United States

Ocana worked for the Santa Fe store of the American Furniture Co. (“AFC”) from July, 1997 to November 1998.On January 10, 2000, Ocana, acting pro se, filed a complaint in a trial court, charging AFC with, among other things, sexual harassment in violation of the NMHRA.In particular, Ocana claimed that the store manager touched himself in suggestive ways, stared at her breasts, and parked next to her even when he had a different, dedicated parking spot.AFC moved for summary judgment.

Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in all public colleges, community colleges, universities, and all other public institutions of higher learning in the state that are operated by the board of governors for higher education.

The Ohio Civil Rights Act, also known as the Ohio Fair Employment Practices Act, codified primarily in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112, is the state’s comprehensive anti-discrimination law.

Article I, Section 22 of the Ohio state Constitution establishes an explicit right to reproductive freedom, protecting individual decision-making in matters of contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy continuation, miscarriage care, and abortion. It prohibits the State from burdening, penalizing, prohibiting, interfering with, or discriminating against the exercise of this right or against those who assist in exercising it, while permitting narrowly tailored health and safety regulations.

A former employee filed a complaint alleging a hostile work environment and sex discrimination, suing the chief in both his individual and official capacities. The Ohio Government Risk Management Plan, which provided liability coverage to the chief, sought a declaratory judgment that it had no duty to defend or indemnify him. In Ohio Government Risk Management Plan v.

Ohio House Bill 322 (2025), also known as the “Grooming Offenses Act” created a civil offense of grooming, imposed penalties on offenders, and established registry requirements for individuals who are convicted of child sexual abuse.

Ohio House Bill 161 did not carry a popular short title but is widely described as the bill “removing spousal exemptions for sexual offenses.” It removes spousal exceptions for sexual offenses such as rape and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, therefore eliminating the loophole that previously protected individuals from being prosecuted from sexual offenses against their spouse. This law also allows a person to testify against their spouse in prosecuting these offenses. 

Ohio House Bill 8 (2025), referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law and the “Parents Bill of Rights” requires schools to notify parents about any instruction concerning sexuality and about disclosures regarding a student’s sexuality. Parents may request alternative class materials if they object to the subject matter.

Ohio Revised Code § 2317.56 requires physicians, absent a medical emergency, to meet with a pregnant patient at least twenty-four hours before an abortion procedure to provide specified information regarding the nature and risks of the procedure. Compliance with these informed consent requirements is a condition of performing a lawful abortion.

Ohio Revised Code § 2903.211 defines menacing by stalking as a pattern of conduct involving two or more related incidents directed at another person, or at one or more persons within the same organization, that knowingly causes fear of physical harm or mental distress. The offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree, but it becomes a felony of the fourth or fifth degree when aggravating factors exist, including prior convictions, threats of violence, or use of electronic communications.