H.B. No. 67 Summary

• Allows offenders to apply to court for reduction in penalties, forfeitures, or punishments if the penalty for their offense is subsequently reduced by changes to the Ohio Revised Code or Constitution.

• Defines "reduction in penalty" to include changes to prison/jail term length or range, reduction in offense classification (felony to misdemeanor or reduced degree), repeal of the offense prohibition, or any other change that shortens or reduces the penalty.

• Excludes offenses of violence and penalties imposed pursuant to negotiated plea agreements from the reduction provision.

• Requires courts to rule on reduction applications within 30 days, granting them if the court finds the change is a penalty reduction, the offense qualifies, the offender was sentenced, and the original penalty was not part of a plea agreement.

• Directs the State Criminal Sentencing Commission to prescribe a sample application form and review enacted laws to identify potential penalty reductions, notifying public defenders and the correctional institution inspection committee of such reductions.