Representative Johnson urges 'Andy's Law' after death of correction officer at Ross Correctional Institution

Representative Johnson addressed the Ohio House during the organizational session to report the death of a correctional officer at Ross Correctional Institution and to outline plans for legislative action he described as “Andy's Law.” Johnson said the officer, identified in his remarks as Andrew Lansing, was beaten and later died after an assault by an inmate on Christmas morning.

Johnson described visiting the facility and the family, and he urged the chamber to recognize the sacrifices made by correctional staff. He recounted watching video of the incident and said the force used against the officer was severe: “His head was stomped into the concrete to the point his family couldn't recognize,” Johnson said on the floor. He added another correctional officer, Jason Frey, died recently in an unrelated car crash.

Johnson said drugs are “rampant” in state correctional facilities and that the legislature needs to restore respect and safety for the corrections workforce. He said Andy’s Law will aim to “restore respect and dignity” and protect the workforce, and acknowledged the effort may require multiple pieces of legislation rather than a single bill.

Johnson said he had discussed the issue with former sheriffs, corrections inspection staff and the governor, and that he planned to pursue policy changes informed by those consultations. He called for a moment of silence and asked the chamber and gallery to stand in honor of the officers.

Representative Johnson's remarks on the floor served as notice of his intent to pursue legislative responses; no formal bill text or specific statutory changes were presented during the session.