WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 112

Enact the Conscientious Right to Refuse Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sarah Fowler Arthur and 28 co-sponsors

Ohio bill creates legal protections for refusing services/employment based on conscientious objections, potentially conflicting with existing non-discrimination laws across multiple sectors.

Referred to committee
#commerce #education #employment #healthcare #healthandhumanservices #insurance #primaryandsecondaryeducation #stateandlocalgovernment
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 112

Legislative bill overview

HB 112 would establish a legal framework allowing individuals and entities to refuse services, employment, or participation based on conscientious objections—presumably on religious, moral, or ethical grounds. The bill creates protections for those exercising such refusals while potentially limiting recourse for those denied services. Specific provisions would need to be reviewed in the full bill text to determine exact scope and limitations.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects access to services and employment discrimination law by potentially carving out broad exemptions from existing non-discrimination statutes. The practical impact depends heavily on which services/sectors are covered and what "conscientious objections" encompasses—affecting healthcare, public accommodations, employment, and other sectors. It represents a significant shift in balancing individual conscience rights against protections for vulnerable populations seeking services.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: Whether refusals apply only to direct participation or extend to referrals, and which professions/businesses qualify
  • Protected class conflicts: How the bill reconciles conscience-based refusals with existing civil rights protections based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability
  • Essential services access: Whether vulnerable individuals can be denied critical services (healthcare, housing, emergency services) based on provider objections
  • Employer liability: Whether employers can be held liable when employees refuse duties, or conversely, whether employees can refuse work without consequences
  • "Conscientious objection" definition: How broadly or narrowly this term is defined and who determines legitimacy of claims

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

Sign in to ask a question.