The Protecting Ohio Communities Act seeks to strengthen collaboration between state and local authorities and federal agencies in enforcing immigration laws. The bill mandates that state and local employees comply with federal requests regarding homeland security and immigration enforcement, while prohibiting municipalities from enacting policies that obstruct such compliance. It introduces penalties for noncompliance, including ineligibility for homeland security funding and reductions in local government fund distributions. New legal language is added to define terms related to law enforcement and public benefits, and it requires law enforcement agencies to participate in federal programs to identify unlawfully present individuals.

Additionally, the bill outlines the distribution of local government funds, establishing a formula based on population and introducing a "sanctuary jurisdiction adjustment" that reduces payments to non-compliant local authorities by ten percent. It mandates reporting of traffic camera fines and includes provisions for the allocation of funds to public safety. The act emphasizes the supremacy of federal immigration laws, prohibits sanctuary policies, and is deemed an emergency measure for immediate effect due to public safety concerns. The bill also repeals several existing sections of the Revised Code and clarifies that the invalidation of any provision does not affect the remaining provisions of the act.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 9.63, 4501.06, 5747.50, 5747.502, 5747.51, 5747.53