COLUMBUS, Ohio — In response to what officials describe as Ohio’s deadliest year on record for domestic violence, a bipartisan pair of state representatives has introduced legislation that would create a public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders.
House Bill 846, introduced in May 2026 by Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Butler Twp.) and Rep. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati), aims to establish a Repeat Domestic Violence Offender Registry maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The bill would require individuals convicted of domestic violence at least twice to register, making certain information publicly available.
Under the proposed law, the registry would include an offender’s name, date of birth, photograph (if available), counties and dates of conviction. Home addresses would not be published. Registration would be triggered only after a second qualifying domestic violence conviction under Ohio law, which includes knowingly or recklessly causing physical harm to a family or household member or placing them in fear of such harm.
Duration on the registry would vary based on the number of prior convictions:
• One prior conviction: 2 years from the most recent conviction
• Two or more prior convictions: Longer periods (details would be defined in the final legislation)
The proposal draws comparisons to Ohio’s existing sex offender registry and similar efforts in other states, such as Tennessee, where a comparable measure passed with strong support.
Supporters argue the registry could help protect potential victims by increasing awareness of repeat abusers in their communities. Advocates and survivors have testified that, with more than 25,600 domestic violence charges filed in Ohio in 2025 alone, stronger tools are needed to track and deter chronic offenders.
The bill was referred to the House Public Safety Committee shortly after introduction and is expected to receive additional hearings. Its bipartisan sponsorship has drawn attention as a potential area of common ground in an otherwise divided political climate.
Critics of similar past proposals have raised concerns about due process, public safety impacts, and the potential for registries to create barriers to housing and employment even after sentences are completed. However, HB 846’s focus on repeat offenders (rather than first-time convictions) appears designed to address some of those concerns.
Hopewell Heritage Headlines will continue to follow the progress of House Bill 846 as it moves through the legislative process. For more information on domestic violence resources in Ohio, contact local shelters, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
