The Ohio Supreme Court will accept public comments on proposed amendments to Rule of Superintendence 16 that would allow a common pleas court to offer mediation in certain types of civil stalking protection order cases. The rules are proposed following an 18-month mediation pilot program in 12 counties across Ohio from June 2017 to December 2018.

In the pilot program, mediation was successful in cases such as neighbors fighting over pets, or disputes about property lines. Mediation would continue to be prohibited where mandatory screening determined:

• Parties are family or household members as defined by RC 3113.31
• There is a sexually oriented offense
• There is ongoing physical violence
• Threats of serious physical harm or threatened use of a deadly weapon
• A criminal case is pending from the same facts
• One party exerts coercion or intimidation based on past violence
• One party remains afraid of the other party despite the implementation of safety precautions, or
• Any other circumstance deemed relevant that puts a party or mediator at risk of harm or abuse.

Public comments should be submitted in writing or via email no later than Sept. 25, 2019 to:

Catherine Geyer
Dispute Resolution Program Manager
Ohio Supreme Court
65 S. Front Street
Columbus, Oh 43215-3431
Or
CSPO.DisputeResolution@sc.ohio.gov

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