Ohio House Bill Ensuring Further Protections for Dating Violence Victims Passes Ohio Senate

COLUMBUS—House Bill 1 took another step toward becoming law today as the Ohio Senate gave unanimous approval of the legislation. Under bipartisan sponsorship from State Representatives Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Emilia Sykes (D-Akron), House Bill 1 provides intimate partner violence victims with further protections under Ohio law.

As the first bill introduced in the 132nd General Assembly, House Bill 1 allows individuals who were harmed by an intimate partner, or someone they are dating, to obtain a civil protective order against their attacker. Ohio is one of only two states in the nation that does not offer this protection, and House Bill 1 takes steps to ensure that these victims have the resources needed to protect themselves.

“Many individuals are waiting until later in life to get married or have children, but still spend years in a relationship with the same person. Those in such situations deserve the right to protection if violence occurs,” Manning said. “This is common sense, bipartisan and meaningful legislation that will have a positive impact on so many lives throughout Lorain County and the state of Ohio.”

House Bill 1 would allow victims of dating violence to petition the court for a civil protection order. Under current law, committed relationships in which the individuals do not reside in the same home or share a child in common are not covered under the law. However, this bill allows vulnerable victims in these instances to file for a protection order similar to protection orders pertaining to domestic violence. By updating the statute, Ohio is taking steps to protect victims of abuse in dating situations and to prevent future harm.

The Ohio Senate amended the legislation to clarify the definition of dating relationship in order to provide clarity for Ohio judges.

House Bill 1 now awaits House approval of the Senate amendment.