The tragedy of Sierah Joughin’s murder brought national attention to a heartbreaking reality: a repeat violent offender lived close to her home, and her family had no way of knowing. In the wake of that loss, Sierah’s family turned grief into action and fought to create stronger tools for law enforcement and safer communities across Ohio.
Signed into law in December 2018 and effective in March 2019, Sierah’s Law created Ohio’s Violent Offender Database. Since the law took effect, nearly 6,000 violent offenders in Ohio have been registered in the database. Justice for Sierah continues to advocate for stronger protections, greater public awareness, and expanded access to life-saving information.
Current Legislative Update: Senate Bill 357
Justice for Sierah is currently supporting Senate Bill 357, legislation introduced to strengthen Sierah’s Law. This bill would expand the Violent Offender Database, add second-degree felony strangulation to the list of qualifying offenses, make public records in the database available on the internet, and improve law enforcement access through LEADS. Under current law, the public can access database information through the local sheriff’s office. Senate Bill 357 would make those public records available online. The bill is currently before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 67
Thanks to the help of former Ohio Senators Randy Gardner and Cliff Hite, Sierah’s Law began moving forward as Senate Bill 67. Senator Gardner constructed the bill that would put in place a Violent Offender Database in Ohio. Under the law as enacted, public access to database information is available through the local sheriff’s office. Senate Bill 357 would make public records in the database available on the internet.
What Senate Bill 357 Would Do
Expand the Violent Offender Database
Add second-degree felony strangulation as a qualifying offense
Make public records in the database available on the internet
Improve law enforcement access through LEADS
Senate Bill 231
Senator Gardner had worked closely with many of the interested parties on this issue, including the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Attorney General’s Office, Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, and consulted with prosecutors and judges.
Since the opponent hearing, held in June of 2017, Senator Gardner spent months listening to those that opposed the bill. Nearly a dozen changes to the bill were made following criticisms, concerns and requests made by those involved in re-entry programs. Senate Bill 67 then became Senate Bill 231 and was signed into law on December 19, 2018.
Read the full text of Ohio Senate Bill 231 on the Ohio Legislature website.
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Bill Presented
02/22/2017Senator Gardner and Senator Hite present the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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Proponent Hearing
03/29/2017At this hearing, Sheila Vaculik, Howard Ice, and the Wood County Sheriff Wasylyshyn gave testimony on why a violent offender registry should be put in place and the benefits to not only law enforcement but also to the communities. Senators Gardner met with the committee members following this hearing to discuss the positives and negatives of the bill.
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Opponent/Interested Party Hearing
06/13/2017Several re-entry programs gave testimony against S.B. 67. There were concerns on how vague the bill was written and public access to the violent offenders information.
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Supporters Gather
10/14/2017While parties debate different aspects of the bill, hundreds of supporters and friends of Sierah gathered for the first annual Spirit of Sierah 5K race. The event rallies the community in support for Sierah’s Law and safer streets for our children, which they flooded with purple!
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New Bill Number Assigned
11/14/2017Introduced to Senate as SB 231, many revisions were made to SB 67 and a new bill number was assigned.
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Proponent Hearing
11/28/2017Senator Randy Gardner gave sponsor testimony for now revised bill, S.B. 231.
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Opponent/Interested Party Hearing
02/27/2018Hearing for now revised bill, S.B. 231.
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Sierah’s Law passes in the Ohio Senate with 31 yeas and 2 nays
04/11/2018Sierah’s Law Passes the Senate
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Introduced to House
04/12/2018SB 231 is introduced to the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee
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Proponent Hearing
11/18/2018Senator Randy Gardner, Sheila Vaculik and Wood County Sheriff Wasylyshyn gave testimony on why this bill should be put in place.
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Opponent/Interested Party Hearing
11/27/2018A speaker from ACLU of Ohio, Toledoans for Prison Awareness and Ohio Rational Sexual Offense Laws spoke of their concerns with the bill.
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Sierah’s Law Passes the House
12/05/2018Sierah’s Law passes the Ohio House with a 92 yea and 0 nays.
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Sierah’s Law Passes the Senate Concurrence Vote
12/06/2018Sierah’s Law passes the Senate for concurrence vote with 24 yeas and 3 nays. Sierah’s grandmother, mother and aunt jumped for joy at the passing of Sierah’s Law, in front of the Ohio Congress
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Signed into Law
12/19/2018Sierah’s Law is signed into law by Governor John Kasich.
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Sierah’s Law goes into Effect
03/20/2019Sierah’s Law is actively being used in the state of Ohio.
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Sierah’s Law is Retroactive
10/21/2021In a 4-3 majority, the Ohio Supreme Court determined that the registry requirements in Sierah’s Law, may retroactively apply to those who committed crimes before the law took effect in March 2019.
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Senate Bill 357 Introduced
02/11/2026Senate Bill 357 was introduced in the Ohio Senate to strengthen Sierah’s Law by expanding the Violent Offender Database, making public records in the database available on the internet, and improving law enforcement access through LEADS.
Take Action
Justice for Sierah continues to advocate for stronger protections and better access to information that can help keep communities safe. Public awareness, advocacy, and engagement all play a role in helping protect Ohio communities. To track the progress of Senate Bill 357, follow the bill on the Ohio Senate website.
