Any person who conducts business in this state as an athlete agent consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state, whether or not the person is registered as an athlete agent with the Ohio athletic commission. If an athlete agent conducts business in this state and thereafter leaves this state with intent to defraud creditors or to avoid service of process in an action brought under this chapter, the athlete agent thereby makes the secretary of state of the state of Ohio the agent of the athlete agent for purposes of service of process in any civil action or proceeding instituted in the courts of this state against the athlete agent arising out of, or by reason of, the athlete agent's conduct within this state. This appointment is irrevocable. The process shall be served by the officer to whom the process is directed or by the sheriff of Franklin county. The process shall be served as follows:

(A) Upon the secretary of state by leaving the process and a true and attested copy of the process at the office of the secretary of state, at least fifteen days before the return day of the process; and

(B) By sending to the defendant, at the defendant's last known address, by registered mail, postage prepaid, a like true and attested copy of the process, with an indorsement on the process of the service upon the secretary of state. The registered mail return receipt of the defendant shall be attached to and made a part of the return of service of the process.

Effective Date: 03-22-2001 .