The Ohio House has approved a bill that would bar registered sex offenders and child-victim offenders from living near their victims, closing a gap in current law that allows offenders to reside next door to the individuals they harmed. House Bill 102 passed 89–2 and now moves to the Senate for co nsideration. The measure would prohibit an offender from living within 2,000 feet of a victim’s residence and from loitering within 1,000 feet. While Ohio law already prevents offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools or childcare centers, supporters of the bill say it does not sufficiently address direct victim protection. “Victims should never have to live in constant fear of encountering their attacker every time they step outside,” said Rep. Roy Klopfenstein, one of the bill’s sponsors. He noted that a majority of sexual assaults involve someone known to the victim. “It’s unacceptable that current laws allow an offender to move in right next door.” Rep. Josh Williams, the bill’s co-sponsor, said the goal is to ensure clear distance between offenders and victims. “Victims should never have to look over their shoulder or fear running into the person who traumatized them,” Williams said. The only two votes against the measure came from Reps. Juanita Brent and Cecil Thomas. Thomas raised concerns about a provision allowing landlords to evict tenants who let an offender live on their property within 2,000 feet of the victim. “The language leaves no room for the protection of the tenant,” Thomas said, warning that tenants could face eviction without knowing an offender’s status. Under the bill, prosecutors, property owners, or lessees could seek a court order demanding that an offender relocate or stop loitering in restricted areas. The restrictions would apply regardless of when the offender was convicted, though they would not apply in cases where a victim moves near the offender. Advocates for the measure, including the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, testified in support. A father whose daughter was victimized also spoke, saying the offender continues to live next door even after being placed on the registry. “Our family lost the ability to use our own yard without fear,” he said, describing repeated encounters in their backyard. Opponents argued the proposal could have unintended consequences. Representatives from the Office of the Ohio Public Defender and the Ohio Justice and Policy Center testified that the bill may create significant barriers to stable housing for offenders and complicate reintegration efforts. Zachary Miller of the public defender’s office said the bill could inadvertently expose victims’ locations. “In practice, the bill essentially encourages a person attempting to comply with registration to search for and locate their victim’s current address,” he said. HB 102 is modeled on a law adopted in Oklahoma in 2018 and later implemented in several other states. Supporters say the Ohio version is designed to prevent unwanted contact between offenders and victims while strengthening community safety. The bill now awaits Senate review. The post Ohio House Approves Expanded Restrictions on Sex and Child-Victim Offenders appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less