COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers has introduced legislation to make hate crimes illegal in the state, increasing penalties for assaults and threats motivated by race, sex, political affiliation and other categories.
House Bill 306 comes amid rising threats against public officials, prompting additional security at the Statehouse over the past year. The FBI recently charged a New Albany man with sending white powder and a bullet to Attorney General Dave Yost, along with threats to other officials, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Treasurer Robert Sprague. A Dayton man was also arrested this summer for threatening U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan.
Swatting incidents — false reports of serious crimes made to draw a heavy police response — have targeted U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, Yost and several state lawmakers over the past two years, News 5 reports. After the assassination of Minnesota’s House speaker in June, the Ohio State Highway Patrol increased its presence around Capitol Square.
Rep. Tex Fischer, R-Boardman, said lawmakers regularly receive threatening messages and described one caller who urged him to take his own life during the state budget process. Fischer is among the Republicans joining Democrats in cosponsoring the bill.
The measure would create a new hate crime statute, allowing victims to pursue civil action with fines up to $25,000. It also defines threats of violence to include false reports such as swatting, according to News 5.
Primary sponsors Reps. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, said Ohio law does not currently go far enough. Jarrells told News 5 that the bill is aimed at expanding legal recourse for victims and modernizing state law.
Civil rights attorney Jessie Hill explained that while Ohio has an ethnic intimidation statute, it only applies in limited cases. House Bill 306 adds broad protections, covering categories such as race, religion, sex, age, disability, military status, familial status, and political affiliation.
Hill noted that sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly included in the legislation. Jarrells said lawmakers compromised by using “sex” as an umbrella term, arguing it provides protection for LGBTQ+ individuals as well.
If approved, it is reported that the bill would represent Ohio’s first hate crime statute.
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