Ohio Code 5502.281 – Volunteer database; registration; privacy provisions; liability
(A) The executive director of the emergency management agency, jointly with the director of health, shall do both of the following:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 5502.281
- Child: includes child by adoption. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
(1) Advise, assist, consult with, and cooperate with agencies and political subdivisions of this state to establish and maintain a statewide system for recruiting, registering, training, and deploying the types of volunteers reasonably necessary to respond to an emergency declared by the state or a political subdivision;
(2) Establish fees, procedures, standards, and requirements necessary for recruiting, registering, training, and deploying the volunteers as required under this section.
(B)(1) A registered volunteer’s status as a volunteer, and any information presented in summary, statistical, or aggregate form that does not identify an individual, is a public record pursuant to section 149.43 of the Revised Code.
(2) Information related to a registered volunteer’s specific and unique responsibilities, assignments, or deployment plans, including but not limited to training, preparedness, readiness, or organizational assignment, is a security record for purposes of section 149.433 of the Revised Code.
(3) Information related to a registered volunteer’s personal information, including but not limited to contact information, medical information, or information related to family members or dependents, is not a public record pursuant to section 149.43 of the Revised Code.
(C) A volunteer registered under this section is not liable in damages to any person or government entity in tort or other civil action, including an action upon a medical, dental, chiropractic, optometric, or other health-related claim or veterinary claim, for injury, death, or loss to person or property that may arise from an act or omission of that volunteer. This division applies to a registered volunteer while providing services within the scope of the volunteer’s responsibilities during an emergency declared by the state or political subdivision or in disaster-related exercises, testing, or other training activities, if the volunteer’s act or omission does not constitute willful or wanton misconduct.
(D) As used in this section:
(1) “Registered volunteer” means any individual registered as a volunteer pursuant to procedures established under this section and who serves without pay or other consideration, other than the reasonable reimbursement or allowance for expenses actually incurred or the provision of incidental benefits related to the volunteer’s service, such as meals, lodging, and child care.
(2) “Political subdivision” means a county, township, or municipal corporation in this state.