Ohio House Concurs on Bill Strengthening Record Sealing Law

State Representative Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville) announced that the Ohio House concurred yesterday on Senate amendments to House Bill 164, legislation that strengthens Ohio’s Conviction Record Sealing Law. Rep. Pelanda was a joint sponsor of the bill.

House Bill 164 alters the Conviction Record Sealing Law to allow a person who is convicted of an offense to apply to have the conviction sealed if the penalty for the offense has been changed so that convictions for that offense can now be sealed since the date of conviction.

By making this change, the law coincides with other recent actions taken by the General Assembly to make the state’s justice system more rehabilitative. Oftentimes, the sealing of a record can provide assistance with employment and can allow those who may not have previously been eligible for such opportunities, because of their records, to be fairly considered.

“I am pleased to see this important legislation that makes needed and sensible changes to Ohio’s record sealing laws move to the Governor for his signature,” Rep. Pelanda said.

The Senate added language specifying that inspector general reports are not sealable unless the individual was found not-guilty.

The bipartisan legislation now heads to the Governor for further review.