Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 830: Establish the violent crime reduction grant program

HB 830 creates a new grant program within the Department of Public Safety to help police departments and county sheriff's offices reduce violent crime. The program provides funding for evidence-based strategies such as focused deterrence, hot spot policing, and improved forensic capabilities like DNA and ballistics analysis. Eligible agencies must submit applications to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, which will evaluate and award grants based on the effectiveness of the proposed strategies. Funds can be used for investigative staffing, technology purchases, training, and expanding specific gang intervention models, with strict rules requiring agencies to report on outcomes and ensuring grants do not replace existing local budgets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new grant program providing funding for violent crime reduction strategies within the Department of Public Safety.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a grant program to fund evidence-based strategies for reducing violent crime, directly strengthening law enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

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passed · Ohio · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 852: Require appointed police chief to complete officer basic training

To amend sections 109.77 and 737.15 and to enact sections 505.496 and 737.053 of the Revised Code to require an individual appointed as a chief of police to complete a peace officer basic training program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates police chief training, enhancing accountability and professional standards in law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 691: Enact the Community and Police Protection Act

HB 691, the Community and Police Protection Act, requires law enforcement officers (including federal officers) to remove masks during public interactions while performing duties, except for medical masks (like N95s), safety masks (for smoke/environmental hazards), or SWAT team gear. It mandates officers to display their name and badge number visibly at all times during public contact. Violating these rules is a misdemeanor, with exemptions for undercover operations. The bill directly affects all state and federal officers interacting with the public, aiming to increase transparency in police-citizen encounters.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates officer identification and mask removal during public interactions, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Ohio · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 23: Create the escaped convict alert program

The bill title "Create the escaped convict alert program" is incorrect based on the provided text. This bill (HB 23) actually establishes a framework for appointing security officers at financial institutions and other entities, not an escaped convict alert system. It allows banks, credit unions, railroads, and hospitals to designate personnel as police officers for their premises, subject to Ohio peace officer training requirements and certification. These appointed officers must be Ohio residents of good character, complete approved training within six months, and serve three-year terms. The bill specifically defines "prior parent company" for banks and includes provisions for railroad companies and hospitals meeting certain criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes state training and certification requirements for private entity security officers designated as police, strengthening law enforcement standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Ohio · House Sep 15, 2025

HB 416: Designate Police Officer Phillip Wagner Memorial Highway

To enact section 5534.448 of the Revised Code to designate a portion of United States Route 6 in Lorain County as the "Police Officer Phillip Wagner Memorial Highway."

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill honors a fallen police officer, an act that symbolically strengthens recognition and respect for law enforcement, a key component of the criminal justice system.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationThe bill directly concerns a transportation asset (a highway) by formally designating a portion of it. This act of formal recognition within the transportation system can be seen as a form of 'advancing' or 'strengthening' the administrative and s...75% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Roads & Highways

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signed · Ohio · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 44: Regards law enforcement training and competitive examinations

To amend sections 124.11 and 124.30 and to enact section 737.061 of the Revised Code regarding training schools for prospective law enforcement officers and filling a vacant police department position without a competitive examination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill addresses law enforcement training schools for prospective officers, which strengthens the preparedness and quality of personnel within the criminal justice system.80% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill amends employment standards by allowing vacant police positions to be filled without competitive examination, potentially weakening merit-based hiring processes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Ohio · House Jun 18, 2025

HB 348: Regards duty to carry a concealed handgun license, notify police

To amend sections 109.69, 109.731, 311.41, 311.42, 311.43, 1547.69, 2921.13, 2923.11, 2923.12, 2923.121, 2923.122, 2923.123, 2923.124, 2923.125, 2923.126, 2923.127, 2923.128, 2923.129, 2923.1210, 2923.1211, 2923.1213, 2923.16, 2953.35, and 5502.411 and to repeal section 2923.111 of the Revised Code to repeal the changes made by S.B. 215 of the 134th General Assembly to the laws regarding a concealed handgun licensee's duty to carry the license and notify law enforcement if the licensee is carrying a concealed handgun and to rename concealed handgun licenses as basic competency licenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill repeals prior changes, reinstating a concealed handgun licensee's duty to notify law enforcement, thereby strengthening law enforcement operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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passed · Ohio · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 307: Allow tax increment financing for police, firefighting facilities

SB 307 amends Ohio law to permit local governments to use tax increment financing (TIF) for constructing or renovating police and firefighting facilities. This change directly affects cities and counties seeking to fund public safety infrastructure, as it allows them to leverage future increases in property tax revenue from a designated area to cover project costs. The key mechanism involves designating a specific geographic zone where new tax revenue generated by development (beyond pre-project levels) is redirected to pay for the facility construction. This expands existing TIF rules, which previously excluded public safety facilities, enabling these projects to be financed through a tool commonly used for economic development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill allows local governments to use TIF for police and firefighting facilities, directly affecting taxation, government spending, and fiscal management to fund essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 307 allows tax increment financing for police facilities, directly funding and strengthening infrastructure for law enforcement, a key component of criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 123: Prohibit law enforcement from charging fees for certain videos

To amend section 149.43 of the Revised Code to prohibit a law enforcement agency for charging a fee for preparing or producing a video public record for a person known or presumed to be depicted in the video.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill prohibits law enforcement from charging fees for certain video public records, reducing a financial burden on individuals who are depicted.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from charging fees for video public records to depicted individuals, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights by improving access to crucial evidence.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill allows individuals free access to video public records depicting them, promoting digital rights and data privacy regarding government-held digital information.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Jan 29, 2025

SB 26: Create the Joint Law Enforcement Oversight Committee

SB 26 creates the Joint Law Enforcement Oversight Committee (JLEOC) to evaluate Ohio's training standards and programs for all peace officers. The committee, composed of six bipartisan members (three from the Senate and three from the House), will review existing training requirements, recommend improvements to statutes or rules, and assess related legislation. JLEOC may subpoena witnesses, hold public hearings, and employ technical staff to assist its work. This bill directly affects peace officer training oversight by establishing a formal legislative body to monitor and evaluate current standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSB 26 creates a new committee (JLEOC) that will employ technical staff and conduct operations, requiring state appropriations and increasing government spending.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 26 creates an oversight committee to evaluate and recommend improvements to law enforcement training standards, which enhances police accountability within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSB 26 creates a committee to evaluate and recommend improvements to peace officer training standards, which strengthens employment standards and potentially workplace safety for these workers.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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