News & Commentary

The ACLU of Ohio believes there are aspects of Amended House Bill 5 worthy of additional and thorough consideration so you, and all Ohioans, know the complete ramifications of its passage.

Our opposition comes not from the protection of private expression HB 75 provides, but rather the fact HB 75 protects and addresses only one type of expression, one message. When Government puts its finger on the speech scale, as it does with HB 75, it creates First Amendment problems. For these reasons, the ACLU of Ohio encourages this committee’s rejection of House Bill 75.

Police surveillance is particularly concerning not only because it infringes on privacy, but also because it comes with enforcement power.

The ACLU of Ohio believes there are some positive parts of HB 160. But they do not outweigh mandatory jail sentences, criminalizing behavior to make things worse than before Issue 2, gutting reform efforts and funding, and kicking to the curb those most impacted by Ohio’s nonsensical, never-ending War on Drugs. For these reasons and more, the ACLU of Ohio urges this committee’s rejection of House Bill 160.

In the wake of the passage and implementation of Senate Bill 104, an anti-trans bathroom bill and the gerrymandered realities of the Ohio state legislature – local work and reforms are more important than ever.

To preserve the integrity of one of this nation’s most treasured assets, our system of higher education, U.S. colleges and universities should proceed with care to avoid unnecessarily capitulating to pressure to act as an arm of ICE.

Since its original introduction in the Ohio General Assembly, the ACLU of Ohio has firmly opposed House Bill 68, Ohio’s ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth and ban on trans girls and women from participating in sports. We believe that ALL Ohioans deserve bodily autonomy, and private medical decisions should remain between families and their healthcare providers.

The ACLU of Ohio believes House Bill 31 is a positive, bipartisan step in the right direction. 

Pope Francis was a clear and consistent voice on several issues the ACLU of Ohio champions.