The bill amends sections 2927.12 and 4112.01 of the Revised Code and enacts section 4112.20 to define antisemitism for state agency investigations and proceedings. It expands the offense of ethnic intimidation to include acts of riot and aggravated riot committed due to the race, color, religion, or national origin of individuals or groups. Specifically, it adds new offenses under section 2927.12, including sections 2917.02 and 2917.03, while deleting the reference to sections 2909.06 and 2909.07. Additionally, the bill introduces a definition of antisemitism based on the working definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that state agencies must consider this definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating potential violations of laws prohibiting discriminatory acts. It clarifies that the definition of antisemitism does not infringe upon rights protected by the First Amendment or any other antidiscrimination laws. The existing sections 2927.12 and 4112.01 are repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2927.12, 4112.01