Committee hears bill to require recording and transcripts of parole board hearings

The House Government Oversight Committee heard sponsor and proponent testimony on House Bill 31, which would require recording and transcription of parole board hearings to increase transparency for incarcerated people, victims and advocates.

Hannah Cubbins, legislative director for Americans for Prosperity Ohio, said the bill extends existing court‑reporter and recording practices to parole board hearings to improve public access and accountability. “By requiring the recording of parole board hearings and preparing transcripts of the proceedings,” Cubbins said, “this requirement is extended to parole board hearings.”

Criminal defense attorney Spencer Cahoon, who said he has 18 years of experience and previously supervised prison legal services, told the committee that recordings and transcripts would aid consistency when parole boards change membership and would improve oversight. Cahoon said over 200,000 Ohioans are on probation or parole and cited Department of Rehabilitation and Correction 2021 data estimating Ohio spends approximately $100,000,000 a year incarcerating people for technical supervision violations. He said parole denials often include only “roughly 1 paragraph of explanation” and added that records could improve advocacy and help identify errors.

Representative Plaggart asked how large the problem of reversible error might be. Cahoon answered that the scope is difficult to quantify from current records and that the bill’s core purpose is to create the records needed to determine whether systemic problems exist. Cahoon concluded by asking the committee to pass the bill.

The ACLU of Ohio submitted written testimony in support, according to the committee record. No formal vote or committee action was taken during the hearing.