House Committee Begins Hearings on Bill to Update Ohio Name, Image, and Likeness Law

COLUMBUS—The House Government Oversight Committee today began hearings on House Bill 367, legislation to update Ohio’s name, image, and likeness rights and protect Ohioans from unauthorized uses of their identities, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville).

Specifically, House Bill 367 will achieve the following: 

• Update the current definition of a person’s persona;
• Define malicious deepfake recordings;
• Create a legal framework for addressing fraudulent reproductions; and
• Establish exceptions for protected speech, such as political ads and news reporting. 

“We have worked throughout this General Assembly to bolster our legal code and protect our God-given rights,” said Hillyer during sponsor testimony. “This bill today ensures every Ohioan, not just the famous, can be protected from those who would tarnish their names.” 

Under current law, an individual must assert that a use of their name, image, or likeness was for some commercial purpose or used to defraud, excluding the vast majority of Ohioans from protection under the law. 

House Bill 367 awaits further consideration by the House Government Oversight Committee.