Substitute House Bill 359 Summary

• Creates an address confidentiality program allowing victims of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape, and sexual battery to register a confidential address with the Ohio Secretary of State instead of disclosing their actual residence.

• Program participants receive a unique identification number that can be used on voter registration forms, absent voter ballot applications, and other official documents instead of their home address.

• Establishes protections restricting public access to participant addresses and limiting disclosure to law enforcement officials (chiefs of police, sheriffs, prosecutors) and specified government agencies.

• Allows domestic relations courts to issue orders requiring wireless service providers to transfer phone service accounts to domestic violence victims when the victim is not the account holder.

• Creates an address confidentiality program fund supported by fines imposed on offenders convicted of domestic violence, stalking, trafficking, rape, and sexual battery to finance program administration.