A bipartisan effort is underway in Ohio to reform the state’s juvenile justice system, with lawmakers proposing new legislation aimed at prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration.
Senate Bill 270, introduced by Sens. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), reflects recommendations made by a state-appointed working group that has been studying the issue since November 2023. The group’s central goal is to keep children out of state facilities longer and give judges more flexibility in sentencing.
“As a lawyer whose primary and consistent work has been in the juvenile justice setting, this much-needed legislation will provide guidance for courts and juvenile service providers,” Hicks-Hudson said. “We must make sure that our community and juvenile justice workers are safe, while also focusing on providing appropriate strategies to improve outcomes for children and their families.”
Key Provisions of SB 270
- Raise the minimum age for sending juveniles to the Department of Youth Services from 10 to 14.
- End mandatory sentencing for youth in gun-related cases, allowing judges discretion instead.
- Ban first-time, non-violent felony offenders from being placed in state-run youth facilities.
The working group also recommended broader, non-legislative reforms, including replacing large detention centers with smaller facilities, partnering with local organizations to improve community reentry, hiring outside consultants, and revising funding structures.
Supporters say the bill balances accountability with the opportunity for second chances, while critics may raise concerns about public safety and consistency in sentencing. The legislation now heads to committee for hearings.
