Criminal Justice

signed · Ohio · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 23: Create the escaped convict alert program

The bill title "Create the escaped convict alert program" is incorrect based on the provided text. This bill (HB 23) actually establishes a framework for appointing security officers at financial institutions and other entities, not an escaped convict alert system. It allows banks, credit unions, railroads, and hospitals to designate personnel as police officers for their premises, subject to Ohio peace officer training requirements and certification. These appointed officers must be Ohio residents of good character, complete approved training within six months, and serve three-year terms. The bill specifically defines "prior parent company" for banks and includes provisions for railroad companies and hospitals meeting certain criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes state training and certification requirements for private entity security officers designated as police, strengthening law enforcement standards.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 102: Restrict sex offender from residing, loitering near victim’s home

HB 102 prohibits sex offenders and child-victim offenders from residing within 2,000 feet of a victim’s home or loitering within 1,000 feet of that home. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of sex offenses who are subject to residency restrictions under Ohio law. Key provisions establish clear distance limits: a 2,000-foot buffer for living near a victim’s residence and a 1,000-foot buffer for lingering or loitering. These changes aim to enhance safety for victims by limiting close proximity to their homes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill imposes new residency and loitering restrictions on convicted sex offenders, expanding post-conviction penalties and limiting their freedoms.80% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingHB 102 restricts where sex offenders can reside, directly limiting housing options and property rights for this specific group within the housing topic area.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Ohio · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 88: Regards drug trafficking, human trafficking, and fentanyl

HB 88 increases penalties for drug trafficking above specific quantities and prohibits organized human trafficking. It requires all Ohio schools and colleges to implement fentanyl awareness education and prevention policies. The bill also designates August as "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month" to promote public education. These provisions directly affect drug traffickers, educational institutions, and the general public through heightened penalties and prevention efforts. The law amends multiple sections of the Ohio Revised Code to enact these specific policy changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill increases penalties for drug trafficking and prohibits organized human trafficking, aligning with expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates fentanyl awareness education and prevention policies in all Ohio schools and colleges, and promotes public education through 'Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month'.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates fentanyl awareness education and prevention policies in schools and designates a public awareness month, directly supporting public health programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Ohio · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 338: Enact Andy's Law

HB 338, "Andy's Law," increases criminal penalties for assaults or causing death of staff or inmates at Ohio state or local correctional facilities. It amends specific Ohio Revised Code sections to impose stricter sentencing for these offenses and updates policies and procedures for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The law directly affects correctional facility staff, inmates, and the state's criminal justice system by changing how such incidents are prosecuted and managed. These changes focus on enhancing accountability for violence within correctional settings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeHB 338 increases criminal penalties and imposes stricter sentencing for assaults/deaths in correctional facilities, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentHB 338 increases criminal penalties for assaults against correctional facility staff, directly enhancing workplace safety for these employees.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

signed · Ohio · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 44: Regards law enforcement training and competitive examinations

To amend sections 124.11 and 124.30 and to enact section 737.061 of the Revised Code regarding training schools for prospective law enforcement officers and filling a vacant police department position without a competitive examination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill addresses law enforcement training schools for prospective officers, which strengthens the preparedness and quality of personnel within the criminal justice system.80% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill amends employment standards by allowing vacant police positions to be filled without competitive examination, potentially weakening merit-based hiring processes.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Ohio · House Jan 19, 2026

HB 144: Enact Keith’s Law regarding the communication disability database

HB 144 expands Ohio's communication disability database to include all individuals with disabilities, not just those with specific communication needs. It requires county 9-1-1 systems to access this database during emergency calls, ensuring first responders can quickly identify communication support needs. The law, named "Keith's Law," directly affects people with disabilities during emergencies and 9-1-1 dispatchers who will use the database to provide appropriate assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves law enforcement's ability to assist individuals with disabilities during emergencies, enhancing appropriate responses and protecting civil rights.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 144 improves emergency health services for people with disabilities by enabling 9-1-1 to identify communication needs, enhancing patient access to appropriate care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHB 144 requires 9-1-1 systems to access a communication disability database, strengthening the application of technology for emergency services and digital equity.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · House Nov 5, 2025

HB 132: Enact Philip Wigal's Law

To amend sections 2903.06, 2903.08, 4508.02, and 4511.213 and to enact section 5501.28 of the Revised Code to increase penalties for failing to slow down or change lanes when approaching specified stationary vehicles, to increase penalties for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault resulting from that offense, and to name this act Philip Wigal's Law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeThe bill directly increases penalties for vehicular homicide and assault, and for failing to slow down/change lanes, which expands criminalization and strengthens punitive aspects of criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationHB 132 increases penalties for traffic offenses to enhance transportation safety, directly impacting vehicle regulations and safety within the transportation system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Ohio · House Nov 5, 2025

HB 258: Require notice before driver's license expires, instead of after

To amend section 4507.09 of the Revised Code to require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles send a notice prior to a driver's license expiring, rather than after expiration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBy requiring proactive notice, the bill helps prevent individuals from inadvertently driving with an expired license, potentially reducing minor interactions with law enforcement and courts.60% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationThe bill enhances vehicle regulation within transportation by improving the driver's license renewal process, making it easier for drivers to remain compliant.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

signed · Ohio · Senate Sep 30, 2025

SB 138: Modify alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services laws

To amend sections 340.011, 340.03, 340.032, 340.036, 340.041, 340.05, 340.08, 5119.22, 5119.221, 5119.25, and 5119.99 and to enact section 340.038 of the Revised Code to modify various laws regarding boards of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services and to impose penalties for not registering recovery housing residences.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill modifies laws for mental health and addiction services and imposes penalties for unregistered recovery housing, aiming to improve rehabilitation programs and reduce recidivism.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill directly modifies laws regarding alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services, and imposes penalties for unregistered recovery housing, strengthening these healthcare areas.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill imposes penalties for not registering recovery housing residences, indicating a measure to regulate and ensure oversight of a specific type of housing.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice