What type of records are excluded from being classified as personal information?

The reason that published directories and reference materials are excluded from being classified as personal information lies in their very nature. These types of records generally contain information that is intended for public access and dissemination. Unlike personal information, which is typically sensitive and restricted to protect an individual’s privacy, published directories and reference materials are created with the expectation that they will be shared and utilized by the public or specific professionals.

In the context of Ohio funeral director laws, this distinction is significant because it delineates between what is deemed confidential and what can be openly circulated. Such published materials may include information like names, addresses, and contact details, which are not considered personal information if they are part of a larger, publicly available document.

The other types of records, such as manual records maintained by the board or confidential legal documents, generally contain sensitive information that requires protection under privacy laws. Internal administrative guidelines are also typically not shared publicly and may contain proprietary or sensitive operational information. Therefore, it is clear why published directories and reference materials stand out as an exception in this context.