537.12 MISUSE OF 9-1-1 SYSTEM.
   (a)   As used in this section, “9-1-1 system” means a system through which individuals can request emergency service using the access number 9-1-1.
(ORC 128.01(A))
   (b)   No person shall knowingly use the telephone number of a 9-1-1 system established under Ohio R.C. Chapter 128 to report an emergency if the person knows that no emergency exists.
   (c)   No person shall knowingly use a 9-1-1 system for a purpose other than obtaining emergency service.
   (d)   No person shall disclose or use any information concerning telephone numbers, addresses, or names obtained from the database that serves the public safety answering point of a 9-1-1 system established under Ohio R.C. Chapter 128, except for any of the following purposes or under any of the following circumstances:
      (1)   For the purpose of the 9-1-1 system;
      (2)   For the purpose of responding to an emergency call to an emergency service provider;
      (3)   In the circumstance of the inadvertent disclosure of such information due solely to technology of the wireless telephone network portion of the 9-1-1 system not allowing access to the database to be restricted to 9-1-1 specific answering lines at a public safety answering point;
      (4)   In the circumstance of access to a database being given by a telephone company that is a wireless service provider to a public utility or municipal utility in handling customer calls in times of public emergency or service outages. The charge, terms, and conditions for the disclosure or use of such information for the purpose of such access to a database shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Steering Committee;
      (5)   In the circumstance of access to a database given by a telephone company that is a wireline service provider to a state and local government in warning of a public emergency, as determined by the Steering Committee. The charge, terms and conditions for the disclosure or use of that information for the purpose of access to a database is subject to the jurisdiction of the Steering Committee.
         (ORC 128.96(F) - (H))
   (e)   (1)   Whoever violates division (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
      (2)   Whoever violates division (c) or (d) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense and a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law on each subsequent offense.
         (ORC 128.99(A), (B))