Rep. Terrence Upchurch

To amend sections 4112.01 and 4112.05 of the Revised Code to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, to add mediation as an informal method that the Ohio Civil Rights Commission may use, and to uphold existing religious exemptions under Ohio's Civil Rights Law.

Maddy summaryHB 135 prohibits landlords and housing providers in Ohio from refusing to rent to tenants based on their lawful source of income, such as government benefits (e.g., SNAP, housing vouchers), retirement pay, or student loans. It directly affects landlords, property managers, and housing authorities by adding "lawful source of income" to the list of protected classes under housing law, alongside existing protections for race, disability, and other characteristics. The bill amends Ohio Revised Code to define "housing accommodations" broadly and explicitly ban discrimination in rental decisions based on how tenants legally earn or receive money. This change aims to prevent housing denial for people using public assistance or alternative income sources.

To amend sections 5747.01, 5747.08, and 5747.98 and to enact section 5747.36 of the Revised Code to authorize the refundable thriving families tax credit for certain income taxpayers with dependents who are minor children.

To amend sections 323.152, 323.153, 4503.065, and 4503.066 of the Revised Code to authorize an enhanced property tax homestead exemption for certain long-term homeowners.

To amend sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 and to enact section 3313.8110 of the Revised Code to require public schools to provide meals and related services to students.

Maddy summaryHB 120 exempts the sale of firearm safety devices (such as trigger locks or gun safes) from Ohio's sales and use tax. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these devices and retailers selling them, removing the tax obligation on these specific products. The bill amends Ohio Revised Code sections 5739.01-5739.17 to create this tax exemption, making it a concrete policy change for firearm safety device transactions. The legislation does not alter tax treatment for other firearm-related items or general sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Ohio's homestead property tax exemption amount from $25,000 to $50,000 and raises the income limit for eligibility from $34,500 to $50,000 (adjusted annually for inflation). It directly affects seniors (65+), permanently disabled residents, and surviving spouses of disabled seniors, disabled veterans, or public safety officers killed in duty. The exemption reduces property tax bills for qualifying homeowners who own and occupy their primary residence, with the new amounts automatically adjusted each year based on economic data. This change modifies existing tax relief provisions under sections 323.152 and 4503.065 of the Revised Code.

Maddy summaryHB 101 establishes a pilot program to provide $4,000 annual scholarships to underrepresented Ohio undergraduate students planning to attend law school. The Ohio State Bar Association will manage the program, selecting 10-20 Ohio resident students from underrepresented groups for academic scholarships, free LSAT test preparation, mentoring, and law school career guidance. The program, funded by state appropriations, requires the Bar Association to report annually on outcomes, expenses, and use of funds to the Chancellor of Higher Education and legislative committees. This is a temporary initiative with no specified end date beyond the pilot phase.

To amend sections 109.572, 2305.11, 2317.02, 2919.10, 2919.12, 2953.25, 3701.341, 3701.792, 3702.30, 4112.01, 4112.02, 4729.291, 4731.22, 4731.223, 4731.281, 4731.293, and 4743.09; to enact sections 2305.2312, 3732.01, 3732.02, 3732.03, 3732.04, 3732.05, 3732.06, 3732.07, 3732.08, 3732.09, and 3732.11; and to repeal sections 2307.54, 2317.56, 2317.561, 2919.101, 2919.124, 2919.171, 2919.19, 2919.191, 2919.192, 2919.193, 2919.194, 2919.195, 2919.196, 2919.197, 2919.198, 2919.199, 2919.1910, 2919.1912, 2919.1913, 2919.20, 2919.201, 2919.202, 2919.203, 2919.204, 2919.205, 3701.79, 3701.791, 3702.302, 3702.303, 3702.304, 3702.305, 3702.306, 3702.307, 3702.308, 3702.309, 3702.3010, 3702.3011, 3726.01, 3726.02, 3726.03, 3726.04, 3726.041, 3726.042, 3726.05, 3726.09, 3726.10, 3726.11, 3726.12, 3726.13, 3726.14, 3726.15, 3726.16, 3726.95, 3726.99, 3727.60, 4717.271, 5101.57, and 5103.11 of the Revised Code to enact the Reproductive Care Act regarding abortion, abortion-related laws, and reproductive health protections.

To amend section 4928.01 and to repeal section 4928.148 of the Revised Code to repeal the legacy generation resource provisions of H.B. 6 of the 133rd General Assembly and provide customers refunds.