3733.471 Investigations.
3733.471 Investigations.
(A) Any person who believes that violations of sections 3733.41 to 3733.49, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code are taking place may report or cause reports to be made of the information directly to the migrant agricultural ombudsman’s office as provided in section 3733.49 of the Revised Code. No person who files a report is liable for civil damages resulting from the report if the report was made on the basis of personal knowledge and belief, and not on the basis of hearsay, and was made in good faith and without recklessness as to the truth of the information contained in the report.
(B) The migrant agricultural ombudsman’s office shall immediately forward to the attorney general all reports that it receives under division (A) of this section. Within forty-eight hours of receiving a report alleging that conditions in violation of sections 3733.41 to 3733.49, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code exist that cause a direct or serious threat to the health or safety of migrant agricultural laborers, the attorney general, or the attorney general in conjunction with the director of health, shall investigate the complaint. If after an investigation period, which shall not exceed forty-eight hours, the attorney general finds probable cause to believe that existing conditions cause a direct or serious threat to the health or safety of the laborers, the attorney general, or the attorney general in conjunction with the appropriate prosecuting attorney, shall bring an action for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction.
(C) The attorney general, or the attorney general in conjunction with the director of health, shall, within seven days of receiving a complaint that does not allege a serious health or safety violation of sections 3733.41 to 3733.49, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code, begin an investigation of the complaint. If after an investigation period, which shall not exceed fourteen days, the attorney general finds probable cause to believe that a violation of sections 3733.41 to 3733.49, Chapter 4109., or Chapter 4111. of the Revised Code exists, he shall refer the matter to the appropriate prosecuting attorney, who shall prosecute the complaint.
(D) The migrant agricultural ombudsman’s office shall treat as confidential all information that it receives as a result of reports filed with it under division (A) of this section and shall not reveal that information to any person except under division (B) of this section or as required in the course of an investigation or prosecution.
Effective Date: 03-20-1984