(A) The state fire marshal shall not refuse to issue a license, permit, or registration under this chapter if the applicant or any individual holding, owning, or controlling a five per cent or greater beneficial or equity interest in the applicant for the license, permit, or registration has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a disqualifying offense under section 9.79 of the Revised Code unless the refusal is in accordance with that section.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(B) The state fire marshal shall not issue a renewal of a license, permit, or registration under this chapter on or after June 30, 1997, if the applicant for the license or permit, or any individual holding, owning, or controlling a five per cent or greater beneficial or equity interest in the applicant for the license or permit, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(C) The state fire marshal shall revoke or deny renewal of a license or permit first issued under this chapter on or after June 30, 1997, if the holder of the license or permit, or any individual holding, owning, or controlling a five per cent or greater beneficial or equity interest in the holder of the license or permit, is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.

(D) The state fire marshal may adopt rules under Chapter 119 of the Revised Code specifying the method to be used by the applicants subject to this section to provide the fingerprint or similar identifying information, fees to be assessed by the state fire marshal to conduct such background checks, and the procedures to be used by the state fire marshal to verify compliance with this section. Such rules may include provisions establishing rules for conducting background checks, the frequency that license renewal applicants must update background check information filed by the applicant with previous license applications, provisions describing alternative forms of background check information that may be accepted by the state fire marshal to verify compliance with this section, and provisions that permit the state fire marshal to waive the applicability of this section if the applicant produces verified documentation that demonstrates that this state, another state, the United States, or another country has determined that applicant is appropriate for licensure, permitting, or registration under this chapter.