Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 203: Enact Aspen Runnels' Law

To amend sections 2903.06, 2903.08, 2903.081, 4511.01, 4511.132, 4511.20, 4511.202, 4511.204, 4511.205, 4511.21, 4511.25, 4511.251, 4511.26, 4511.27, 4511.28, 4511.29, 4511.30, 4511.31, 4511.32, 4511.33, 4511.34, 4511.35, 4511.36, 4511.37, 4511.38, 4511.39, 4511.41, 4511.42, 4511.43, 4511.431, 4511.44, 4511.441, 4511.46, 4511.54, 4511.60, 4511.711, 4511.712, and 5501.27 and to enact section 4510.039 of the Revised Code to increase penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular homicide that occur in an active school zone, to require doubled fines for specified traffic violations in an active school zone, and to name this act Aspen Runnels' Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeHB 203 increases penalties for vehicular assault and homicide, strengthening punitive measures within the criminal justice system rather than promoting reform.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationHB 203 increases penalties for vehicular assault and homicide, which directly enhances transportation safety by deterring dangerous driving behaviors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 46: Enact the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act

To amend sections 109.57, 2923.125, 2923.128, 2923.1213, and 2923.13 and to enact sections 2923.26, 2923.27, 2923.28, 2923.29, 2923.30, and 2923.99 of the Revised Code to enact the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act to allow certain persons to obtain a court order that temporarily restricts a person's access to firearms under specified circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 46 enacts a new legal mechanism (Extreme Risk Protection Orders) within the court system, directly impacting courts and law enforcement to prevent firearm-related harm, thus strengthening criminal justice tools for public safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

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in committee · Ohio · House May 28, 2025

HB 305: Enact Logan's Law

To amend sections 2925.03, 2929.14, and 3705.08 and to enact section 2941.1427 of the Revised Code to establish penalties for trafficking in pressed pill fentanyl, to require a death certificate to indicate if a death is caused by fentanyl poisoning, and to name this act Logan's Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill establishes new penalties for fentanyl trafficking, which expands criminalization and strengthens punitive measures within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill addresses fentanyl trafficking and requires death certificates to indicate fentanyl poisoning, indirectly supporting public health programs related to substance abuse.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 8, 2025

HB 495: Enact the Freedom to Carry Act

To amend sections 9.68, 109.69, 109.731, 311.41, 311.42, 311.43, 1547.69, 2921.13, 2923.11, 2923.111, 2923.12, 2923.121, 2923.122, 2923.123, 2923.124, 2923.125, 2923.126, 2923.127, 2923.128, 2923.129, 2923.1210, 2923.1211, 2923.1212, 2923.1213, 2923.16, 2923.17, 2953.35, and 4749.10 and to repeal section 1533.04 of the Revised Code to enact the Freedom to Carry Act to rename a concealed handgun license a concealed weapons license and to allow a concealed weapons licensee to carry a concealed deadly weapon other than an exclusive deadly weapon.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill, titled 'Freedom to Carry Act,' aims to expand the ability of licensees to carry concealed weapons. This action can be interpreted as protecting or advancing civil rights related to gun ownership within the criminal justice framework.88% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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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 Feb 12, 2025

SB 97: Double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession

SB 97 increases penalties for drivers who fail to yield to funeral processions in Ohio. It requires funeral processions to have vehicles with headlights on and visible purple/white or orange/white pennants, and mandates that all drivers must yield to these processions. The bill doubles the standard fine for violations, with penalties escalating to a misdemeanor for repeat offenses within one year. This change specifically affects drivers who do not yield, not the processions themselves, and only modifies existing traffic fines without altering procession rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill doubles fines for violations, increasing potential revenue for state/local governments, thereby impacting fiscal management and government revenue.75% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill increases penalties (doubled fines, misdemeanor for repeat offenses) for specific traffic violations, aligning with expanding criminalization and increasing sentences.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationSB 97 enhances transportation safety by implementing vehicle regulations and increasing penalties for drivers who fail to yield to funeral processions on roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

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in committee · Ohio · House Jun 4, 2025

HCR 15: Urge Congress to pass the Defense Against Drones Act of 2025

HCR 15 is a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 1907, the Defense Against Drones Act of 2025. It does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups; it simply expresses support for the companion bill in the House. The resolution serves as a formal request to Congress, not a policy change. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal force and does not alter existing law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHCR 15 urges Congress to pass the Defense Against Drones Act of 2025, which, based on its title and the bill's subjects (Crime and Punishment, Law Enforcement), likely strengthens criminal justice capabilities related to drone use.80% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyHCR 15 urges passage of a 'Defense Against Drones Act,' which implies a policy to regulate, counter, or limit the use of drone technology, fitting 'RESTRICT' or 'LIMIT' the topic area.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationHCR 15 urges Congress to pass the Defense Against Drones Act, which would affect air transport. 'Air and Rail Transport' and 'Transportation' are explicit subjects of the bill, indicating support for policies impacting transportation safety and re...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 265: Add animal offenses to foster, adoption record check disqualifier

To amend section 109.572 of the Revised Code to add certain animal-related offenses to the list of potentially disqualifying offenses when conducting a criminal records check for prospective foster caregivers, prospective adoptive parents, and certain other individuals who will be responsible for or reside in the same household as children.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands the list of criminal offenses that lead to disqualification for foster/adoption, thereby broadening the restrictive impact of criminal records.88% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 72: Regards filing false claims with the state, defrauding the state

To enact sections 2749.01, 2749.02, 2749.03, 2749.04, 2749.05, 2749.06, 2749.07, 2749.08, 2749.09, and 2749.10 of the Revised Code regarding filing false or fraudulent claims with the state and defrauding the state of money or property.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill aims to prevent defrauding the state of money or property, which directly protects state budgets and promotes fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill enacts new sections of the Revised Code to address false claims and defrauding the state, strengthening the legal framework for prosecuting such offenses within the criminal justice system.75% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Nov 18, 2025

SB 319: Regards adult protective services provided by county JFS

SB 319 enacts a new section (5101.72) in Ohio's Revised Code that establishes requirements for county departments of job and family services (JFS) to provide adult protective services. This bill directly affects county JFS offices and vulnerable adults who may face abuse, neglect, or exploitation by mandating standardized procedures for service delivery. The new section specifies how investigations must be conducted, case management handled, and reports processed to ensure consistent protection. By creating this legal framework, the bill aims to improve accountability and uniformity in adult protective services across all Ohio counties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates new adult protective services for county JFS, requiring funding and impacting government spending and fiscal management at the county level.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill mandates investigations and reporting for abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, which are often criminal acts, thereby supporting victim protection and potential justice.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes and standardizes adult protective services for vulnerable adults, strengthening their access to health and human services, long-term care, and mental health support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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