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Bill > HB359

OH HB359

OH HB359
Regards emergency Joshua Alert system for certain missing kids

summary

Introduced
06/12/2025
In Committee
10/29/2025
Crossed Over
11/12/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

136th General Assembly

Bill Summary

A BILL To amend section 5502.522 of the Revised Code to clarify the statewide emergency alert system in cases of missing autistic or developmentally disabled children and to name the alert the Joshua Alert.

AI Summary

This bill amends Ohio's emergency alert system to clarify and expand protections for missing individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or mental impairments, and specifically names alerts for missing children with these conditions as "Joshua Alerts". The bill modifies existing law to specify that for missing children under 18 with autism or developmental disabilities, law enforcement must immediately notify the statewide emergency alert program once the information is verified. The alert system remains a coordinated effort involving multiple state agencies and media outlets, and is designed to help locate individuals who cannot safely return home independently and may be at immediate risk of serious harm. The bill defines key terms such as "autism spectrum disorder", "developmental disability", and "mental impairment", and maintains existing protections for media outlets participating in the alert system. Importantly, the bill adds language specifying that a credible threat of danger can include situations where a missing person is nonverbal, has limited communication abilities, or lacks the capacity to seek help or ensure their own safety, thus broadening the circumstances under which an alert can be issued.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (78)

Jennifer Gross (R)*,  Cecil Thomas (D)*,  Munira Abdullahi (D),  Cindy Abrams (R),  Rachel Baker (D),  Tim Barhorst (R),  Adam Bird (R),  Sean Brennan (D),  Juanita Brent (D),  Darnell Brewer (D),  Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D),  Karen Brownlee (D),  Ashley Bryant Bailey (D),  Thad Claggett (R),  Gary Click (R),  Rodney Creech (R),  Jack Daniels (R),  Kellie Deeter (R),  Michael Dovilla (R),  Tex Fischer (R),  Sarah Fowler Arthur (R),  Haraz Ghanbari (R),  Chris Glassburn (D),  Michele Grim (D),  Derrick Hall (D),  Thomas Hall (R),  Jim Hoops (R),  Latyna Humphrey (D),  Dani Isaacsohn (D),  Dontavius Jarrells (D),  Marilyn John (R),  Mark Johnson (R),  Angie King (R),  Matthew Kishman (R),  Roy Klopfenstein (R),  Jeff LaRe (R),  Meredith Lawson-Rowe (D),  Beth Lear (R),  Crystal Lett (D),  Brian Lorenz (R),  Gayle Manning (R),  Adam Mathews (R),  Ty Mathews (R),  Joe Miller (D),  Melanie Miller (R),  Ismail Mohamed (D),  Johnathan Newman (R),  Mike Odioso (R),  Scott Oelslager (R),  Bob Peterson (R),  Phil Plummer (R),  Tristan Rader (D),  Sharon Ray (R),  Tracy Richardson (R),  Monica Robb Blasdel (R),  Phil Robinson (D),  Elgin Rogers (D),  Allison Russo (D),  Jodi Salvo (R),  Jean Schmidt (R),  Mark Sigrist (D),  Veronica Sims (D),  Anita Somani (D),  Jason Stephens (R),  D.J. Swearingen (R),  Bride Sweeney (D),  Eric Synenberg (D),  Michelle Teska (R),  David Thomas (R),  Desiree Tims (D),  Dan Troy (D),  Terrence Upchurch (D),  Andrea White (R),  Erika White (D),  Josh Williams (R),  Bernie Willis (R),  Heidi Workman (R),  Tom Young (R), 

Last Action

Senate Rules and Reference C./Gross, 2nd Hearing, Proponent (11:30:00 3/4/2026 Senate Chamber) (on 03/04/2026)

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