Click, Ohio House Approve Business Fairness Act

State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) and the Ohio House overwhelmingly approved House Bill 215. The legislation allows any business that complies with safety standards from government orders or regulations to stay open.

The measure, known as the Business Fairness Act, provides businesses with stability and ease of mind in the future by ensuring all businesses are deemed essential. It promotes competitive fairness among big and small businesses by giving any business the ability to maintain operations during a public health emergency.  

“It’s imperative that our local business owners are treated fairly in the statewide shutdown process,” said Click. “As they have proven they can adhere to safety guidelines, they then should be able to remain open to earn a living – both owners and workers alike. This bill accomplishes that initiative.”

Click notes that during the statewide shutdown, large retailers were allowed to have many people in their stores daily. However, locally owned businesses selling the same types of products were forced to close.

The bill was originally introduced last year as House Bill 621 and passed the Ohio House with bipartisan support. 

House Bill 215 now moves to the Senate for consideration.