Bill > SB124

This bill enhances legal protections for transit system operators by increasing penalties for assault and establishing new provisions for transit systems. Specifically, the bill allows Ohio transit systems to post signs in buses and rail cars warning that any threatening or aggressive behavior toward staff might result in a felony conviction. For assaults against transit operators, the bill creates a new penalty structure: a first-time offense is a fifth-degree felony with potential fines up to $5,000 and a possible six-month ban from riding transit systems, while repeat offenders can face a fourth-degree felony and potentially be banned from riding transit systems for life. The bill also modifies existing law regarding fare evasion, changing the penalty for evading payment from a fourth-degree to a second-degree misdemeanor. These changes aim to improve safety for transit workers by creating stronger legal deterrents against violence and disruptive behavior in public transportation settings, while providing transit systems with tools to communicate expectations of proper conduct to passengers.