New law should more quickly inform the public when ‘dangerous’ felons escape custody

A bill that Republican Gov. Mike DeWine ceremonially signed this month aims to more quickly inform the public when a “dangerous felon escapes custody.”

The measure, House Bill 23, creates the Escaped Convict Alert Program.

“This legislation is deeply personal to me, and it came from a terrifying realization that our constituents miss out on critical, time-sensitive information about a public danger” state Rep Bill Roemer, R-Richfield, said in a release. “We want to make sure Ohioans are safe and secure in their local communities and that they will have access to information that can be the difference between life and death.

“The public deserves better when it comes to immediate threats to their safety, and thus more easily accessible and timely warnings are needed,” Roemer added. “This bill intends to fix this gap in communication for our constituents and to make sure all Ohioans are not left unaware and unprotected when a dangerous felon escapes custody.”

Roemer, who cosponsored the legislation with state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., attended a ceremonial signing for the measure.

ECAP will send electronic messages to alert the public when an incarcerated felon has escaped from a jail, workhouse, or correctional institution. The law allows for local or regional adaptations of the alert system, grants liability protections to broadcasters and systems that participate in good faith, and states that ECAP does not permit use of the federal Emergency Alert System unless expressly allowed by federal law.

The legislation also includes a provision that allows the prior parent company of a bank to apply to the Secretary of State for the appointment of banking police officers.

A bill that Republican Gov. Mike DeWine ceremonially signed this month aims to more quickly inform the public when a “dangerous felon escapes custody.”

The measure, House Bill 23, creates the Escaped Convict Alert Program.

“This legislation is deeply personal to me, and it came from a terrifying realization that our constituents miss out on critical, time-sensitive information about a public danger” state Rep Bill Roemer, R-Richfield, said in a release. “We want to make sure Ohioans are safe and secure in their local communities and that they will have access to information that can be the difference between life and death.

“The public deserves better when it comes to immediate threats to their safety, and thus more easily accessible and timely warnings are needed,” Roemer added. “This bill intends to fix this gap in communication for our constituents and to make sure all Ohioans are not left unaware and unprotected when a dangerous felon escapes custody.”

Roemer, who cosponsored the legislation with state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., attended a ceremonial signing for the measure.

ECAP will send electronic messages to alert the public when an incarcerated felon has escaped from a jail, workhouse, or correctional institution. The law allows for local or regional adaptations of the alert system, grants liability protections to broadcasters and systems that participate in good faith, and states that ECAP does not permit use of the federal Emergency Alert System unless expressly allowed by federal law.

The legislation also includes a provision that allows the prior parent company of a bank to apply to the Secretary of State for the appointment of banking police officers.

Roemer and Williams introduced the measure in April 2025, and the House passed it in June 2025. The state Senate followed suit and passed it in October 2025.

“Public safety is about making sure Ohioans have the information they need to stay safe, and ECAP does just that,” Williams said in a release. “By providing timely alerts when a convicted criminal escapes custody, we’re empowering communities and supporting law enforcement in keeping our neighborhoods secure. This is a commonsense solution that strengthens Ohio’s commitment to protecting its citizens.”

The newly signed law will take effect on March 3.

“Public safety is about making sure Ohioans have the information they need to stay safe, and ECAP does just that,” Williams said in a release. “By providing timely alerts when a convicted criminal escapes custody, we’re empowering communities and supporting law enforcement in keeping our neighborhoods secure. This is a commonsense solution that strengthens Ohio’s commitment to protecting its citizens.”

The newly signed law will take effect on March 3.