Ohio legislation · 136th General Assembly
Ohio HB441: Regards the one-year limitations period for libel or slander
Status: In committee, June 10, 2026
To amend section 2305.11 of the Revised Code to increase the limitations period from one year to four years for libel or slander and provide that for purposes of the four-year limitations period for libel or slander, the cause of action starts from publication of the libelous matter or when the slanderous words were spoken, regardless of when the aggrieved party discovered the libelous matter or slanderous words.
What the bill says
To amend section 2305.11 of the Revised Code to increase the limitations period from one year to four years for libel or slander and provide that for purposes of the four-year limitations period for libel or slander, the cause of action starts from publication of the libelous matter or when the slanderous words were spoken, regardless of when the aggrieved party discovered the libelous matter or slanderous words.
From the amended text, June 3, 2026:
To amend section 2305.11 of the Revised Code to increase the limitations period from one year to four years for libel or slander and provide that for purposes of the four-year limitations period for libel or slander, the cause of action starts from publication of the libelous matter or when the slanderous words were spoken, regardless of when the aggrieved party discovered the libelous matter or slanderous words. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO: Section 1. That section 2305.11 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows: Sec. 2305.11. (A) An action for [DELETED: libel, slander, ] malicious prosecution [DELETED: ,] or false imprisonment, an action for malpractice other than an action upon a medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim, an action for legal malpractice against an attorney or a law firm or legal professional association, or an action upon a statute for a penalty or forfeiture shall be commenced within one year after the cause of action accrued, provided that an action by an employee for the payment of unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime compensation, or liquidated damages by reason of the nonpayment of minimum wages or overtime compensation shall be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued. [DELETED: (B) ] (B)(1) An action for libel or slander …
Sponsors
- Brian Stewart (R, 12) · primary sponsor
- Adam Mathews (R, 56) · primary sponsor
- Adam Bird (R, 63)
- Sean Brennan (D, 14)
- Jennifer Gross (R, 45)
- Thomas Hall (R, 46)
- Mike Odioso (R, 30)
- Elgin Rogers (D, 42)
- Mark Sigrist (D, 10)
- Cecil Thomas (D, 25)
- Andrea White (R, 36)
- Josh Williams (R, 44)
Latest actions
- : Referred to committee
- : Introduced
- : Passed
- : Reported - Amended
- : Referred to committee
- : Introduced
Votes
- Passed (June 3, 2026): 90 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Favorable Passage (June 3, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, failed
Subjects: Courts, Civil Law, Courts and Civil Law
Common questions
- What is HB441?
- HB441 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Regards the one-year limitations period for libel or slander.
- What does HB441 do?
- In its own words: To amend section 2305.11 of the Revised Code to increase the limitations period from one year to four years for libel or slander and provide that for purposes of the four-year limitations period for libel or slander, the cause of action starts from publication of the libelous matter or when the slanderous words were spoken, regardless of when the aggrieved party discovered the libelous matter or slanderous words.
- What is the status of HB441?
- In committee as of June 10, 2026. Latest action: Referred to committee (June 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB441?
- Brian Stewart (R, 12), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB441?
- On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb441
Source: official Ohio record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.