(A) As used in this section, "department of public safety" and "department" include all divisions within the department of public safety.

(B) The director of public safety is the chief executive and administrative officer of the department. The director may establish policies governing the department, the performance of its employees and officers, the conduct of its business, and the custody, use, and preservation of departmental records, papers, books, documents, and property. The director also may authorize and approve investigations to be conducted by any of the department's divisions. Whenever the Revised Code imposes a duty upon or requires an action of the department, the director may perform the action or duty in the name of the department or direct such performance to be performed by the director's designee.

(C) In addition to any other duties enumerated in the Revised Code, the director or the director's designee shall do all of the following:

(1) Administer and direct the performance of the duties of the department;

(2) Pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, approve, adopt, and prescribe such forms and rules as are necessary to carry out the duties of the department;

(3) On behalf of the department and in addition to any authority the Revised Code otherwise grants to the department, have the authority and responsibility for approving and entering into contracts, agreements, and other business arrangements;

(4) Make appointments for the department as needed to comply with requirements of the Revised Code;

(5) Approve employment actions of the department, including appointments, promotions, discipline, investigations, and terminations;

(6) Accept, hold, and use, for the benefit of the department, any gift, donation, bequest, or devise, and may agree to and perform all conditions of the gift, donation, bequest, or devise, that are not contrary to law;

(7) Apply for, allocate, disburse, and account for grants made available under federal law or from other federal, state, or private sources;

(8) Develop a list of disqualifying offenses for licensure as a private investigator or a security guard provider pursuant to sections 4749.03, 4749.04, 4749.10, and 4776.10 of the Revised Code;

(9) Do all other acts necessary or desirable to carry out this chapter.

(D)

(1) The director of public safety may assess a reasonable fee, plus the amount of any charge or fee passed on from a financial institution, on a drawer or indorser for each of the following:

(a) A check, draft, or money order that is returned or dishonored;

(b) An automatic bank transfer that is declined, due to insufficient funds or for any other reason;

(c) Any financial transaction device that is returned or dishonored for any reason.

(2) The director shall deposit any fee collected under this division in an appropriate fund as determined by the director based on the tax, fee, or fine being paid.

(3) As used in this division, "financial transaction device" has the same meaning as in section 113.40 of the Revised Code.

(E) The director shall establish a homeland security advisory council to advise the director on homeland security, including homeland security funding efforts. The advisory council shall include, but not be limited to, state and local government officials who have homeland security or emergency management responsibilities and who represent first responders. The director shall appoint the members of the council, who shall serve without compensation.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.188, HB 472, §1, eff. 12/20/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.131, SB 337, §1, eff. 9/28/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 9/10/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.7, HB 114, §101.01, eff. 6/29/2011.

Effective Date: 09-16-2004; 04-14-2006