Abrams & LaRe Re- Introduce Safe at Home Address Confidentially Program Expansion Legislation

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Cindy Abrams (R- Harrison) and Jeff LaRe (R- Violet Township) recently introduced legislation that would improve and expand Ohio’s Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program.

House Bill 93 is identical to legislation proposed by Abrams and LaRe from the 133rd General Assembly, House Bill 429. It would increase protection for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, rape or sexual battery and give victims of these crimes the opportunity to keep more of their records confidential and out of the hands of their attacker. Under the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, participants are assigned a substitute address to help keep their address from being a public record, ensuring they are not located by their assailant.

This legislation would expand the current program in three ways:

1)      Authorize the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to create a real property confidentiality notice for program participants who are interested in purchasing a home. 

2)      Expand the program to apply to ongoing child custody cases, as participants are often involved in these court proceedings with their former abuser.

3)      Authorize the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to disclose confidential information on behalf of the participant and with their permission to government entities such as the United States Postal Service, the BMV, a judge or magistrate, schools, public assistance, and food pantry administrators in order to confirm their enrollment in the Safe at Home program and verify their residency.

“We have a responsibility to ensure this program is effective in protecting survivors of abuse,” said Abrams. “Keeping their personal information confidential will provide much-needed peace of mind.”

Abrams and LaRe’s legislation passed out of the Ohio House with unanimous support in the 133rd General Assembly. It has been referred to the Civil Justice Committee.