Bill would create domestic violence database

A pair of bipartisan lawmakers proposed legislation last month that would establish a public registry of those who are repeat domestic violence offenders. Proposed by state Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, and state Rep. Cecil Thomas, D-Cincinnati, House Bill 846 — if approved — would require the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to maintain a repeat domestic violence offender registry. Under the bill, individuals who are convicted of, or plead guilty or no contest to, a violation of the state's domestic violence law for the second or subsequent time would have to register with the public database, according to the bill's analysis. When someone registers, their record would include details of their conviction or plea, along with their name, date of birth and a current photograph. The proposal requires repeat domestic violence offenders to register with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and provide the necessary documents, including a copy of their ID, within seven days of conviction or plea. It also bans public access to details such as offenders' addresses, Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers, such as driver's license numbers. The proposal would additionally require the bureau to remove offenders from the registry at set intervals. Repeat offenders with one prior conviction will be removed after two years from the conviction date. Those with two prior convictions will be removed after five years of the most recent conviction, and individuals with three or more prior convictions will be removed after 10 years. The bill was introduced on May 6 and then referred to the House Public Safety Committee on May 13. Another hearing regarding this bill was scheduled for June 9. Implementation of similar laws In January, Tennessee became the first state to implement a domestic violence registry following the passage of Savanna's Law. The law is named in honor of Savanna Puckett, a 22-year-old Robertson County Sheriff's Deputy who was killed in January 2022 by her ex-boyfriend, who had a history of domestic violence and stalking, Main Street Media in Tennessee reported. Since the passage of Savanna's Law, at least 11 states have introduced legislation to create domestic violence registries, according to NBC4.