OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 532 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 532’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Lorenz
Effective date:
Ashley F. Dean, Attorney
SUMMARY
 Increases the penalty for assault to a fifth degree felony if the victim is a judge,
magistrate, prosecutor, or court official on a first offense and to a fourth degree felony
on a subsequent offense.
 Expands the Revised Code’s general definition of “peace officer” to include bailiffs or
deputy bailiffs of a municipal court and probation officers.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Assault
The bill increases the penalty for assault if the victim is a judge, magistrate, prosecutor,
or court official or employee engaged in the performance of the victim’s duties, and the
offender knows or has reasonable cause to know that the victim is a judge, magistrate,
prosecutor, or court official or employee, from a first degree misdemeanor to a fifth degree
felony on a first offense. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to
one or more assault or homicide offenses committed against justice system personnel, assault
committed in the circumstances specified above is increased from a fifth degree felony to a
fourth degree felony.1
The prohibitions under the existing offense of “assault,” unchanged by the bill, prohibit
a person from knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another or to
another’s unborn, or recklessly causing serious physical harm to another or to another’s
unborn.2
1 R.C. 2903.13(C)(9)(a) and (b).
2 R.C. 2903.13(A) and (B).
June 3, 2024
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Bailiffs and probation officers as peace officers
The bill expands the Revised Code’s general definition of “peace officer” to include
bailiffs or deputy bailiffs of a municipal court and probation officers. Additionally, the bill
defines probation officers as a probation officer appointed by a municipal court, county court,
or a court of common pleas.3
As a result of the bill’s change to the definition, bailiffs or deputy bailiffs of a municipal
court and probation officers are considered peace officers for purposes of at least 93 additional
Revised Code sections, including several provisions related to arrest or the issuance and
execution of warrants, as well as the application of increased penalties for assault when the
victim is a peace officer.4
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 05-15-24
ANHB0532IN-135/ts
3 R.C. 2935.01(B) and (E).
4 R.C. 2903.13(C)(5)(a).
P a g e |2 H.B. 532
As Introduced


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2903.13, 2935.01