Reps. Bryant Bailey, Sims Introduce Legislation to Provide Minimum Standards for All Ohio Facilities

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Ashley Bryant Bailey (D-Cincinnati) and Veronica Sims (D-Akron) today announced they will be sponsoring legislation establishing minimum standards for all Ohio facilities, including adequate meals, medical care, and weather-appropriate clothing. In addition, the bill re-affirms the rights of detainees to a reasonable wage for all labor a detainee renders, and reasonable access to communicate with family, friends, and the detainees’ legal representatives. 

“Accountability and humanity are not opposing values, they are inseparable. Immigration enforcement is a civil process, and our laws require due process and humane treatment at every step. Democrats do not support lawlessness; we support a lawful system grounded in basic dignity and safety. This is not a partisan issue, it is a moral one. When detention facilities fail to meet fundamental standards, especially for children, the state has failed. This bill exists to correct that failure,” said Rep. Bryant Bailey.

“No child or adult, regardless of criminal background or immigration status, should be denied basic humanity simply because they are behind bars,” said Rep. Sims. “This is not a partisan issue; it is a human dignity issue. This legislation isn’t asking for the extraordinary; it is demanding the essential. We are setting a clear, statewide standard that Ohio will not tolerate the mistreatment of any individual. We are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that every facility in our state operates with the human dignity and civil and constitutional rights that our justice system requires.”

House Democrats continue to put forward legislation that supports community safety, upholds civil rights, and provides clarity and stability for local residents, schools, and law enforcement partners.

You can view the press conference here.