This created a gaping loophole - if a Respondent knew they admitted the sexual violence in a text message or email, or they told an investigator something that conveyed responsibility, they could wipe that evidence from consideration simply by refusing to attend the full hearing or just the cross-examination section.

To comply with the court order, the U.S. Department of Education eliminated this part of the rule. Schools are now permitted to rely on relevant evidence provided by a party or witness even if that person declines cross-examination.

OAESV expresses our sincere gratitude to the Plaintiffs in Victim Rights Law Center et al. v. Cardona for their work in creating this critical change.

Sponsors: Representative Miranda, Representative Galonski

Committee: House Criminal Justice

HB 266 would eliminate the statute of limitations of § 2907.02 Rape, remove the spousal exemption from § 2907.02 Rape, and extend the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse claims from 12 years to the date the survivor reaches the age of 55.

Eliminate sex crime spousal exceptions; permit spousal testimony

Sponsors: Representative Lanese, Representative Boggs

Committee: House Criminal Justice

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Declare racism a public health crisis 

House Sponsors:

Senate Sponsors:

Committees: House State and Local Government Committee, Senate Health Committee

Click here for more information and hear directly from House Sponsors, Representatives Crawley and Howse, in the article linked below:

Sponsors: Representative Lipps, Representative Kelly

Committee: Senate Primary and Secondary Education

Status: Passed House, Referred to Senate Primary & Secondary Education Committee

Current law does not mandate education addressing the pervasive problems of sexual abuse and sexual violence. Erin's Law would require sexual abuse prevention education in grades K-6, add sexual violence prevention education in grades 7-12, and require additional training for school personnel. Ohio is a regional outlier, as Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York have all passed Erin's Law. Erin's Law curriculum first appeared in public schools in 2009, and Ohio's legislation meets our individual state's needs for district expertise in crafting compliant lessons.

Remove the cap on damages for noneconomic loss when a victim of rape or assault brings a tort action 

Sponsors: Representative Boggs, Representative Russo

Committee: House Civil Justice Committee

This bill would remove limitations on the amount of compensatory damages for noneconomic loss in tort actions brought by a victim of rape, felonious assault, aggravated assault, assault, or negligent assault.

Sponsors: Representative Galonski, Representative Richardson

Committee: House Criminal Justice Committee

Sponsors: Representative Sobecki, Representative Lepore-Hagan 

Committee: House Civil Justice Committee

This bill aims to enhance protections for tenant-survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence by allowing survivors the option to terminate rental agreements and prohibiting a variety of retaliatory actions from landlords against tenant-survivors, among other protections.

For more information on the link between sexual violence and housing, check out this resource from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

For more information, please visit our Training & Events Calendar here.

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