Criminal Justice

in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 879: Prohibit unlawful removal of item used as a memorial for the dead

To amend section 2909.05 of the Revised Code to prohibit the unlawful removal of any item or adornment from any tomb, monument, gravestone, or other similar structure that is used as a memorial for the dead.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by prohibiting unlawful removal of memorial items, addressing property crimes and enhancing protection of victims' rights.95% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 858: Designate Foster Youth Bill of Rights Awareness Day

HB 858 designates May 15 as "Foster Youth Bill of Rights Awareness Day" to raise public awareness about the rights of children in the foster care system. The bill achieves this by adding a new section to the state's Revised Code that officially recognizes the date. This legislative action does not alter existing laws or funding but serves as a symbolic measure to highlight the importance of protecting foster youth.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill raises awareness of foster youth rights, protecting civil rights within the juvenile justice system.65% confidence

Tags Children

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 901: Enact Amya's Law for Child Access Prevention

To amend sections 2923.11, 5739.01, 5739.02, 5739.03, 5739.17, 5747.08, and 5747.98 and to enact sections 2923.26, 2923.27, 3701.982, and 5747.74 of the Revised Code to enact Amya's Law for Child Access Prevention to provide for the safe storage of firearms, to authorize a nonrefundable income tax credit for the purchase of secure storage and safety devices, and to exempt such devices from sales and use tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides a nonrefundable income tax credit and exempts safety devices from sales tax, offering direct fiscal relief to taxpayers.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enacts child access prevention laws to reduce firearm accidents and crimes, directly strengthening public safety and crime prevention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits Firearms

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 899: Require foster caregivers to securely store firearms

HB 899 requires foster caregivers to securely store firearms to protect children in their care. The bill amends existing state laws to mandate this safety measure for anyone providing foster care services. By updating the Revised Code, the legislation aims to reduce the risk of accidental gun access within foster homes. This policy change directly impacts foster parents and agencies responsible for the welfare of placed children.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates secure firearm storage in foster homes to prevent accidental gun access, directly supporting public safety and reducing risks associated with juvenile justice and child welfare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Tags Children

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 924: Create the court-appointed public defender loan repayment program

HB 924 establishes a new loan repayment program for attorneys working as court-appointed public defenders in Ohio. Under this initiative, the state public defender office will repay up to $50,000 of eligible educational loans for lawyers who commit to working at least 1,000 hours per year for a total of ten consecutive years or fifteen nonconsecutive years within a twenty-year span. To qualify, applicants must have made timely monthly payments on their loans, not be enrolled in other federal or state debt forgiveness programs, and hold a license in good standing. The program is administered through rules set by the state public defender, which will include procedures for applications, verification of information, and public inquiries. Funding for these repayments will come from a dedicated state treasury account established to receive donations, gifts, and bequests specifically for this purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a loan repayment program for public defenders, directly increasing funding for essential legal services and public officials.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens the public defender system by funding loan repayment, ensuring adequate legal representation for indigent defendants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Courts

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 914: Regards rape, sexual battery definition for parental rights law

HB 914 updates the legal definitions of rape and sexual battery specifically for laws dealing with parental rights. The bill clarifies that these terms refer to violations of state criminal statutes or similar laws from other states or foreign jurisdictions. It also defines parental rights to include parenting time and other responsibilities, while explicitly excluding the duty of financial support. These changes aim to ensure consistency in how serious sexual offenses are interpreted within family law proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies definitions of rape and sexual battery to ensure consistent interpretation of serious sexual offenses within family law contexts.85% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 425: Establish the violent crime reduction grant program

SB 425 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, crime gun intelligence centers, and forensic capacity improvements. To receive money, applicants must submit proposals that prioritize strategies supported by peer-reviewed research or federal guidance. The Division of Criminal Justice Services will manage the application process, evaluate projects based on their potential to improve clearance rates, and monitor how funds are used. Additionally, the bill requires the agency to publish annual reports detailing awarded grants and their outcomes for public review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new grant program to fund violent crime reduction strategies, directly increasing state spending on 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 Firearms Law Enforcement Violent Crime Tags Public Safety

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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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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 867: Establish minimum jail, state correctional institution standards

To amend sections 5120.05 and 5120.10 and to enact sections 5120.052 and 5120.101 of the Revised Code to establish minimum standards for jails and state correctional institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes minimum standards for jails and correctional institutions, enhancing oversight and protecting rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 935: Let criminal court make certain mental capacity determinations

To amend sections 149.43, 2101.24, 2108.90, 2945.38, 2945.39, 2945.401, 5122.01, 5122.02, 5122.03, 5122.05, 5122.09, 5122.10, 5122.11, 5122.111, 5122.112, 5122.12, 5122.13, 5122.14, 5122.141, 5122.15, 5122.20, 5122.23, 5122.25, 5122.26, 5122.27, 5122.271, 5122.29, 5122.31, 5122.311, 5122.35, 5122.36, 5122.38, 5122.41, 5122.43, 5123.01, 5123.21, 5123.39, 5123.57, 5123.58, 5123.61, 5123.70, 5123.71, 5123.73, 5123.74, 5123.75, 5123.76, 5123.79, 5123.81, 5123.811, 5123.86, 5123.89, 5123.92, 5123.95, 5123.96, and 5123.97 and to enact section 5122.051 of the Revised Code to allow a criminal court to determine whether a defendant is a mentally ill person subject to a court order or a person with an intellectual disability subject to institutionalization if the criminal court is determining whether the defendant is competent to stand trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows courts to determine mental capacity, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing mental health needs and potentially reducing recidivism through better rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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