(A) The department of developmental disabilities shall establish a registry of developmental disabilities employees consisting of the names of individuals included in the registry pursuant to section 5123.51 of the Revised Code.

(B) Before a person or government entity hires, contracts with, or employs an individual as a developmental disabilities employee, the person or government entity shall inquire whether the individual is included in the registry.

(C) When it receives an inquiry regarding whether an individual is included in the registry, the department shall inform the person making the inquiry whether the individual is included in the registry.

(D)

(1) Except as otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement entered into under Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code that is in effect on November 22, 2000, no person or government entity shall hire, contract with, or employ as a developmental disabilities employee an individual who is included in the registry. Notwithstanding sections 4117.08 and 4117.10 of the Revised Code, no agreement entered into under Chapter 4117. of the Revised Code after November 22, 2000, may contain any provision that in any way limits the effect or operation of this section.

(2) Neither the department nor any county board of developmental disabilities may enter into a new contract or renew a contract with a person or government entity that fails to comply with division (D)(1) of this section until the department or board is satisfied that the person or government entity will comply.

(3) A person or government entity that fails to hire or retain as a developmental disabilities employee an individual because the individual is included in the registry shall not be liable in damages in a civil action brought by the employee or applicant for employment. Termination of employment pursuant to division (D)(1) of this section constitutes a discharge for just cause for the purposes of section 4141.29 of the Revised Code.

(E) Information contained in the registry is a public record for the purposes of section 149.43 of the Revised Code and is subject to inspection and copying under section 1347.08 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 158, §1, eff. 10/12/2016.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.10, SB 79, §1, eff. 10/6/2009.

Effective Date: 11-22-2000 .