Ohio: Proposed state law strives to help victims of discrimination

By Richard Payerchin , The Morning Journal

Discrimination against victims of domestic violence would be banned under new legislation approved by the Ohio House of Representatives that was proposed by state Rep. Dennis E. Murray Jr., whose 80th House District includes Erie and Ottawa counties.

The Ohio House yesterday voted 58-38 along party lines to approve House Bill 167, which would protect victims of domestic violence from discrimination in jobs and public housing.

“It is almost as though the world is conspiring against victims when we should be working together to support them,” Murray said in a speech on the House floor. “I believe it is time for Ohio to join the ranks of 26 other states which have adopted legislation to provide protection for victims in the workplace and the rental context.”

The bill would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to victims of domestic violence if a victim makes a written request. Examples could be issuing a different telephone number or parking space or notifying security personnel about possible visits from an abuser, Murray said.

The legislation also would allow victims to work with landlords to remove abusers from joint leases or to change locks to keep an abuser out of a residence.

Those provisions are important because a job and secure place to live are crucial for victims to end an abusive relationship and move on with their lives, Murray said.

The legislation still needs passage by the Ohio Senate.

Meanwhile, Murray has introduced House Bill 323, legislation to help neighborhoods filled with foreclosed homes that have “toxic titles” because the properties have liens caused by the debts of earlier owners.

The legislation is necessary because banks that obtain foreclosure judgments are abandoning a growing number of homes, Murray said. The properties keep existing mortgage, tax and other liens while the value drops, he said.

The new law would require plaintiffs in a foreclosure case to start a sheriff’s sale within 60 days of a foreclosure.

If they do not, and the homeowner does not redeem ownership, the property would be seized by the county and transferred to a land bank for future use.

The bill has gained support from urban analysts around Ohio.