WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 923

Enact the Adult Parole Authority Enhancement Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Josh Williams

The bill strengthens victim protections and expands supervision by allowing post-conviction no contact orders, broader community control options, and stricter parole/post-release c

Referred to committee
#crimes #corrections #andlawenforcement #lawenforcement
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 923

Summary of HB 923 (Ohio, 136th General Assembly)

Purpose and intent

HB 923 proposes the Adult Parole Authority Enhancement Act. It revises and expands post-release and community-control frameworks, introducing new tools to protect victims and increase supervision and accountability for offenders transitioning back into the community.

Key provisions and changes

  • Post-conviction no contact orders (new §2903.217):

    • The Adult Parole Authority (APA) may file for a post-conviction no contact order on behalf of a victim in the county where the offender resides, with or without the victim’s consent.
    • The motion must include documentation of the offender’s post-release control conditions and any existing orders.
    • Ex parte orders: the court must hold a hearing within 10 court days to determine continuance, modification, or revocation, with full opportunity for the offender to be heard.
    • If issued, the order can prohibit the offender from entering the victim’s residence, school, business, or place of employment.
    • The order includes language clarifying it cannot be waived by invitation or consent from the victim or household members.
    • Copies must be issued to the APA, the victim, the offender, and relevant law enforcement; agencies must maintain an index of such orders and enforce them regardless of registration status.

  • Community control sanctions (amendments to §2929.15, §2929.16, §2929.25):

    • Courts may impose community control sanctions directly for certain felonies or as part of OVI offenses, with limits on total duration (generally up to five years for sanctions under these sections).
    • If violations occur, courts may extend sanctions, impose more restrictive sanctions, or impose prison terms with specified limits (e.g., 90 days for certain technical violations of Fifth-Degree felonies; up to 180 days for some Fourth-Degree felonies not involving violence or sexual offenses).
    • Provisions address credit for time served, particularly when violations occur, and outline how time spent in custody interacts with ongoing sanctions.
    • Courts may replace or modify sanctions and may require treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, with assessments by credentialed professionals and potential integration of treatment and recovery services into sanctions.

  • Supervision and reporting (sectional alignment with §2929.16 and §2929.25):

    • Placement under probation departments (county or multicounty) or, where no appropriate department exists, under APA supervision.
    • Clear reporting requirements: violations by the supervising entity or offender must be reported to the sentencing court or supervising agency.
    • Special rules for minor drug possession-related violations prevent certain penalties from applying; also, timing and credit provisions for prison terms tied to sanctions are specified.

  • Parole/post-release control and searches (amendments to §2967.131 and §2967.15):

    • Conditions for parole, transitional control, and post-release control may include non-leisure searches of the offender’s person, residence, or vehicle, under defined circumstances (reasonable grounds to believe noncompliance, consent, or as part of terms).
    • Random drug testing provisions: testing may be conducted via contracted laboratories or reputable public labs, with results transmitted to the supervising authorities and fees possibly borne by the offender when applicable.
    • The authority may require employment, education/vocational training, or community service as conditions of release.

  • Miscellaneous:

    • Repeals of current sections and alignment to create a unified statutory framework.
    • Name: Act to be known as the Adult Parole Authority Enhancement Act.

Who is affected

  • Offenders subject to parole, transitional control, post-release control, or community control sanctions under Ohio law.
  • Victims seeking post-conviction no contact protections.
  • Law enforcement agencies enforcing orders and maintaining indices.
  • Courts and probation departments (county or multicounty) responsible for supervision, reporting, and sanction administration.
  • The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (through APA and testing provisions).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Post-conviction no contact orders can be filed by the APA and heard promptly, with hearings scheduled within 10 court days after ex parte issuance when applicable.
  • Full hearings follow ex parte orders unless continued for specified reasons.
  • Sanctions and penalties have defined time limits and credit rules, with ongoing court oversight for modification or extension of sanctions.
  • Drug testing and employment/education requirements are to be implemented under contract standards or department procedures.

This bill aims to strengthen victim protections, clarify and expand supervision options, and standardize processes around post-release conditions and sanctions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.