The bill, introduced by Representatives Upchurch and Lawson-Rowe, aims to amend sections 4112.01 and 4112.02 of the Revised Code to prohibit discrimination in rental housing based on a tenant's lawful source of income. It introduces a new definition for "lawful source of income," which includes verifiable income from lawful professions, private grants or loans, and government assistance programs like low-income housing assistance and Medicaid. The bill seeks to ensure that individuals are not denied housing opportunities due to their income sources, thereby promoting fair housing practices. It also expands the definition of unlawful discriminatory practices in housing to include actions such as refusing to rent or finance housing based on a person's lawful source of income.

In addition to the housing provisions, the bill amends existing law regarding the definition of disability in the context of employment and substance use. It specifies that a disability does not include disorders caused by the illegal use of controlled substances, with exceptions for individuals in supervised rehabilitation programs. The bill also repeals previous sections related to disability and employment, clarifying that testing for illegal substance use is not considered a medical examination and does not authorize employment decisions based on test results. Furthermore, it states that the provisions do not apply to religious organizations concerning the employment of individuals of a particular religion.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4112.01, 4112.02