Toledo Reporter

State Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson and Nathan Manning have introduced Senate Bill 270, which seeks to enact recommendations from the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Working Group. The working group, which began meeting in November 2023, released its report in July 2024. Both senators participated as legislative advisors to the group, which included judges, policy experts, law enforcement officials, and representatives from faith-based service organizations.

Hicks-Hudson said, “As a lawyer whose primary and consistent work has been in the juvenile justice setting, this much-needed legislation will provide guidance for courts and juvenile service providers. We must make sure that our community and juvenile justice workers are safe, while also focusing on providing appropriate strategies to improve outcomes for children and their families.”

Senate Bill 270 addresses several of the report’s recommendations aimed at improving Ohio’s juvenile justice system. Proposed changes include raising the minimum age for juveniles committed to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) from 10 to 14 years old. The bill would also give judges more discretion when sentencing youth in gun-related cases by moving away from mandatory sentencing requirements. Additionally, it would prohibit first-time non-violent F-4 and F-5 felony offenders from being placed in DYS state facilities.

The legislation is designed to promote rehabilitation for youth within the system and allow local courts greater flexibility in determining appropriate interventions rather than defaulting to severe penalties.

Senate Bill 270 will next be assigned to a committee for further consideration.