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HB 396OHIOSession 136State Billin committee

Ohio expands Address Confidentiality Program eligibility and establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of confidential addresses

Original title: Expand the Address Confidentiality Program

Last action · May 20, 2026: Re-referred (Rules and Reference)Sponsors: Bernard Willis and 1 other

Companion · SB 225same policy, Senate version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio House Bill 396 amends Revised Code sections to expand the state's Address Confidentiality Program by updating eligibility criteria, application requirements, and penalties for unauthorized disclosure of participant information. The legislation prohibits registered sex offenders from participating and makes knowing wrongful disclosure of es by public officials or other persons a first-degree misdemeanor.

Why it matters

Victims of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape, and violent crimes gain broader eligibility pathways to shield their residential and workplace addresses from public records, while public officials and individuals who mishandle this protected data face first-degree misdemeanor charges.

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.

Directly affected

Victims of domestic violence and violent crimes

Their eligibility criteria and protections for shielding residential and workplace addresses through the Address Confidentiality Program are updated.

Directly affected

Public officials

They are prohibited from knowingly disclosing confidential addresses and telephone numbers to unauthorized persons, under threat of first-degree misdemeanor charges.

Directly affected

Registered sex offenders

Tier I, tier II, and tier III sex offenders or child-victim offenders are explicitly barred from participating in the program.

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

Who is eligible to apply for the Address Confidentiality Program under this bill?

Adults applying for themselves, or parents and guardians applying for minors, incompetents, or wards, who reside, work, or attend school in Ohio and fear for their safety due to domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, rape, sexual battery, or violent crimes, provided they are not registered sex offenders.

What happens if a public official improperly discloses a confidential address?

A public official or any person who obtains a through specific state channels and knowingly discloses it without legal authorization commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

How long does a program participant's certification last?

A program participant's certification is valid for four years after the date the application is filed, unless it is withdrawn or invalidated sooner.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

5 actions

May 20, 2026House
Re-referred (Rules and Reference)
May 20, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported - Re-referred to General Government (Rules and Reference)
Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee
Reported (General Government)
Sep 15, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to General Government
Jul 21, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history & redline

3 versions on file

Comparing As Reported by the House General Government Committee → As Re-Referred by the House Rules and Reference Committee

removed addedOfficial text

hb396_01_RH hb396_02_RCH As Reported Re-Referred by the House General Government Rules and Reference Committee 136th General Assembly Regular Session H. B. No. 396 2025-2026 Representative Willis Cosponsor: Representative Bird To amend sections 111.41, 111.42, and 111.99 of […]

Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →