Ohio’s House Bill 102 proposes expanding housing and movement restrictions for registered individuals near their victims, sparking concerns over implementation and fairness.

MAIN POINTS:

1. HB 102 restricts registered individuals from living within 2,000 feet of their victim.
2. The bill also prohibits loitering within 1,000 feet of the victim’s residence.
3. Civil injunctions can force registered individuals to move without proving harm.
4. Injunctions may be initiated by victims, landlords, property owners, prosecutors, or mayors.
5. The bill avoids criminal penalties, focusing solely on civil enforcement actions.
6. Implementation challenges include no mechanism to notify individuals about victim locations.
7. The bill’s drafting mirrors similar laws in Oklahoma and possibly other states.
8. The Ohio legislative makeup heavily favors Republicans, influencing the likelihood of bill passage.
9. Effective lobbying strategies involve presenting concise, respectful, and well-informed points.
10. Testimonies or protests must be cohesive and avoid inconsistent messaging to gain lawmakers’ attention.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. The legislation raises logistical concerns, such as how registered individuals can avoid unknown victim locations.
2. Approaching legislators with concise, logical concerns increases the chance of influencing decisions.
3. Pre-testimony research and relationship-building with lawmakers and analysts are essential for effective lobbying.
4. Mixed messaging or mass identical protests risk derailing advocacy efforts.
5. Understanding a bill sponsor’s motivations and district politics can uncover opportunities to challenge or amend proposals.