(A) Information leading to, arising from, or obtained in the course of the examination of a licensee or other person conducted pursuant to the authority of sections 1315.01 to 1315.18 of the Revised Code is privileged and confidential. No person, including any person to whom the information is disclosed under the authority of this section, shall disclose information leading to, arising from, or obtained in the course of an examination, except as specifically provided in this section.

(B) The superintendent of financial institutions and the superintendent's agents and employees may disclose information leading to, arising from, or obtained in the course of an examination conducted pursuant to section 1315.12 or 1315.121 of the Revised Code as follows:

(1) To the governor, director of commerce, or deputy director of commerce to enable them to act in the interests of the public;

(2) To the banking commission, created pursuant to section 1123.01 of the Revised Code, to enable the commission to effectively advise the superintendent and take action on any matter the superintendent presents to the commission;

(3) To financial institution regulatory authorities of this and other states, the United States, and other countries to assist them in their regulatory duties;

(4) To the directors, officers, agents, and parent company of the licensee or other money transmitter examined to assist them in conducting the business of the licensee or other money transmitter examined in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with the law;

(5) To law enforcement authorities conducting criminal investigations.

(C) Information leading to, arising from, or obtained in the course of an examination of a licensee or other person pursuant to sections 1315.01 to 1315.18 of the Revised Code shall not be discoverable from any source. The information shall not be introduced into evidence, except in the following circumstances:

(1) In connection with criminal proceedings;

(2) When, in the opinion of the superintendent, it is appropriate with regard to enforcement actions taken and decisions made by the superintendent under the authority of sections 1315.01 to 1315.18 of the Revised Code regarding a licensee or other person;

(3) When litigation has been initiated by the superintendent in furtherance of the powers, duties, and obligations imposed upon the superintendent by sections 1315.01 to 1315.18 of the Revised Code;

(4) When authorized by agreements between the superintendent and financial institution regulatory authorities of this and other states, the United States, and other countries authorized by section 1315.121 of the Revised Code;

(5) When and in the manner authorized in section 1181.25 of the Revised Code.

(D) A report of an examination conducted pursuant to section 1315.12 or 1315.121 of the Revised Code is the property of the division of financial institutions. Under no circumstances may the licensee or other money transmitter examined, its directors, officers, employees, agents, regulated persons, or contractors, or any person having knowledge or possession of a report of examination, or any of its contents, disclose or make public in any manner the report of examination or its contents. The authority provided in division (B)(4) of this section for use of examination information to assist in conducting the business of the licensee or other money transmitter examined in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with law shall not be construed to authorize disclosure of a report of examination or any of its contents in conducting business with the examined licensee's or other money transmitter's customers, creditors, or shareholders, or with other persons.

(E) Whoever violates this section shall be removed from office, shall be liable, with the violator's bonder in damages to the person injured by the disclosure of information, and is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

Effective Date: 04-06-2007 .