Latest news with #HouseBill102
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio bill would add restrictions to where registered sex offenders can live
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While registered sex offenders in Ohio cannot live within 1,000 feet of any school or childcare center, there is currently no law stopping them from living next door to their victims. House Bill 102, sponsored by Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) and Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), would change that. Introduced in February, the legislation would ban sex offenders and child-victim offenders from living within 2,000 feet of their victim's residence or loitering within 1,000 feet. Ohio group asks U.S. Supreme Court to allow student opt-outs for LGBTQ+ lessons 'Under no circumstance should a child fear their safety in their own home,' Williams said in a news release. 'It is critical we act swiftly to close this dangerous loophole and ultimately, protect our kids and other victims of sexual assault.' In Ohio, child-victim offenders are defined as individuals who have pleaded guilty to, or were convicted of, certain offenses against children that were not sexually motivated. Those classified as sex offenders have been held legally responsible for certain sexually oriented offenses, whether the victim was an adult or minor. Both types of offenders are required to register with local authorities and appear on the state's database of sex and child-victim offenders. If an offender were to break the rules laid out in the bill, property owners, lessees or local prosecutors would be permitted to seek a court order to compel the offender to move or stop loitering. The offender could also be criminally charged, with the severity of the charges varying depending on the original offense and any prior violations. 'Eighty percent of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows,' Klopfenstein said in a statement. 'Updating current law to prohibit offenders from living near their victims is critical to ensure the safety of our children and greater communities.' Delaware Hayes High School students win NASA app development challenge The legislation would not apply if a victim moves or chooses to live near their offender. All sex and child-victim offenders would be required to abide by the living requirements within the bill, regardless of whether the offense was committed prior to the legislation's implementation. The bill's sponsors said it was modeled after legislation in Oklahoma that passed unanimously in 2018 and has since been adopted in five other states. HB 102 was referred to the Public Safety Committee, where it awaits its first hearing. It has one Democrat and 18 Republican cosponsors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama House passes bill requiring schools to allow students to take dual enrollment classes
A sunset over the Denny Chimes on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Thursday June 20, 2024. The Alabama House Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill requiring local boards of education to allow students to participate in dual enrollment programs. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill aimed at improving Alabama high school students' access to college courses they can take for credit. HB 102, sponsored by Rep. Jeana Ross, R-Guntersville, passed the chamber on a 102-0 vote. The legislation requires local boards of education to allow students to participate in dual enrollment programs offered by institutes of higher education. Currently, the program is only available to students at K-12 schools that have partnerships with local community colleges, although Ross said she was not aware of any instances where students have been denied access to the dual credit program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'House Bill 102 would require dual enrollment classes to be available to eligible high school students through all education agencies,' Ross said. In dual enrollment, students are enrolled in a course that is equivalent to college and will earn credit for having passed the class for both high school and college. It is separate from an Advanced Placement class where students can earn college credit if they receive a high-enough grade on an AP exam given near the end of the school year. Ross' bill does not require the high school to incorporate the course into its curriculum. It requires the student to meet with either a school counselor or career coach who 'shall evaluate the dual enrollment courses selected by the student and shall determine the appropriateness of those courses based on the preferred college and career interests of the student.' Students must also speak with staff of their preferred dual enrollment program. The school does not have to pay for the cost for offering the dual enrollment course. The House Education Policy Committee approved the bill on Wednesday. Several Democrats voiced support for the legislation. 'I just want to say that you came out of the shoot with a great bill,' said Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile as it was Ross' first bill introduced on the House floor. 'As I said to you in committee, this is a bill that I think Alabama has it right. And I think this bill is going to benefit every student that is qualified.' The bill moves to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
