HB 663 Summary

• Establishes confidentiality protections for identities and participation of persons and entities involved in lethal injection executions for 24 months after the bill's effective date, with civil liability for unauthorized disclosure.

• Requires the Ohio Supreme Court to set compensation rates and fees for appointed counsel in capital cases, removing this authority from county boards of commissioners for death penalty cases.

• Eliminates attorney-client privilege in capital cases when the client subsequently claims ineffective assistance of counsel, and requires written jury instructions provided to jurors before oral instructions in capital cases.

• Extends the deadline for filing postconviction relief petitions from 180 days to 365 days after the trial transcript is filed in the appellate court.

• Creates a joint legislative study committee to examine support for homicide victim families and the manner in which court-ordered death sentences are carried out in Ohio.