HB 268 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards filing for certificate of qualification for employment

HB 268 amends Ohio Revised Code Section 2953.25 to change the timing for filing a petition for a certificate of qualification for employment. This bill directly affects individuals seeking this certificate, which is required for certain professional roles. The official abstract states the amendment modifies "when a person may file" the petition but does not specify the exact change in filing timing or new requirements. Without additional details on the specific modification (e.g., extending or restricting the filing window), the key mechanisms cannot be described. The summary is limited to the abstract's stated purpose as no further specifics are provided.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Nov 2025

House Passage

Oct 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced May 13, 2025 Signed Jun 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the Senate → As Enrolled · 9 edits · Jun 24, 2026

MAJOR

This bill amends Ohio's law to allow individuals with criminal convictions to petition for a 'certificate of qualification for employment,' which can help remove automatic barriers to jobs and professional licenses. It establishes specific waiting periods based on whether the offense was a felony or misdemeanor and creates a formal process for courts and agencies to review these petitions. The certificate creates a rebuttable presumption that the individual is fit for employment, shifting the burden to employers to prove otherwise if they wish to deny a license or job.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by creating a new statutory mechanism for relief from collateral sanctions (employment barriers) that did not previously exist in this specific form, applying to individuals convicted of felonies or misdemeanors.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new petition process allowing individuals with criminal records to apply for a certificate of qualification for employment.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'collateral sanction,' 'decision-maker,' 'designee,' and 'department-funded program' to clarify the law's application.

TIMELINE

Established specific waiting periods before an individual can file a petition: one year for felonies and six months for misdemeanors, with a potential waiver for indigent applicants.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the petition form, including personal details, criminal history, employment history, and references, along with a $50 application fee.

Added a 'rebuttable presumption' provision, meaning the certificate legally presumes the person is fit for a job or license unless an employer can prove otherwise with clear and convincing evidence.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a judicial review process where courts must evaluate petitions within 60 days and issue certificates if the individual meets specific criteria, such as showing the certificate will help them obtain employment.

Added immunity for employers who hire individuals with certificates, protecting them from negligence claims if they acted in due care, unless they knowingly retained a dangerous employee.

EXEMPTIONS

Listed specific collateral sanctions that the certificate does NOT lift, including driver's license suspensions, restrictions on law enforcement employment, and certain health care professional license denials.

TECHNICAL

Required the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to maintain a public database tracking granted and revoked certificates and to report on their usage.

As Passed by the House → As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · Jun 3, 2026

MODERATE

The Senate version reorganized the bill's structure and significantly expanded the definition of 'collateral sanctions' to include fines, assessments, and prosecution costs. It also introduced new eligibility criteria that allow individuals who have served time in a department-funded program (not just state prisons) to petition for relief, and it established a rebuttable presumption of eligibility for those who meet specific waiting periods. Additionally, the Senate version added detailed procedures for courts to notify other courts and prosecutors, clarified fee distribution between state and county treasuries, and created a new database to track certificate issuance and revocation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to cover a broader range of sanctions, including fines and costs of prosecution, and to include individuals in state-funded rehabilitation programs as eligible for petitions.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'collateral sanction' was updated to explicitly include fines, assessments, and costs of prosecution, which were previously excluded.

ELIGIBILITY

New eligibility criteria were added allowing individuals who spent time in a 'department-funded program' (such as residential rehabilitation programs) to file a petition, expanding beyond those who served time in state correctional institutions.

REQUIREMENT

New procedural requirements were added, including mandatory notifications to other courts and the county prosecuting attorney, and a specific fee distribution model where $30 goes to the state and $20 to the county.

TIMELINE

A rebuttable presumption of eligibility was introduced for applicants who have waited at least one year for misdemeanors or three years for felonies, shifting the burden of proof to the court to deny the petition.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added to create a state-maintained database to track granted and revoked certificates and to establish immunity for employers who hire individuals with valid certificates.

TECHNICAL

Page numbers and line numbers from the House version were removed, and the text was reorganized into a more structured Senate format.

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 8 edits · Oct 29, 2025

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands access to employment certificates for Ohio residents with criminal records by adding new cosponsors and clarifying the definition of 'collateral sanctions' to exclude standard punishments like prison time. It establishes a streamlined process where individuals who have served time or completed rehabilitation programs can file petitions directly with a designee, while others must file with a court of common pleas. The legislation sets specific waiting periods (one year for felonies, six months for misdemeanors) before filing, creates a rebuttable presumption of eligibility after longer waiting periods, and mandates that courts consider military service records and emotional conditions related to service. It also introduces liability protections for employers who hire certificate holders and requires the state to track and report on the program's usage.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by adding numerous new cosponsors and clarifying that the process applies to individuals residing both inside and outside Ohio, with specific filing procedures for out-of-state residents based on where their conviction occurred.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new category for individuals who have served time in a correctional institution or completed a department-funded program, allowing them to file petitions directly with a designee rather than a court.

DEFINITION

Clarified that 'collateral sanctions' do not include imprisonment, probation, parole, or fines, ensuring the certificate addresses only post-sentencing employment barriers.

TIMELINE

Established specific waiting periods before filing: one year after release for felonies and six months for misdemeanors, with an option for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to set criteria for earlier filing.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that petitions include a summary of criminal history (excluding sealed records), employment history, and verifiable references, along with a fifty-dollar application fee.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a rebuttable presumption of eligibility for individuals who meet longer waiting periods (three years for felonies, one year for misdemeanors), shifting the burden to the court to prove unrehabilitation.

Granted immunity to employers who hire certificate holders against negligence claims if they knew of the certificate at the time of hiring.

FISCAL

Specified that thirty dollars of the application fee goes to the state treasury and twenty dollars to the county general revenue fund.

TECHNICAL

Removed page numbers and line numbers from the text, likely to clean up the document for final passage.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 4, 2026 · House Oct 29, 2025

How they voted

31–0

Passed

Total votes 31

Jun 4, 2026

D Democratic8

8 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican23

23 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 12, 2026

Legislature · Passed

Sent To The Governor

legislature

Jun 4, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (31-0)

senate

Jun 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Nov 5, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Nov 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Oct 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

May 13, 2025

Introduced

lower

2 primary · 8 co-sponsors