Criminal Justice

in committee · Ohio · Senate Oct 1, 2025

SB 237: Restore local authority to regulate firearms and knives

SB 237 would repeal Ohio's current law (section 9.68 of the Revised Code) that prevents cities and counties from creating their own rules about firearms and knives. This change would directly allow local governments to establish their own regulations on firearm and knife-related conduct within their jurisdictions. The key mechanism is removing the state-level restriction that currently blocks local authorities from enacting such rules. If passed, communities could implement specific local policies on issues like knife carry or firearm storage, rather than being subject to uniform statewide rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 237 restores local authority to regulate firearms and knives, directly impacting local criminal justice policies and law enforcement scope within the 'Crimes, Corrections, and Law Enforcement' subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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signed · Ohio · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 179: Verify veteran status of imprisoned individuals

To amend sections 341.02 and 5901.03 and to enact section 341.43 of the Revised Code to verify the veteran status of imprisoned individuals and individuals facing imprisonment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeVerifying veteran status within the justice system enables tailored support and programs, advancing rehabilitation and addressing specific needs of a population within corrections.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill verifies veteran status for imprisoned individuals, a foundational step to identify and potentially provide specialized services or considerations for these veterans.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

passed · Ohio · House May 28, 2025

HB 5: Enact the Repeat Offender Act

To amend sections 109.57, 109.572, 109.578, 109.579, 2151.357, 2901.08, 2923.125, 2923.13, 2923.14, 2929.01, 2929.13, 2929.14, 2941.141, 2941.144, 2941.145, 2941.146, 2953.25, 2953.26, 2953.32, 2953.34, 2953.61, 4723.28, 4729.16, 4729.56, 4729.57, 4729.96, and 4752.09 and to enact sections 2941.1427, 2941.1428, and 2953.321 of the Revised Code to enact the Repeat Offender Act to create a repeat offender classification, to create and modify certain firearm specifications, to increase the penalties for certain firearm offenses and specifications, to broaden the scope of relief from firearms disability, and to modify the sealing procedure for misdemeanors and fourth and fifth degree felonies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill creates a repeat offender classification and increases penalties, indicating a focus on stricter punitive measures within criminal justice rather than reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 79: Increase penalty for assault if the victim is a sports official

To amend sections 2903.13 and 2929.13 of the Revised Code to increase the penalties for assault if the victim is acting as a sports official or the assault is committed in retaliation for the victim's actions as a sports official.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill increases penalties for assault in specific circumstances, which aligns with expanding punitive measures rather than promoting criminal justice reform or rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBy increasing penalties for assaulting sports officials, the bill indirectly supports and protects school-sponsored athletic programs, which are integral to primary and secondary education.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill increases penalties for assault against sports officials, protecting their safety while working or in retaliation for their work, which improves workplace safety for a specific group of workers.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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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 · House Oct 15, 2025

HB 509: Exclude certain financial records in criminal record expungement

To amend section 2953.32 of the Revised Code to exclude certain financial records held by clerks of court from destruction upon ordered expungement of a criminal record.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill restricts criminal record expungement by excluding certain financial records from destruction, thereby limiting a mechanism typically seen as criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Ohio · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 372: Enact the Larry Henderson Act

To amend sections 2903.01, 2929.03, and 2929.04 of the Revised Code to enact the Larry Henderson Act to specify that the penalty for aggravated murder for an adult offender is death or life without the possibility of parole if the victim is a peace officer, prosecutor, first responder, or military member.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeHB 372 increases mandatory sentences (death or life without parole) for aggravated murder if the victim is a peace officer, prosecutor, first responder, or military member.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransThe bill enhances penalties for crimes against military members, providing increased protection and recognition for those serving, which supports the broader military/veteran community.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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passed · Ohio · Senate Sep 15, 2025

SB 172: Specify persons unlawfully present are not privileged from arrest

SB 172 clarifies that individuals in the U.S. without legal authorization (often called "unlawfully present") are not protected from arrest under Ohio state law. It adds a new provision to Ohio's Revised Code, explicitly stating that such individuals cannot claim immunity from arrest by state law enforcement. This directly affects undocumented immigrants living in Ohio by removing a potential legal barrier to their arrest. The bill makes a specific change to state law without altering federal immigration status or creating new enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill expands the scope of individuals subject to arrest by removing potential immunity, thereby expanding criminalization for unlawfully present persons.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationThe bill clarifies that undocumented individuals are not privileged from arrest, which increases state immigration enforcement and limits protections for immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 29, 2025

HR 266: Recognize National Day Against Police Brutality in Ohio.

HR 266 designates October 22, 2025, as "National Day Against Police Brutality" within the state of Ohio. The bill serves as a ceremonial recognition, formally acknowledging this date for awareness purposes. It does not create new laws, funding, or direct obligations for any specific group or entity. This is a symbolic measure without concrete policy changes or implementation mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHR 266 designates a day against police brutality, a symbolic recognition that promotes awareness for an issue central to police accountability and criminal justice reform.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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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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