COLUMBUS, OH – A tragic 2019 murder in Hocking County has led to the unanimous passage of legislation aimed at strengthening penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders. House Bill 111, which passed the Ohio Senate on Wednesday night and the Ohio House of Representatives last year, targets individuals with multiple prior domestic violence convictions.
The bill establishes a presumption of prison time for offenders convicted of third-degree felony domestic violence, a charge applied to those with at least two previous domestic violence convictions. Additionally, it increases the sentencing range, raising the minimum prison sentence from nine months to 12 months, ensuring longer incarceration for repeat offenders.
“If someone’s incarcerated, that allows someone to get their property out of a shared home and make different choices without fear the offender is going to come back and cause further harm,” said Domestic Abuse Advocate.
The legislation stems from a devastating domestic violence case in Hocking County that resulted in a fatality. Advocates and lawmakers hope the bill will help prevent similar tragedies in the future, giving survivors the time and space needed to rebuild their lives.
With unanimous support in both chambers, House Bill 111 is now poised to bring greater accountability for repeat domestic violence offenders across Ohio.
