SB 295 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Regards the timeline for restoring competency in criminal cases

This bill (SB 295) amends specific sections of Ohio's Revised Code (2945.38, 2945.39, and 2945.401) related to the process for restoring a defendant's competency in criminal cases. The official abstract states it modifies the timeline for this restoration but does not specify the exact changes to the timeline in the provided context. Without details on whether the bill shortens, extends, or alters the current process, a substantive summary of its provisions cannot be created from the given information. The abstract alone does not describe the key mechanisms or who is directly affected beyond referencing criminal cases involving competency restoration.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Nov 2025
Senate Passage
Nov 2025
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Feb 2026
Introduced Oct 21, 2025 Signed Feb 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed by the House As Enrolled · 7 edits · Feb 20, 2026
MODERATE
This bill amends Ohio's competency restoration laws to establish clearer timelines for when courts must determine if a defendant can stand trial. It creates specific timeframes based on the severity of the charges, ranging from 30 days for minor offenses to three years for aggravated murder. The changes also clarify procedures for involuntary medication, placement options, and what happens when a defendant remains incompetent after the maximum treatment period expires.
Scope change
The bill expands clarity on competency restoration procedures but maintains the same applicable offenses and defendants as before. It does not change which crimes or defendants are subject to these rules, only how the process is structured and timed.
TIMELINE

Establishes specific competency restoration timeframes based on offense severity: 3 years for aggravated murder/murder, 1 year for first/second degree felonies, 6 months for other felonies, 60 days for first/second degree misdemeanors, and 30 days for minor misdemeanors.

Adds provisions for tolling the treatment clock when defendants refuse medication or lack capacity to consent, preventing time periods from expiring while defendants cannot participate in treatment.

REQUIREMENT

Requires courts to consider the least restrictive alternative placement that balances public safety with treatment needs when committing defendants for competency restoration.

Mandates written reports from treatment providers to courts at specific intervals and when defendants show signs of regaining competency.

Requires prosecutors to be notified of defendant discharges, absences, or status changes, and gives prosecutors authority to re-indict if defendants are granted unsupervised movement.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarifies procedures for involuntary medication when defendants lack capacity to consent, including specific hearing timelines (5 days for misdemeanors, 10 days for felonies).

Clarifies that time spent in competency restoration counts toward criminal sentences when defendants are later convicted.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

300
Passed
Total votes 30
Feb 19, 2026
D Democratic8
8 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
22 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
5
Committee
2
Amendments
3
Feb 19, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (30-0)
senate
Feb 18, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Sent To The Governor
legislature
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred in House amendments
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Introduced
Reported - Amended
lower
Nov 19, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Nov 18, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
lower
Nov 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Nov 12, 2025
Introduced
Reported - Amended
upper
Oct 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Oct 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors