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Following the signing of HB 347, which reforms Ohio’s civil asset forfeiture laws to protect the rights of innocent property owners, by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, FreedomWorks CEO Adam Brandon commented:
The Ohio Legislature recently joined the growing ranks of states to pass civil asset forfeiture reform. More than a year in the making, both chambers passed, by overwhelming margins, House Bill 347, which, in most instances, requires a criminal conviction for the state to permanently seize property from an individual.
Civil asset forfeiture abuse is a reality for many Ohioans. House Bill 347, which focuses on protecting the “innocent until proven guilty” concept, recently passed the Ohio state House in May. This same bill is moving to a vote in the state Senate this week.
Ohio has the potential to implement major reform that has the power to restore basic American rights back in the hands of its citizens. An intrusive practice known as civil asset forfeiture gives law enforcement the opportunity to trample over Ohioans’ property and due process rights. Consequently, Ohioans are calling for reform.
A new poll from the Coalition For Public Safety shows a majority of Ohio voters support justice reform. The sentiment is shared by Ohioans of all stripes, including a significant number of those in the Statehouse, as evidenced by the support and passage in the Ohio House of House Bill 347 -- a bill that would end the practice of seizing private property from individuals who are suspected (but not convicted) of having taken part in a crime. The bill has yet to pass the Ohio Senate.
Today, Ohio State Senators Kris Jordan (R-19) and Cecil Thomas (D-9) were joined by FreedomWorks President and CEO Adam Brandon and U.S. Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris to push for passage of H.B. 347, a bill to reform Ohio’s civil asset forfeiture laws. On the call, Brandon announced that Ohioans have inundated state legislators with nearly 52,000 messages of support.
FreedomWorks and the U.S. Justice Action Network today urged the Ohio Senate to take action on civil asset forfeiture reform legislation, HB 347. This bill would restore due process rights in forfeiture cases and protect the private property of innocent owners. Since June 13, FreedomWorks has driven more than 10,600 emails to Ohio Senate Democratic and Republican leadership urging them to quickly move HB 347 through the upper chamber.
In a 9-4 bipartisan vote Tuesday, the Ohio House Judiciary Committee approved HB 347. The bill is sponsored by both Reps. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and Thomas Brinkman (R-Mt. Lookout). This advancement is a major step in progress for civil asset forfeiture reform goals but, more importantly, for Ohioans.