Senate approves bill letting police departments fill vacancies without competitive exam and expand regional training

The Ohio Senate on Tuesday approved Substitute House Bill 44, which allows police departments broader authority to fill some vacant civil‑service positions without a competitive examination and expands where advanced training may be delivered for officers at or above the rank of sergeant. The chamber passed the bill unanimously, recorded as 33 yeas and 0 nays.

Proponents — including sponsor Representative Kevin Miller (as noted by senators) and senators speaking in favor on the floor — said the measure removes unnecessary barriers, allows lateral transfers of qualified officers without “cutting the line,” and expands access to regional training facilities approved under Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy standards.

Senator Ronnie Johnson urged colleagues to support the bill, calling it “an incredibly sensible time and money saving change to Ohio’s law,” and he noted unanimous committee support and near‑unanimous passage in the House. Senator Ingram and Senator Weinstein emphasized the bill’s regional training provision and the potential to include additional training such as emotional‑intelligence and mental‑health recognition, with Weinstein adding that the change could reduce wait times and costs for departments seeking advanced courses.

Floor supporters said the bill was backed by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Sponsors and supporters framed the measure as a practical response to recruitment and retention challenges facing departments across the state; no spending increase or new appropriation was discussed on the floor.

The clerk recorded 33 ayes and 0 nays. The chamber agreed to the bill’s title before adjournment. The transcript did not include implementing rule details or a department timeline for expanded regional training.