Bail Reform Legislation
At long last, bipartisan bail reform legislation was introduced for the 2021-2022 session! These bills will dramatically improve Ohio’s pretrial justice system. Thanks to your support, the ACLU of Ohio has and continues to be a leading advocate for bail reform. We have educated hundreds of thousands, built strong coalitions, produced a fiscal impact analysis, launched a bail podcast, created a pretrial justice website, and partnered on statewide public opinion polling. We’re enthusiastic supporters of Senate Bill 182 (SB 182) and House Bill 315 (HB 315). These bills will reduce Ohio’s pretrial incarcerated population, end wealth-based detention, promote public safety, strengthen our communities, and save Ohio BIG money – as much as $264 million annually.
At A Glance:
Senate Bill 182 and House Bill 315
- Guarantees everyone who is arrested will receive an initial release decision within 48 hours.
- Ensures everyone who doesn’t pose a risk of willful flight or to the safety of any person will be able to return to their homes and communities.
- Requires those who may pose a risk of willful flight or to the safety of any person receive a hearing before a judge within 96 hours for most offenses.
- Stipulates that if money bail is set, judges must consider a person’s ability to pay and do so with a written entry.
SB 182
Reform:
Sponsors: Senators Rob McColley (R) and Steve Huffman (R)
Co-Sponsors: Senators Cecil Thomas (D), Teresa Fedor (D), and Michael Rulli (R)
Introduced: May 18, 2021
Committee: Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 315
Reform:
Sponsors: Representatives David Leland (D) and Brett Hillyer (R)
Co-Sponsors: Representatives Laura Lanese (R), Bob Young (R), Reggie Stoltzfus (R), Allesandro Cutrona (R), Jamie Callender (R), Brian Stewart (R), Kyle Koehler (R), Craig Riedel (R), Jon Cross (R), Ron Ferguson (R), Phil Robinson (D), Kent Smith (D), Janine Boyd (D), Terrence Upchurch (D), Stephanie Howse (D), Juanita Brent (D), Michael Skindell (D), Bride Rose Sweeney (D), Jeffery Crossman (D), Monique Smith (D), Adam Miller (D), Kristin Boggs (D), Mary Lightbody (D), Richard Brown (D), Allison Russo (D), Dontavius Jarrells (D), Erica Crawley (D), Jessica Miranda (D), Brigid Kelly (D), Catherine Ingram (D), Sedrick Denson (D), Emilia Sykes (D), Tavia Galonski (D), Casey Weinstein (D), Willis Blackshear, Jr (D), Paula Hicks-Hudson (D), Lisa Sobecki (D), Michael Sheehy (D), Tom West (D), Michele Lepore-Hagan (D), Daniel Troy (D), Michael O’Brien (D)
History: Introduced May 18, 2021; Substitute Bill introduced May 11, 2022
Committee: House Criminal Justice Committee
The ACLU of Ohio opposes recently introduced House Joint Resolution 2 and Senate Joint Resolution 5, misguided and unnecessary efforts that seek to enshrine cash bail into the Ohio Constitution.
A coalition of non-profit organizations, faith groups, legal/ attorney associations, law enforcement groups, professors and academics, and other advocates support SB 182 and HB 315 as introduced. Take a look at the growing endorsements for SB 182 and HB 315. Want to add your group’s name to the cause or learn more about how to help pass these bills? Email bailreform@acluohio.org.
Take action in support of bail reform!
To learn more about all our work, please visit the ACLU of Ohio’s homepage.