Senate BillIntroduced
SB 355: Expand the offense of aggravated menacing re: certain workers
What SB 355 does, verified September 24, 2026
This bill aims to expand the offense of aggravated menacing in Ohio. The new offense prohibits threatening a utility worker, cable operator worker, or broadband worker with the intent to obstruct the operation of a utility. The law currently protects utility workers, cable operator workers, and broadband workers from threats that could cause them physical harm or obstruct their work. The expanded offense also includes threats made by words or conduct directed at or identifying a corporation or organization that employs the worker. This law applies to anyone who knows or has reasonable cause to know the worker's profession and is engaged in their duties. Violators will face penalties ranging from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the fourth or fifth degree, depending on the circumstances.
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: Referred to committee: Judiciary (2026-02-11)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 11, 2026 | Referred to committee: Judiciary |
| Feb. 10, 2026 | Introduced |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 11, 2026 · 675 words
As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session
2025-2026
S. B. No. 355
Regular Session
2025-2026
S. B. No. 355
Senators Smith, Cirino
Cosponsors: Senators Brenner, Ingram
Cosponsors: Senators Brenner, Ingram
To amend section 2903.21 of the Revised Code to expand the offense of aggravated menacing to prohibit threatening a utility worker, cable operator worker, or broadband worker with intent to obstruct the operation of a utility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1.
That section 2903.21 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2903.21.
(A) No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family. In addition to any other basis for the other person's belief that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family, the other person's belief may be based on words or conduct of the offender that are directed at or identify a corporation, association, or other organization that employs the other person or to which the other person belongs.
S. B. No. 355
As Introduced
As Introduced
(B) Whoever No person shall knowingly cause a utility worker, cable operator worker, or broadband worker to believe that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the worker or to property by threatening the utility worker, cable operator worker, or broadband worker with a deadly weapon when the offender knows or has reasonable cause to know the worker's profession, the worker is engaged in the performance of the worker's duties, and the offender's intent is to obstruct the operation of a utility, cable, or broadband service.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of aggravated menacing. Except
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division divisions (C)(2) and (3) of this section, aggravated menacing is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If
(2) If the victim of the offense is an officer or employee of a public children services agency or a private child placing agency and the offense relates to the officer's or employee's performance or anticipated performance of official responsibilities or duties, aggravated menacing committed in violation of division (A) of this section is a felony of the fifth degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense of violence, the victim of that prior offense was an officer or employee of a public children services agency or private child placing agency, and that prior offense related to the officer's or employee's performance or anticipated performance of official responsibilities or duties, a felony of the fourth degree.
(3) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing, aggravated menacing committed in violation of division (B) of this section is a
S. B. No. 355
As Introduced
Page 3
As Introduced
Page 3
felony of the fifth degree. 50
(C) (D) As used in this section, "organization":
(1) "Broadband worker" means an employee, contractor, or agent of a person or entity, whether publicly or privately owned, that operates or maintains facilities that provide broadband services. 52
(2) "Cable operator worker" means an employee, contractor, or agent of a cable operator. 53
(3) "Cable operator" has the same meaning as in section 1332.21 of the Revised Code, whether publicly or privately owned. 56
(4) "Organization" includes an entity that is a governmental employer. 57
(5) "Utility worker" means an employee, contractor, or agent of a person or entity whose primary responsibility is the operation or maintenance of a utility. 58
(6) "Utility" means an enterprise that provides gas, electric, steam, water, sewage, storm water, transportation, or communications services, whether publicly or privately owned. 60
Section 2.
That existing section 2903.21 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed. 69
Text of SB 355 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions