When a child is born to unmarried parents in Ohio, the father has far fewer rights than the mother.
House Bill 256 would place the responsibility of custody and parenting time on both parents equally − if the father establishes paternity through a test or the child’s birth certificate.
“When the law arbitrarily sidelines a willing and responsible parent, it does not serve the best interests of the child,” said Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, one of the bill’s sponsors.
There are still some limits. The mother would remain the sole legal guardian. Parents could still ask a judge to limit or terminate parental rights based on the other person’s actions or inactions. And the father could not become a residential parent or legal guardian if he were convicted of rape or sexual battery.
During a committee hearing on Sept. 24, Rep. Eric Synenberg, D-Beachwood, asked whether that list could be expanded to include other acts of abuse.
Williams replied that a prior domestic violence conviction wouldn’t terminate a father’s right to raise a child. “Now, if the domestic violence occurred while the child was present post birth, the court normally would consider that,” he said.
The goal is healthier kids, said Williams and his co-sponsor, Rep. Jeff LaRe. “House Bill 256 ensures that both mothers and fathers have the opportunity to share in the responsibilities and joys of parenting,” said LaRe, R-Violet Township.
Synenberg also asked what would happen if a mother had a child through surrogacy. For example, would a sperm donor be entitled to parental rights?
“Great question,” Williams replied. “I haven’t looked at that.”
The bill is one of several that Williams has introduced to promote fatherhood and the nuclear family. Other bills would create an income tax credit for businesses that give their employees a bonus for getting married or having a child. He also wants to incentivize businesses that offset in vitro fertilization costs.
Republican lawmakers also want to create a “natural family month” to celebrate lifelong monogamous heterosexual couples with children. Dwayne Steward, executive director of Equality Ohio, called the bill “a taxpayer-funded lecture on morality” that dangerously implies other families are not natural.
Republican lawmakers also want to create a “natural family month” to celebrate lifelong monogamous heterosexual couples with children. Dwayne Steward, executive director of Equality Ohio, called the bill “a taxpayer-funded lecture on morality” that dangerously implies other families are not natural.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at [email protected] or @jbalmert on X.