Ohio Bill Seeks to Raise Juvenile Commitment Age to 14
Ohio lawmakers have taken a significant step toward reshaping the state’s juvenile justice system.
On September 23, Senators Paula Hicks-Hudson (D–District 11) and Nathan Manning (R–District 13) introduced Senate Bill 270, a bipartisan effort to raise the minimum age for commitment to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) from 10 to 14 years old.
The proposed legislation aims to strengthen rehabilitation over punishment. In addition to raising the age threshold, it would grant judges more discretion in juvenile gun-related cases and prohibit first-time, non-violent felony offenders from being placed in state facilities.
The goal, supporters say, is to ensure that children are not pushed too early into punitive environments but instead guided toward support systems that can improve long-term outcomes.
“As a lawyer whose primary and consistent work has been in the juvenile justice setting, this much-needed legislation will provide guidance for courts and juvenile service providers,” Hicks-Hudson said.
“We must make sure that our community and juvenile justice workers are safe, while also focusing on providing appropriate strategies to improve outcomes for children and their families.”
The bill reflects recommendations made by the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Working Group in July 2024, where both Hicks-Hudson and Manning served as advisors.
By shifting the focus toward rehabilitation, Ohio is taking a step closer to upholding children’s right to be treated with dignity and given the opportunity for a second chance.
