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Bill

SB 204

Allow suppression of eviction records in certain circumstances

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Reynolds

Ohio bill allows individuals to petition courts to seal eviction records, helping people with eviction histories access housing while limiting landlords' ability to screen applicants.

Referred to committee
#commerce #courtsandcivillaw #housingandrealproperty #landlordsandtenants
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Bill Summary · SB 204

Legislative bill overview

SB 204 would allow individuals to petition courts to suppress or seal eviction records under specified circumstances in Ohio. This mechanism would enable people with eviction histories to have those records hidden from public view and potentially from background check databases, similar to criminal record expungement processes.

Why is this important

Eviction records significantly impact housing access, employment prospects, and credit scores. Sealing records could help individuals rebuild their lives after eviction, particularly those facing economic hardship or homelessness. However, this also affects landlords' ability to screen tenants for payment history, creating a tension between tenant rehabilitation and landlord risk assessment.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord protections: Property owners argue eviction history is crucial for evaluating tenant reliability and payment ability; suppression may increase their risk of non-payment
  • Scope definition: What circumstances qualify for suppression (hardship, time passage, payment of back rent?) will determine how broadly the law applies and affect market behavior
  • Transparency vs. rehabilitation: Balancing tenant reintegration with public access to housing market information and property transaction history

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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