The Ohio House unanimously approved a bill sponsored by state Rep. David Thomas, a Republican who represents portions of Trumbull County, to penalize those who intimidate jurors in court cases.

The House voted 97-0 Wednesday in favor of the bill. It now goes to the state Senate for consideration.

The bill came as the result of a juror in a February 2025 gang-related criminal trial in Ashtabula County, where Thomas resides, receiving a Facebook message from an associate of the defendant stating a warning to the juror to vote not guilty.

A state law makes it a crime to bribe jurors. But there isn’t one that clearly defines intimidation or tampering with a juror in a criminal case.

Thomas, R-Jefferson, said the bill “does what all Ohioans believe should be true: juries should be independent and without the worry of interference or tampering.”

The bill creates two tiers of criminal offenses.

A first-degree misdemeanor could be charged for knowingly attempting to influence, intimidate or hinder a juror. A more severe third-degree felony could be charged when such conduct involves force or the threat of harm.

The bill is modeled in part on existing Pennsylvania law.

The bill’s other main sponsor, state Rep. Eric Synenberg, D-Beachwood, said: “Most people would be surprised to learn that offenses like jury tampering in criminal cases are not explicitly prohibited under Ohio law. Our justice system depends on jurors being able to fulfill their civic duty free from threats of intimidation or outside influence. I would urge the Senate to move this quickly so we can get this bill signed into law and deliver these protections for Ohioans.”