Ohio bill would add victim’s residence to residency restriction

The Ohio House of Representatives nearly unanimously passed House Bill 102, which would prevent people convicted of sex offenses or child-victim offenses from living within 2,000 feet of their victim’s home, and from loitering within 1,000 feet of the victim’s residence.

Currently, Ohio law prohibits sex offenders from living near schools, day-cares, and child-care facilities — but does not bar them from living near their actual victims. One of the sponsors, Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland), said he introduced the bill after a local family reported that their perpetrator lived next door to their child. According to the family, the child is now afraid to even play in the backyard because of the offender’s proximity. Klopfenstein argued this change is needed because “80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.” He said the prior lack of any proximity restriction meant victims—and often their children—might remain under the same roof, or next door, to the person who abused them, preventing healing and safety.

HB 102 passed the Ohio House with an overwhelming vote of 89–2 and now goes to the state Senate for consideration. Supporters argue the bill strengthens protections for survivors by adding a layer of safety where none existed. Opponents warn of unintended consequences. One significant obvious concern is that the law would require offenders to forever track where their victim lives to avoid unknowingly violating the distance restriction.

While an individualized approach (preventing a registrant from living near their actual victim as opposed to preventing them from living near any place where children are) can be viewed as a better alternative than blanket restrictions targeting all registrants, it’s important to remember that individualized restrictions can already be imposed as part of a sentence.