The bill seeks to strengthen penalties for assaults against operators of Ohio transit system buses and rail cars, as well as for fare evasion. It introduces a new section, 306.20, which permits Ohio transit systems to display notices in their vehicles warning against abusive behavior towards staff, emphasizing that such behavior may result in felony charges. The bill also provides definitions for terms related to Ohio transit systems and specifies that offenses are recognized when the victim is an operator or contracted employee engaged in their duties, and the offender is aware of this role.

In addition to enhancing penalties for assaults, the bill amends sections 2903.13 and 2917.41 of the Revised Code, elevating the classification of assaults against transit operators to felonies of the fifth degree, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders. It also allows courts to impose fines and restrict offenders from using transit services, potentially leading to lifetime bans for repeat offenders. The legislation further increases penalties for fare evasion, reclassifying certain violations from misdemeanors of the fourth degree to second degree, and establishes a new penalty structure for public transportation offenses. It mandates that a portion of collected fines be allocated to the county treasury and the relevant transit authority, while also repealing existing sections 2903.13 and 2917.41 to streamline the legal framework.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2903.13, 2917.41