The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio establishes mandatory minimum standards for state correctional institutions and local jails
Last action · May 20, 2026: Referred to Government OversightSponsors: Veronica Sims and 6 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Ohio House Bill 867 requires state correctional institutions and local jails to meet new statutory minimum standards regarding inmate meals, health care, bedding, religious access, communication, and basic living conditions. The legislation mandates that all inmates receive at least three daily meals meeting specific caloric and nutritional guidelines, temperature-appropriate clothing, and timely health and mental health services.
The bill establishes legally enforceable baseline operating requirements for state prisons and local county and municipal detention facilities, directly altering daily conditions, dietary offerings, and communication access for incarcerated individuals across Ohio.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Inmates in state correctional institutions
Inmates are guaranteed statutory minimum standards regarding daily caloric intake, meal timing, bedding, health services, religious access, and communication.
Inmates in local jails
Local jail inmates are covered by newly established minimum standards governing meals, clothing, health care, and family and legal communication.
Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
The department must incorporate statutory minimum standards into its governance of state institutions and jail rule promulgation, and review facility plans and variance requests.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nutritional and caloric requirements are established for inmate meals?
Can jails or state institutions receive a waiver from these minimum standards?
Are jail support staff required to hold an occupational license under this legislation?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- May 20, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to Government Oversight
- May 12, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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