall knowingly subject any resident , recipient, employee, representative of the office of the state long-term care ombudsman program, or another individual to any form of retaliation, reprisal, discipline, or discrimination for doing any of the following:

(1) Providing information to the office ;

(2) Participating in registering a complaint with the office;

(3) Cooperating with or participating in the investigation of a complaint by the office or in administrative or judicial proceedings resulting from a complaint registered with the office.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Effective Date: 06-12-1990.