OP&F responds to public records and information requests promptly and thoroughly. However, state law spells out exactly what records OP&F is permitted to release.

A recent request from a major daily newspaper would have revealed personal information that is strictly prohibited from release. We notified the newspapers of this fact and also the specific law in the Ohio Revised Code governing the release of this information.

There is an exception to the Public Records Act that applies to OP&F members. Section 149.43(A)(1)(v) provides that if any provision of Ohio law prohibits public disclosure of a certain type of record, then the public office (in this case, OP&F) must not release it.

OP&F’s governing law contains this type of provision. Specifically, Ohio Revised Code Section 742.41 and Rule 72-7-02 of the Ohio Administrative Code prohibits OP&F from disclosing a member’s personal history record without written authorization from the member. This record contains a member’s name, address and other personal information.

OP&F will continue to place the highest level of importance to protecting our member’s personal information.