We have been asked a lot of questions recently about the status of the “Thin Blue Line” flag legislation pending in the Ohio legislature.  This legislation, known as House Bill 230, was introduced in the Ohio House in May, 2017.  The gist of the bill is to prohibit condominium associations from banning the display of the Thin Blue Line flag meant to honor our fallen law enforcement officers.  The bill would have added the Thin Blue Line flag to the list of flags already allowed on condominium property.  Current law, RC 5311.191, includes the US flag, State of Ohio, and the POW/MIA and military service flags.  The bill sped through the House and was passed by the house nearly unanimously on November 29, 2017.  It was then immediately introduced in the Ohio Senate on December 4, 2017 and referred to committee for hearings.  The Senate has had two committee hearings on the bill, both for proponent testimony.  The last of the two hearings was held on February 20, 2018.  Since then no action has been taken on the bill.  We believe the bill is stalled in the Senate, and may never see the light of day, because enough informal opposition was raised successfully which questioned the wisdom of allowing an increasing number of flags to be displayed on condominium common property.  It appears to us that the bill will die a quiet death for fear of the flood gates opening for flag displays on condominium property.  If anything changes on this bill in the coming legislative session, you will see it here, and you may always contact Williams & Strohm with any questions or concerns you have in the meantime.