As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. R. No. 349

2025-2026

Representative Humphrey

A R E S O L U T I O N

To make clear that state elected officials have a right to tour, inspect, and assess any detention facilities owned by the state at any time.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

WHEREAS, State lawmakers in New York, Florida, Nebraska, and Washington have been denied access to state-owned detention facilities contracted to house detainees for federal immigration purposes when the lawmakers attempted to tour and assess the conditions of the facilities and detainees; and

WHEREAS, It is the long held practice in Ohio to allow state lawmakers to visit state detention facilities to oversee operations and evaluate conditions; and

WHEREAS, State agencies, including the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and the Department of Youth Services, are created and empowered by the legislature; and

WHEREAS, Legislative oversight over executive agencies is central to the foundational principle of checks and balances that the United States and Ohio were founded on, and through monitoring and reviewing the actions of executive agencies, the legislature ensures that these agencies operate within the law and adhere to legislative intent; and

WHEREAS, Sections 103.13, 103.23, and 126.06 of the Revised Code, Chapter 106. of the Revised Code, and Ohio Constitution, Article II, Section 22, all demonstrate the legislature's role as the final decision-maker for the operations of executive agencies; and

WHEREAS, Permitting elected officials to visit state detention facilities is necessary to allow the legislature to fulfill its role as final decision-maker in the operation of executive agencies; and

WHEREAS, Permitting elected officials to visit state detention facilities promotes the values of transparency and accountability for institutions that house politically disenfranchised Ohioans; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That state elected officials have a right, given to them by the Ohio Constitution and the people of Ohio who elect them, to tour, inspect, and assess any detention facilities owned by the state, with any notice or no notice at all; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio.