Bill > HB343

This bill modifies Ohio's juvenile justice laws to establish mandatory dispositions for youth adjudicated delinquent for felony theft or vandalism offenses. Specifically, the bill requires juvenile courts to commit youth to the Department of Youth Services for secure confinement under certain circumstances when they commit felony theft or vandalism offenses. The mandatory commitments vary based on the degree of the felony and the youth's prior adjudications. For example, if a child is 14 or older and has two or more prior delinquency adjudications for felony theft or vandalism, the court must commit them to the Department of Youth Services for a minimum of nine months to a maximum period not exceeding their 21st birthday. The bill applies to different felony degrees (second, third, fourth, and fifth degree) and sets progressively longer minimum commitment periods depending on the severity of the offense and the number of prior adjudications. The changes aim to create more consistent and structured consequences for repeat juvenile offenders committing theft and vandalism offenses, with the stated goals of rehabilitation and public safety. The bill also makes numerous technical amendments to cross-reference and align various sections of Ohio's juvenile justice statutes to support these new mandatory disposition requirements.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb343