COLUMBUS—State
Representative Ross McGregor (R-Springfield) today announced that the
Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 524, collateral
sanctions reform legislation that focuses on the elimination of barriers
that ex-offenders often face when trying to obtain jobs after their
release from prison.
Collateral
sanctions are restrictions, disabilities, or penalties beyond the
direct punishment imposed on individuals at the time of sentencing. The
legislation, which was jointly sponsored with Representative Tracy
Maxwell Heard (D-Columbus), updates Ohio’s criminal statutes to ensure
that those who might have a previous conviction or plea of guilty can
obtain employment without facing an unnecessary barrier.
“House
Bill 524 is a jobs bill that offers ex-offenders more opportunity to be
contributing members of society and not recidivate,” Representative
McGregor said. “It’s important to that our criminal statutes make sense,
and this bill makes important common-sense reforms while also helping
to keep Ohio’s prison population down. I’m extremely pleased to see its
passage.”
One
in every six Ohioans are ex-offenders. By reducing collateral
sanctions, the legislation will increase employment opportunities for
individuals with criminal records, thereby likely reducing recidivism
and potentially increasing payroll tax revenues for local communities.
House Bill 524 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further debate and consideration.
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