CRIME, FAILURE TO REPORT

"No physician, limited practitioner, nurse, or person giving aid to a sick or injured person shall negligently fail to report to law enforcement authorities any gunshot or stab wound treated or observed by him, or any serious physical harm to persons that he knows or has reasonable cause to believe resulted from an offense of violence." ORC § 2921.22 (B) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree. ORC § 2921.22 (H)

"No person who discovers the body or acquires the first knowledge of the death of any person shall fail to report the death immediately to any physician whom the person knows to be treating the deceased for a condition from which death at such a time would not be unexpected, or to a law enforcement officer, ambulance service, emergency squad, or the coroner in a political subdivision in which the body is discovered, the death is believed to have occurred, or knowledge concerning the death is obtained." ORC § 2921.22 (C) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. ORC § 2921.22 (H)

Disclosure of the above information is not required when the information is privileged by reason of relationship between doctor and patient. ORC § 2921.22 (E) (1) Disclosure is also not required when it would mean revealing information acquired in the course of duties performed in connection with a bona fide program of treatment or services for drug-dependent persons or persons in danger of drug dependence, which program is maintained or conducted by a hospital, clinic, person, agency, or organization registered pursuant to section 5122.51 of the Revised Code. ORC § 2921.22 (E) (5)

No disclosure of information pursuant to ORC Section 2921.22 gives rise to any liability or recrimination for a breach of privilege or confidence. ORC § 2921.22 (F)

(See also: BURNS, REPORTING OF;  AUTOPSIES AND POST-MORTEMS)

CRIME, FAILURE TO REPORT