Reps. Pelanda, Manning Join State Leaders in Announcing Initiative to Update the Ohio Revised Code

COLUMBUS—State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) today joined Ohio Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) and other state leaders at a press conference to officially announce the implementation of the Criminal Justice Recodification Committee, which is tasked with modernizing and improving the Ohio Revised Code.

Rep. Pelanda, who is a member of the committee, spoke to the goals of the bipartisan effort aimed at providing a comprehensive approach to simplifying and clarifying the code.  The 24-member committee will study and discuss criminal statutes in order to improve public safety and the administration of criminal justice, with a report to be issued at the end of the committee process.

“This initiative is important to our state’s future and will benefit the citizens of Ohio for years to come,” Rep. Pelanda said. “Ensuring that the Ohio Revised Code is straightforward and comprehensive is imperative to public safety and public trust in the democratic system.”

The press conference also included Holly Harris, Executive Director, U.S. Justice Action Network; Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform; Alison Holcomb, Campaign Director for Smart Justice, ACLU; Fred Pepple (Committee Chair),Judge for the Auglaize County Court of Common Pleas; and Piper Kerman, Author of Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison.

Fellow committee member, State Representative Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), was also in attendance.

“I’m pleased and honored to be a part of this committee and I fully support the efforts we are making on behalf of all Ohioans,” Rep. Manning said. “Revising, clarifying and modernizing the code is a big step forward in understanding and executing criminal statute in the state.”