COLUMBUS - State Reps. Mike Odioso (R-Green Twp) and Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) introduced House Bill 565, the Grand Jury Privacy and Protection Act, bipartisan legislation designed to safeguard the identities of Ohioans serving on grand juries and uphold the integrity of the judicial process.

Grand jury secrecy has endured as a fundamental principle in the American justice system for several centuries, tracing its origins to medieval England and ancient systems of justice.

The legislation responds to the Ohio Supreme Court's 2024 decision in State ex rel. Culgan v. Jefferson County Clerk of Courts, which ruled that grand juror names are public records subject to disclosure, raising concerns about juror safety, privacy, and independence.

"Grand jurors should be able to serve their communities without fear of retaliation or intimidation," said Rep. Jarrells. "This bill restores long-standing protections and ensures that our justice system remains fair, secure, and trusted."

The Grand Jury Privacy and Protection Act aims to reaffirm the principle of grand jury secrecy while balancing transparency and public trust by amending O.R.C. Section 149.43 to protect the State's substantial interest in the anonymity of grand jurors and grand jury Forepersons' identities and personal addresses from public record searches.

"There are a variety of reasons for this secrecy; One is to ensure the safety of both witnesses and the grand jury members," said Rep. Odioso. "The protection of secrecy allows participants to be candid while shielding jurors from potential intimidation, pressure, or harassment from individuals under investigation or their associates."

The Sheer volume of cases grand jurors and forepersons review underscores the critical need for anonymity. According to a 2022 Court News Ohio report, grand jury services vary statewide, ranging from one day a week for two months, two days a week for four months, or every weekday for two weeks. Jurors may hear up to 15 cases a day.

HB 565 was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives and is currently awaiting committee assignment.