Criminal Justice

signed · Ohio · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 273: Enact the Keep Them Safe Act

SB 273, titled "Enact the Keep Them Safe Act," creates new guidelines for the voluntary storage of firearms and provides civil immunity to individuals who store firearms for others under these guidelines. It directly affects gun owners, family members, or others who voluntarily store firearms for safekeeping, such as when leaving guns with relatives or neighbors. The key provision grants legal protection (civil immunity) to those who store firearms in compliance with the new rules, shielding them from lawsuits if the firearms are later used improperly. This bill changes the legal landscape by encouraging safe storage practices through immunity, rather than imposing new restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 273 establishes new guidelines for firearm storage and grants civil immunity, providing legal protections that clarify liabilities within the broader justice system.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · Senate Jun 16, 2026

SB 422: Prohibit certain offenders from school or child care premises

To amend sections 2950.13, 2950.99, 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 and to enact sections 2950.036, 2950.044, and 3313.475 of the Revised Code to prohibit tier II and tier III sex offender/child-victim offenders from knowingly being present on school premises or preschool or child care center premises.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts high-risk sex offenders from schools, enhancing public safety and protecting vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits sex offenders from school premises, directly protecting students and enhancing school safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Ohio · Senate Jun 16, 2026

SB 421: Increase time period to bring civil action for sex offense victim

To amend section 2305.111 of the Revised Code to increase the period of limitations for a civil action for a victim of a sex offense to five years and to amend the version of section 2305.111 of the Revised Code that is scheduled to take effect on October 12, 2028, to continue the change on and after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends the statute of limitations for sex offense victims, enhancing their ability to seek civil justice and promoting accountability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Ohio · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 3: Enact the School Bus Safety Act

To amend sections 4503.03, 4510.036, 4511.75, 4511.751, and 4511.76 and to enact sections 5.501, 3327.18, and 3327.19 of the Revised Code to address school bus safety, to designate this act as the School Bus Safety Act, and to make an appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill explicitly states it will 'make an appropriation,' directly involving government spending and fiscal management, which falls under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill addresses school bus safety and lists 'Traffic Offenses' as a subject. It likely expands criminalization or increases penalties for related infractions, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationThe bill enhances school bus safety, a critical component of K-12 education infrastructure, protecting students and facilitating their safe access to schools.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationHB 3 aims to address school bus safety, directly enhancing transportation safety and vehicle regulations, which strengthens the transportation topic area.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Ohio · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 137: Require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs

To enact sections 3727.81, 3727.811, and 5119.192 of the Revised Code to require hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeThe bill addresses the opioid crisis by requiring overdose reversal drugs. This aligns with public health and harm reduction strategies that support criminal justice reform by reducing drug-related deaths and potential criminal justice involvement.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill requires hospitals to provide overdose reversal drugs, directly improving patient access to critical health services and strengthening public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Ohio · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 307: Allow tax increment financing for police, firefighting facilities

SB 307 amends Ohio law to permit local governments to use tax increment financing (TIF) for constructing or renovating police and firefighting facilities. This change directly affects cities and counties seeking to fund public safety infrastructure, as it allows them to leverage future increases in property tax revenue from a designated area to cover project costs. The key mechanism involves designating a specific geographic zone where new tax revenue generated by development (beyond pre-project levels) is redirected to pay for the facility construction. This expands existing TIF rules, which previously excluded public safety facilities, enabling these projects to be financed through a tool commonly used for economic development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill allows local governments to use TIF for police and firefighting facilities, directly affecting taxation, government spending, and fiscal management to fund essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 307 allows tax increment financing for police facilities, directly funding and strengthening infrastructure for law enforcement, a key component of criminal justice.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Ohio · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 202: Enact the Chief Steven DiSario Act

To amend sections 4781.40, 5301.072, 5311.191, and 5321.131 of the Revised Code to prohibit manufactured home park operators, condominium associations, neighborhood associations, and landlords from restricting the display of the thin blue line flag and to name this act the Chief Steven DiSario Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 202 protects the display of the thin blue line flag, a direct symbol of support for law enforcement, a core component of criminal justice.80% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill protects a specific right for tenants/residents by prohibiting landlords and associations from restricting flag displays, aligning with tenant/property rights.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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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 No ✓ Supports 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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