Ohio legislation · 136th General Assembly
Ohio HB20: Prohibit harassing or impeding an emergency service responder
Status: Signed into law, October 6, 2026
To amend sections 2903.22 and 2921.31 of the Revised Code to modify the offense of obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder, to increase the penalty for obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, and to clarify that heightened penalties apply for menacing a probation officer.
What the bill says
An act To amend sections 2903.22 and 2921.31 of the Revised Code to modify the offense of obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder, to increase the penalty for obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, and to clarify that heightened penalties apply for menacing a probation officer.
From the enrolled text, June 9, 2026:
AN ACT To amend sections 2903.22 and 2921.31 of the Revised Code to modify the offense of obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder, to increase the penalty for obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, and to clarify that heightened penalties apply for menacing a probation officer. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: Section 1. That sections 2903.22 and 2921.31 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows: Sec. 2903.22. (A)(1) No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family. In addition to any other basis for the other person's belief that the offender will cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family, the other person's belief may be based on words or conduct of the offender that are directed at or identify a corporation, association, or other organization that employs the other person or to which the other person belongs. (2) No person shall knowingly place …
Sponsors
- Thomas Hall (R, 46) · primary sponsor
- Phil Plummer (R, 39) · primary sponsor
- Cindy Abrams (R, 29)
- Adam Bird (R, 63)
- Sean Brennan (D, 14)
- Gary Click (R, 88)
- Meredith Craig (R, 77)
- Rodney Creech (R, 40)
- Jack Daniels (R, 32)
- Kellie Deeter (R, 54)
- Steve Demetriou (R, 35)
- Michael Dovilla (R, 17)
Latest actions
- : Effective
- : Signed By The Governor
- : Sent To The Governor
- : Concurred in Senate amendments
- : Passed
- : Reported - Substitute
- : Referred to committee
- : Introduced
- : Reported - Substitute
- : Passed
Votes
- Passed (June 9, 2026): 83 yea, 12 nay, passed
- Passed (June 3, 2026): 29 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Favorable Passage (June 3, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, failed
- Passed (June 18, 2025): 79 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Favorable Passage (June 18, 2025): 8 yea, 2 nay, failed
Subjects: Law Enforcement, Crimes, Corrections, and Law Enforcement, Crime and Punishment
Common questions
- What is HB20?
- HB20 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Prohibit harassing or impeding an emergency service responder.
- What does HB20 do?
- In its own words: An act To amend sections 2903.22 and 2921.31 of the Revised Code to modify the offense of obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder, to increase the penalty for obstructing official business when the victim is an emergency service responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, and to clarify that heightened penalties apply for menacing a probation officer.
- What is the status of HB20?
- Signed into law as of October 6, 2026. Latest action: Effective (October 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB20?
- Thomas Hall (R, 46), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB20?
- On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb20
Source: official Ohio record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.