OH HB338

Increases penalties for assaulting or killing correctional staff, visitors, volunteers, and contractors at state or local correctional facilities, including mandatory 7-year additional prison terms for felonious assault and life imprisonment without parole for aggravated murder of such victims

Elevates illegal conveyance of drugs or electronic communications devices into correctional facilities by staff, contractors, or visitors from a third-degree to a first-degree felony with mandatory prison terms

Establishes new Director of Rehabilitation and Correction qualifications requiring at least 5 years in corrections security roles or 3 years at a high security institution, and requires wardens to have at least 3 years in security/custody roles

Mandates correctional facility security improvements including police dogs for contraband detection, enhanced visitor screening with no-contact visitation at high security facilities, elimination of higher education programs at high security institutions, and restrictions on inmate tablet access

Creates health benefits for surviving spouses of correction officers killed in the line of duty and establishes a department registry of inmates who commit sexual offenses while incarcerated