Open Government

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Federal laws such as the Freedom of Information Act, and state laws like Ohio’s Public Records and Open Meetings acts, were designed to promote citizen involvement and government accountability. Transparency allows for increased public awareness of government functions and actions, a higher level of efficiency and accountability, and a deeper sense of trust between leadership and the community.

The Latest

News & Commentary
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Amended House Bill 44 - Proponent Testimony

As this committee has heard, HB 44 would expand Ohio’s public records laws to require recordings of full parole board hearings conducted by the Ohio Parole Board and to allow those recordings and transcriptions to be requested by the public.
Press Release
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ACLU of Ohio Files Lawsuit on behalf of Equitas Health Challenging ‘Healthcare Denial Law’ for Violating Ohio Constitution’s Single-Subject Rule

We filed a lawsuit challenging the so-called ‘medical conscience clause,’ which was snuck into Ohio’s biennial 2022-2023 budget, for violating the Ohio Constitution.
Issue Areas: Open Government
News & Commentary
Collage of a park bench, city hall sign, binoculars, filing cabinet drawer, magnifying glass and money on a dark green background

It’s Sunshine Week - Time to Keep and Eye on Your Government

As the sun comes out again this Spring, bring your own sunshine to the workings of your state and local governments.
News & Commentary
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Public Comment Letter - Sentencing Database

The ACLU of Ohio has two major concerns with how plans for the sentencing database are proceeding - Level of Publicly Available Detail and Public Records.
Court Case
Jul 06, 2021

State ex rel. Collin Marozzi v. Ohio House of Representatives

For over five months, the three highest level officials and staffers in the Ohio House – House Speaker Robert Cupp, his chief of staff Christine Morrison, and Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz – failed to produce a single document. Two others – mapmaker Heather Blessing and Speaker Cupp’s Deputy Chie
Court Case
Apr 20, 2017

ACLU of Illinois et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Court Case
Jul 08, 2016

State Ex. Rel. Joseph Mead v. City of Dayton

Court Case
Sep 12, 2013

State of Ohio, ex rel. Plunderbund Media, LLC v. Ohio Dept. of Public Safety