101-1-03. Advisory opinions

(A) The committee may issue advisory opinions relating to ethics, conflicts of interest, or financial disclosure under Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code.

(B) The executive director shall acknowledge receipt of all requests for advisory opinions and shall record all such requests in a journal kept for that purpose.

(C) All advisory opinions rendered by the committee shall include the following:

(1) A syllabus containing the holding of the committee;

(2) A statement of facts upon which the conclusions are based. Such statement of facts need not disclose the name of any individual;

(3) A discussion of the facts and law which conclude in the holding of the committee; and

(4) A serial number indicating the year and number of the advisory opinions rendered.

(D) The committee shall maintain a compilation of all advisory opinions rendered.

(E) When the committee renders an advisory opinion that has been publicly sought and that relates to a special set of circumstances involving ethics, conflicts of interest, or financial disclosure under Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code, the person to whom the opinion was directed or who was similarly situated may reasonably rely upon such opinion and shall be immune from criminal prosecutions, civil suits, or actions for removal from his office or position of employment for a violation of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code based on the facts and circumstances covered by the opinion, if the opinion states that there is no violation of Chapter 102. or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code.

(F) When the committee renders an advisory opinion that has been publicly sought, the advisory opinion is a public record available under section 149.43 of the Revised Code.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 2/8/2018 and 02/08/2023
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 101.34
Rule Amplifies: 102.08
Prior Effective Dates: 5/18/95

Prior History: (R.C. 119.032 review dates: 03/11/2013 and 03/11/2018
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 101.34
Rule Amplifies: 102.08
Prior Effective Dates: 5/18/95)