Ohio law

Civil Rights Laws in Ohio.

The Ohio Civil Rights Act (Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 4112) is Ohio's principal civil-rights statute, administered by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC). Ohio amended Chapter 4112 in 2021 (Employment Law Uniformity Act / HB 352) — significantly narrowing employment-discrimination claims by (1) aligning state claims with Title VII's 300-day filing deadline, (2) requiring exhaustion of OCRC procedures before filing in court, (3) shortening court-filing SOL to 2 years, and (4) removing individual manager/supervisor liability. Sexual orientation and gender identity are NOT explicitly protected under state law (relying on federal Bostock interpretation of Title VII).

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

300 days (OCRC); 2 years (court)Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.052

Under 2021 HB 352 reform: Employment discrimination complaints must be filed with OCRC within 300 days. After OCRC action, lawsuit must be filed within 2 years (reduced from 6 years pre-reform).

State law

Key Ohio Statutes

Ohio Civil Rights ActOhio Rev. Code Chapter 4112

Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, military status, disability, age (40+), ancestry, and familial status (housing). Applies to employers with 4+ employees.

Employment Law Uniformity Act (HB 352, 2021)Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4112.051-4112.052

Significantly narrowed employment discrimination claims effective April 2021: aligned with Title VII 300-day deadline, required OCRC exhaustion, reduced court SOL to 2 years, eliminated individual manager/supervisor liability. Part of Ohio tort-reform movement.

Ohio Fair Housing LawOhio Rev. Code § 4112.02(H)

Prohibits discrimination in housing transactions based on protected classes. Administered by OCRC.

No Explicit SOGI ProtectionCompare Title VII post-Bostock

Ohio has NOT added sexual orientation or gender identity as explicit protected classes in Chapter 4112. Federal Title VII sex discrimination (as extended in Bostock v. Clayton County, 2020) provides federal protection.

State law

Official Sources

Ohio Civil Rights Commission U.S. EEOC

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.

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Civil Rights Laws in Ohio.

Statute of Limitations

Key Ohio Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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Other state law topics.