HB 296 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Delay offender financial sanctions until 180 days after release

Summary
To amend section 2929.18 of the Revised Code to delay financial sanctions for one hundred eighty days after an offender's release from prison or completion of transitional control.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced May 20, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced As Passed by the House · 7 edits · Feb 18, 2026
MODERATE
This bill amends Ohio's financial sanctions law to delay the imposition of certain fines and fees for 180 days after an offender's release from prison or completion of transitional control. The changes add new mandatory fine requirements for specific felony types, establish new restitution standards for human trafficking victims, and create new funds for law enforcement and victim services. The bill also clarifies how sanctions are collected and distributed among various government entities.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of financial sanctions by adding new mandatory fine requirements for drug-related felonies, OVI offenses, and other specific crimes, while simultaneously delaying when some sanctions must be paid to help with reentry.
TIMELINE

Added a 180-day delay period before offenders must pay certain financial sanctions after release from prison or completion of transitional control.

REQUIREMENT

Established mandatory minimum fines for first, second, and third degree felonies involving drugs, firearms, or explosives, ranging from 50% to 100% of the maximum statutory fine.

Created new restitution requirements for human trafficking victims, including costs for housing, counseling, medical and legal assistance, and the greater of gross income or minimum wage value of victim's labor.

Added new mandatory fines for police dog/horse deaths and specific crimes like domestic violence, rape, and sexual battery, with funds directed to specific programs.

FISCAL

Established new funds for law enforcement agencies, address confidentiality programs, and county/municipal sanction cost reimbursements.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded collection procedures to include wage assignment, property attachment, and garnishment for unpaid financial sanctions.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for sexually oriented offenses and child-victim oriented offenses for enhanced fine requirements.

Floor votes · House Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

856
Passed
Total votes 91
Feb 19, 2026
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican60
54 Yea 6 Nay
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
Feb 19, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (85-6)
house
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
May 20, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors