(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Communication disability" has the same meaning as in section 3304.23 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Disability that can impair communication" has the same meaning as in section 3304.23 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Guardian" has the same meaning as in section 2111.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Ward" has the same meaning as in section 2111.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of public safety shall establish and maintain a database of persons who register under this section as being diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication.

(C) Any person diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication who is eighteen years of age or older may register with the department for inclusion in the database by submitting a completed verification form established by the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency under section 3304.23 of the Revised Code.

(D) Any parent or guardian of a minor child or a ward diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication may register the minor child or the ward with the department for inclusion in the database by submitting a completed verification form established by the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency under section 3304.23 of the Revised Code.

(E)

(1) The department shall include in the database information provided on a completed verification form that the department determines is necessary for a law enforcement officer to identify a person as diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication. The department shall make the database available to state and local law enforcement officers through the law enforcement automated data system.

(2) Information in the database is not a public record subject to inspection or copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

(F) A person diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication who is included in the database or the parent or guardian of a minor child or a ward diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication who is included in the database may request removal of the person, minor, or ward, as applicable, from the database. The person, parent, or guardian shall do so by completing the verification form with only the information required under divisions (C)(1), (2), (3), (8), and (9) of section 3304.23 of the Revised Code, as applicable, and submitting the form to the department. Upon receipt of a properly completed verification form requesting the removal of a person with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication from the database, the department shall immediately remove that person from the database.

Added by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 115, §1, eff. 8/1/2018.