Legislation & Ordinances.

Current Legislation:

As legislation is introduced, you will be able to read below for the latest information on legislation in the 134th Ohio General Assembly, which stared January 2021 and will end in December 2022. 

As legislation is introduced, we will provide ways for you to take action. You can subscribe to our emails to stay updated on the status of reproductive rights across Ohio. 

Senate Bill 119: Ohio Fairness Act

Introduced in March 2021, the Ohio Fairness Act would protect LGBTQ+ Ohioans from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations. Ohio’s state laws do not currently protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

33 localities in Ohio have taken the initiative to pass local versions of these protections.However, if you live in one locality and work in another, you can lose your rights on yourdaily commute.

It was referred to the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee on March 10, 2021. 

House Bill 208: Ohio Fairness Act

Introduced in March 2021, the Ohio Fairness Act would protect LGBTQ+ Ohioans from discrimination in employment, housing and accommodations. Ohio’s state laws do not currently protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

33 localities in Ohio have taken the initiative to pass local versions of these protections.However, if you live in one locality and work in another, you can lose your rights on your daily commute.

It was introduced in the Ohio House with bipartisan support by Rep. Brett Hillyer (R) and Rep. Michael Skindell (D). It was assigned to the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee on March 17, 2021. It has not receiving any hearings.

Senate Bill 16: Anti-Protest Bill

Introduced on January 26, 2021, SB 16 is an anti-democracy bill targeted to punish protesters with new and intensified charges. Senate Bill 16 drastically increases penalties for protest while also broadening what is considered punishable.

Passing this bill would allow police to not only charge more Ohioans for exercising their freedom of speech, but this law would drastically increase the consequences of the charge the peaceful protester would face. Additionally, this bill targets organizations who assist in planning or promoting a protest.    

It was passed out of the Ohio Senate on June 2, and received a first hearing in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee on October 26, 2021.

Senate Bill 132: Trans Athlete Ban

In March 2021, Sen. Kristina Roegner (R) introduced a bill in the Ohio Senate that would ban transgender young people from participating in school sports (k-12). This bill's ultimate goal is to invalidate, ignore, and dehumanize the reality of transgender and gender non-binary identities. 

No matter where we are from, what we look like, or who we voted for, Ohioans want our kids to grow up instilled with the important life lessons sports teaches—leadership, confidence, self-respect, and what it means to be part of a team. 

Trans kids who grow up in Ohio deserve the same experiences, opportunities, and respect that other kids have. Every Ohioan benefits when we all have the ability and resources to thrive.  

This legislation was assigned to the Ohio Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee on March 17, 2021. It has not received any hearings.

Senate Bill 216

Introduced in August 2021 by Sen. Terry Johnson (R), Senate Bill 216 is part of a startling trend aimed at using pregnancy as an excuse to surveil and criminalize people. 

This bill would subject parents and pregnant people to severe penalties—including potentially losing custody—if their child is deemed to be a “drug-exposed infant.” Extreme policies like this are the wrong approach to support families—they are bad for parents and children. 

This legislation was assigned to the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee and received its second hearing on November 9, 2021. 

House Bill 294: Anti-Voting 

In May 2021, Rep. Bill Seitz (R) and Rep. Sharon A. Ray (R) introduced a bill in the Ohio House that would make it harder for Ohioans to vote.

If passed, it would cut down early voting times, severely limit ballot drop boxes, stiffen voter ID requirements, limit access to mail-in ballots, and force most Ohioans to pay for postage on mail-in ballots and ballot request forms. While this legislation would improve voter registration and allow voters to request their mail-in ballot online, it is one step forward but three steps back. We cannot support any legislation that will make it more difficult to vote. 

This legislation had its second hearing in the Ohio House Government Oversight Committee on June 17, 2021.

House Bill 454: Health Care Ban for Trans Minors

On October 19, 2021, Rep. Gary Click (R) and Rep. Diane Grendell (R) introduced a bill in the Ohio House that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary youth ─ regardless of parental consent, wishes of the patient, diagnosis, or previous care-plan.

House Bill 454, if passed, would directly attack transgender children who, like any other children, have the best chance to thrive when they are supported and can get the health care they need. 

This legislation was assigned to the Families, Aging, and Human Services on October 26, 2021.

Local Anti-Abortion Ordinances:

Over the last few months, we have seen extreme anti-abortion ordinances emerge across Ohio. Each ordinance is unconstitutional and an overstep of local authority because it directly conflicts with Ohio law, which permits abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

These ordinances are part of a campaign started by Texas-based anti-abortion extremists who are ignoring decades of Supreme Court precedent in an effort to put abortion access out of reach for people who need it most.

Below is an overview of each ordinance, the impact it will have, and what you can do to take action.