The Ohio Court of Claims was created to hear claims against the state for money damages and to hear appeals from Attorney General decisions regarding claims filed under the Victims of Crime Compensation Program. In this regard, the state includes the General Assembly, Supreme Court, offices of all elected state officers (governor, attorney general, auditor of the state, secretary of state and treasurer of state), all state departments, boards, offices, commissions, agencies, institutions, and state colleges and universities. In response to Senate Bill 321, which became law in 2016, the Court of Claims also handles public records claims. These cases between citizens and the government regarding access to public records are referred to mediation for resolution. Cases filed here typically involve: • contract disputes • property damage • personal injury • immunity of state officers and employees • employment discrimination • wrongful imprisonment • denial of public records requests