Senate BillPassed first house
SB 321: Regards carrying of firearms by certain special police officers
What SB 321 does, verified September 24, 2026
<p>The bill allows special police officers designated under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to carry firearms while on duty in certain circumstances. These include escorting patients or residents outside the institution, operating metal detectors, and patrolling grounds. Officers must obtain necessary firearm certifications, complete training requirements set by their department, and receive approval from the director before carrying a firearm. Carrying is prohibited if an officer is under investigation for conduct violations or pending criminal charges until resolved or authorized by the director.</p>
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
✓In CommitteeComplete
✓First Chamber FloorComplete
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5GovernorPending
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Last action: Referred to committee: Public Safety (2026-05-13)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| May. 13, 2026 | Referred to committee: Public Safety |
| Apr. 21, 2026 | Introduced |
| Apr. 15, 2026 | Passed |
| Mar. 26, 2026 | Reported - Substitute: Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety |
| Nov. 18, 2025 | Referred to committee: Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety |
Latest bill textEngrossed version, April 15, 2026 · 866 words
As Passed by the Senate
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
2025-2026
Senator Schaffer
Cosponsors:
Senators Patton, Johnson, Antonio, Blackshear, Brenner, Chavez, Cirino, Craig, DeMora, Gavarone, Hicks-Hudson, Ingram, Koehler, Landis, Manning, O'Brien, Reynolds, Roegner, Romanchuk, Timken, Weinstein, Wilkin, Wilson
To enact sections 5119.081 and 5123.131 of the Revised Code regarding the carrying of firearms by certain special police officers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 5119.081 and 5123.131 of the
Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 5119.081. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Firearm" has the same meaning as in section 2923.11
of the Revised Code.
(2) "Special police officer" means a special police
officer designated under section 5119.08 of the Revised Code.
(B) Subject to divisions (C), (D), and (E) of this
section, the director of behavioral health shall not prohibit a
special police officer, while on duty on the behalf of an
institution under the jurisdiction of the department of
behavioral health, from carrying or possessing a firearm in any
of the following circumstances:
(1) When escorting a patient outside of the institution:
(2) When operating one or more of the institution's metal
detectors:
(3) When patrolling the institution's grounds.
(C) A special police officer shall not possess, carry, or
discharge a firearm while on duty on the behalf of an
institution under the jurisdiction of the department unless the
special police officer does all of the following:
(1) Obtains all necessary firearm certifications in
accordance with policies adopted by the department:
(2) Satisfies all training requirements adopted by the
department:
(3) Satisfies any other firearm policies adopted by the
department.
(D) A special police officer shall not possess, carry, or
discharge a firearm or possess, carry, or use ammunition while
on duty on the behalf of an institution under the jurisdiction
of the department unless the firearm or ammunition has been
issued to the special police officer by the department or
otherwise approved by the department.
(E) A special police officer who is under investigation
for alleged violations of standards of conduct, including work
rules, policies, or having pending criminal charges, is
prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm under division
(B) of this section until a pending investigation is resolved or
authorization is granted by the director of behavioral health.
(F) Notwithstanding section 2743.02 of the Revised Code,
the state does not waive its immunity from liability, nor does
it consent to be sued for damage, injury, or death caused by or
related to the possession or use of a firearm by a special
police officer.
Sec. 5123.131. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Firearm" has the same meaning as in section 2923.11
of the Revised Code.
(2) "Special police officer" means a special police
officer designated under section 5123.13 of the Revised Code.
(B) Subject to divisions (C), (D), and (E) of this
section, the director of developmental disabilities shall not
prohibit a special police officer, while on duty on the behalf
of an institution under the jurisdiction of the department of
developmental disabilities, from carrying or possessing a
firearm in any of the following circumstances:
(1) When escorting a resident outside of the institution:
(2) When operating one or more of the institution's metal
detectors:
(3) When patrolling the institution's grounds.
(C) A special police officer shall not possess, carry, or
discharge a firearm while on duty on the behalf of an
institution under the jurisdiction of the department unless the
special police officer does all of the following:
(1) Obtains all necessary firearm certifications in
accordance with policies adopted by the department:
(2) Satisfies all training requirements adopted by the
department:
(3) Satisfies any other firearm policies adopted by the
department.
(D) A special police officer shall not possess, carry, or
discharge a firearm or possess, carry, or use ammunition while
on duty on the behalf of an institution under the jurisdiction
of the department unless the firearm or ammunition has been
issued to the special police officer by the department or
otherwise approved by the department.
(E) A special police officer who is under investigation
for alleged violations of standards of conduct, including work
rules, policies, or having pending criminal charges, is
prohibited from carrying or possessing a firearm under division
(B) of this section until a pending investigation is resolved or
authorization is granted by the director of developmental
disabilities.
(F) Notwithstanding section 2743.02 of the Revised Code,
the state does not waive its immunity from liability, nor does
it consent to be sued for damage, injury, or death caused by or
related to the possession or use of a firearm by a special
police officer.
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Text of SB 321 as engrossed, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions