Criminal Justice

in committee · Ohio · House Oct 8, 2025

HB 487: Create a repeat drug offender specification

HB 487 creates a new legal category for individuals convicted of drug offenses who have prior drug-related convictions. This bill directly affects repeat offenders by adding a "repeat drug offender" specification to sentencing guidelines. The key provision amends sentencing laws to require judges to impose longer prison terms when this specification applies. Specifically, it enhances penalties for subsequent drug crimes by treating repeat offenders as having a higher level of culpability under the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeHB 487 increases mandatory prison terms and enhances penalties for repeat drug offenders, restricting judicial discretion and expanding punitive measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

Track

in committee · Ohio · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 36: Add nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution

To amend sections 2921.24, 2949.22, 2949.221, and 2949.25 of the Revised Code to add nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution and to prohibit the disclosure of execution identifying information.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands punitive measures by adding a new method of execution and restricts transparency by prohibiting disclosure of execution identifying information, which does not align with criminal justice reform or protection of rights.85% confidence

Track

passed · Ohio · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 163: Regards AI images, simulated child porn, replica identity fraud

To amend sections 1345.51, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, and 2913.49 and to enact section 1349.10 of the Revised Code to require AI-generated products have a watermark, to prohibit simulated child pornography, and to prohibit identity fraud using a replica of a person.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill expands criminalization by prohibiting simulated child pornography and identity fraud using replicas, and requiring AI watermarks, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates AI products with watermarks and prohibits misuse like simulated child pornography and identity fraud, establishing safeguards for technology's application.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track

signed · Ohio · Senate Sep 30, 2025

SB 114: Prohibit law enforcement from using quotas for arrests, citations

SB 114 bans law enforcement agencies from setting mandatory targets for arrests or citations. It directly affects police departments and officers who previously may have been required to meet specific numerical goals. The bill creates a new state law section (109.70) making it illegal to use such quotas. This is a direct policy change prohibiting a specific practice, not a broader reform.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 114 bans law enforcement quotas for arrests/citations, enhancing police accountability and potentially protecting civil rights within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSB 114 protects law enforcement officers from mandatory quotas, which improves their employment standards and working conditions, aligning with workers' rights.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBy prohibiting quotas for citations, including traffic offenses, SB 114 may enhance transportation safety by promoting more focused and effective enforcement.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Traffic Safety

in committee · Ohio · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 73: Establish deferred retirement option for OPERS law enforcement

To amend sections 145.22, 145.23, 145.35, 145.46, 145.561, and 742.63 and to enact sections 145.71, 145.72, 145.721, 145.722, 145.73, 145.74, 145.75, 145.751, 145.76, and 145.77 of the Revised Code to establish a deferred retirement option plan for law enforcement officers in the Public Employees Retirement System.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill establishes a deferred retirement option plan for public employees, directly impacting government spending and fiscal management within the Public Employees Retirement System.80% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a deferred retirement option plan for law enforcement officers, strengthening support for a key component of the criminal justice system.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill establishes a deferred retirement option plan for law enforcement officers, which expands worker benefits within the 'Labor & Employment' topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Ohio · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 505: Restrict use of crowdfunding money for other purposes

To enact sections 1349.07, 1349.071, 1349.072, 1349.073, 1349.074, 1349.075, 1349.076, and 1349.08 of the Revised Code to restrict the use of funds collected through crowdfunding for purposes other than those solicited.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill creates new restrictions on crowdfunding fund use. Violations would likely fall under 'Crimes' or 'Crime and Punishment,' effectively expanding the scope of criminalization.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyThe bill regulates the use of funds from crowdfunding, a technology-driven activity, to prevent misuse and protect consumers engaging with digital platforms.65% confidence

Track

in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 64: Increase penalties for companion animal cruelty offenses

To amend sections 955.54 and 959.99 and to enact section 959.23 of the Revised Code to increase the penalties for violating companion animal cruelty offenses and to prohibit a felony animal abuse offender from owning a companion animal in certain circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill increases penalties for animal cruelty, directly impacting sentencing and corrections within the criminal justice system by making it more punitive.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Ohio · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 557: Prohibit judicial release denial solely on offense classification

HB 557 amends Ohio law to prevent judges from denying judicial release (a type of early release for inmates) based solely on how the original crime was classified (e.g., violent vs. non-violent). This directly affects inmates who are eligible for judicial release but might have been denied solely because of their offense's category. The bill requires judges to consider other factors beyond offense classification, such as the inmate's behavior in prison and risk assessment, when making release decisions. This change aims to ensure release decisions are based on a more comprehensive evaluation of the individual.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBy preventing denial of judicial release solely on offense classification, the bill could lead to earlier release for some inmates, potentially reducing state expenditures on incarceration.65% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill promotes criminal justice reform by preventing judges from denying judicial release solely based on offense classification, requiring consideration of inmate behavior and risk assessment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

Track

in committee · Ohio · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 236: Regards crimes committed while masked or disguised

To amend sections 2152.17, 2911.21, 2917.02, and 2929.14 and to enact sections 2917.10 and 2941.1427 of the Revised Code to prohibit masked harassment and masked trespassing, to modify the offense of aggravated riot when the offender is wearing a mask or disguise or is otherwise concealing or attempting to conceal the offender's face, and to require an additional prison term of one year for an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony if the offender is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification that the offender wore a mask or disguise or otherwise concealed or attempted to conceal the offender's face in commission of the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization with new offenses (masked harassment/trespassing) and increases mandatory prison terms for felonies committed while masked, aligning with stricter, more punitive criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Ohio · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 169: Require training on emotional intelligence for peace officers

To amend sections 109.71 and 109.79 and to enact section 109.7413 of the Revised Code to require training on emotional intelligence for peace officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires emotional intelligence training for peace officers, enhancing police accountability and promoting reform within law enforcement, a core component of criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track