Criminal Justice

in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 826: Create offense of obstructing federal immigration enforcement

HB 826 introduces a new felony charge for obstructing federal immigration enforcement. This law directly affects individuals who attempt to prevent, obstruct, or delay federal immigration officers from carrying out their duties. Under the bill, anyone found guilty of these actions would be charged with a fifth-degree felony. The legislation adds this specific offense to the state's Revised Code to address interference with federal agents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating a new felony offense for obstructing immigration enforcement, thereby increasing the scope of punishable conduct.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes obstruction of federal immigration enforcement, effectively mandating cooperation and restricting immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Ohio · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 432: Modify the offense of abuse of a corpse

SB 432 updates the legal penalties for mistreating human remains by distinguishing between two levels of offenses. The bill defines a lesser crime for actions that outrage reasonable family sensibilities, such as general abuse or moving a body, while establishing a more serious felony for acts that outrage community sensibilities, including sexual activity, dismemberment, or mutilation. It also clarifies that "abuse" includes any treatment not recognized by generally accepted community or professional standards. These changes directly affect individuals who handle corpses and law enforcement officials who prosecute such cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies and strengthens penalties for abuse of human remains, enhancing the legal framework for handling such crimes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Ohio · House May 13, 2026

HB 817: Create the NextGen Public Safety Pilot Program

To create the NextGen Public Safety Pilot Program, to authorize Local Government Fund reductions if Lucas County or the City of Toledo fail to abide by certain terms of a grant under that Program, and to make an appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes funding for a public safety pilot program and includes an appropriation, indicating support for government spending on essential services.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a public safety pilot program and provides funding, indicating support for law enforcement and public safety initiatives.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 418: Enact the Grow Act

To amend sections 2953.32 and 2953.34 and to enact sections 2953.322 and 2953.323 of the Revised Code to enact the Grow Act to allow for the expedited sealing of certain criminal records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill facilitates expungement of criminal records, a key criminal justice reform measure that aids rehabilitation and reduces recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Safety

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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

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in committee · Ohio · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 741: Enact the Ohio Holly Act

To amend sections 2907.41, 2919.251, 2937.011, 2937.222, 2937.23, 2937.35, 2937.36, 2937.39, 3905.83, 3905.84, and 3905.99 of the Revised Code to enact the Ohio Holly Act to prohibit charitable bail organizations from engaging in specified conduct and to make changes to the determination and forfeiture of bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts charitable bail organizations and changes bail forfeiture, limiting access to bail and reducing defendant rights in criminal justice process85% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 728: Eliminate informal hearings in certain juvenile delinquency cases

To amend sections 2151.35 and 2152.11 of the Revised Code to eliminate informal hearings and dismissals in the best interest of the child in certain juvenile delinquency cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates informal hearings in juvenile cases, strengthening judicial oversight and protecting due process rights in the justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Ohio · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 788: Regards paid military leave for law enforcement officers

This bill updates Ohio's paid military leave policy for law enforcement officers and other public safety employees, ensuring they receive paid time off when serving in the uniformed services. It clarifies that permanent public employees, including firefighters and law enforcement officers, are entitled to up to one month of paid leave per federal fiscal year for military service, with specific definitions for what constitutes a month and what counts as uniformed service. For service extending beyond one month, the bill establishes payment rules for state agency and political subdivision employees, requiring them to receive the difference between their regular salary and military pay, capped at $500 for political subdivisions. The legislation also outlines documentation requirements, collective bargaining protections, and repeals previous conflicting provisions to streamline the leave process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens support for law enforcement officers by ensuring paid military leave, enhancing their ability to serve in uniformed services while maintaining employment benefits.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands paid military leave benefits for law enforcement and public safety employees, strengthening worker protections and employment benefits.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill extends paid military leave benefits to law enforcement and public safety employees, recognizing their service in uniformed services and supporting veteran-related employment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

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in committee · Ohio · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 727: Modify grant formula for felony delinquent corrections facilities

To amend sections 5139.36 and 5139.41 of the Revised Code to modify the formula for grants to counties from the department of youth services to operate community corrections facilities for felony delinquents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modifies grant formula to fund community corrections facilities for juvenile delinquents, indicating support for juvenile justice infrastructure and rehabilitation programs.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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