Ohio SB 174 Is Still Pending: What Fathers Should Know

Status correction, July 18, 2026: Ohio Senate Bill 174 passed the Ohio Senate but remains in the House. It has not become law, and it has not rewritten Ohio custody law.

The earlier version of this article said the bill was enrolled and waiting for the governor's signature. That was not the final status. I live in Ohio, so getting this right is not optional.

What SB 174 is trying to change

SB 174 is a proposal to change how Ohio law describes and structures parental rights, responsibilities, and parenting plans. The exact language can still change while the bill remains in the House. None of those proposed changes should be treated as current law.

Check the official Ohio Legislature page for the current status, votes, and bill documents.

What Ohio fathers should not do

Do not tell a court that SB 174 eliminated sole custody, replaced shared parenting, or created a new parenting-time rule. It has done none of those things while it remains pending.

What you can do now

1. Build your case under the Ohio law that is in effect today.
2. Document the ordinary parenting work you actually perform.
3. Ask a qualified Ohio family-law attorney whether a later version of the bill would affect your situation.
4. If you contact lawmakers, describe SB 174 as pending legislation, not an enacted change.

I still believe Ohio needs clearer, more consistent custody rules. But advocacy gets weaker when we overstate what happened. We can push for change and tell the truth at the same time.