Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

introduced · Ohio · Senate Jul 21, 2026

SB 466: Increase sentence reduction credit a prisoner may receive

To amend section 2967.194 of the Revised Code to increase the availability of sentence reduction credit a prisoner may receive for successfully participating in specified programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases sentence reduction credits for rehabilitation programs, aligning with criminal justice reform and recidivism reduction goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Ohio · House May 20, 2026

HB 926: Enact the Felony Accountability for Frequent Offenders Act

To amend sections 2929.01, 2929.14, 2967.01, 2967.13, and 2967.132 and to enact section 2941.1427 of the Revised Code to enact the Felony Accountability for Frequent Offenders Act to create a specification for a habitual felony offender.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates a habitual offender specification, likely increasing penalties and restricting rights for repeat felons.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 705: Enact the Alford Plea Fairness Act

To amend sections 2929.12, 2929.15, and 2929.25 of the Revised Code to prohibit a sentencing court from imposing, as a condition of community control, a requirement that the offender admit guilt if the offender was found guilty after entering an Alford plea and to name this act the Alford Plea Fairness Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits courts from forcing Alford plea defendants to admit guilt, protecting defendant rights and advancing sentencing fairness per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 12, 2025

HCR 4: Condemn issuance of pardons and commutations for January 6, 2021

To condemn President Trump's issuance of pardons and commutations for individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the United States Capitol, including those who committed violent acts against law enforcement officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill condemns pardons for individuals convicted of violent acts, particularly against law enforcement, which supports upholding accountability within the criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Ohio · House May 21, 2025

HB 282: Add immigration status as a required factor for sentencing, bail

To amend sections 2929.12, 2929.15, 2929.22, 2929.25, and 2937.011 of the Revised Code to add a person's immigration status as a factor a court must consider when sentencing or ordering bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill HB 282 adds immigration status as a required factor for sentencing and bail, which could lead to reduced defendant rights or expanded criminalization for certain individuals within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill HB 282 mandates courts consider immigration status for sentencing and bail, increasing state immigration enforcement and potentially limiting protections for immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 29, 2025

HB 556: Revise community control sanctions for felonies and misdemeanors

To amend sections 2925.11, 2929.15, 2929.20, 2929.25, 2951.02, and 2951.07 of the Revised Code to change the maximum periods of community control sanctions authorized for felonies and misdemeanors and to modify the confinement sanctions authorized for a technical violation of community control sanction conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill revises community control sanctions and modifies confinement for technical violations, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to reduce incarceration for minor infractions.88% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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passed · Ohio · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 528: Require 7 year mandatory minimum prison term for forcible rape

This bill requires a seven-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for anyone convicted of forcible rape under Ohio law. It changes sentencing rules by removing judicial discretion for this offense, mandating the minimum term regardless of individual case factors. Previously, judges could impose sentences below seven years, but this bill sets a fixed minimum under Ohio's criminal code (section 2907.02). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of forcible rape in Ohio courts, altering their potential sentencing outcomes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill increases mandatory minimum prison terms and removes judicial discretion in sentencing, directly aligning with indicators for opposing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 1, 2025

HB 457: Regards penalties for politically motivated criminal offenses

To amend sections 2903.01, 2929.01, 2929.12, 2929.14, and 2929.22 and to enact section 2941.1428 of the Revised Code to create new aggravated murder offenses for political motivation and political victims, to create a mandatory prison term for politically motivated offenses of violence, and to add political motivation to sentencing factors for felonies and misdemeanors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new aggravated murder offenses and mandatory prison terms for politically motivated crimes, which increases penalties and expands criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Sentencing

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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

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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

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