SB 180 (Protect Workers' Constitutional Rights) scheduled for sponsor testimony in Senate committee

Chairman Kevin Bacon has announced that the Senate Civil Justice Committee will be hearing sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 180 (Protect Workers' Constitutional Rights) today, Wednesday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m.in the Senate Finance Hearing Room.

SB 180, sponsored by Senator Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township), seeks to prohibit employers from discriminating against workers exercising constitutional rights.

Ohio is an “at will” employment state, meaning that workers can be fired for any reason, or no reason. There are many protected classes or exemptions to the general rule. A person may not be fired because of race, color, religion, sex or many other factors deemed inappropriate to discriminate against. SB 180 adds exercise of a “constitutional or statutory right” to the list.

Everyone agrees that private property rights are important. They are better respected under Uecker’s bill than in current law. The employer’s property rights are supreme inside the employers building. The employee’s property rights should be supreme inside the employee’s private vehicle.

Over 20 states have already adopted similar laws, which have been upheld in multiple court challenges.

Buckeye Firearms Association maintains a vigilant watch on gun legislation in Ohio. As legislation is introduced in the Ohio House or Senate, we will evaluate it and post information here.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary, BFA PAC Vice Chairman, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website.