Bill > HB372

This bill, known as the Larry Henderson Act, amends Ohio's criminal law to specify that the penalty for aggravated murder of a peace officer, prosecutor, first responder, or military member will be either death or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The bill specifically modifies existing statutes to expand and clarify the sentencing options for these types of aggravated murder cases. Key changes include broadening the definition of protected classes (now explicitly including prosecutors, first responders, and military members) and mandating the most severe sentencing options when the victim belongs to these categories. The bill ensures that if an offender is convicted of aggravated murder with the victim being a peace officer, prosecutor, first responder, or military member, the jury and court must consider either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole as the potential sentences. This legislation appears to be designed to provide enhanced legal protections and more stringent penalties for crimes committed against specific public service and military personnel, signaling a strong societal stance against violence targeting these professional groups.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb372