Committee hears divided testimony on 'Andy’s Law' as advocates press for tougher penalties and opponents warn of broader harm

The House Judiciary Committee on Friday heard extensive testimony on House Bill 338, known as "Andy’s Law," a package of changes sponsored to strengthen protections and penalties for assaults on corrections staff.

Proponents — including former and current correctional officers, union leaders and prosecutors — said the bill responds to a December 2024 murder of a Ross Correctional Institution officer and would deter violence and improve safety. Darren Price, a retired corrections employee and homeland security consultant, said the bill would ensure "an inmate who purposely causes the death of a correctional employee will face life imprisonment without parole," and described additional mandatory terms for assaults that expose staff to bodily fluids.

Chris Tramava, president of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association, told the committee the bill pairs sentencing changes with operational steps such as expanding sergeant positions and a pilot TASER program that, he said, reduced…