State Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Huron) today provided sponsor testimony on Senate Joint Resolution 5, which would create a constitutional amendment to allow Ohio’s judges to consider public safety when making bail decisions.
The proposed constitutional amendment became necessary after a recent decision rendered by the Ohio Supreme Court in Dubose v. McGuffey that prevents judges from taking public safety into account when determining bail.
Senator Gavarone testified before the Senate's Judiciary Committee today and said, "One of the core responsibilities of government is to protect the public from criminals who wish to do harm. My goal is to ensure we keep Ohioans safe. SJR 5 will achieve that goal by ensuring public safety is a consideration in bail decisions."
In order to be amended into the Ohio Constitution, SJR 5 would need to receive a 3/5 vote in the Ohio House and Ohio Senate and then be put on the ballot for consideration by Ohio’s voters in the November election.
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