Some of the new laws address building inspections, outlaw arrest quotas and update hunting licenses requirements.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — This September, Ohio will see a major rollout of new laws that touch nearly every corner of daily life, from driver education and cybersecurity to hunting and fishing regulations. These changes, signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine, include eight key bills designed to improve safety, streamline processes, and increase accountability across the state.
Here’s a closer look at what Ohioans need to know.
SB 6 will change the way building inspection disputes are handled in the state.
The law requires that anyone who wants to challenge a building inspector’s decision must file an appeal within one business day, and the local appeals board must hold a hearing within five business days.
Additionally, it will allow the hearings to be conducted virtually, making the process faster and more accessible.
Lawmakers aim to reduce costly construction delays while maintaining safety standards through the new law, which takes effect on Sept. 30.
SB 100 will alter the Ohio Revised Code to exclude nonprofit agricultural membership organizations from being subjected to state insurance regulations. These agricultural groups will no longer fall under insurance oversight imposed on other entities.
The law goes into effect on Sept. 30.
SB 114 will ban law enforcement agencies from using arrests or citation quotas. Police and other agencies can no longer impose mandated numerical targets for issuing driving tickets or making arrests, removing pressure felt by these agencies to meet arbitrary metrics.
The new legislation, which was passed unanimously in both chambers, takes effect on Sept. 30.
SB 138 will update the laws governing local Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health (ADAMH) service boards.
It will impose penalties for recovering housing facilities that fail to register, mandate improved notice requirements when ADAMH boards terminate service contracts, and require the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, along with ADAMH boards, to develop a data-sharing integration plan.
Lawmakers stated that the goals of the changes are to increase accountability and ensure safer recovery housing.
The general provisions of revised governance, oversight, and ADAMH reporting go into effect on Sept. 30, 2025. However, amendments regarding modified contracts will have six months after the legislation takes effect to become compliant, with a deadline of March 30, 2026.
SB 147 will revise Ohio’s solid waste and construction demolition debris management laws.
The legislation updates the framework governing county and joint solid waste management districts, giving counties more control over waste disposal decisions. It introduces procedures for counties to withdraw from joint districts, making the process more transparent when a county wishes to manage its own waste disposal systems.
SB 147 also alters regulatory requirements across multiple sections of the Ohio Revised Code, such as oversight in waste handling, which can pose health risks if not properly managed.
The law goes into effect Sept. 30.
HB 64 will amend the eligibility age for discounted hunting and fishing licenses and permits. lowering the qualifying age from 66 to 65 for Ohio residents.
The new adjustment will apply to hunting and fishing licenses, deer and wild turkey permits, fur taker permits, as well as multiyear and lifetime licenses.
The Ohio Legislative Service Commission projects that the change will result in a loss of revenue for the Wildlife Fund. However, federal grant revenue tied to the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Grant programs would remain unaffected, as the state must collect at least $1 of revenue to be counted as sold.
HB 96, the State of Ohio’s operating budget, made several changes to state-funded programs. One of those changes going into effect on Sept. 30 will require local governments, counties, municipalities and townships to implement a cybersecurity framework, such as NIST or CIS.
The programs must include risk assessments, threat detection, incident response, infrastructure recovery and employee training. It will also bar paying ransom demands without legislative approval.
The state’s operating budget will also update the state’s driver education age requirement. Under the new law, all individuals under the age of 21 will have to complete state state-approved driver education program, closing a loophole that let 18-, 19- and 20-year-old drivers obtain a license without taking the “Class D” driver education course.
The new requirements will go into effect on Sept. 30. More information on the change can be found in the story below:
This article was published by Ashley Taylor on 2025-09-01 17:20:00
View Original Post
