Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · Ohio · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 960: Allow awards for reports of fraud

HB 960 establishes a system for Ohio residents and public employees to anonymously report fraud, theft, or misuse of public money to the state auditor. The bill requires the auditor to maintain a public log of these complaints, notify prosecutors when fraud is suspected, and distribute training materials on how to report such issues to all state employees and elected officials. If a report leads to a successful recovery of stolen funds, the attorney general may award the whistleblower up to ten percent of that recovered amount, provided the award does not interfere with restitution or other legal costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by establishing a system to report fraud and theft, enhancing oversight and recovery of public funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Ohio · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 406: Recognizing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Ohio, April 19-25, 2026.

HR 406 is a resolution that officially recognizes April 19-25, 2026, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Ohio. It does not create new laws or change any policies but serves to acknowledge the importance of supporting crime victims and raising public awareness about their rights. The bill directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to news media outlets across the state to promote the observance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill recognizes National Crime Victims' Rights Week, promoting awareness of victim rights and support within the criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 357: Expand violent offender database; revise database availability

To amend sections 2903.41, 2903.42, and 2903.43 and to enact section 5503.102 of the Revised Code to expand the violent offender database, to make public records in that database available on the internet, and to make the database information available through LEADS.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands public access to violent offender database, enhancing transparency and public safety - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Ohio · House Jun 11, 2026

HB 654: Enact Amanda Dean's Law

HB 654, titled "Enact Amanda Dean's Law," would amend Ohio's Revised Code (section 2927.01) to increase criminal penalties for the abuse of a corpse. This bill directly affects individuals who commit acts such as desecration, mutilation, or unauthorized handling of a deceased person's body. The key provision raises the severity of penalties for these offenses under existing law. The bill seeks to strengthen legal consequences for violating the dignity of the deceased, as specified in the proposed amendment to section 2927.01.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly seeks to 'strengthen legal consequences' for corpse abuse under criminal justice sentencing provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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passed · Ohio · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 225: Expand the Address Confidentiality Program

SB 225 expands Ohio's Address Confidentiality Program to protect victims of specific crimes by providing a confidential address that replaces their actual address on public records. It directly affects individuals fleeing domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape, sexual battery, or crimes involving deadly weapons, including minors, incompetents, or wards under guardianship. Key changes include adding "human trafficking" and "trafficking in persons" to qualifying crimes, requiring a notarized safety statement, and mandating certified application assistants to help applicants complete forms. The program will assign a confidential address managed by the Secretary of State, which forwards mail and receives legal process while keeping the participant's real address private.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 225 expands a program protecting victims of crimes like human trafficking and domestic violence, thereby strengthening a vital protective aspect within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 225 protects victims' ability to safely maintain housing by providing confidential addresses, addressing a key barrier to stable housing for vulnerable individuals.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySB 225 enhances data privacy by providing a confidential address for victims, replacing their actual address on public records.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 8, 2025

HB 490: Expand postconviction relief re:DNA test showing actual innocence

To amend sections 2953.21 and 2953.23 of the Revised Code to expand the availability of postconviction relief based on DNA testing showing actual innocence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands postconviction relief for actual innocence based on DNA, directly promoting criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights within the justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Ohio · House Oct 8, 2025

HB 501: Modify and rename the wrongful incarceration law

To amend sections 117.52, 2305.02, 2743.15, 2743.48, and 2743.49 of the Revised Code to modify the wrongful imprisonment law and to rename the provisions wrongful incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modifies the wrongful incarceration law, directly addressing criminal justice reform and protecting those wrongly imprisoned.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

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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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