COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new Ohio law will change how landlords can proceed with evictions and housing-related lawsuits.
Senate Bill 237 (SB 237), signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine back in January, will help shield Ohioans from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and prohibits the listing of minors as defendants in eviction cases. The bill aims to discourage frivolous lawsuits designed to suppress free speech.
So how does that impact lawsuits filed by landlords?
Preventing legal intimidation
SB 237 enacts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, which helps to shield Ohioans from SLAPPs. These lawsuits are often filed to intimidate, silence or punish people for expressing opinions or engaging in public discourse. SLAPPs are often seen as “non-legitimate” lawsuits, and under the new law, these legal battles will be dismissed more quickly. Therefore, if a defendant is sued for speech-related activities, they will not be consumed by legal fees…