Define antisemitism; expand offense of ethnic intimidation
SB 297 updates Ohio's civil rights laws by defining antisemitism for state investigations and expanding the crime of ethnic intimidation to include riots motivated by race, religion, or national origin. The bill also clarifies and broadens definitions for key terms such as disability, familial status, and housing accommodations to ensure comprehensive protection against discrimination in employment, public spaces, and housing. By explicitly including specific conditions and behaviors in its definitions, the legislation aims to provide clearer legal standards for enforcing existing civil rights protections.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2024
Committee Review
Dec 2024
Senate Passage
Dec 2024
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jun 24, 2024
Last action Dec 17, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Dec 11, 2024
How they voted
27–4
Passed
Total votes 31
Dec 11, 2024
D
Democratic7
57% Nay
R
Republican24
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Dec 17, 2024
Committee
Refer to Committee
lower
Dec 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Jun 25, 2024
Committee
Refer to Committee
upper
Jun 24, 2024
Introduced
Introduced
upper
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Terry Johnson
RRepublican
Co
Al Cutrona
RRepublican
Co
Andrew Brenner
RRepublican
Co
George Lang
RRepublican
Co
Jerry Cirino
RRepublican
Co
Kristina Roegner
RRepublican
Co
Michele Reynolds
RRepublican
Co
Niraj Antani
RRepublican
Co
Sandy O'Brien
RRepublican
Co
Steve Wilson
RRepublican
Co
Tim Schaffer
RRepublican
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