Criminal Justice

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.

HB 519 amends Ohio law to make it a crime to possess an electronic device (like a key fob or hacking tool) when circumstances suggest the intent to steal a motor vehicle. It directly affects individuals who attempt to steal vehicles using electronic means, such as bypassing security systems. The key provision prohibits holding such devices in situations where the intent to commit vehicle theft is evident, rather than requiring actual theft to occur. This change clarifies and strengthens existing statutes to address electronic vehicle theft methods.

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.

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.