Section 15 - [Effective until 4/1/2024] Confidentiality of Character and Fitness Matters(A) All information, proceedings, or documents relating to the character and fitness investigation of an applicant for admission, including all character questionnaires submitted pursuant to this rule, shall be confidential, and no person shall disclose any information, proceedings and documents except for any of the following purposes:(1) To further any character and fitness investigation of the applicant under this rule;(2) In connection with investigations of the applicant under Gov. Bar R. V;(3) Pursuant to a written release of the applicant in connection with the applicant's application for admission to the practice of law in another jurisdiction;(4) To file a final report with the Court pursuant to Sections 13(E) or 14(E) of this rule;(5) Pursuant to divisions (C) and (D) of this section.(B) This section applies to members, employees, and agents of the Supreme Court; members, employees, and agents of the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness; members and employees of local and regional admissions committees and the employees of the members of such committees; employees of local or regional bar associations; court reporters retained for character and fitness hearings or proceedings; witnesses; and attorneys representing applicants.(C) A record filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 12(E) of this rule shall be filed under seal. After sixty days, the record shall become public unless the Supreme Court, on motion by the applicant or sua sponte, orders that the record or portions of the record remain confidential.(D) Information or documents otherwise confidential pursuant to division (A) of this section may be released to an appropriate governing board, law enforcement agency, or other authority having jurisdiction to investigate a violation of a rule of the Supreme Court or of a state or federal statute, if all of the following apply: (1) During the course of the character and fitness investigation of an applicant under this rule, an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Ohio learns of a violation of a rule of the Supreme Court or of a state or federal statute;(2) The attorney obtains the consent of the Board to release the otherwise confidential information or documents in order to report the violation to the appropriate governing board, law enforcement agency, or other authority having jurisdiction to investigate the violation;(3) The attorney reveals only such information or documents as are necessary for the authority to investigate the violation.(E) The failure of any person to abide by these confidentiality provisions and any confidentiality procedures established by the Board shall be deemed to be contempt of the Supreme Court and may be punished accordingly.Amended April 4, 2020, effective 6/1/2020.