HB 525 Summary

• Amends Ohio Revised Code section 2903.13 to enhance penalties for assault when the victim is a school employee or volunteer.

• Classifies assault as a felony of the fifth degree when the victim is a school teacher, administrator, school bus operator, other school employee, or volunteer and the offense occurs in a school, on school premises, in a school building, on a school bus, or while the victim is engaged in duties associated with their employment outside school premises.

• Expands the definition of "school employee or volunteer" to include any person employed by or volunteering at a school district, educational service center, public school, or private school, including contractors engaged in providing services to schools.

• Includes assaults that occur while school employees are driving, accompanying, or chaperoning students at class trips, field trips, athletic events, or other school extracurricular activities outside school premises.

• Maintains existing assault penalty provisions for other protected categories such as law enforcement, emergency responders, hospital personnel, and court officials.