Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski joined state lawmakers in Columbus on Thursday as Governor Mike DeWine ceremonially signed a first-of-its-kind statewide alert law aimed at blasting out warnings when convicted felons slip custody. House Bill 23, branded the Escaped Convict Alert Program, or ECAP, creates an AMBER-style system designed to fire off rapid alerts to phones and computers in the area surrounding an escape. The sheriff’s office shared photos from the event and said the new tool will boost “preparedness and swift communication” across Portage County and neighboring communities.
What the law does and when it starts
According to the Ohio Legislature, House Bill 23 formally establishes ECAP and authorizes any law enforcement agency that learns of a felon’s escape to trigger alerts targeting a defined area or broader region. The enrolled legislation spells out the program’s reach and legal protections and gives it an effective date of March 2, 2026. The statute also makes clear that ECAP does not permit use of the federal Emergency Alert System unless federal law separately allows it.
Why lawmakers pushed ECAP
Lawmakers moved on ECAP after investigative reporting exposed holes in how jails warned the public about escapes, with particular focus on Summit County, prompting Rep. Bill Roemer to sponsor the measure. As Cleveland 19 reported, the station’s 19 Investigates team documented multiple inmate breakouts where residents received little or no notice at all. Supporters and reporters alike have likened ECAP to existing AMBER-style systems, arguing that faster, standardized alerts can give people critical minutes to lock doors, shelter in place, or otherwise protect themselves.
Local support and Portage County reaction
Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski shared images from the ceremonial signing and publicly thanked Rep. Bill Roemer for steering the bill through the Statehouse, saying ECAP “will assist with preparedness and swift communication” for Portage County, according to a Facebook post from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. Roemer’s office likewise noted that he attended the signing and described the legislation as “deeply personal,” saying its purpose is to make sure Ohioans are not left in the dark when dangerous fugitives are on the loose.
How ECAP will operate and what to expect
A release from Rep. Josh Williams’ office explains that the bill allows ECAP to be tailored locally or regionally and grants liability protections to broadcasters and alert systems that act in good faith, whether or not an alert ultimately airs. Sponsors say the system is built to push notifications to phones and computers, while leaving it to local law enforcement to decide when to activate an alert and how wide an area to cover. Agencies will have to work with area broadcasters and technology vendors in the coming days and weeks to nail down how the alerts are written, triggered, and distributed.
Legal implications
The law includes explicit liability shields for participating radio, television, and cable outlets and reiterates that the federal Emergency Alert System is off-limits for ECAP unless federal law authorizes its use, language meant to reassure media partners that they are protected when they participate in good faith. The text of the measure and sponsor summaries repeatedly stress those protections as officials prepare to roll out the program across local agencies, according to the Ohio Legislature.
