In the exercise of any of the powers vested in the adult parole authority, the chief of the authority, any member of the board, or any hearing officer may administer oaths and in the name of the authority may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum. The authority may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of records and papers of all kinds and description including any and all books, accounts, documents, memorandums, and transcripts of testimony, pertaining to any inquiry within the powers and duties of the authority. Upon the failure of any person to comply with any order of the authority or any subpoena or subpoena duces tecum lawfully issued, or upon the refusal of any witness to testify to any matter regarding which the witness may be lawfully interrogated, a judge of the court of common pleas of any county in this state, on the application of the authority, shall compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from a court of common pleas or a refusal to testify therein.

Each witness who appears before the authority or before a member of the parole board by the authority's or member's order shall receive for attendance the fees and mileage provided for under section 119.094 of the Revised Code, and the fees and mileage shall be audited and paid out of the state treasury in the same manner as other expenses are audited and paid, upon the presentation of properly verified vouchers approved by the chief of the authority.

The chief of the authority or a member of the board, or any party who is the subject of the investigation, may in any investigation cause depositions of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by sections 2319.08, 2319.09, 2319.11, and 2319.27 of the Revised Code and the Civil Rules.

Copies of the proceedings, minutes, actions, findings, recommendations, orders, and other records of the authority or its predecessors shall be verified and certified to by the officer conducting or responsible for such and attested by the chief of the authority, and when certified and attested shall be received in evidence as proof of the facts therein stated.

Minutes, actions, findings, recommendations, determinations, and orders made and kept by the adult parole authority are public records.

Effective Date: 10-06-1994; 2008 HB525 07-01-2009 .