American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio

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Senate Bill 9 – the Ohio Patriot Act – was signed into law January 11, 2006, and went into effect April 14, 2006. Originally introduced in the Ohio General Assembly to ostensibly fight terrorism, the law infringes on Ohioans’ due process rights, chills dissent and encourages racial profiling of immigrants and people of color.

One section of the Ohio Patriot Act requires anyone doing business with the state to sign an oath stating they are not terrorists, do not employ terrorists and have never materially supported terrorist groups. If the person refuses to sign the oath, they may not conduct business with the state. The State of Ohio named the form, “Declaration Regarding Material Assistance/No Assistance to a Terrorist Organization.”

For many civil libertarians, the “declaration” is eerily similar to the McCarthy-era loyalty oaths of the 1950’s, when so many lives were ruined by fear-mongering accusations of Communism.

Current state of Ohio regulations related to the declaration form can be found here.

Read the Ohio Patriot Act as passed.

10 Problems With the Ohio Patriot Act

Read the 12.15.05 press release.

ACLU of Ohio Litigation
State ex. rel Triplett v. Ross
Legal victory! Attorneys accepting court appointments from Bellefontaine Municipal Court were informed they will not have to sign the declaration certifying they have not provided material assistance to any terrorist organizations.

Read the 09.13.06 press release.

Read the 07.10.06 press release.

Read the 04.13.06 press release.

Read Ohio Patriot Act news releases and articles in our News Center.

Browse our webcasts for Ohio Patriot Act-related programs: