Dayton Daily News
January 16, 2006

On Wednesday, Gov. Bob Taft signed what critics call the Ohio Patriot Act, a package of laws that its sponsor, Sen. Jeff Jacobson, R-Butler Twp., said "will put Ohio on the front lines of fighting terrorism."

Among its provisions, the legislation, effective in April, will create criminal offenses for terrorism, allow police to require ID to enter a transportation hub, and prohibit people in public places from refusing to disclose their name, address or date of birth to police when the officer suspects the person witnessed or is involved in a violent felony.

The bill will also require those seeking state contracts, employment or some licenses to fill out a questionnaire affirming that they are not involved in terrorism.

"We hoped the governor would do the right thing and he didn't," said Jeffrey Gamso, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.

He said the legislation invades privacy, makes the state appear hostile to immigrants, and "does nothing to make us safer while making us significantly less free."

Jacobson said Ohioans will encounter the ID requirements only when there is a real need for it.