OCRC Briefing Document

Housing Amendments, click here to view the document

Subject: The Ohio Civil Rights Commission's ("OCRC") Position on Housing Enforcement Amendments Contained in HB No. 1 (Budget Bill) and its Rationale for Not Including Additional Legislative Changes Through the Budget Language Process.

Proponent testimony provided by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission yesterday in support of House Bill No. 176.  If you wish to view the text for this bill, click here.

Click here to view the PDF format

Columbus Metropolitan Club: Progress or Promised Land? 50 Years of Civil Rights in Ohio

Ohio Civil Rights Commission Chairman Eddie Harrell, Jr. speaks on the topic of civil rights and discusses the notion of whether we've made progress or truly "reached the promised land" that Dr. King spoke of. What progress has been made as reflected in actual cases that come before the OCRC and in society in light of the election of our nation's first African-American President? Harrell also touches on current and pending civil rights legislation and its significance, as well as recent events including displays and occurrences of hatred, bigotry and overt prejudice.

To view a video of the speech in its entirety click on the link below to The Ohio Channel's web site:

On June 21, 2007, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission approved a proposed revision to the administrative rule on pregnancy discrimination. The current version this rule was adopted in 1977 and requires that employers provide pregnancy leave “for a reasonable period of time,” makes it illegal to terminate a female employee under a policy providing “insufficient” or no pregnancy leave, and requires that pregnant employees be returned to their original or similar job upon signifying their intent to return to work within a “reasonable time.” The proposed revision to this rule merely takes the guesswork out of the process by changing “reasonable period” to a straight 12 weeks.

A public hearing was held on August 1, 2007 for the purpose of receiving comments, proposals and recommendations from those persons and parties affected by, or otherwise interested in, the proposed revision to the rule on pregnancy discrimination. The testimony is available below.
To view the minutes of the August 1, 2007 please click here.

On Tuesday October 17th, Policy Matters Ohio released a study on this issue.
You can view this study by clicking here.

On October 25th, 2007, the revised administrative rule is was reviewed and approved by OCRC Commissioners at a regular Commission Meeting at the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus.

The Commission anticipates that the rule will be heard before the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) during the month of December.  JCARR will review the rule and, if the bipartisan legislative panel determines that the rule meets the necessary four prong set of criteria.  CLICK HERE to visit the JCARR website.

To view the pregnancy discrimination rule as presented to the Commission, click here.
To view the adopted pregnancy discrimination rule, click here.
To view the redline version of this amendment, click here.

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is pleased to announce our annual statewide 2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Writing & Multimedia Contest. The purpose of this contest is to enhance cultural awareness, empowerment, tolerance, and to honor and encourage leadership for a multi-cultural society. Through the example of major role models, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., students creatively interpret these teachings through art, writing, and multimedia. We believe that it is important that the lessons and beliefs that affect students today will encourage them to be leaders for diversity for tomorrow.

What the students see at first as a “contest” is actually a youth leadership development program. The contest serves as a point of entry for the students and the work and thoughtfulness required to complete the project provides a learning and reflective experience. The winners will be honored by community and business leaders at an event that will take place during the month of February 2008 in the state’s Capitol. Further, their artwork, essays, and multimedia projects will be proudly displayed throughout the year.

Click here for contest details and entry forms.

If you have any questions regarding this contest or need further information, please contact Brandi Klein at 614-644-0244.