OH HB135

Amends Ohio's civil rights law to add "lawful source of income" as a protected class for rental housing discrimination, prohibiting landlords from refusing to rent, terminating tenancy, or misrepresenting availability based on how a tenant pays rent

Defines "lawful source of income" broadly to include any verifiable income source, including employment wages, government assistance programs (Section 8 housing vouchers, Ohio Works First, Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI, Social Security disability), VA benefits, and private grants or loans

Prohibits landlords from discriminating in rental terms, conditions, or privileges based on income source, or from publishing advertisements indicating preferences against tenants using government assistance

Bars landlords from commencing eviction proceedings on grounds not otherwise authorized under Ohio law when motivated by a tenant's lawful source of income

Sponsored by Representatives Upchurch and Lawson-Rowe with six Democratic cosponsors in the 136th General Assembly (2025-2026)