Ohio expands allowable uses of jail commissary profits for staff training, medical construction, and misconduct investigations

Original title: Expand allowable uses of profits from jail commissary funds

Last action · June 4, 2026: Reported - Amended (Local Government)Sponsors: Kellie Deeter and 4 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

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Floor Vote

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio permits county sheriffs to use jail commissary profits to pay partial or full salaries for staff investigating internal misconduct or contraband, fund medical facility construction, and purchase advanced staff training beyond state minimums. The measure applies to county jails across the state maintaining inmate commissary accounts.

Why it matters

Expands the permitted spending categories for revenue generated from inmate commissary purchases, altering how counties allocate surplus funds collected from incarcerated individuals.

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

County sheriffs

County sheriffs gain expanded authority to allocate jail commissary fund profits toward staff misconduct investigations, medical facility construction, and advanced training.

Directly affected

Persons incarcerated in county jails

Jail commissary profits generated from inmate purchases may now be redirected to cover facility construction for medical care and expanded staff oversight rather than solely direct inmate programming and supplies.

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 new types of staff-related expenses can be paid using jail commissary profits?

Sheriffs can use commissary profits to pay partial or full salaries and benefits for employees who investigate staff misconduct, , or sexual abuse, as well as for advanced staff training that exceeds state mandates.

Can jail commissary profits be used for physical building projects under this legislation?

Yes, profits can be used to pay for the construction or renovation of a jail facility specifically to provide medical or mental health services.

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

7 actions

Jun 4, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported - Amended (Local Government)
Feb 11, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to Local Government
Nov 25, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced
Nov 19, 2025HouseFloor
Passed
Nov 18, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported - Amended (Local Government)
Sep 15, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Local Government

Show 1 earlier action

Jul 21, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history & redline

4 versions on file

Comparing As Passed by the House → As Reported by the Senate Local Government Committee

removed addedOfficial text

Am. H. B. No. 397 RH hb397_03_RS As Passed Reported by the House Senate Local Government Committee 136th General Assembly Regular Session Am. H. B. No. 397 2025-2026 Representatives Deeter, Johnson Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan, Fowler Arthur, Schmidt, King, Klopfenstein, Manning, Miller, […] for the jail. The management of funds in the commissary fund shall be strictly controlled in accordance with procedures adopted by the auditor of state. state, and any record pertaining to the use of the fund is a public record subject to disclosure under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. (2) Commissary fund revenue over and above operating costs and reserve shall be considered profits. (3) All profits from the commissary fund shall be […]

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