The Lead Off Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders. Domestic violence prevention organizations are raising concerns about unintended consequences for survivors. The proposal remains under review in the Ohio House Public Safe ty Committee. COLUMBUS, OHIO (WOWO) Ohio nonprofit organizations focused on domestic violence prevention and sexual assault response are raising concerns about legislation that would establish a public registry of repeat domestic violence offenders. House Bill 846 would require individuals convicted of domestic violence with at least one prior conviction to register in a publicly accessible database maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation according to WCMH. Proposed registry details The bill, sponsored by Reps. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, and Cecil Thomas, D-Cincinnati, was introduced on May 6 and remains pending in the Ohio House Public Safety Committee. Under the proposal, the registry would include an offender’s name, date of birth, photograph, and details of their conviction or plea. Sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and home addresses would not be included. Lawmakers supporting the measure say the registry is intended to improve victim safety and enhance law enforcement awareness of repeat offenders. “This bill is designed to strengthen victim safety, assist law enforcement in identifying repeat offenders, and ensure that repeat acts of domestic violence are treated with the seriousness they deserve,” Thomas said during a May 19 hearing. Concerns raised by advocacy organizations The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) and the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV) submitted written testimony expressing concerns about the legislation’s potential effects on survivors. Maria York, policy director for ODVN, said the proposal could have unintended consequences, including the possibility of dual arrests in domestic violence cases where both parties are charged. York also warned that public identification of offenders could discourage some survivors from reporting abuse, particularly in rural communities. “Living in a rural community as a survivor, I wanted to minimize any form of shame towards my children,” one survivor wrote in testimony submitted by ODVN. “People gossip and while there is nothing I can do about it, placing their father’s picture for all to see is not helpful.” Emily Gemar, director of public policy and communications for OAESV, said the registry could also indirectly identify survivors because domestic violence cases typically involve family or household members. “Because of this, a registry could also affect survivor decision-making,” Gemar said. Questions about effectiveness and costs Advocacy groups also pointed to concerns about the effectiveness of similar policies, noting that Tennessee is currently the only state to have implemented a domestic violence registry following the passage of Savanna’s Law in 2024. York said the long-term impact on recidivism and offender accountability remains unclear due to limited data. She also highlighted implementation costs in Tennessee, which include hundreds of thousands of dollars in setup and annual operating expenses. In Ohio, a fiscal analysis by the Legislative Service Commission estimates initial development costs of approximately $50,000 for the Attorney General’s Office, with ongoing annual costs between $15,000 and $20,000. Removal timelines and enforcement Under House Bill 846, offenders would be removed from the registry after a set period depending on their criminal history: Two years after most recent conviction for offenders with one prior conviction Five years for offenders with two prior convictions Ten years for offenders with three or more prior convictions The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation would be responsible for maintaining and updating the registry. Domestic violence trends in Ohio According to a report from the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, there were 157 domestic violence fatalities in the state between July 2024 and June 2025, the highest number reported in the past decade of tracking. Advocates say that while accountability measures are important, prevention services and survivor support programs remain critical to addressing domestic violence statewide. Next steps in the legislature House Bill 846 remains pending in the House Public Safety Committee and is expected to receive additional hearings before advancing through the legislative process. The Takeaway Ohio lawmakers are considering House Bill 846, which would create a public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders maintained by the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Advocacy organizations say the proposal could unintentionally discourage survivors from reporting abuse and raise concerns about privacy, safety, and effectiveness. The bill remains in committee as lawmakers weigh potential costs, implementation details, and whether similar registries have demonstrated measurable public safety benefits. The post Ohio Lawmakers Consider Public Registry for Repeat Domestic Violence Offenders appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less