(A) The state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services shall investigate any allegation that a person has violated this chapter or a rule adopted under it.

Any person may submit to the board a written complaint regarding an alleged violation of this chapter or a rule adopted under it. In the absence of fraud or bad faith, no person submitting a complaint to the board or testifying in an adjudication hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code with regard to such an alleged violation shall be liable to any person in damages in a civil action as a result of submitting the complaint or providing testimony.

(B) In investigating an allegation, the board may do any of the following:

(1) Administer oaths;

(2) Order the taking of depositions;

(3) Issue subpoenas;

(4) Compel the attendance of witnesses and production of books, accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony.

(C) A subpoena for patient record information shall not be issued without consultation with the attorney general's office and approval of the executive director of the board. Before issuance of a subpoena for patient record information, the executive director shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the complaint filed alleges a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under it and that the records sought are relevant to the alleged violation and material to the investigation. The subpoena may apply only to records that cover a reasonable period of time surrounding the alleged violation.

(D) On failure to comply with any subpoena issued by the board and after reasonable notice to the person being subpoenaed, the board may move, pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure, for an order compelling the production of persons or records.

(E) A subpoena issued by the board may be served by a sheriff, the sheriff's deputy, or an investigator for the division of emergency medical services of the department of public safety. Service of a subpoena issued by the board may be made by delivering a copy of the subpoena to the person named in it, reading it to the person, or leaving it at the person's usual place of residence. When the person being served is an individual authorized by this chapter to practice emergency medical services, service of the subpoena may be made by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, and the subpoena shall be deemed served on the date delivery is made or on the date that the person refuses to accept delivery.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 7, HB 51, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2013.

Effective Date: 01-18-2007 .