SB 87 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Define antisemitism; expand the offense of ethnic intimidation

Summary

To amend sections 2927.12 and 4112.01 and to enact section 4112.20 of the Revised Code to define antisemitism for the purpose of investigations and proceedings by state agencies and to expand the offense of ethnic intimidation to include the offenses of riot and aggravated riot committed by reason of the race, color, religion, or national origin of another person or group of persons.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Mar 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the Senate · 4 edits · Mar 4, 2026

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add new cosponsors and expand the scope of antisemitism definitions in Ohio law. The Senate version adds a new section 124.92 for anti-discrimination training purposes and modifies the antisemitism definition to explicitly exclude criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other countries while maintaining First Amendment protections. The bill also adds new cosponsors to reflect broader legislative support.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include state agency employees in anti-discrimination training and added a new section 124.92 specifically for educational purposes regarding antisemitism definitions.

DEFINITION

Added new section 124.92 to use the antisemitism definition as an educational tool for anti-discrimination and anti-bias training for state agency employees.

Added new subsection (C) to the antisemitism definition stating that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other countries is not antisemitism, and that the definition does not diminish First Amendment rights.

SCOPE

Added nine new cosponsors to the bill (Manning, Gavarone, Huffman, O'Brien, Reineke, Reynolds, Roegner, Romanchuk, Weinstein, Wilkin, Wilson) representing expanded legislative support.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'As Introduced' to 'As Passed by the Senate' and updated formatting to reflect Senate amendments.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

27–4

Passed

Total votes 31

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic8

4 Yea 4 Nay

50% Nay

R Republican23

23 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (27-4)

senate

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Introduced

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors