HB 519 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Prohibit specified actions with intent to steal a motor vehicle

HB 519 amends Ohio law to make it a crime to possess an electronic device (like a key fob or hacking tool) when circumstances suggest the intent to steal a motor vehicle. It directly affects individuals who attempt to steal vehicles using electronic means, such as bypassing security systems. The key provision prohibits holding such devices in situations where the intent to commit vehicle theft is evident, rather than requiring actual theft to occur. This change clarifies and strengthens existing statutes to address electronic vehicle theft methods.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Oct 14, 2025 Last action Feb 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced As Passed by the House · 6 edits · Nov 19, 2025
MODERATE
This bill significantly expanded the scope of Ohio's juvenile justice and criminal code amendments. The House version broadened the bill's purpose from focusing solely on electronic device theft to include a wider range of theft offenses involving motor vehicles. Additionally, the bill now includes extensive new definitions related to juvenile justice terminology and expands victim rights provisions across multiple sections.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from amending only section 2923.24 to amending six sections (2152.02, 2152.19, 2923.24, 2930.12, 2930.13, and 2951.03) of the Revised Code, covering juvenile justice definitions, victim rights, and sentencing procedures.
SCOPE

Changed from prohibiting possession of electronic devices only for motor vehicle theft to prohibiting possession for any theft offense involving a motor vehicle

DEFINITION

Added 26 new definitions covering juvenile justice terms including 'delinquent child,' 'serious youthful offender,' 'mandatory transfer,' and various offense categories

Added comprehensive definitions for juvenile justice concepts including 'traditional juvenile,' 'repeat motor vehicle theft juvenile offender,' and various types of serious youthful offender dispositions

REQUIREMENT

Expanded victim rights by adding requirements for victim impact statements and victim notification procedures in both criminal and juvenile proceedings

Added new provisions requiring victim impact statements in cases where children cause physical harm to victims

ENFORCEMENT

Modified sentencing for possessing criminal tools with electronic devices from a fifth-degree felony to a fourth-degree felony when electronic devices are involved

Floor votes · House Nov 20, 2025

How they voted

810
Passed
Total votes 81
Nov 20, 2025
D Democratic24
24 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican57
57 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Nov 25, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
Nov 20, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (81-0)
house
Nov 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Oct 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Oct 14, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Andrea White
Andrea White
RRepublican
OH
36