HJR 5: CA: Prohibit slavery, involuntary servitude as criminal penalty
This proposed amendment aims to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in the state, except as a punishment for a crime. It proposes to allow courts or probation agencies to order convicted individuals to engage in alternatives to incarceration, such as education, counseling, treatment, community service, or other programs, as part of their sentencing. The goal is to provide accountability, reformation, protection of society, or rehabilitation. If a majority of electors vote in favor of the proposal, the amendment would take effect immediately, repealing the existing version of the provision.
| Sep. 15, 2025 | Referred to committee: General Government |
| Jun. 23, 2025 | Introduced |
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
H. J. R. No. 5
2025-2026
Representatives Jarrells, Sims
Cosponsors: Representatives Grim, Upchurch, Synenberg, Cockley, Lawson-Rowe, Denson, Piccolantonio, Sigrist, Brewer, Somani, Brownlee, Isaacsohn, Lett, Brent, White, E., McNally, Hall, D., Brennan, Baker, Rader, Tims, Abdullahi, Plummer, Troy, Miller, J., Russo, Humphrey, Thomas, C., Robinson, Sweeney, LaRe
A J OINT RESOLUTION
Proposing to amend Section 6 of Article I of the 1 Constitution of the State of Ohio to prohibit slavery 2 or involuntary servitude in Ohio for the punishment of 3 crime.
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of 5 Ohio, three-fifths of the members elected to each house 6 concurring herein, that there shall be submitted to the electors 7 of the state, in the manner prescribed by law at the general 8 election to be held on November 4, 2025, a proposal to amend 9 Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Ohio 10 to read as follows:
ARTICLE I
Section 6. There shall never be no-slavery in this state; 13 nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime.
Upon conviction of a crime, an Ohio court or a probation 16 or parole agency may order the convicted person to engage in ..... 17 education, counseling, treatment, community service, or other ..... 18 alternatives to incarceration, as part of sentencing for the ..... 19 crime, in accordance with programs that have been in place ..... 20 historically or that may be developed in the future, to provide ..... 21 accountability, reformation, protection of society, or ..... 22 rehabilitation. ..... 23
EFFECTIVE DATE
If adopted by a majority of the electors voting on this ..... 24 proposal, Section 6 of Article I of the Constitution of the ..... 25 State of Ohio amended by this proposal shall take effect ..... 26 immediately and the existing version of Section 6 of Article I ..... 27 of the Constitution of the State of Ohio is repealed from such ..... 28 effective date. ..... 29