Criminal Justice

in committee · Ohio · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 370: Enhance penalties for offenses against a person with a disability

To amend sections 2903.10, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.14, 2903.16, 2903.18, 2903.21, 2903.211, 2903.22, 2903.31, 2905.01, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2905.22, 2905.32, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.01, 2909.06, 2909.07, 2911.02, 2911.12, 2913.01, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.05, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.43, 2913.49, 2913.61, 2917.21, and 2919.25 of the Revised Code to enhance criminal penalties for offenses committed against a person with a disability.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill explicitly enhances penalties for offenses against persons with disabilities, matching 'increases mandatory sentences' (oppose indicator) in criminal justice context.90% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 688: Prohibit employment application question re: criminal background

To enact section 4113.87 of the Revised Code to prohibit private employers from including on an employment application any question concerning the criminal background of the applicant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits employment inquiries about criminal history, reducing barriers to reemployment for people with records - aligns with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits criminal background questions in hiring, reducing employment barriers for workers with records, directly protecting employment rights under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 348: Require bars, restaurants to have date rape drug testing devices

To enact section 4301.73 of the Revised Code to require bars or restaurants to have date rape drug testing devices available for their customers' use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates date rape drug testing in venues to prevent sexual assaults, directly addressing crime prevention within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 679: Increase the penalties for engaging in prostitution

HB 679 increases penalties for engaging in prostitution by amending Ohio law to classify violations as misdemeanors or felonies based on prior offenses. It specifically enhances penalties when the victim has a developmental disability, requiring felony charges and mandatory sex offender registration for repeat offenses. The bill also mandates offenders to complete education/treatment programs and imposes fines ($1,000-$1,500) for misdemeanor violations, with funds directed to human trafficking survivor services. It directly affects individuals engaging in or facilitating prostitution, particularly those exploiting vulnerable populations. The bill does not change the definition of prostitution but escalates consequences for repeat violations and cases involving developmental disabilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for prostitution, mandates felony charges for repeat offenses, and requires sex offender registration, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 357: Expand violent offender database; revise database availability

To amend sections 2903.41, 2903.42, and 2903.43 and to enact section 5503.102 of the Revised Code to expand the violent offender database, to make public records in that database available on the internet, and to make the database information available through LEADS.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands public access to violent offender database, enhancing transparency and public safety - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 691: Enact the Community and Police Protection Act

HB 691, the Community and Police Protection Act, requires law enforcement officers (including federal officers) to remove masks during public interactions while performing duties, except for medical masks (like N95s), safety masks (for smoke/environmental hazards), or SWAT team gear. It mandates officers to display their name and badge number visibly at all times during public contact. Violating these rules is a misdemeanor, with exemptions for undercover operations. The bill directly affects all state and federal officers interacting with the public, aiming to increase transparency in police-citizen encounters.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates officer identification and mask removal during public interactions, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 680: Regards criminal defendant substance use disorder, mental health

HB 680 prevents judges from mandating that criminal defendants receive substance use disorder or mental health treatment exclusively at for-profit or nonprofit (including faith-based) facilities solely based on the entity's organizational status. It directly affects defendants in court cases involving substance use or mental health treatment requirements. The bill's key provision prohibits judges from requiring treatment at any specific type of provider (for-profit vs. nonprofit) as a condition of their case. This bill is currently in the early stages, having been introduced on February 4, 2026, and referred to committee on February 18.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents judges from mandating treatment at specific facility types, expanding defendant access to diverse treatment options and supporting rehabilitation-focused sentencing.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents judicial mandates restricting mental health/substance use treatment to specific provider types, promoting access to care without artificial barriers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 685: Establish provisions governing date rape drug testing devices

HB 685 requires bars and clubs with specific permits to offer free or low-cost drink testing devices that detect date rape drugs like GHB, ketamine, and flunitrazepam within five minutes. The bill mandates businesses to post clear notices about the testing service and ensure devices are not expired. It establishes an anonymous, voluntary reporting system for positive test results, with data aggregated and made public for safety analysis - but not used for enforcement actions against businesses. This directly affects hospitality venues and their patrons seeking to verify drink safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents date rape by enabling rapid drug detection in venues, promoting victim safety through prevention (not punishment), aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing sexual assault.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Ohio · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 355: Expand the offense of aggravated menacing re: certain workers

To amend section 2903.21 of the Revised Code to expand the offense of aggravated menacing to prohibit threatening a utility worker, cable operator worker, or broadband worker with intent to obstruct the operation of a utility.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of threats against utility workers, increasing penalties for obstructing essential services per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects utility workers from threats, enhancing workplace safety and rights by criminalizing obstruction attempts against their operations.85% confidence

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in committee · Ohio · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 659: Regards childhood sexual abuse and student sexual abuse

To amend sections 2305.111 and 2315.18 of the Revised Code regarding childhood sexual abuse and student sexual abuse and to amend the version of section 2305.111 that is scheduled to take effect on October 12, 2028, to continue the change on and after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill amends legal procedures for childhood/student sexual abuse cases, directly addressing crimes and sex offenses within criminal justice. Continuing the change maintains legal protections and procedural integrity.95% confidence

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