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Sponsors present bill to prohibit HOAs, landlords from banning thin blue line flag
Summary
House Bill 75 would add the thin blue line flag to a list of protected flags and bar manufactured home park operators, condominium associations, neighborhood associations and landlords from restricting its display; sponsors said the bill is narrowly tailored and includes size and placement guidelines and consultation with property owners.
Representatives Kay Miller and Brennan presented sponsor testimony on House Bill 75, which would prohibit manufactured home park operators, condominium associations, neighborhood associations and landlords from restricting the display of the thin blue line flag.
Miller, the bill’s primary sponsor, said the flag “is used by law enforcement to commemorate fallen law enforcement officers, to show support for living law enforcement officers, and to symbolize the relationship of law enforcement with the community.” She told the committee the measure would add the thin blue line flag to a list of protected flags that already includes the American flag, the Ohio flag and certain military flags.
Miller described a constituent case that prompted the bill: Thomas DeSario said his late son, Chief Steven Eric DeSario of Kirkersville, was killed in the line of duty in 2017, and his father was later told by a homeowners association to remove a thin blue line flag flown in memory of his son. Miller said the bill is intended to prevent similar disputes over bereavement and commemorative displays.
Members raised constitutional and practical concerns, including whether private property owners could be compelled to allow flagpoles or mounting on their structures, whether the bill would broaden to protect other symbols, and how enforcement or civil remedies would work. Miller said the bill is intentionally narrow, focused on law‑enforcement flags, and includes language addressing size, placement and coordination with property owners. She also said the bill was drafted with input from real estate and manufactured‑home associations.
Representative Sims and others questioned whether the thin blue line flag has been “weaponized” in some communities; Miller responded that misuses of a symbol should not prevent others from displaying it in respectful ways. Members also noted prior votes in earlier sessions; sponsors cited roll‑call margins from prior general assemblies as background for continued bipartisan support.
The committee took no vote; sponsors presented House Bill 75 for its first hearing and answered members’ questions. No formal amendments or enforcement mechanisms beyond civil remedies were adopted during the hearing.
