The bill seeks to enhance legal protections for low-income Ohioans facing housing instability by amending various sections of the Revised Code related to eviction, building code enforcement, and real property transfers. A key insertion is the establishment of the "legal services housing defense fund" under section 120.522, which will provide civil legal services to stabilize housing for eligible low-income residents. The fund will be managed by the state public defender in collaboration with the Ohio Access to Justice Foundation, which will allocate resources for housing defense legal services. The bill also revises eviction summons procedures to include specific language informing defendants of their rights and potential legal assistance, while mandating the suppression of eviction-related records until a court order is issued.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the service of process in eviction actions, particularly for deceased manufactured home park residents, and clarifies the conditions under which service is considered complete. It introduces new rules regarding continuances in eviction actions, limits them to a maximum of eight days unless certain conditions are met, and ensures that court records remain suppressed unless the plaintiff prevails. The bill also amends building codes and regulations, allowing certified individuals to conduct inspections and requiring timely reviews of plans by building departments. It establishes a process for independent inspectors if building departments fail to act promptly and mandates that landlords provide tenants with specific notices regarding their rights to legal representation. Overall, the bill aims to streamline processes related to evictions and building code enforcement while improving legal support for vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 319.20, 1923.06, 1923.08, 1923.09, 3781.10, 5321.17