Stop HJR 2 - Bad Bail Bill

House Joint Resolution 2 (introduced on March 28) is an attempt to derail the proactive, bipartisan, bail reform efforts that have been brewing in Ohio for years. This bill seeks to enshrine cash bail in Ohio’s Constitution by using divisive rhetoric to blur the lines between public safety and cash bail.

To be clear, cash bail does not promote public safety, it just allows people with money to purchase their freedom. Since its inception, cash bail’s purpose has been — and continues to be — ensuring court appearance for individuals accused of crimes. Conditions of release and other practices actually help keep us safe.

These new efforts are unnecessary and deeply misguided. The true solution to reforming Ohio’s broken cash bail system is by advancing existing legislation, SB 182, a bipartisan bill that will enhance public safety, end wealth-based detention, and keep communities together. This bill — and this bill alone — should move forward as the sole vehicle to create a fair pretrial justice system.

We know that cash bail creates a two-tiered system of justice in which people who can afford their freedom go home to their families, and those who cannot are forced to suffer in jail. On any given day in Ohio, there are as many as 12,000 people held pretrial.

TAKE ACTION and tell your Ohio House Representative to reject HJR 2, if and when it reaches the House Floor.

Message Recipients:
Members of Ohio House of Representatives

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Your Message

Subject

Dear Ohio Representative,

I urge you to stand in opposition to HJR 2, a misguided, false bail reform effort.

Message Body

I oppose House Joint Resolution 2, an unnecessary effort that doubles down on the failed status quo rather than meeting Ohioans’ needs. This General Assembly already has meaningful, well-thought-out comprehensive legislation before it — Senate Bill 182. SB 182, backed by Republican Senators McColley and Steve Huffman, with support from Representatives Leland and Hillyer and many others. SB 182 makes our communities safer by giving courts and prosecutors tools to protect public safety while at the same time ending the wealth-based detention that harms so many of our neighbors.

Wealth should never determine one’s freedom. We can protect the rights of the accused while also protecting public safety; we do not have to pick one over the other.

It is abundantly clear that the status quo is not effective or acceptable. It is past time to meaningfully change our pretrial justice system for the better, and the answer is by supporting and eventually passing SB 182. Should HJR 2 reach the House Floor, I ask you to vote NO.

Please stand in opposition to HJR 2, as it is not the pretrial fairness solutions that Ohioans want or need.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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Stop HJR 2 - Bad Bail Bill

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