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HB 614OHIOSession 136State Billin committee

Ohio Bill Grants Civil Immunity to Firearms Dealers and Law Enforcement in Hold Agreements

Original title: Enact the Second Chance Safety Act

Last action · February 4, 2026: Referred to Public SafetySponsors: Bernard Willis and 10 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio House Bill 614 establishes for s and municipal or county law enforcement agencies that enter into temporary s with gun owners. The measure requires dealers and agencies to distribute a health and resource pamphlet when taking possession of a firearm and outlines protocols for unclaimed weapons.

Why it matters

Firearm owners, licensed dealers, and local law enforcement agencies gain liability protections when temporarily storing weapons, while agencies and dealers must follow specific notice procedures if a firearm is left unclaimed past the agreed storage window.

Background

House Bill 614 was introduced in the 136th General Assembly of Ohio and referred to the Public Safety committee. context

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

Federally licensed firearms dealers

Dealers gain civil immunity when returning firearms under hold agreements, must distribute a state health pamphlet, and must surrender unclaimed weapons to law enforcement after notice procedures.

Directly affected

County or municipal law enforcement agencies

Law enforcement agencies receive civil liability protections, must provide the state informational pamphlet upon entering hold agreements, accept surrendered unclaimed dealer weapons, and follow local disposal policies.

Directly affected

Lawful firearm owners

Owners can enter into temporary firearm storage agreements with dealers or law enforcement and receive informational pamphlets on mental health resources and safety devices.

Directly affected

Department of Health

The department must collaborate with the Department of Veterans Services to prepare and publish a pamphlet covering mental health resources, veterans organizations, and secure firearm safety devices.

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 is a firearm hold agreement under this bill?

It is an agreement where a lawfully possessed firearm's owner transfers physical possession of the weapon to a licensed dealer or a local law enforcement agency to hold for an agreed period before returning it.

Are dealers or police liable if a returned firearm is subsequently involved in an incident?

No, provided the dealer or agency complies with the hold agreement and their actions do not constitute unlawful conduct.

What happens if an owner fails to retrieve their firearm after the agreed storage time expires?

The holder must contact the owner at least twice over 60 days. If still unclaimed, a dealer must surrender the weapon to a local law enforcement agency, which then disposes of it per agency policy.

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

2 actions

Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Public Safety
Nov 25, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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