Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Ohio · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 656: Create the offense of negligent assault of a peace officer

HB 656 would create a new criminal offense for negligently assaulting a peace officer in Ohio. It directly affects individuals who unintentionally cause harm to officers through careless actions, such as accidentally hitting an officer while driving recklessly. The bill amends existing Ohio law (sections 2903.14 and 2927.15) to add this specific offense, distinguishing it from intentional assault. This change would establish a clear legal category for careless harm to officers, separate from other assault charges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for negligent harm to officers, expanding criminalization per bill's explicit language and subject focus on Crimes/Law Enforcement.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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passed · Ohio · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 346: Enact V.J.'s Law

To amend sections 2151.421 and 2151.99 of the Revised Code to enact V.J.'s Law to require mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect to report to both a peace officer and the public children services agency.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires mandatory child abuse reporting to peace officers, strengthening law enforcement's role and the criminal justice system's capacity to address child abuse.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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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 · 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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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 559: Allow for the waiver of peace officer refresher training

HB 559 allows peace officers (such as police and sheriff's deputies) to skip mandatory refresher training under specific circumstances, declared as an emergency. The bill's key provision is creating a process for state authorities to grant waivers, bypassing standard training requirements. This directly affects active peace officers who would otherwise need to complete annual training. The emergency declaration suggests urgency, likely related to staffing shortages or crisis response needs, though the abstract doesn't detail specific waiver conditions. (1-2 sentences as it's a procedural bill.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBy allowing the waiver of mandatory training, the bill would reduce government expenditures associated with peace officer training programs, impacting state budgets and fiscal management.75% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill allows peace officers to skip mandatory refresher training, potentially weakening professional standards and oversight within law enforcement.80% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentHB 559 allows peace officers to skip mandatory refresher training, which limits an established employment standard and could weaken a safety-related requirement for these workers.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Professional Licensing Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

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passed · Ohio · Senate Oct 22, 2025

SR 209: In memory of Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton.

This resolution commemorates Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, a law enforcement officer who died while serving, by honoring his memory and sacrifice. It is a ceremonial measure with no policy changes or direct impact on any individuals or groups. The bill does not create new laws, alter regulations, or allocate funding - its sole purpose is to formally recognize his service. As a memorial resolution, it follows standard legislative practice for honoring public servants who died in the line of duty.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSR 209 honors a fallen law enforcement officer, acknowledging their service within the criminal justice system, which provides symbolic support for law enforcement.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Oct 8, 2025

SB 279: Ban discouraging, barring law enforcement from carrying off duty

To amend sections 2923.121 and 2923.1214 and to enact section 2923.1215 of the Revised Code to prohibit a business, state agency, or political subdivision from discouraging or prohibiting a law enforcement officer from carrying a weapon while off duty.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 279 prohibits discouraging off-duty law enforcement from carrying weapons, directly strengthening aspects related to law enforcement's operational capacity within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSB 279 protects the right of off-duty law enforcement officers to carry weapons by limiting employer prohibitions, which strengthens a specific worker's right within employment standards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 188: Regards failure to comply with an order of law enforcement

To amend sections 2921.331 and 2929.14 of the Revised Code to expand the offense of failure to comply with an order or signal of a law enforcement officer.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands the offense of failure to comply with law enforcement orders, directly increasing criminalization within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationThe bill expands an offense (failure to comply with law enforcement orders) often related to traffic stops and pursuits, thereby enhancing road safety by deterring dangerous driving behaviors.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Ohio · House Nov 5, 2025

HR 227: Urge US DOJ to expedite connection of NCIC and NamUs

HR 227 urges the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize connecting the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database - which tracks crime records - and the NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) database. This non-binding resolution does not create new laws but calls on the DOJ to accelerate efforts to integrate these systems. The goal is to help law enforcement more quickly match missing persons reports with unidentified remains stored in NamUs. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and families of missing persons by improving access to critical case information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHR 227 strengthens law enforcement capabilities by urging the DOJ to expedite connecting NCIC and NamUs, aiding in solving missing persons cases and identifying remains.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHR 227 urges the expedited connection and integration of databases (NCIC and NamUs), which promotes the efficient use and advancement of technological systems.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed · Ohio · House Jun 4, 2025

HB 131: Prohibit law enforcement from using quotas for arrests, citations

HB 131 prohibits law enforcement agencies from setting or using numerical quotas for arrests and citations. This means police departments and other agencies would no longer be allowed to require officers to meet specific targets for the number of arrests or tickets they issue. The bill enacts a new section in the Revised Code to make this practice illegal across all law enforcement agencies in the state. By banning quotas, the law aims to ensure that enforcement actions are based on individual circumstances rather than arbitrary numerical goals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 131 prohibits law enforcement quotas, aiming to ensure fairness in enforcement actions and enhance police accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill prohibits employment quotas for law enforcement officers, which can improve working conditions and protect officers from undue pressure related to employment standards.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationHB 131 regulates law enforcement practices for traffic offenses, aiming for enforcement based on individual circumstances rather than quotas, which can enhance the fairness and effectiveness of transportation safety regulations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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