The Protecting Ohio Communities Act aims to enhance cooperation between state and local authorities and federal agencies in enforcing immigration laws. The bill mandates that state and local employees comply with federal requests related to homeland security and immigration enforcement, while prohibiting municipal corporations from enacting policies that would obstruct such compliance. It introduces new sections (9.631, 9.632, and 9.633) that outline the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies in reporting and verifying the immigration status of individuals applying for public benefits, and establishes penalties for noncompliance, including ineligibility for homeland security funding and reduced local government fund distributions.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the distribution of local government funds and introduces provisions related to traffic camera fines. It establishes a formula for determining municipal corporations' distribution shares based on population and caps total distributions to ensure they do not exceed 2007 levels. The bill also introduces a "sanctuary jurisdiction adjustment," which reduces local government fund payments by ten percent for non-compliant authorities, with withheld funds redirected to a public safety fund. Furthermore, it allows municipal universities to request a share of local government funds and outlines guidelines for the apportionment of these funds, emphasizing the need for compliance with federal immigration laws and the prohibition of sanctuary policies. The act is declared an emergency measure, taking immediate effect due to public safety concerns.

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