Ohio 136th General Assembly Status: Enacted 1 R cosponsors

SB 179 — Verify veteran status of imprisoned individuals

Last action — Effective 9/23/26

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced September 23, 2026. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 56% · moderate confidence
  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    8 passed, 2 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill verifies the veteran status of individuals in prison or facing imprisonment.

This bill amends existing laws to ensure that the veteran status of imprisoned individuals is verified. It addresses both current prisoners and those facing imprisonment.

Summary

To amend sections 341.02 and 5901.03 and to enact section 341.43 of the Revised Code to verify the veteran status of imprisoned individuals and individuals facing imprisonment.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

127 added · 168 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to SB 179 clarify that sheriffs are required to verify the veteran status of individuals who are incarcerated. Previously, the bill included specifications for both imprisoned individuals and those facing imprisonment, but now it focuses solely on those already incarcerated. This change is important because it aims to ensure that accurate records are kept regarding veterans in jails, which could help in providing them with appropriate support and services.

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Previous
Latest
As Passed by the Senate 136th General Assembly Regular Session S.
(136th GeneralAssembly) (Substitute Senate Bill Number 179) ANACT To amend sections 341.02 and 5901.03 and to enact section 341.43 of the Revised Code to require incarcerating institutions to verify the veteran status of incarcerated individuals.
B.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
No.
SECTION 1.
179 2025-2026 Senator Johnson Cosponsors:
That sections 341.02 and 5901.03 be amended and section 341.43 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Senators Weinstein, Brenner, Cirino, Antonio, Blackshear, Blessing, Chavez, Craig, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Koehler, Landis, Lang, Manning, O'Brien, Patton, Reineke, Reynolds, Roegner, Romanchuk, Schaffer, Smith, Timken, Wilkin, Wilson To amend sections 341.02 and 5901.03 and to enact 1 section 341.43 of the Revised Code to verify the 2 veteran status of imprisoned individuals and 3 individuals facing imprisonment.
Sec.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1.
That sections 341.02 and 5901.03 be amended and 5 section 341.43 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as 6 follows:
7 Sec.
The sheriff shall make the following entries 8 in a suitable book, which shall be known as the "jail register," 9 kept in the office of the jailer, and delivered to the successor 10 in office of such jailer:
The sheriff shall make the following entries in a suitable book, which shall be known as the "jail register," kept in the office of the jailer, and delivered to the successor in office of such jailer:
11 (A) The name of each prisoner, and the date and cause of 12 histhe prisoner's commitment;
(A) The name of each prisoner, and the date and cause of histhe prisoner's commitment;
13 (B) The date and manner of his the prisoner's discharge;
(B) The date and manner of his the prisoner's discharge;
14 (C) If the prisoner is verified as a veteran as a result 15 of an investigation conducted pursuant to section 341.43 of the 16 S.
(C) The prisoner's veteran status, if the prisoner is verified as a veteran as a result of an investigation conducted by a sheriff under section 341.43 of the Revised Code.
B.
The sheriff or jail administrator shall prepare written operational policies and procedures and prisoner rules of conduct, and maintain the records prescribed by these policies and procedures in accordance with the minimum standards for jails in Ohio promulgated by the department of rehabilitation and correction.
No.
The court of common pleas shall review the jail's operational policies and procedures and prisoner rules of conduct.
179 Page 2 As Passed by the Senate Revised Code, the veteran status of the prisoner.
If the court approves the policies, procedures, and rules of conduct, they shall be adopted.
17 The sheriff or jail administrator shall prepare written 18 operational policies and procedures and prisoner rules of 19 conduct, and maintain the records prescribed by these policies 20 and procedures in accordance with the minimum standards for 21 jails in Ohio promulgated by the department of rehabilitation 22 and correction.
Sec.
23 The court of common pleas shall review the jail's 24 operational policies and procedures and prisoner rules of 25 conduct.
If the court approves the policies, procedures, and 26 rules of conduct, they shall be adopted.
27 Sec.
(A) All of the following institutions or 28 entities shall designate as soon as practicable at least one 29 individual to perform the duties set forth in division (B) of 30 this section:
(A) As used in this section:
31 (1) Each institution that is under the control of the 32 department of rehabilitation and correction;
(1) "VRSS" means the veterans reentry search service that is operated by the United States department of veterans affairs.
33 (2) Each county, municipal, municipal-county, and 34 multicounty correctional institution that has on its premises a 35 jail, workhouse, minimum security jail, community-based 36 correctional facility, or facility in which an individual shall 37 serve a term of imprisonment or prison term pursuant to section 38 2929.34 of the Revised Code for the type of criminal offense and 39 under the circumstances specified or referred to in that 40 section;
(2) "Incarcerating institution" means all of the following:
41 (3) Each court of common pleas, municipal and county 42 court, department of probation, and pre-trial diversion program;
(a) Each institution that is under the control of the department of rehabilitation and correction;
43 (4) Each county veterans service commission.
(b) Each county, municipal, municipal-county, and multicounty correctional institution that has on its premises a jail, workhouse, minimum security jail, community-based correctional facility, or facility in which an individual shall serve a term of incarceration or a prison or jail term pursuant to section 2929.34 of the Revised Code for the type of criminal offense and under the circumstances specified or referred to in that section;
44 S.
(c) An institution described in division (A)(2)(a) or (b) of this section that confines an Sub.
S.
179 Page 3 As Passed by the Senate (B) Each institution or entity referred to in division (A) 45 of this section shall do all of the following:
179 136th G.A.
46 (1) Determine the number of individuals necessary to 47 perform the duties set forth in divisions (B)(4) to (6) of this 48 section;
individual awaiting disposition, in cases where an individual is charged with a felony that is punishable by a term of incarceration, a misdemeanor that is punishable by a term of incarceration, or a traffic offense that is punishable by a term of incarceration.
49 (2) Upon determining the number of necessary individuals, 50 designate as soon as practicable that number of individuals to 51 perform the duties set forth in divisions (B)(4) to (6) of this 52 section;
(B) Each incarcerating institution shall do all of the following:
53 (3) Train each designated qualified individual to use the 54 veteran's reentry search service operated by the United States 55 department of veterans affairs by seeking cost-free training 56 assistance from a representative of the veterans justice 57 outreach program operated by the department of veterans affairs 58 or other appropriate representative of the department.
(1) Register with VRSS;
If an 59 institution or entity is unable to acquire cost-free assistance 60 from the department, the institution or entity may, at the 61 institution's or entity's own expense, retain individuals who 62 are knowledgeable about the veteran's reentry search service by 63 training or experience to assist in training designated 64 qualified individuals to use the service;
(2) During the confinement booking process, obtain personal information from each individual, including name, social security number, and any other required information necessary to determine whether the individual is a veteran;
65 (4) Investigate and verify the veteran status of each 66 individual served by the institution or entity, appearing before 67 the institution or entity, or who is in the institution's or 68 entity's care or custody, and who is imprisoned or charged with 69 a criminal offense punishable by incarceration.
(3) Not later than three days after each booking, access VRSS to which the incarcerating institution is registered under division (B)(1) of this section to verify or confirm if an individual who is incarcerated or charged with a criminal offense has served in the United States military;
The institution 70 or entity shall conduct investigations under division (B)(4) of 71 this section by using data provided by the veteran's reentry 72 search service operated by the United States department of 73 veterans affairs;
(4) For each individual verified as a veteran as a result of an investigation conducted pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section, note the individual's status as a veteran on all appropriate records pursuant to rules adopted under division (E) of this section.
74 S.
(C) An incarcerating institution is not required to access VRSS if another incarcerating institution has complied with the requirements of this section with respect to the individual and charge that led to the specific incarceration.
(D) Each incarcerating institution shall train staff to use VRSS to which the institution is registered.
The institution shall seek cost-free training assistance and computer software installation from a representative of the veterans justice outreach program operated by the department of veterans affairs or other appropriate representative of the department.
If an institution is unable to acquire cost-free assistance from that department, the institution may, at the institution's own expense, retain individuals who are knowledgeable about VRSS, by training or experience, to assist in training designated qualified individuals to use VRSS, and may request financial assistance under division (E)(3) of section 5901.03 of the Revised Code.
(E) The director of rehabilitation and correction shall adopt rules to implement the requirements of this section for each of the incarcerating institutions under its control, including rules establishing the types of records upon which an individual's veteran status must be indicated.
Incarcerating institutions referred to in division (A) of this section that are not under the control of the department of rehabilitation and corrections shall adopt rules to implement the requirements of this section, including rules establishing the types of records upon which an individual's veteran status must be indicated.
Show all 88 changed rows (48 more)
Previous
Latest
Sec.
5901.03.
The veterans service commission shall select one of its members as president, one as vice-president, and one as secretary.
The commission shall meet at least once each month.
A judge of the court of common pleas may remove, for cause, any member of the commission appointed under section 5901.02 of the Revised Code, and shall fill vacancies occurring among memberships appointed under that section for the unexpired terms in the manner provided for the original appointments.
Sub.
S.
179 Page 4 As Passed by the Senate (5) For each individual verified as a veteran as a result 75 of an investigation conducted pursuant to division (B)(4) of 76 this section, note the individual's status as a veteran on all 77 appropriate records pursuant to rules adopted under division (C) 78 of this section;
179 136th G.A.
79 (6) For each individual verified as a veteran as a result 80 of an investigation conducted pursuant to division (B)(4) of 81 this section, assist the individual in contacting veteran- 82 related services such as the department of veterans services, 83 county veteran service commissions, veteran service 84 organizations, a representative of the veterans justice outreach 85 program operated by the United States department of veterans 86 affairs, or community organizations that may assist veterans in 87 applying for any federal, state, or local veteran-related 88 resources.
The commission's duties shall include but are not limited to the following:
89 (C) The director of rehabilitation and correction shall 90 adopt rules to implement the requirements of this section for 91 each of the institutions or entities under its control, 92 including rules establishing the types of records upon which an 93 individual's veteran status must be indicated pursuant to 94 division (B)(5) of this section.
(A) Employing such staff as are necessary to carry out the commission's duties, and fixing their compensation;
Institutions and entities 95 referred to in division (A)(2) or (4) of this section that are 96 not under the control of the department of rehabilitation and 97 corrections shall adopt rules to implement the requirements of 98 this section, including rules establishing the types of records 99 upon which an individual's veteran status must be indicated 100 pursuant to division (B)(5) of this section.
(B) Establishing policies and procedures for the administration of the commission and the veterans service office;
101 Sec.
(C) Establishing policies and procedures for the administration of assistance as provided under this chapter;
5901.03.
(D) Causing the budgets of the veterans service commission and veterans service office to be presented to the board of county commissioners for approval;
The veterans service commission shall select 102 one of its members as president, one as vice-president, and one 103 as secretary.
(E) Establishing programs of outreach and coordination with other agencies to enhance available services to veterans within the county;, which may include any of the following:
The commission shall meet at least once each 104 S.
(1) Providing financial assistance to a veterans treatment court to establish and fulfill an outreach program under this section;
(2) Hiring and compensating a person who will work at a veterans treatment court and provide assistance to the court as specified by the terms of an outreach program established under this section;
(3) Providing financial assistance to incarcerating institutions, under section 341.43 of the Revised Code, to purchase the necessary computer hardware and software, and to compensate for the cost of training and use of VRSS, if such purchase or compensation is not provided by the United States department of veteran affairs.
This assistance is to aid in identifying veterans who are incarcerated or charged with criminal conduct, so that these veterans can be assessed and, if they qualify, placed in outreach programs, such as veterans treatment courts, or other outreach programs provided by other agencies.
As used in this division, "VRSS" has the same meaning as in section 341.43 of the Revised Code.
(F) Promoting, monitoring, and providing funding for ongoing education and training for veterans service commissioners and staff;
(G) Making reports to the organizations represented on the commission, as provided in section 5901.02 of the Revised Code, and to others, upon request;
(H) Establishing regularly scheduled transportation for veterans to and from veterans administration medical centers whose districts the county is within, through contractual agreements or through other arrangements determined by the commission to be most cost-effective;
(I) Participating in appropriate memorial and commemorative activities to help promote patriotism and veterans services;
(J) Taking any other actions required by this chapter.
SECTION 2.
That existing sections 341.02 and 5901.03 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Sub.
S.
179 Page 5 As Passed by the Senate month.
179 136th G.A.
A judge of the court of common pleas may remove, for 105 cause, any member of the commission appointed under section 106 5901.02 of the Revised Code, and shall fill vacancies occurring 107 among memberships appointed under that section for the unexpired 108 terms in the manner provided for the original appointments.
Speaker ___________________ of the House of Representatives.
109 The commission's duties shall include but are not limited 110 to the following:
President ___________________ of the Senate.
111 (A) Employing such staff as are necessary to carry out the 112 commission's duties, and fixing their compensation;
Passed ________________________, 20____ Approved ________________________, 20____ Governor.
113 (B) Establishing policies and procedures for the 114 administration of the commission and the veterans service 115 office;
Sub.
116 (C) Establishing policies and procedures for the 117 administration of assistance as provided under this chapter;
S.
118 (D) Causing the budgets of the veterans service commission 119 and veterans service office to be presented to the board of 120 county commissioners for approval;
121 (E) Establishing programs of outreach and coordination 122 with other agencies to enhance available services to veterans 123 within the county;, which may include either of the following:
124 (1) Providing financial assistance to a veterans treatment 125 court to establish and fulfill an outreach program under this 126 section;
127 (2) Hiring and compensating a person who will work at a 128 veterans treatment court and provide assistance to the court as 129 specified by the terms of an outreach program established under 130 this section.
131 (F) Promoting, monitoring, and providing funding for 132 S.
179 Page 6 As Passed by the Senate ongoing education and training for veterans service 133 commissioners and staff;
179 136th G.A.
134 (G) Making reports to the organizations represented on the 135 commission, as provided in section 5901.02 of the Revised Code, 136 and to others, upon request;
The section numbering of law of a general and permanent nature is complete and in conformity with the Revised Code.
137 (H) Establishing regularly scheduled transportation for 138 veterans to and from veterans administration medical centers 139 whose districts the county is within, through contractual 140 agreements or through other arrangements determined by the 141 commission to be most cost-effective;
Director, Legislative Service Commission.
142 (I) Participating in appropriate memorial and 143 commemorative activities to help promote patriotism and veterans 144 services;
Filed in the office of the Secretary of State at Columbus, Ohio, on the ____ day of ___________,A.
145 (J) Taking any other actions required by this chapter.
D.
146 Section 2.
20____.
That existing sections 341.02 and 5901.03 of 147 the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Secretary of State.
148
File No.
_________ Effective Date ___________________
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Action History

  1. As Enrolled

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 133 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (133)

133 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 133 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed 33 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 24000
Democratic 9000
Total 33000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
Beth Liston Democratic Yea
Casey Weinstein Democratic Yea
Catherine D. Ingram Democratic Yea
Hearcel F. Craig Democratic Yea
Kent Smith Democratic Yea
Nickie J. Antonio Democratic Yea
Paula Hicks-Hudson Democratic Yea
William P. DeMora Democratic Yea
Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. Democratic Yea
Al Cutrona Republican Yea
Al Landis Republican Yea
Andrew O. Brenner Republican Yea
Bill Reineke Republican Yea
Brian M. Chavez Republican Yea
George F. Lang Republican Yea
Jane M. Timken Republican Yea
Jerry C. Cirino Republican Yea
Kristina D. Roegner Republican Yea
Kyle Koehler Republican Yea
Louis W. Blessing, III Republican Yea
Mark Romanchuk Republican Yea
Michele Reynolds Republican Yea
Nathan H. Manning Republican Yea
Rob McColley Republican Yea
Sandra O'Brien Republican Yea
Shane Wilkin Republican Yea
Stephen A. Huffman Republican Yea
Steve Wilson Republican Yea
Susan Manchester Republican Yea
Terry Johnson Republican Yea
Theresa Gavarone Republican Yea
Thomas F. Patton Republican Yea
Tim Schaffer Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 93 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 32000
Republican 61000
Total 93000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (93)
Member Party Vote
Anita Somani Democratic Yea
Ashley Bryant Bailey Democratic Yea
Beryl Brown Piccolantonio Democratic Yea
Bride Rose Sweeney Democratic Yea
C. Allison Russo Democratic Yea
Cecil Thomas Democratic Yea
Chris Glassburn Democratic Yea
Christine Cockley Democratic Yea
Crystal Lett Democratic Yea
Dani Isaacsohn Democratic Yea
Daniel P. Troy Democratic Yea
Darnell T. Brewer Democratic Yea
Derrick Hall Democratic Yea
Desiree Tims Democratic Yea
Dontavius L. Jarrells Democratic Yea
Elgin Rogers, Jr. Democratic Yea
Eric Synenberg Democratic Yea
Erika White Democratic Yea
Ismail Mohamed Democratic Yea
Juanita O. Brent Democratic Yea
Karen Brownlee Democratic Yea
Latyna M. Humphrey Democratic Yea
Mark Sigrist Democratic Yea
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe Democratic Yea
Michele Grim Democratic Yea
Munira Abdullahi Democratic Yea
Phillip M. Robinson, Jr. Democratic Yea
Rachel B. Baker Democratic Yea
Sean P. Brennan Democratic Yea
Terrence Upchurch Democratic Yea
Tristan Rader Democratic Yea
Veronica R. Sims Democratic Yea
Adam C. Bird Republican Yea
Adam Holmes Republican Yea
Adam Mathews Republican Yea
Andrea White Republican Yea
Angela N. King Republican Yea
Bernard Willis Republican Yea
Beth Lear Republican Yea
Bill Roemer Republican Yea
Bob Peterson Republican Yea
Brian Lampton Republican Yea
Brian Lorenz Republican Yea
Brian Stewart Republican Yea
Cindy Abrams Republican Yea
D. J. Swearingen Republican Yea
David Thomas Republican Yea
Diane Mullins Republican Yea
Gary Click Republican Yea
Gayle Manning Republican Yea
Haraz N. Ghanbari Republican Yea
Heidi Workman Republican Yea
Jack K. Daniels Republican Yea
James M. Hoops Republican Yea
Jamie Callender Republican Yea
Jason Stephens Republican Yea
Jean Schmidt Republican Yea
Jeff LaRe Republican Yea
Jennifer Gross Republican Yea
Jim Thomas Republican Yea
Jodi Salvo Republican Yea
Johnathan Newman Republican Yea
Josh Williams Republican Yea
Justin Pizzulli Republican Yea
Kellie Deeter Republican Yea
Kevin D. Miller Republican Yea
Kevin Ritter Republican Yea
Levi Dean Republican Yea
Marilyn John Republican Yea
Mark Hiner Republican Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Yea
Matt Huffman Republican Yea
Matthew Kishman Republican Yea
Melanie Miller Republican Yea
Meredith Craig Republican Yea
Mike Odioso Republican Yea
Monica Robb Blasdel Republican Yea
Nick Santucci Republican Yea
Phil Plummer Republican Yea
Riordan T. McClain Republican Yea
Rodney Creech Republican Yea
Ron Ferguson Republican Yea
Roy Klopfenstein Republican Yea
Sarah Fowler Arthur Republican Yea
Scott Oelslager Republican Yea
Steve Demetriou Republican Yea
Tex Fischer Republican Yea
Thaddeus J. Claggett Republican Yea
Thomas Hall Republican Yea
Tim Barhorst Republican Yea
Tom Young Republican Yea
Tracy M. Richardson Republican Yea
Ty D. Mathews Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Reported

Failed 11 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 7000
Democratic 4000
Total 11000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
Cecil Thomas Democratic Yea
Derrick Hall Democratic Yea
Lauren McNally Democratic Yea
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe Democratic Yea
Adam Holmes Republican Yea
Brian Lampton Republican Yea
Meredith Craig Republican Yea
Michael D. Dovilla Republican Yea
Tracy M. Richardson Republican Yea
Ty D. Mathews Republican Yea
Ty Moore Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 33 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 24000
Democratic 9000
Total 33000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
Beth Liston Democratic Yea
Casey Weinstein Democratic Yea
Catherine D. Ingram Democratic Yea
Hearcel F. Craig Democratic Yea
Kent Smith Democratic Yea
Nickie J. Antonio Democratic Yea
Paula Hicks-Hudson Democratic Yea
William P. DeMora Democratic Yea
Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. Democratic Yea
Al Cutrona Republican Yea
Al Landis Republican Yea
Andrew O. Brenner Republican Yea
Bill Reineke Republican Yea
Brian M. Chavez Republican Yea
George F. Lang Republican Yea
Jane M. Timken Republican Yea
Jerry C. Cirino Republican Yea
Kristina D. Roegner Republican Yea
Kyle Koehler Republican Yea
Louis W. Blessing, III Republican Yea
Mark Romanchuk Republican Yea
Michele Reynolds Republican Yea
Nathan H. Manning Republican Yea
Rob McColley Republican Yea
Sandra O'Brien Republican Yea
Shane Wilkin Republican Yea
Stephen A. Huffman Republican Yea
Steve Wilson Republican Yea
Susan Manchester Republican Yea
Terry Johnson Republican Yea
Theresa Gavarone Republican Yea
Thomas F. Patton Republican Yea
Tim Schaffer Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 179 do?
To amend sections 341.02 and 5901.03 and to enact section 341.43 of the Revised Code to verify the veteran status of imprisoned individuals and individuals facing imprisonment.
Who sponsors SB 179?
SB 179 is sponsored by Terry Johnson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 179?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced September 23, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 179?
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