Schmidt Sees Progress on Two Bills

COLUMBUS – This week, House Bill 406 received its first hearing with the House Criminal Justice Committee and House Bill 431 received its second hearing with the House Health Committee.

HB 406 aims to improve voyeurism laws to better ensure the privacy of Ohioans. 

“We must work to ensure that every Ohioan’s privacy is protected in places such as changing rooms, locker rooms and bathrooms,” said bill sponsor State Representative Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland). “When the right to privacy is violated, people should be able to count on the perpetrator being brought to justice.” 

Current law considers voyeurism a third degree misdemeanor and does not include streaming or broadcasting as methods of violating an unsuspecting individual’s privacy. 

“The current law is simply out of date,” said Schmidt. “We’re faced with a loophole that can make prosecuting for the crime difficult.” 

To align the offense with steaming and broadcasting technology, the legislation will: 

• Update the list of methods for videotaping and photographing to include streaming and broadcasting;
• Eliminate a clause in two sections requiring the act be committed for the purpose of sexual gratification to broaden the scope for persons to be charged, thus creating a more secure expectation of privacy; and
• Increase penalties for repeat offenders.

HB 406 now awaits a second hearing. 

Later in the week, HB 431, legislation to establish a stroke registry database, received a second hearing for proponent testimony with the House Health Committee. 

“I am glad to see this bill move forward with a second hearing. It is important for Ohio to have a stroke registry system in place to ensure the best outcomes for patients,” said Schmidt. 

Proponents of the database include OhioHealth, UCHealth and the American Heart Association. 

The bill now awaits further hearings.