Bill > HB136

This bill amends Ohio's Civil Rights Law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression across various contexts such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. Specifically, the bill modifies sections 4112.01 and 4112.05 of the Revised Code to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected characteristics, meaning that individuals cannot be discriminated against in areas like hiring, firing, housing, or accessing public services because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill also adds mediation as an additional informal method that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission can use to resolve discrimination complaints, expanding their existing options of conference, conciliation, and persuasion. An important context is that the bill explicitly upholds existing religious exemptions in Ohio law, which means religious organizations may still maintain certain discriminatory practices based on religious beliefs. The changes aim to provide broader legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination in various spheres of public life, while maintaining a balance with existing religious liberty provisions.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb136