Ohio’s Laws Don’t Match Ohio’s Values

Posted under House Bill 502, News, Senate Bill 305

More than two-thirds of Ohio’s likely voters support passage of legislation that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Despite such strong support, it’s legal in Ohio to fire someone, deny them a place to live or force them to leave a restaurant if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

Legislation to ban this type of discrimination has been introduced in the past but never received a single hearing.

Today, a bipartisan group of legislators is trying again and is optimistic that Ohio will become the 21st state to update its laws and make our state a place where everyone feels at home.

In the state Senate, the primary sponsor is Sen. Dale Miller, a Cleveland Democrat.

An identical bill was introduced in the House, and its primary sponsors are Rep. Jon Peterson, a Delaware Republican, and Rep. Dan Stewart, a Columbus Democrat.

Here’s What’s Next:

Posted under House Bill 502, News, Senate Bill 305

In the Ohio Senate, Sen. Dale Miller’s bill, Senate Bill 305, has been referred to the Senate  Judiciary and Civil Justice Committee.

Miller gave sponsor testimony on April 1 and said, “Eliminating discrimination in all of its ugly forms is the right thing to do in Ohio in the 21st century.’’

Sen. David Goodman, a central Ohio Republican who chairs the Judiciary panel, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. He has promised additional testimony, and a first proponent hearing will take place Tuesday May 13th.

In the Ohio House of Representatives, House Bill 502 has been referred to the State Government and Elections Committee.

No hearings have yet been scheduled on HB502.