Ohio Fairness Act (House)
What This Bill Does
HB 136 is the House companion to SB 70, the Ohio Fairness Act. It would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Ohio's existing civil rights laws, extending nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bipartisan sponsorship — with both Democratic and Republican co-sponsors — reflects the broad consensus that all Ohioans deserve equal protection under the law.
Why This Matters
Currently, it is legal in much of Ohio to fire someone, deny them housing, or refuse them service based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. HB 136 would fix this gap by ensuring consistent protections across the state, regardless of which city or county an Ohioan calls home.
Current Status & Prospects
- Bipartisan co-sponsorship signals crossover viability in the House
- Senate companion SB 70 is working through Senate Judiciary in parallel
- Committee hearing scheduling is the key next milestone
- Ohio would join 23 other states with comprehensive LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination laws