Enact the Campus Self-Defense Act

hb949_00_IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 949

2025-2026

Representative Dean

Cosponsors: Representatives Pizzulli,
Ferguson, Hall, T., Gross, Thomas, D., Mullins

To
enact section 3345.211 of the Revised Code
to
enact the Campus Self-Defense Act to allow adults to carry nonlethal
self-defense weapons on state institution of higher education
campuses.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 3345.211 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
3345.211.
(A)
As used in this section:

(1)
"Campus area" means any building, bus, grounds, recreation
area, athletic field, or any other property owned, operated, or in
use by the board of trustees of a state institution of higher
education.

(2)
"Nonlethal self-defense weapon" means pepper spray, a
pepper spray gun, pepper gel, mace, a taser, an electric control
device, a stun gun, or other conducted energy device.

(3)
"Organization" has the same meaning as in section 2901.23
of the Revised Code except that it includes a state institution of
higher education.

(4)
"State institution of higher education" has the same
meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.

(B)
No state institution of higher education shall knowingly do any of
the following:

(1)
Prohibit a person eighteen years of age or older from possessing a
nonlethal self-defense weapon or using a nonlethal self-defense
weapon in self-defense while the person is lawfully present in the
campus area of a state institution of higher education;

(2)
Impose disciplinary action on a person eighteen years of age or older
for possessing a nonlethal self-defense weapon or using a nonlethal
self-defense weapon in self-defense while the person is lawfully
present in the campus area of a state institution of higher
education;

(3)
Require a person eighteen years of age or older to register a
nonlethal self-defense weapon;

(4)
Require a person eighteen years of age or older to obtain approval
from a state institution of higher education before possessing a
nonlethal self-defense weapon or using a nonlethal self-defense
weapon in self-defense.

(C)
A state institution of higher education shall permit students who are
eighteen years of age or older to store nonlethal self-defense
weapons in campus housing facilities and shall not impose storage
restrictions that render the nonlethal self-defense weapons
inaccessible during emergencies.

(D)
A state institution of higher education that violates this section is
guilty of improper interference with nonlethal self-defense weapons
on campus, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Notwithstanding section
2929.31 of the Revised Code, the court shall impose on the
organization a fine in the amount of fifty thousand dollars.

Section
2.
This
act shall be known as the Campus Self-Defense Act.