COLUMBUS — State Representatives Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) have introduced new legislation aimed at closing a loophole in Ohio’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) laws. The bill seeks to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault by preventing offenders from living within 2,000 feet of their victims or loitering within 1,000 feet of them.
“Eighty percent of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows,” Klopfenstein said. “Updating current law to prohibit offenders from living near their victims is critical to ensuring the safety of our children and communities.”
Under Ohio’s existing law, sex offenders are prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of schools, preschools, childcare centers, children’s crisis care facilities, or residential infant care centers. However, there is currently no restriction preventing offenders from residing next door to their victims.
“Under no circumstance should a child fear for their safety in their own home,” Williams stated. “It is critical that we act swiftly to close this dangerous loophole and better protect our children and other victims of sexual assault.”
The proposed bill is modeled after a law passed unanimously in Oklahoma, which has since been adopted by five other states.
The legislation is awaiting a bill number and committee assignment in the Ohio legislature.
