Columbus, Ohio - On February 23, 2026, Governor John Smith signed into law a series of updates to Ohio's military laws, aimed at providing stronger legal protections for service members in the state. The changes come after extensive lobbying efforts by veteran and military advocacy groups, who have long called for improvements to the legal framework surrounding military service in Ohio.One of the most significant changes to the law is the introduction of stronger safeguards against discrimination based on military service. Under the new legislation, employers will be prohibited from discriminating against service members or veterans in hiring, promotion, or other employment decisions. Additionally, service members who believe they have been discriminated against will now have the ability to file a complaint with the state's Department of Veterans Affairs, which will investigate and potentially take legal action against the offending employer.In addition to these new protections, the updated law also includes provisions to address the unique legal challenges faced by service members deployed overseas. For example, the legislation now allows for deployed service members to designate a proxy to handle legal matters on their behalf while they are away, providing them with peace of mind knowing that important decisions are being handled by someone they trust.Governor Smith, in a statement following the signing of the new law, emphasized the importance of supporting service members and veterans in Ohio. "Our military men and women sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms, and it is our duty to ensure that they are treated fairly and protected under the law," he said. "These updates to our military laws represent a significant step forward in fulfilling that duty."The changes to Ohio's military laws have been met with widespread support from various veterans' organizations, who see the updates as a long overdue improvement to the legal protections afforded to service members in the state. "This is a victory for all service members and veterans in Ohio," said Sarah Johnson, a spokesperson for the Ohio Veterans Association. "These changes will help ensure that those who serve our country are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."Overall, the updates to Ohio's military laws mark a positive development for service members and veterans in the state, providing them with stronger legal protections and greater peace of mind as they carry out their duties in defense of the nation.