The Ohio Supreme Court will accept a second round of public comment until March 6 on amendments to the annual update to the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Comments were also accepted in the fall last year.

The proposed amendments concern changes to the rules of appellate procedure, civil procedure, criminal procedure, juvenile procedure and the Ohio Rules of Evidence.

Many of the proposed changes target inconsistencies, remove outdated concepts, and clarify the rules. The proposed amendments to Civ. R. 4.4 and Juv. R. 16 make it clear that service by posting can be used in initial actions and expand it to post-decree matters. In addition to the traditional “posting” of a notice on the courthouse bulletin board, service would use the county clerk of court’s website if it exists, although the amendments don’t require electronic posting.

Pursuant to the Ohio Constitution, the proposed amendments were filed with the General Assembly on January 15. The Supreme Court can revise and refile the amendments with the General Assembly before May 1. The amendments would take effect on July 1, unless before that date the General Assembly adopts a concurrent resolution of disapproval.

Publication of these proposed amendments for public comment at this time does not imply that the Supreme Court endorses or will approve for filing with the General Assembly any or all of the proposed amendments.

View the text of the proposed amendments. Comments should be submitted in writing to:

Jo Ellen Cline, Government Relations Counsel
Ohio Supreme Court
65 South Front Street, Seventh Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
or
j.cline@sc.ohio.gov.

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