An abortion rights group wants the Ohio Supreme Court to order the state's health department to release public records detailing certain communication between the agency and an anti-abortion organization.
The Dec. 24 lawsuit claims the department is wrongfully withholding records showing phone calls and emails between Ohio Right to Life leaders and state health officials. The case stems from a public records request that NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio made in late October.
The department declined the request, saying it was too broad and did not provide enough information to identify the records.
The court on Tuesday referred the case to mediation, meaning a Supreme Court official will seek to resolve issues over the request between the two sides.
A health department spokeswoman said the agency has no comment on pending litigation.