Taking items from graves could become a felony in Ohio under a new bill.
Ohio House Bill 879, also titled “Prohibit unlawful removal of item used as a memorial for the dead,” is a proposal that would strengthen penalties for tampering with graves and memorials.
It would add language to Ohio’s vandalism law banning the intentional removal of items or decorations, such as flowers, flags or personal mementos, from tombs, gravestones, monuments and other memorials. The bill is sponsored by Democratic Reps. Chris Glassburn of North Olmsted, with co-sponsors Sean Brennan of Parma and Terrence Upchurch of Cleveland.
Here’s what to know about the bill.
Ohio House Bill 879 expands on existing vandalism laws
The bill would expand current law, which already prohibits damaging graves or cemeteries, by making it a crime to remove items.
Ohio law already makes it a crime under Ohio Revised Code section 2909.05 to damage graves or cemeteries, vandalize property or break into burial structures. House Bill 879 would expand on that by making it illegal to remove items from memorials without permission, with potential felony charges depending on the circumstances.
Violations would fall under Ohio’s existing vandalism law, typically a fifth-degree felony punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, with more serious charges possible depending on the value of any damage.
Where Ohio House Bill 879 stands now
The bill was introduced late in the legislative session on May 12. It has been referred to committee as of May 20, with no hearings, amendments or votes recorded so far, according to the legislation’s status page.
It will be several months before lawmakers discuss the Democrat-sponsored bill. The House and Senate won’t be in session again until November 2026, according the the legislative calendar.
To become law, the bill must pass both chambers of the legislature and be signed by the governor or enacted over a veto, according to the Ohio Senate.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio bill would increase penalties from stealing – from the dead
Reporting by Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
