Ethics Law Overview

The Ohio Ethics Law requires that new public officials and employees receive a copy of the Ohio Ethics Law and related statutes within 15 days of beginning the performance of their official duties. The copy of the law must be provided by the public agency the public official or employee serves or the appointing authority. The new public official or employee must also acknowledge receipt of the law in writing. A PDF copy of the Ohio Ethics Law is attached below for your convenience in providing it to new public officials and employees.

We also recommend that you furnish new public officials and employees with the second document attached below. This Overview of the Ohio Ethics Law is a helpful accompaniment to the law itself which explains and describes the law in layperson easy-to-understand terms. The document also contains examples and links to fact sheets and advisory opinions that makes the Ethics Law understandable and relatable.