(A) As used in this section, "felony" has the same meaning as in section 109.511 of the Revised Code.

(B)

(1) The chief of the division of wildlife shall not designate a person as a game protector on a permanent basis, on a temporary basis, for a probationary term, or on other than a permanent basis if the person previously has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to a felony.

(2)

(a) The chief of the division of wildlife shall terminate the employment of a person as a game protector if that person does either of the following:

(i) Pleads guilty to a felony;

(ii) Pleads guilty to a misdemeanor pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement as provided in division (D) of section 2929.43 of the Revised Code in which the game protector agrees to surrender the certificate awarded to the game protector under section 109.77 of the Revised Code.

(b) The chief shall suspend from employment as a game protector a person designated as a game protector if that person is convicted, after trial, of a felony. If the game protector files an appeal from that conviction and the conviction is upheld by the highest court to which the appeal is taken or if the game protector does not file a timely appeal, the chief shall terminate the employment of that game protector. If the game protector files an appeal that results in the game protector's acquittal of the felony or conviction of a misdemeanor, or in the dismissal of the felony charge against the game protector, the chief shall reinstate that game protector. A game protector who is reinstated under division (B)(2)(b) of this section shall not receive any back pay unless that game protector's conviction of the felony was reversed on appeal, or the felony charge was dismissed, because the court found insufficient evidence to convict the game protector of the felony.

(3) Division (B) of this section does not apply regarding an offense that was committed prior to January 1, 1997.

(4) The suspension from employment, or the termination of the employment, of a game protector under division (B)(2) of this section shall be in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 01-01-2004.