The bill amends section 4112.01 of the Revised Code and enacts new sections 124.92, 2701.21, and 4112.20 to establish a definition of antisemitism for use in investigations and proceedings within courts and state agencies, as well as for anti-bias training for state employees. The definition of antisemitism will be based on the working definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016, and will include contemporary examples of antisemitism. Additionally, the bill mandates that courts apply the same legal standards to claims of discrimination based on antisemitism as they do for other discrimination claims under Chapter 4112 of the Revised Code.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that state agencies must consider the definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating potential violations of relevant policies, laws, or regulations. It also clarifies that the definition of antisemitism shall not infringe upon rights protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or the Ohio Constitution, nor conflict with existing federal, state, or local antidiscrimination laws. The existing section 4112.01 is repealed, indicating a significant update to the legal framework surrounding discrimination based on antisemitism in Ohio.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4112.01