OH HB234

Criminalizes impeding access to reproductive health care facilities, making it illegal to physically obstruct, block, or follow individuals within 15 feet of such facilities, with penalties of first-degree misdemeanor for first offense and fourth-degree felony for subsequent offenses.

Creates a civil cause of action for health care facility employees subjected to harassment or intimidation, allowing recovery of damages up to $5,000, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.

Allows plaintiffs in civil harassment cases to proceed anonymously upon affidavit and establishes a presumption that disclosure of plaintiff identity poses risk of retaliation.

Provides automatic protective orders prohibiting discovery of plaintiffs' residential addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and information about their children unless defendants prove relevance to defense claims and information is disclosed under court seal.

Defines prohibited conduct including physical obstruction, blocking facility premises, following and harassing individuals, creating reasonable fear of physical harm, and damaging reproductive health care facilities.