As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. J. R. No. 5

2025-2026

Representatives Jarrells, Sims

Cosponsors: Representatives Grim, Upchurch, Synenberg, Cockley, Lawson-Rowe, Denson, Piccolantonio, Sigrist, Brewer, Somani, Brownlee, Isaacsohn, Lett, Brent, White, E., McNally, Hall, D., Brennan, Baker, Rader, Tims, Abdullahi, Plummer, Troy, Miller, J., Russo, Humphrey, Thomas, C., Robinson, Sweeney, LaRe

A J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

Proposing to amend Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude in Ohio for the punishment of crime.

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, three-fifths of the members elected to each house concurring herein, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state, in the manner prescribed by law at the general election to be held on November 4, 2025, a proposal to amend Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

Section 6. There shall never be no slavery in this state; nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime.

Upon conviction of a crime, an Ohio court or a probation or parole agency may order the convicted person to engage in education, counseling, treatment, community service, or other alternatives to incarceration, as part of sentencing for the crime, in accordance with programs that have been in place historically or that may be developed in the future, to provide accountability, reformation, protection of society, or rehabilitation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

If adopted by a majority of the electors voting on this proposal, Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio amended by this proposal shall take effect immediately and the existing version of Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio is repealed from such effective date.