Ohio General Assembly passes 2 top Secretary of State legislative priorities

On Wednesday, the Ohio General Assembly passed two common-sense, good government measures championed by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the Secretary of State’s office said.

The Ohio House of Representatives unanimously approved SB 105, bipartisan legislation that removes needless red-tape and unnecessary paperwork when minority, women and veteran entrepreneurs seek Minority Business Enterprise (MBEs) certification in Ohio. 

Under current law, MBEs must be certified separately in each jurisdiction where they seek to do business. SB105, sponsored by Senators Vernon Sykes and Kirk Schuring, requires Ohio's political subdivisions to recognize state MBE certification, thereby eliminating unnecessary and duplicative paperwork for minority entrepreneurs wishing to operate their business in Ohio.

Earlier in his administration, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose participated in Minority Business Roundtables across Ohio, where he would often hear frustration with the unnecessary time and paperwork required to become MBE certified in multiple jurisdictions. In response, the Secretary has made the passage of this bill a priority and served as a top advocate throughout the legislative process.

Also on Wednesday, both the House and Senate approved HB 93, legislation that extends the same privacy protections afforded to survivors of domestic violence to those purchasing a home, shielding their personal information in public databases. 

The bill, sponsored by Representatives Jeff LaRe and Cindy Abrams, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.

“By cutting needless, red tape bureaucracy to help entrepreneurs thrive and by better protecting domestic violence survivors from those who mean them harm, today our legislature worked collaboratively and across the aisle for the betterment of the people of our state,” Secretary LaRose said. "Congratulations to the Ohio General Assembly for making two critically important, successful programs that have tangible, meaningful impacts on the lives of countless Ohioans even stronger.”