3717.31 Prosecution and other remedies when board of health is licensor. - Ohio Statutes

3717.31 Prosecution and other remedies when board of health is licensor.

(A) This section applies when the licensor of retail food establishments is a board of health.

As used in this section, “prosecutor” has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) At the request of the board of health, the prosecutor with jurisdiction in the area where a person allegedly has violated section 3717.21 of the Revised Code shall commence a criminal prosecution against the person.

At the request of a board of health, the director of agriculture shall provide enforcement support to assist in the prosecution of a person who is not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under it applicable to retail food establishments. Requests shall be made and assistance shall be provided in accordance with rules adopted by the director of agriculture under section 3717.33 of the Revised Code.

(C) At the request of the board of health, the prosecutor with jurisdiction in the area where a person or government entity allegedly has failed to comply with a requirement of this chapter or the rules adopted under it applicable to retail food establishments shall commence in common pleas court an action requesting the issuance of a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction or a mandamus action regarding the act of noncompliance. The court may grant the appropriate relief if it is shown that the respondent failed to comply with the requirement.

Notwithstanding the penalties established in section 2705.05 of the Revised Code, a person or government entity found to be in contempt of court for failing to comply with a restraining order, injunction, or writ of mandamus issued pursuant to this division shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars for each offense. Each day the noncompliance continues is a separate offense.

(D) Fifty per cent of all fines collected under this section shall be deposited in an appropriate fund created for the board’s use in administering the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under it applicable to retail food establishments. The remaining fifty per cent shall be credited to the general fund of the political subdivision in which the case is prosecuted.

(E) The remedies available under this section are in addition to any other remedies available under the law.

Effective Date: 11-03-1999