Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 277: Clarify that child independent activity is not abuse or neglect

To enact section 2151.032 of the Revised Code to clarify that a child who is granted permission to engage in independent activities is not considered to be an abused or neglected child.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects parental civil rights by clarifying what is not child abuse/neglect, thereby limiting state intervention via the juvenile justice system.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Ohio · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 278: Permit monetary damages against municipal corps with gun controls

To amend section 9.68 of the Revised Code to permit individuals to seek punitive or exemplary damages against municipal corporations that pass gun control measures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill permits punitive damages against municipal corporations for passing gun control measures, thereby restricting local governments' ability to implement certain crime-related policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Ohio · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 214: Remove firearm mufflers, suppressors as dangerous ordnance

To amend sections 1533.04, 2923.11, and 2923.17 of the Revised Code to remove firearm mufflers and suppressors from the classification of dangerous ordnance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill reclassifies firearm accessories, removing them from 'dangerous ordnance,' which narrows the scope of criminalization for these items within the justice system.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Ohio · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 321: Regards carrying of firearms by certain special police officers

SB 321 creates new rules in Ohio law allowing certain special police officers to carry firearms while on duty. It directly affects special police officers employed by entities like universities, hospitals, or private security firms. The bill establishes specific requirements for these officers to carry firearms, including training and certification standards. These provisions are codified in new sections of the Revised Code (5119.081 and 5123.131), replacing previous, less specific guidelines. The law aims to clarify and standardize firearm carrying authority for this specific group of law enforcement personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 321 strengthens a component of law enforcement by establishing training and certification standards for special police officers to carry firearms while on duty.80% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 321 allows special police officers at entities like universities to carry firearms, enhancing campus safety, which indirectly supports the educational environment.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows special police officers in hospitals to carry firearms, enhancing security within healthcare facilities, which can be seen as protecting the environment for health services.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Ohio · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 29: Regards inmates' access to feminine hygiene products and showers

To enact sections 341.261, 753.321, and 5120.631 of the Revised Code regarding inmates' access to feminine hygiene products and showers by municipal and county correctional facilities and state correctional institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill improves inmate welfare by ensuring access to feminine hygiene products and showers in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill improves inmate access to essential feminine hygiene products and showers, directly enhancing health services and protecting health within correctional facilities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 87: Define antisemitism; expand the offense of ethnic intimidation

To amend sections 2927.12 and 4112.01 and to enact section 4112.20 of the Revised Code to define antisemitism for the purpose of investigations and proceedings by state agencies and to expand the offense of ethnic intimidation to include the offenses of riot and aggravated riot committed by reason of the race, color, religion, or national origin of another person or group of persons.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill strengthens the criminal justice system's ability to address hate crimes by defining antisemitism and expanding the offense of ethnic intimidation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill defines antisemitism and expands ethnic intimidation offenses, providing a protective legal framework relevant to educational institutions and their communities.80% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill expands ethnic intimidation to include offenses based on national origin, which offers protection to immigrants from hate crimes.65% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill defines antisemitism for state agency investigations and amends sections related to civil rights (4112.01), which often include employment discrimination protections, indirectly strengthening workers' rights against discrimination.60% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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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

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

passed · Ohio · Senate Nov 19, 2025

SB 251: Designate Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Vance M. Andrews Mem Hwy

To enact section 5534.451 of the Revised Code to designate a portion of State Route 13 in Knox County as the "Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Vance M. Andrews Memorial Highway."

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill designates a memorial highway for a fallen Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant, honoring a member of law enforcement, a key component of the criminal justice system.60% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill designates a State Route portion, a direct legislative action affecting transportation infrastructure. It's a non-negative formal recognition.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Ohio · Senate Nov 12, 2025

SB 229: Create the Law Enforcement Purple Heart license plate

SB 229 creates a special "Law Enforcement Purple Heart" license plate in Ohio. This plate is available to residents who are law enforcement officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, as recognized by the Purple Heart award. The bill establishes the plate through a new section of the Revised Code, allowing eligible officers to display it on their vehicles. It does not change existing benefits or funding but provides a visible symbol of recognition for affected officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty, providing recognition that supports a key component of the criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationSB 229 creates a new type of vehicle license plate, directly affecting vehicle registration and titling, which are regulatory aspects of transportation.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates a special license plate for law enforcement officers who received a Purple Heart, thereby recognizing military service and veteran status through the Purple Heart criterion.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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