Schmidt Introduces Bill to Repeal Ohio's Death Penalty

COLUMBUS—State Reps. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) and Adam Miller (D-Columbus) recently introduced a bipartisan bill that would repeal Ohio’s death penalty.

This bill is a reintroduction of Schmidt and Miller’s legislation from the previous General Assembly.

“At one point in my life, I was an advocate for maintaining the death penalty,” said Schmidt. “Since then, I have reevaluated those beliefs and have come to the conclusion that the time has come to end the death penalty in Ohio.”

Schmidt specifically cites the economic and emotional toll of the death penalty, and the risk of such punishment under an imperfect justice system. 

The legislation awaits a bill number and committee assignment.