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Rep. Hicks-Hudson’s
Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Bill Passes out of Senate
Judiciary Committee
HB 1
prioritizes rehabilitation by expanding access to drug
treatments, allowing more opportunities for a fresh start
State Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson
(D-Toledo) announced last week that House Bill (HB) 1, her
bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, was passed
unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 1
prioritizes rehabilitation by expanding access to drug
treatments, and it allows record-sealing of convictions for
low-level, non-violent, non-sex offense felonies.
“I am grateful for the
unanimous vote today by members of the Senate Judiciary
Committee as we continue our promise to give Ohioans a
second chance at turning their lives around. This bill is
truly one of the pillars for criminal justice reform as we
look to address the link between drug addiction and the
criminal justice system, ” said Rep. Hicks-Hudson.
HB 1 would: • Broaden the
scope of continuing law intervention in lieu of conviction (ILC)
by requiring an eligibility hearing on an application for
intervention in any case in which the offender alleges that
drug or alcohol usage was a factor leading to the underlying
offense; • Broaden the application of continuing law
conviction record sealing by removing the cap, currently
based on total felony convictions, on eligibility for fourth
or fifth degree felony and misdemeanor offenses, and by
raising the caps on restricted felony and misdemeanor
offenses; • Modifies the time at which an offender may apply
to have a conviction record sealed. The bill now awaits
referral to the Senate floor for a vote.
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