Bill > SB295

This bill amends existing Ohio law regarding the timeline for restoring a defendant's competency to stand trial in criminal cases, meaning their ability to understand the legal proceedings and assist in their own defense. Specifically, it changes the maximum time a defendant can undergo treatment for competency restoration, extending it from one year to three years for the most serious offenses, including aggravated murder, murder, and offenses carrying a potential death sentence or life imprisonment. For other offenses, the maximum treatment periods are also adjusted, with some being extended and others remaining the same. The bill also introduces provisions for tolling, or pausing, these time limits if a defendant refuses treatment or lacks the capacity to consent to it, and clarifies how repeated findings of incompetency are handled. Finally, it declares an emergency to allow these changes to take effect immediately, citing the need to address existing cases where current competency restoration timelines are expiring.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb295