Ohio Code 3313.96 – Informational programs relative to missing children – fingerprinting program
(A) As used in this section, “minor,” “missing child,” and “missing children” have the same meanings as in section 2901.30 of the Revised Code.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 3313.96
- Child: includes child by adoption. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
(B) Each board of education shall develop within its district informational programs for students, parents, and community members relative to missing children issues and matters. Each of these boards may request copies of the informational materials acquired or prepared by the missing children clearinghouse pursuant to section 109.65 of the Revised Code and may request assistance from the clearinghouse in developing its programs.
The principal or chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school in this state may develop within his school informational programs relative to missing children issues and matters for students, parents, and community members. The principal or officer may request copies of the informational materials acquired or prepared by the missing children clearinghouse and may request assistance from the clearinghouse in developing its programs.
(C) Each board of education may develop a fingerprinting program for students and minors within the district. The principal or chief administrative officer of a nonpublic school in this state may develop a fingerprinting program for students of the school. If developed, the program shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction within the school district or where the nonpublic school is located and, in the case of a local school district, in conjunction with the governing board of the educational service center. Such law enforcement agencies shall cooperate fully with the board or nonpublic school in the development of its fingerprinting program.
If developed, the fingerprinting program shall be developed for the sole purpose of providing a means by which a missing child might be located or identified and shall be operated on the following basis:
(1) No student or minor shall be required to participate in the program.
(2) In order for a student or minor to participate in the program, the parents, parent who is the residential parent and legal custodian, guardian, legal custodian, or other person responsible for the student or minor shall authorize the student’s or minor’s participation by signing a form that shall be developed by the board of education or by the principal or chief administrative officer of the nonpublic school, for the program.
(3) The fingerprinting of students or minors shall be performed by members of the associated law enforcement agencies on fingerprint sheets provided to the school districts or nonpublic schools by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation pursuant to section 109.58 of the Revised Code or on fingerprint sheets or cards otherwise acquired.
(4) All fingerprint cards shall be given to the parents, parent who is the residential parent and legal custodian, guardian, legal custodian, or other person responsible for a student or minor after the fingerprinting of the student or minor. No copy of a fingerprinting shall be retained by a law enforcement agency, school, school district, or any other person except the student or minor’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
(5) The name, sex, hair and eye color, height, weight, and date and place of birth of the student or minor shall be indicated on the fingerprint sheet or card.
(6) The fingerprinting program developed pursuant to this section shall be offered on a periodic basis. Parents, guardians, legal custodians, and residents of the districts or in the communities served by the schools shall be notified periodically of the program and its purpose. These notifications may be given by means of memoranda or letters sent to these persons, by newspaper articles, or by other reasonable means.
(D) This section does not affect any fingerprinting programs for minors that are provided by private organizations or governmental entities other than school districts.