Ohio § 4501.271
Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 4501.271, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 4501.271.
(A)(1) A peace officer, correctional employee, or youth services employee may file a written
request with the bureau of motor vehicles to do either or both of the following: (a) Prohibit disclosure of the officer's or employee's residence address as contained
in motor vehicle records of the bureau; (b) Provide a business address to be displayed on the officer's or employee's driver's
license or certificate of registration, or both. (2) The officer or employee shall file the request described in division (A)(1) of this
section on a form provided by the registrar of motor vehicles and shall provide any
documentary evidence verifying the person's status as a peace officer, correctional
employee, or youth services employee and the officer's or employee's business address
that the registrar requires pursuant to division (G) of this section. (B)(1) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, if a peace officer, correctional
employee, or youth services employee has filed a request under division (A) of this
section, neither the registrar nor an employee or contractor of the bureau of motor
vehicles shall knowingly disclose the residence address of the officer or employee
that the bureau obtained in connection with a motor vehicle record. (2) In accordance with section 149.43 of the Revised Code , the registrar or an employee or contractor of the bureau shall make available for
inspection or copying a motor vehicle record of a peace officer, correctional employee,
or youth services employee who has filed a request under division (A) of this section
if the record is a public record under that section, but shall obliterate the residence
address of the officer or employee from the record before making the record available
for inspection or copying. The business address of the officer or employee may be made available in response
to a valid request under section 149.43 of the Revised Code . (C) Notwithstanding division (B)(2) of section 4501.27 of the Revised Code , the registrar or an employee or contractor of the bureau may disclose the residence
address of a peace officer, correctional employee, or youth services employee who
files a request under division (A) of this section only in accordance with division (B)(1) of section 4501.27 of the Revised Code or pursuant to a court order. (D) If a peace officer, correctional employee, or youth services employee files a request
under division (A)(1)(b) of this section, the officer shall still provide a residence
address in any application for a driver's license or license renewal and in any application
for a motor vehicle registration or registration renewal. In accordance with sections 4503.101 and 4507.09 of the Revised Code , an officer or employee shall notify the registrar of any change in the officer's
or employee's residence within ten days after the change occurs. (E) A certificate of registration issued to a peace officer, correctional employee, or
youth services employee who files a request under division (A)(1)(b) of this section
shall display the business address of the officer. Notwithstanding section 4507.13 of the Revised Code , a driver's license issued to an officer or employee who files a request under division
(A)(1)(b) of this section shall display the business address of the officer or employee. (F) The registrar may utilize the residence address of a peace officer, correctional
employee, or youth services employee who files a request under division (A)(1)(b)
of this section in carrying out the functions of the bureau of motor vehicles, including
determining the district of registration for any applicable motor vehicle tax levied
under Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, determining whether tailpipe emissions inspections
are required, and financial responsibility verification. (G) The registrar shall adopt rules governing a request for confidentiality of a peace
officer's, correctional employee's, or youth services employee's residence address
or use of a business address, including the documentary evidence required to verify
the person's status as a peace officer, correctional employee, or youth services employee,
the length of time that the request will be valid, procedures for ensuring that the
bureau of motor vehicles receives notice of any change in a person's status as a peace
officer, correctional employee, or youth services employee, and any other procedures
the registrar considers necessary. The rules of the registrar may require an officer or employee to surrender any certificate
of registration and any driver's license bearing the business address of the officer
or employee and, upon payment of any applicable fees, to receive a certificate of
registration and license bearing the officer's or employee's residence address, whenever
the officer or employee no longer is associated with that business address. (H) As used in this section: (1) “Motor vehicle record” has the same meaning as in section 4501.27 of the Revised Code . (2) “ Peace officer ” means those persons described in division (A)(1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (9), (10),
(12), (13), or (15) of section 109.71 of the Revised Code, an officer, agent, or employee
of the state or any of its agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions,
upon whom, by statute, a duty to conserve the peace or to enforce all or certain laws
is imposed and the authority to arrest violators is conferred, within the limits of
that statutory duty and authority, an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification
and investigation as defined in section 2903.11 of the Revised Code , the house sergeant at arms appointed under division (B)(1) of section 101.311 of the Revised Code , any assistant sergeant at arms appointed under division (C)(1) of section 101.311 of the Revised Code , the senate sergeant at arms, and an assistant senate sergeant at arms. “ Peace officer ” includes state highway patrol troopers but does not include the sheriff of a county
or a supervisory employee who, in the absence of the sheriff, is authorized to stand
in for, exercise the authority of, and perform the duties of the sheriff. (3) “Correctional employee” and “youth services employee” have the same meanings as in section 149.43 of the Revised Code .
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 4501.271
What does Ohio Revised Code § 4501.271 cover?
Section 4501.271 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Ohio § 4501.271?
A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 4501.271" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Ohio law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.
How does Ohio § 4501.271 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.