Bill
HB 689
HB 689 modernizes and standardizes fingerprinting and disposition reporting across Ohio, improving data accuracy and interagency sharing through electronic reporting and the Ohio L
HB 689 (136th General Assembly, Ohio) aims to align and modernize fingerprinting and disposition reporting across the criminal justice system. The bill updates when and how fingerprints and related identifying information are collected, transmitted to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI), and maintained in state records. It also tightens and clarifies procedures for sealing/expunging records and updates a long-standing technology initiative funding framework to support enhanced information-sharing among courts and justice partners. The changes are intended to improve data completeness, accuracy, and accessibility while preserving privacy and due process protections.
Sets conditions under which fingerprint data for children under 18 not in specified categories shall not be procured, except as authorized.
A(2) – Court clerks’ reporting duties (weekly electronic summaries)
All clerks of court (except the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals) must submit electronically a weekly summary of cases involving:
Summary content includes:
Requires inclusion of all relevant information from related subparts of the section.
A(3) – BCI coordination and training
The superintendent must collaborate with sheriffs, chiefs of police, and other law enforcement to establish a complete identification system for the specified offenses and juvenile cases.
Publish a list of reportable offenses and provide training on reporting fingerprints and dispositions.
A(4) – Sex offender and related registrations
The Bureau’s duties continue under Chapter 2950, including sexually oriented and child-victim offenses.
A(5) – National crime prevention and privacy compact; centralized records
The bureau continues centralized recordkeeping for state criminal history, serving as the state’s compact officer for the national compact (109.571 et seq.).
A(6) – Forensics aid to coroners
The bureau shall assist coroners with identifications using fingerprints.
B – Standard reporting forms
The BCI will provide standard forms (in paper or electronic formats) for reporting the required information.
C – Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (data sharing)
The bill authorizes establishing and operating an Ohio law enforcement gateway for centralized data storage and dissemination among law enforcement and justice partners.
Gateway may include adult and juvenile offense data, and can exchange information under the national compact.
Access controls established by AG rules to limit who can access gateway data (police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, with designated designees; coroners and medical boards may view but not alter).
Addresses inclusion of address confidentiality program participants’ data in the gateway.
Advisory steering committee may be formed to guide gateway operations.
D– Public records and confidentiality
Certain information obtained under this section is not a public record.
E– Access, fees, and employment checks
AG may adopt rules for obtaining and releasing information; reasonable fees may be charged.
Special provisions for temporary employment services and for dissemination of FBI records; limited circumstances for releases.
F– Expanded workforce-specific checks
Expanded list of education, child services, head start, private providers, and related organizations that may request information about individuals applying for employment.
Agencies may request criminal records from all states/federal government under the national compact.
Timelines: within 30 days for existing records; 30 days for FBI data, subject to restrictions.
G– Other employment-related requests
Additional entities in health care, long-term care ombudsmen, and direct-care providers may request information for employment checks.
Similar timing and dissemination rules apply.
H– Confidentiality and I– Fees
Information obtained is confidential; potential fees for information requests.
J– Definitions
Clarifies terms like “pediatric respite care program,” and “sexually oriented offense,” and “registered private provider.”
109.60 – Fingerprinting at arrest and case forwarding
Reaffirms sheriffs/police must fingerprint upon arrest, or ensure fingerprint collection, and forward ITN, fingerprints, and related data to the BCI for disposition classification.
Adds multiple scenarios (grand jury, direct indictment, community control, detention, etc.) to ensure fingerprints and case data are captured and transmitted.
If fingerprints were not taken but required, courts must order fingerprints or direct an appearance for fingerprinting.
Courts must verify whether fingerprints exist for original arrests and dispositions at sentencing/adjudication; if not, take fingerprints.
2953.32 – Sealing/expungement provisions (and related debts)
Lists exemptions from sealing/expungement eligibility (e.g., certain felonies, violent offenses, major marijuana-related offenses, etc.).
Establishes criteria for sealing/expungement timelines and procedures, including hearings, notice, rehabilitation considerations, and public-interest determinations.
Fees for sealing/expungement: applicant pays $50 (plus up to $50 local court fees), with distribution requirements if a fee is paid.
Provisions for multiple records in one application; oversight of hearings; potential sealing/expungement consequences for subsequent offenses.
Retains records of expunged convictions at BCI for limited law-enforcement eligibility determinations.
5122.311 – Mental illness adjudication notifications
Mandates court-ordered mental illness determinations be communicated promptly to the Attorney General, for incompetency records checks; confidentiality preserved.
Section 3–OH Courts Technology Initiative (amendment to HB 96)
Recasts funding approach: earmark remains for Ohio Courts Technology Initiative but clarifies the AG’s role in facilitating data exchange and data warehousing among courts and justice partners, focusing more on hardware/software rather than training programs.
Broadens eligibility to include more courts and clerks, removing the population threshold and common pleas restriction.
Requires transfer of outstanding grants and program records from the Supreme Court to the AG’s office by a date set.
HB 689 modernizes and streamlines fingerprinting, disposition reporting, and related background-check processes in Ohio. It strengthens electronic reporting, clarifies when and how fingerprints are collected and transmitted, standardizes data collection across courts and agencies, and improves access controls and reporting through the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway. It also tightens sealing/expungement procedures and updates mental-health notification requirements, while reorganizing tech initiative funding to emphasize enhanced information sharing and data infrastructure across the justice system. Overall, the bill seeks to improve data integrity and interagency coordination with minimal net fiscal impact, leveraging potential federal or grant support to offset startup costs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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