Opinion ID: 2763786
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: R.C. 3721.22 and 3721.24

Text: {¶ 17} In 1990, the General Assembly passed Am.Sub.H.B. No. 822, which enacted R.C. 3721.22 and 3721.24. Am.Sub.H.B. 822, 143 Ohio Laws, Part IV, 6652, 6689, 6692. {¶ 18} We begin our analysis by examining R.C. 3721.24, the provision in question, and R.C. 3721.22, the provision that defendants argue is pivotal in construing R.C. 3721.24. {¶ 19} R.C. 3721.22 states: (A) No licensed health professional who knows or suspects that a resident has been abused or neglected, or that a resident’s property has been misappropriated, by any individual used by a long-term care facility or residential care facility to provide services to residents, shall fail to report that knowledge or suspicion to the director of health. (B) Any person, including a resident, who knows or suspects that a resident has been abused or neglected, or that a resident’s property has been misappropriated, by any individual used by a long-term care facility or residential care facility to provide services to residents, may report that knowledge or suspicion to the director of health. (C) Any person who in good faith reports suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation to the director of health, provides information during an investigation of suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation conducted by the director, or participates in a hearing conducted under section 3721.23 of the Revised Code is not subject to criminal prosecution, liable in damages in a tort or other civil action, or subject to professional 8 January Term, 2014 disciplinary action because of injury or loss to person or property allegedly arising from the making of the report, provision of information, or participation in the hearing. (D) If the director has reason to believe that a violation of division (A) of this section has occurred, the director may report the suspected violation to the appropriate professional licensing authority and to the attorney general, county prosecutor, or other appropriate law enforcement official. (E) No person shall knowingly make a false allegation of abuse or neglect of a resident or misappropriation of a resident’s property, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false allegation, when the allegation is made for the purpose of incriminating another. (Emphasis added.) {¶ 20} R.C. 3721.24 states: (A) No person or government entity shall retaliate against an employee or another individual used by the person or government entity to perform any work or services who, in good faith, makes a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a resident or misappropriation of the property of a resident; indicates an intention to make such a report; provides information during an investigation of suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation conducted by the director of health; or participates in a hearing conducted under section 3721.23 of the Revised Code or in any other administrative or judicial proceedings pertaining to the suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. For purposes of 9 Supreme Court of Ohio this division, retaliatory actions include discharging, demoting, or transferring the employee or other person, preparing a negative work performance evaluation of the employee or other person, reducing the benefits, pay, or work privileges of the employee or other person, and any other action intended to retaliate against the employee or other person. (B) No person or government entity shall retaliate against a resident who reports suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation; indicates an intention to make such a report; provides information during an investigation of alleged abuse, neglect, or misappropriation conducted by the director; or participates in a hearing under section 3721.23 of the Revised Code or in any other administrative or judicial proceeding pertaining to the suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation; or on whose behalf any other person or government entity takes any of those actions. For purposes of this division, retaliatory actions include abuse, verbal threats or other harsh language, change of room assignment, withholding of services, failure to provide care in a timely manner, and any other action intended to retaliate against the resident. (C) Any person has a cause of action against a person or government entity for harm resulting from violation of division (A) or (B) of this section. If it finds that a violation has occurred, the court may award damages and order injunctive relief. The court may award court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party. (Emphasis added.) 10 January Term, 2014