On December 4, the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on HB 663, which would shield the identity of those who produce lethal injection drugs for the state. Previously, critics of the bill had warned that the measure could be unconstitutional because it interferes with the courts and violates the First Amendment right to free speech. Among those testifying at the committee hearing was Kevin Smith of the Society of Professional Journalists, who called the bill, “one of the most over-reaching in terms of secrecy we have encountered.” Public defenders and the Ohio ACLU also testified against the bill. The Ohio House has already passed the bill. Additional Senate hearings are scheduled for next week.

(“Ohio Senate continues debate on bill to shield source of state’s lethal injection drugs,” Associated Press, December 4, 2014; additional information from Alan Johnson (@ohioaj), Columbus Dispatch, via Twitter.)

 From: http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/ee75eb0931664c31b55977b270de61d6/OH--Death-Penalty-Ohio