COLUMBUS – A bill prohibiting landlords from banning the display of the American flag and others by residents is on its way to the desk of Gov. John Kasich for his signature.
The Ohio House Thursday to Senate changes to the bill that forbids landlords from restricting the display of the American and Ohio flags, service flags, and the POW/MIA flag.
“After I heard how some of my constituents were being treated just for displaying their flag, I knew I had to do something about it. This bill protects patriotism while respecting property owners’ rights,” said Rep. Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville), who co-sponsored the legislation with Rep. Tim Ginter (R-Salem).
The bill was the result of an incident where an 86-year-old woman from central Ohio was barred from displaying an American flag in the home she was renting.
The bill applies to manufactured homes park operators, condominium associations, neighborhood associations, and landlords who are prohibited from restricting the display of these flags.
The bill widens the provision of the 2005 Freedom to Display the American Flag Act to include the Blue Star Flag flown by the families of deployed service members, Gold Star Flags displayed by the families of fallen service members, and the National League of Families POW/MIA flag, Gonzales said.