Lameduck 2024: Overview + Resources

Every even-year election, as lawmakers prepare for the next General Assembly, we enter the “Lameduck period,” taking place between Election Day and the start of the new session.

By Sheila Smith

statehouse with various issue posters

Ohio’s Problematic Private Prisons: A Primer

Should some people profit off others’ misfortune? At the ACLU of Ohio, we believe the answer is a resounding no. Sadly, we know profit comes into play at many levels of our criminal legal system, but the most notable is within the prison industry itself.

By Jocelyn Rosnick

Grainy Green and Black Photo of prison interior

House Bill 473 - Opponent Testimony

The ACLU of Ohio urges the committee to reject HB 473 because of its failure to adequately address crucial and serious mass surveillance concerns.

By Gary Daniels

ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

Senate Bill 237 - Proponent Testimony

It is long past time for Ohio to join the majority of states with protections against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and further protect free speech.

By Gary Daniels

ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

Senate Bill 293 – Opponent Testimony

The ACLU of Ohio encourages the committee’s rejection of Senate Bill 293 in favor of current law which allows local school districts to decide themselves whether or not to accommodate religious release time programs.

By Gary Daniels

ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone

Breaking Down the Governor's Juvenile Justice Working Group

In November 2023, Governor Mike DeWine announced the formation of a Juvenile Justice Working group to right the ship and set Ohio’s youth justice system back on a path towards progress.

By Pat Gleydura

Cleveland skyline with desks and hands reaching out to each other

Firewall for Freedom: We are Ready to Fight

As we enter a second Trump Administration and the path to protecting the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, one thing is crystal clear: We have a plan.

By Sheila Smith

Firewall for Freedom: We are Ready to Fight

Ohio Can Positively Improve our Youth Justice Systems. It’s time to Adopt the Existing Playbooks.

The goal of all youth legal systems is to ensure youth are given a developmentally appropriate chance to right their wrongs and move into adulthood on a more positive track.

By Carly Quenneville

Hands reaching for each other over Cleveland skyline

Purpose of the Youth Justice System

Youth justice systems were created to protect young people’s rights and focus on education and rehabilitation rather than punishment

By Pat Gleydura

Cleveland skyline with desks and hands reaching out to each other