Signed by Governor Mike DeWine

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes a mechanism to allow relief-collateral sanction for housing in Ohio.

Highlights:

• Defines Collateral Sanction for housing as a penalty, disability, or disadvantage that relates to housing due to a conviction of a guilty plea by an individual (Sec. 1).

• Established the ability of individuals to apply for a certification of qualification for housing under the following conditions (Sec. 1):

• If they live outside of Ohio an individual may file a petition with either the court of Common Pleas in the country they have a conviction/guilty plea, or with a designated official from the division of parole

• If they live in Ohio they must fill out the petition in the county they reside in or with a designated official from the Division of Parol

• Requires petitions to be filed on specific forms and include all crucial information and include a fee of $50 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes different timelines for the eligibility of filing a petition based on the severity of the crime, for example (Sec. 1):

• For a felony, the individual may file a petition after one year after they are released from incarceration, which includes periods of supervision such as parol.

• If the individual was not incarcerated they may file the petition after one year from their final release from all other sanctions related to the offense

• For a misdemeanor, the individual may file the petition 6 months after they are released from incarceration, which includes periods of supervision such as parol.

• If the individual was not  incarcerated they may file the petition after 6 months from their final release from all other sanctions related to the offense

• Requires the application fee be distributed as follows (Sec. 1):

• $30 to the state treasury; and

• $20 to the county general revenue fund

• Requires the court upon receiving a petition to identify any other courts in Ohio where the petitioner was convicted/pleaded guilty other than the one where they are seeking relief (Sec. 1).

• Requires the following criteria to be considered when determining the issuing of a certification of qualification for housing (Sec. 1):

• Will granting the petition materially assist the individual in obtaining housing;

• Does the individual have a substantial need for the relief to live a law-abiding life; and

• Will granting the petition pose an unreasonable risk to the public safety of any individual.

• Authorizes decision-makers, such as landlords, to still evaluate each case individually under the assumption that they will use the individual criminal history to automatically disqualify them from housing, per the certificate of qualification for housing (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes a mechanism to allow relief-collateral sanction for housing in Ohio.

Highlights:

• Defines Collateral Sanction for housing as a penalty, disability, or disadvantage that relates to housing due to a conviction of a guilty plea by an individual (Sec. 1).

• Established the ability of individuals to apply for a certification of qualification for housing under the following conditions (Sec. 1):

• If they live outside of Ohio an individual may file a petition with either the court of Common Pleas in the country they have a conviction/guilty plea, or with a designated official from the division of parole

• If they live in Ohio they must fill out the petition in the county they reside in or with a designated official from the Division of Parol

• Requires petitions to be filed on specific forms and include all crucial information and include a fee of $50 (Sec. 1).

• Establishes different timelines for the eligibility of filing a petition based on the severity of the crime, for example (Sec. 1):

• For a felony, the individual may file a petition after one year after they are released from incarceration, which includes periods of supervision such as parol.

• If the individual was not incarcerated they may file the petition after one year from their final release from all other sanctions related to the offense

• For a misdemeanor, the individual may file the petition 6 months after they are released from incarceration, which includes periods of supervision such as parol.

• If the individual was not  incarcerated they may file the petition after 6 months from their final release from all other sanctions related to the offense

• Requires the application fee be distributed as follows (Sec. 1):

• $30 to the state treasury; and

• $20 to the county general revenue fund

• Requires the court upon receiving a petition to identify any other courts in Ohio where the petitioner was convicted/pleaded guilty other than the one where they are seeking relief (Sec. 1).

• Requires the following criteria to be considered when determining the issuing of a certification of qualification for housing (Sec. 1):

• Will granting the petition materially assist the individual in obtaining housing;

• Does the individual have a substantial need for the relief to live a law-abiding life; and

• Will granting the petition pose an unreasonable risk to the public safety of any individual.

• Authorizes decision-makers, such as landlords, to still evaluate each case individually under the assumption that they will use the individual criminal history to automatically disqualify them from housing, per the certificate of qualification for housing (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text