The Lead Off

• A controversial Ohio bill critics call a “drag ban” has stalled in the state Senate without a hearing since April.
• House Bill 249 passed the Ohio House but remains under review in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• Advocates say the lack of movement is a positive sign, but warn the measure remains active and could return later in the legislative session.

COLUMBUS, OHIO (WOWO) A proposed Ohio law critics refer to as a “drag ban” has stalled in the Ohio Senate, where it has not received a committee hearing in months but remains officially active.

House Bill 249, known as the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act, passed the Ohio House of Representatives in March but has not advanced since being referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee in April according to WCMH.

Bill remains in committee without hearings

According to lawmakers, the legislation has not been scheduled for hearings since arriving in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), a member of the committee, said she has not been informed of when or if the bill will receive further consideration.

“I look forward to committee hearings and getting more information from all sides, but I don’t care who you are, you shouldn’t be performing sexually in front of children,” Gavarone said. “We have some ‘if-needed’ session dates in September, so it may come up then if we are coming back.”

Bill language draws criticism from opponents

If enacted, the bill would prohibit indecent “cabaret” performances in public spaces where minors could be present.

Critics argue the language is overly broad and could be used to restrict events such as drag performances, Pride parades, and other LGBTQ-related public gatherings.

Advocacy groups say the measure could have wide-ranging implications for public entertainment and free expression in Ohio.

Advocacy groups say delay signals reduced momentum

Dwayne Steward, CEO of Equality Ohio, said the lack of movement in the Senate suggests the bill may not advance this session.

“Truthfully, H.B. 249, from our perspective, was really something that legislators were trying to use to win elections; it was to rile the base and that kind of thing,” Steward said. “(Bill) 249 was simply a distraction, and I’m hoping that our legislature has learned from this and will simply let 249 go by the wayside.”

Steward said the bill could still reappear during Ohio’s post-election “lame duck” session, when pending legislation is often revisited.

Bill remains eligible for future action

Despite the current stall, House Bill 249 remains active in the legislative process and could be scheduled for hearings at any time.

“It’s not over ‘til it’s over,” Steward said, noting that advocates are encouraging continued public engagement and monitoring of the bill’s status.

Next steps

The Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee has not announced any upcoming hearings for House Bill 249. Lawmakers are expected to reconvene for additional legislative sessions later in the year, where the bill could still be reconsidered depending on committee leadership and scheduling decisions.