| The Ohio Senate overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 225, sponsored by State Senator Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield), expanding eligibility of the Safe at Home program to certain crime victims and members of their household.
“Victims suffering from fear and intimidation at their own homes cannot confidently seek justice for themselves,” said Senator Manchester. “No one should live in fear of exercising their right to vote. This legislation expands the Safe at Home program to victims of violent assault, protecting themselves and their family from future harm. I’m grateful that my colleagues see the necessity of this bill, and I look forward to watching it discussed in the House.”
Established in 2016, Ohio’s Safe at Home program allows victims of certain types of violence to keep their home addresses confidential, protecting them from individuals who may wish to cause them harm. Currently, the covered offenses for the program are domestic violence, menacing by stalking, human trafficking, trafficking in persons, rape, and sexual battery.
SB 225 extends the list of crimes that make a victim and their household eligible to participate in the Safe at Home program to include the following:
- Victims of any crime that caused serious physical harm or death to the victim.
- Victims of a crime in which they were threatened with a deadly weapon.
Receiving full support from the Senate Judiciary Committee and the entire Senate, SB 225 now heads to the Ohio House for further consideration. Click here to follow the bill’s status. |
