The fire marshal shall not issue an initial or a renewal of a license , permit, or registration under this chapter on or after June 30, 1997, if the applicant for the license or permit, or any individual holding, owning, or controlling a five per cent or greater beneficial or equity interest in the applicant for the license or permit, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States. The fire marshal shall revoke or deny renewal of a license or permit first issued under this chapter on or after June 30, 1997, if the holder of the license or permit, or any individual holding, owning, or controlling a five per cent or greater beneficial or equity interest in the holder of the license or permit, is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

The state fire marshal may adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code specifying the method to be used by the applicants subject to this section to provide the fingerprint or similar identifying information, fees to be assessed by the fire marshal to conduct such background checks, and the procedures to be used by the state fire marshal to verify compliance with this section. Such rules may include provisions establishing rules for conducting background checks and prohibiting licensure, permitting or registration under this chapter for persons convicted of a felony or similar offense in another country, the frequency that license renewal applicants must update background check information filed by the applicant with previous license applications, provisions describing alternative forms of background check information that may be accepted by the fire marshal to verify compliance with this section, and provisions that permit the state fire marshal to waive the applicability of this section if the applicant produces verified documentation that demonstrates that this state, another state, the United States, or another country has determined that applicant is appropriate for licensure, permitting, or registration under this chapter.

Effective Date: 06-29-2001; 2008 HB562 09-22-2008 .