Ohio Senate Passes Legislation Protecting the Thin Blue Line Flag

State Representative Kevin Miller today announced that the Ohio Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 202, companion legislation to House Bill 75, which aims to prohibit restrictions on the display of the Thin Blue Line flag. 

Senate Bill 202 – the Chief Steven “Eric” DiSario Act – is named in honor of Chief DiSario, who was killed in the line of duty on May 12, 2017, responding to a report of an armed suspect at a local nursing home facility.

“This issue was brought to me by Thomas DiSario, a constituent of mine, and the father of Chief DiSario. Thomas was forced to take down the Thin Blue Line Flag given to him at his son’s funeral after flying it on his property for four years. The homeowner’s association claimed it was a ‘political statement,’ when it was flown to honor the sacrifice of his son,” said Miller. 

Senate Bill 202 prohibits park operators and landlords from including a restriction on the display of the Thin Blue Line flag in a rental agreement. The legislation also prohibits neighborhood, civic, homeowners', and condominium associations from banning the display of the Thin Blue Line flag.

“For police officers, this flag represents that they are a part of something bigger than themselves, a special call to duty. For many civilians, it says they are willing to stand with those who sacrifice daily to maintain law and order and whose vocation is dedicated to protecting others and upholding the law,” Miller added. 

Senate Bill 202 now moves to the Ohio House for further consideration.