Ohio legislation · 136th General Assembly
Ohio HB949: Enact the Campus Self-Defense Act
Status: In committee, May 20, 2026
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.
What the bill says
From the introduced text, May 19, 2026:
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 …
Sponsors
- Levi Dean (R, 71) · primary sponsor
- Ron Ferguson (R, 96)
- Jennifer Gross (R, 45)
- Thomas Hall (R, 46)
- Diane Mullins (R, 47)
- Justin Pizzulli (R, 90)
- David Thomas (R, 65)
Latest actions
- : Referred to committee
- : Introduced
Subjects: Education, Primary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, Crimes, Corrections, and Law Enforcement, Crime and Punishment
Common questions
- What is HB949?
- HB949 is a bill in the Ohio Legislature (136th General Assembly): Enact the Campus Self-Defense Act.
- What does HB949 do?
- 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.
- What is the status of HB949?
- In committee as of May 20, 2026. Latest action: Referred to committee (May 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB949?
- Levi Dean (R, 71), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB949?
- On the Ohio Legislature website: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb949
Source: official Ohio record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.