Ohio 136th General Assembly Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 105 — Revise non-recourse litigation funding agreement regulations

Last action — Effective 10/6/26

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced October 06, 2026. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Mixed recorded votes

    7 passed, 2 failed in recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill revises regulations for non-recourse litigation funding agreements.

This bill enacts multiple sections to update existing regulations on non-recourse litigation funding agreements. It also repeals a section of the Revised Code related to this type of funding.

Summary

To enact sections 1357.01, 1357.011, 1357.02, 1357.03, 1357.04, 1357.05, 1357.06, 1357.07, and 1357.08 and to repeal section 1349.55 of the Revised Code to revise and supplement state regulations concerning non-recourse litigation funding agreements.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

374 added · 530 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill HB 105 add new sections to Ohio law that establish clearer regulations on non-recourse litigation funding agreements. This change provides consumers with more transparency about charges, such as interest and fees, associated with these funding agreements. Additionally, it sets definitions for terms like "advertise" and "commercial litigation financier," ensuring that both consumers and companies involved understand their rights and obligations. These updates matter because they aim to protect consumers from potential exploitation in the legal funding market.

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As Passed by the House 136th General Assembly Regular Session Sub.
(136th GeneralAssembly) (Substitute House Bill Number 105) ANACT To enact sections 1357.01, 1357.011, 1357.02, 1357.03, 1357.04, 1357.05, 1357.06, 1357.07, 1357.08, 1357.09, and 1357.10 and to repeal section 1349.55 of the Revised Code to revise and supplement state regulations concerning non-recourse litigation funding agreements.
H.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:
B.
SECTION 1.
No.
That sections 1357.01, 1357.011, 1357.02, 1357.03, 1357.04, 1357.05, 1357.06, 1357.07, 1357.08, 1357.09, and 1357.10 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
105 2025-2026 Representatives Craig, Thomas, J.
Sec.
Cosponsors:
Representatives Lampton, Daniels, Thomas, D., Hall, D., Deeter, King, Lorenz, Barhorst, Brennan, Ghanbari, John, McClain, Odioso, Peterson, Ray, Roemer, Sigrist, Williams, Willis To enact sections 1357.01, 1357.011, 1357.02, 1 1357.03, 1357.04, 1357.05, 1357.06, 1357.07, 2 1357.08, 1357.09, and 1357.10 and to repeal 3 section 1349.55 of the Revised Code to revise 4 and supplement state regulations concerning non- 5 recourse litigation funding agreements.
6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1.
That sections 1357.01, 1357.011, 1357.02, 7 1357.03, 1357.04, 1357.05, 1357.06, 1357.07, 1357.08, 1357.09, 8 and 1357.10 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
9 Sec.
10 (A)(1) "Advertise" means directly or indirectly 11 publishing, disseminating, circulating, or placing before the 12 public any written, oral, electronic, or printed communication 13 for the purpose of inducing a consumer to enter into a consumer 14 legal funding agreement.
(A)(1) "Advertise" means directly or indirectly publishing, disseminating, circulating, or placing before the public any written, oral, electronic, or printed communication for the purpose of inducing a consumer to enter into a consumer legal funding agreement.
15 (2) For the purposes of division (A)(1) of this section, 16 "written, oral, electronic, or printed communication" includes 17 Sub.
(2) For the purposes of division (A)(1) of this section, "written, oral, electronic, or printed communication" includes communication by means of recorded telephone messages and transmission or broadcast on radio, television, the internet, or other similar media of audio recordings, film strips, motion pictures, or videos.
(B)(1) "Charges" means the amount of money to be paid to the consumer legal funding company by or on behalf of a consumer in excess of the funded amount.
(2) "Charges" include interest and all administrative, origination, underwriting, and other fees, no matter how denominated.
(C)(1) "Commercial litigation financier" means a person engaged in the business of entering into commercial litigation financing agreements with claimants or with lawyers or law firms asserting legal claims on behalf of claimants.
(2) "Commercial litigation financier" does not include a nonprofit organization determined by the internal revenue service to be tax exempt pursuant to section 501(c) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 26 U.S.C.
1, or a person that funds such a nonprofit organization, if the nonprofit organization represents the claimant on a pro bono basis.
Seeking or accepting a settlement or judgment that includes costs or attorney's fees does not, in itself, make a nonprofit organization or an attorney contracted by a nonprofit organization a "commercial litigation financier." (D)(1) "Commercial litigation financing agreement" means, with respect to any civil action or group of civil actions, a written agreement that meets all of the following:
(a) A third party agrees to provide funds to a named party or a law firm that represents a named party in the civil action or group of civil actions.
Sub.
105 Page 2 As Passed by the House communication by means of recorded telephone messages and 18 transmission or broadcast on radio, television, the internet, or 19 other similar media of audio recordings, film strips, motion 20 pictures, or videos.
105 136th G.A.
21 (B)(1) "Charges" means the amount of money to be paid to 22 the consumer legal funding company by or on behalf of a consumer 23 in excess of the funded amount.
(b) The agreement creates a direct or collateralized interest in the proceeds of a civil action or group of civil actions, by settlement, verdict, judgment, or otherwise.
24 (2) "Charges" include interest and all administrative, 25 origination, underwriting, and other fees, no matter how 26 denominated.
(c) The interest created by the agreement is based, in whole or part, on a funding obligation incurred in connection with the action or group of actions, the appearing counsel, any contractual co- counsel, or the law firm of the counsel or co-counsel, executed with any of the following:
27 (C)(1) "Commercial litigation financier" means a person 28 engaged in the business of entering into commercial litigation 29 financing agreements with claimants or with lawyers or law firms 30 asserting legal claims on behalf of claimants.
(i) Any attorney representing a party;
31 (2) "Commercial litigation financier" does not include a 32 nonprofit organization determined by the internal revenue 33 service to be tax exempt pursuant to section 501(c) of the 34 "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 26 U.S.C.
(ii) Any co-counsel in the civil action or group of actions with a contingent fee interest in representing a named party;
1, or a person that 35 funds such a nonprofit organization, if the nonprofit 36 organization represents the claimant on a pro bono basis.
(iii) Any third-party who has a collateral-based interest in the contingency fees of the counsel or co-counsel, or the law firm of the counsel or co-counsel, related in whole or part to the fees derived from representing that party.
37 Seeking or accepting a settlement or judgment that includes 38 costs or attorney's fees does not, in itself, make a nonprofit 39 organization or an attorney contracted by a nonprofit 40 organization a "commercial litigation financier." 41 (D)(1) "Commercial litigation financing agreement" means, 42 with respect to any civil action or group of civil actions, a 43 written agreement that meets all of the following:
(2) "Commercial litigation financing agreement" includes a contract, such as an option, forward contract, futures contract, short position, swap, or similar agreement, that is substantially similar to an agreement described in division (D)(1) of this section.
44 (a) A third party agrees to provide funds to a named party 45 or a law firm that represents a named party in the civil action 46 Sub.
(3) "Commercial litigation financing agreement" does not include any of the following:
(a) A consumer legal funding agreement;
(b) An agreement by an attorney or law firm to provide legal services on a contingency fee basis to the claimant or to advance the claimant's legal costs in accordance with the rules of professional conduct adopted by the supreme court;
(c) A health insurer, medical provider, or assignee that has paid, is obligated to pay, or is owed sums for a claimant's health care under the terms of a health insurance plan or agreement;
(d) A financial institution providing loans to the claimant or the claimant's attorney or law firm, the repayment of which is not contingent upon the outcome of the legal claim or on the outcome of any matter within a portfolio that includes the legal claim and involves the same attorney or law firm or affiliated attorney or law firm;
(e) A person with a preexisting contractual obligation to indemnify or defend a party to a legal claim.
(E) "Consumer" means a natural person who has a pending legal claim and who resides or is domiciled in Ohio.
(F)(1) "Consumer legal funding agreement" means a nonrecourse agreement in which a consumer legal funding company purchases, and a consumer assigns to the company, a contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of any settlement, judgment, award, or verdict obtained in the consumer's legal claim.
(2) "Consumer legal funding agreement" does not include any agreement involving a cash payment by the consumer legal funding company of four hundred thousand dollars or more.
(G)(1) "Consumer legal funding company" means a person or entity that enters into a consumer legal funding agreement with a consumer.
(2) "Consumer legal funding company" does not include any of the following:
Sub.
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105 Page 3 As Passed by the House or group of civil actions.
105 136th G.A.
47 (b) The agreement creates a direct or collateralized 48 interest in the proceeds of a civil action or group of civil 49 actions, by settlement, verdict, judgment, or otherwise.
(a) A family member of the consumer;
50 (c) The interest created by the agreement is based, in 51 whole or part, on a funding obligation incurred in connection 52 with the action or group of actions, the appearing counsel, any 53 contractual co-counsel, or the law firm of the counsel or co- 54 counsel, executed with any of the following:
(b) A bank, lender, financing entity, or other special purpose entity that provides financing to a consumer legal funding company and to which a consumer legal funding company grants a security interest or transfers any rights or interest in a consumer legal funding agreement;
55 (i) Any attorney representing a party;
(c) An attorney or accountant who provides services to a consumer.
56 (ii) Any co-counsel in the civil action or group of 57 actions with a contingent fee interest in representing a named 58 party;
(H) "Funded amount" means the amount of money provided to, or on behalf of, the consumer in a consumer legal funding agreement.
59 (iii) Any third-party who has a collateral-based interest 60 in the contingency fees of the counsel or co-counsel, or the law 61 firm of the counsel or co-counsel, related in whole or part to 62 the fees derived from representing that party.
63 (2) "Commercial litigation financing agreement" includes a 64 contract, such as an option, forward contract, futures contract, 65 short position, swap, or similar agreement, that is 66 substantially similar to an agreement described in division (D) 67 (1) of this section.
68 (3) "Commercial litigation financing agreement" does not 69 include any of the following:
70 (a) A consumer legal funding agreement;
71 (b) An agreement by an attorney or law firm to provide 72 legal services on a contingency fee basis to the claimant or to 73 advance the claimant's legal costs in accordance with the rules 74 Sub.
H.
B.
No.
105 Page 4 As Passed by the House of professional conduct adopted by the supreme court;
75 (c) A health insurer, medical provider, or assignee that 76 has paid, is obligated to pay, or is owed sums for a claimant's 77 health care under the terms of a health insurance plan or 78 agreement;
79 (d) A financial institution providing loans to the 80 claimant or the claimant's attorney or law firm, the repayment 81 of which is not contingent upon the outcome of the legal claim 82 or on the outcome of any matter within a portfolio that includes 83 the legal claim and involves the same attorney or law firm or 84 affiliated attorney or law firm;
85 (e) A person with a preexisting contractual obligation to 86 indemnify or defend a party to a legal claim.
87 (E) "Consumer" means a natural person who has a pending 88 legal claim and who resides or is domiciled in Ohio.
89 (F)(1) "Consumer legal funding agreement" means a 90 nonrecourse agreement in which a consumer legal funding company 91 purchases, and a consumer assigns to the company, a contingent 92 right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of any 93 settlement, judgment, award, or verdict obtained in the 94 consumer's legal claim.
95 (2) "Consumer legal funding agreement" does not include 96 any agreement involving a cash payment by the consumer legal 97 funding company of four hundred thousand dollars or more.
98 (G)(1) "Consumer legal funding company" means a person or 99 entity that enters into a consumer legal funding agreement with 100 a consumer.
101 (2) "Consumer legal funding company" does not include any 102 Sub.
H.
B.
No.
105 Page 5 As Passed by the House of the following:
103 (a) A family member of the consumer;
104 (b) A bank, lender, financing entity, or other special 105 purpose entity that provides financing to a consumer legal 106 funding company and to which a consumer legal funding company 107 grants a security interest or transfers any rights or interest 108 in a consumer legal funding agreement;
109 (c) An attorney or accountant who provides services to a 110 consumer.
111 (H) "Funded amount" means the amount of money provided to, 112 or on behalf of, the consumer in a consumer legal funding 113 agreement.
114 (I) "Funding date" means the date on which the funded 115 amount is transferred to the consumer by the consumer legal 116 funding company by personal delivery;
(I) "Funding date" means the date on which the funded amount is transferred to the consumer by the consumer legal funding company by personal delivery;
via wire, automated 117 clearing house, or other electronic means;
via wire, automated clearing house, or other electronic means;
or by certified or 118 registered mail.
or by certified or registered mail.
119 (J) "Family member" means a spouse;
(J) "Family member" means a spouse;
child, 120 including adopted children and stepchildren;
child, including adopted children and stepchildren;
121 grandparent;
grandparent;
122 (K) "Legal claim" means a civil claim or cause of action.
(K) "Legal claim" means a civil claim or cause of action.
123 (L) "Resolution date" means the date the funded amount, 124 plus the agreed upon charges, are delivered to the consumer 125 legal funding company by the consumer, the consumer's attorney, 126 or otherwise.
(L) "Resolution date" means the date the funded amount, plus the agreed upon charges, are delivered to the consumer legal funding company by the consumer, the consumer's attorney, or otherwise.
127 Sec.
Sec.
The general assembly, in enacting sections 128 1357.01 to 1357.10 of the Revised Code pursuant to this act, 129 hereby declares its intent to adopt regulations concerning a 130 Sub.
The general assembly, in enacting sections 1357.01 to 1357.10 of the Revised Code pursuant to this act, hereby declares its intent to adopt regulations concerning a narrow range of consumer legal funding agreements and commercial litigation financing agreements as contemplated in the holding of the Ohio Supreme Court in Rancman v.
H.
Interim Settlement Funding Corp., 99 Ohio St.3d 121 (2003).
B.
The general assembly intends to preserve and reinforce the general public policy expressed in that holding against champerty and maintenance.
No.
Sec.
105 Page 6 As Passed by the House narrow range of consumer legal funding agreements and commercial 131 litigation financing agreements as contemplated in the holding 132 of the Ohio Supreme Court in Rancman v.
Interim Settlement 133 Funding Corp., 99 Ohio St.3d 121 (2003).
The general assembly 134 intends to preserve and reinforce the general public policy 135 expressed in that holding against champerty and maintenance.
136 Sec.
(A) Beginning ninety days after the 137 effective date of this section, all consumer legal funding 138 companies shall register with the attorney general prior to 139 commencing any business activity in this state.
(A) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, all consumer legal funding companies shall register with the attorney general prior to commencing any business activity in this state.
140 (B) The attorney general shall establish a process that 141 allows consumer legal funding companies to register under this 142 section.
(B) The attorney general shall establish a process that allows consumer legal funding companies to register under this section.
Such registration shall include, at a minimum, all of 143 the following:
Such registration shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:
144 (1) The consumer legal funding company's name and 145 domiciliary address;
(1) The consumer legal funding company's name and domiciliary address;
146 (2) The names of the company's chief executive officer and 147 chair of the board of directors, as applicable;
(2) The names of the company's chief executive officer and chair of the board of directors, as applicable;
148 (3) A statement as to whether or not the company is part 149 of a larger group of companies;
(3) A statement as to whether or not the company is part of a larger group of companies;
150 (4) An acknowledgment certified by an officer or duly 151 appointed employee of the company that the consumer legal 152 funding company's financiers have read this chapter.
(4) An acknowledgment certified by an officer or duly appointed employee of the company that the consumer legal funding company's financiers have read this chapter.
153 Sec.
Sec.
(A) A consumer legal funding company shall 154 not enter into, or seek to enter into, a consumer legal funding 155 agreement unless all of the following apply:
(A) A consumer legal funding company shall not enter into, or seek to enter into, a consumer legal funding agreement unless all of the following apply:
156 (1) The agreement is completely filled-in when presented 157 to the consumer for signature.
(1) The agreement is completely filled-in when presented to the consumer for signature.
158 Sub.
(2) The agreement includes space on each page for the consumer's initials.
Sub.
105 Page 7 As Passed by the House (2) The agreement includes space on each page for the 159 consumer's initials.
105 136th G.A.
160 (3) The front page of the agreement includes all of the 161 following disclosures under appropriate headings:
(3) The front page of the agreement includes all of the following disclosures under appropriate headings:
162 (a) The funded amount to be paid to the consumer under the 163 agreement;
(a) The funded amount to be paid to the consumer under the agreement;
164 (b) An itemized list of all one-time and recurring charges 165 under the agreement, subject to section 1357.04 of the Revised 166 Code, and an explanation for how those charges accrue;
(b) An itemized list of all one-time and recurring charges under the agreement, subject to section 1357.04 of the Revised Code, and an explanation for how those charges accrue;
167 (c) The maximum amount that may be assigned by the 168 consumer to the company under the agreement, including the 169 funded amount and all charges, but excluding penalties that may 170 apply in the case of a material breach, fraud, or 171 misrepresentation by or on behalf of the consumer;
(c) The maximum amount that may be assigned by the consumer to the company under the agreement, including the funded amount and all charges, but excluding penalties that may apply in the case of a material breach, fraud, or misrepresentation by or on behalf of the consumer;
172 (d) If the consumer seeks to enter into more than one 173 consumer legal funding agreement with the same company, the 174 cumulative amount that may be assigned to the company under all 175 such agreements, including the funded amount and all charges, 176 but excluding penalties that may apply in the case of a material 177 breach, fraud, or misrepresentation by or on behalf of the 178 consumer.
(d) If the consumer seeks to enter into more than one consumer legal funding agreement with the same company, the cumulative amount that may be assigned to the company under all such agreements, including the funded amount and all charges, but excluding penalties that may apply in the case of a material breach, fraud, or misrepresentation by or on behalf of the consumer.
179 (4) The agreement allows the consumer to cancel the 180 agreement, without penalty or further obligation, by returning 181 the full amount of disbursed funds to the company within ten 182 business days after the funding date.
(4) The agreement allows the consumer to cancel the agreement, without penalty or further obligation, by returning the full amount of disbursed funds to the company within ten business days after the funding date.
The consumer may do either 183 of the following to effectuate the cancellation:
The consumer may do either of the following to effectuate the cancellation:
184 (a) Deliver the company's uncashed check to the company's 185 offices in person, within ten business days after the 186 disbursement of funds;
(a) Deliver the company's uncashed check to the company's offices in person, within ten business days after the disbursement of funds;
187 Sub.
(b) Mail a notice of cancellation and include in that mailing a return of the full amount of disbursed funds in the form of the company's uncashed check, or a registered or certified check or money order, by insured, registered, or certified United States mail, postmarked within ten business days after receiving funds from the company, at the address specified in the agreement for cancellation.
(5) The body of the agreement includes all of the following statements:
(a) "CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO CANCELLATION:
YOU MAY CANCEL THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PENALTY OR FURTHER OBLIGATION WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE FUNDING DATE IF YOU RETURN THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE DISBURSED FUNDS TO [insert name of company]." (b) "THE COMPANY HAS NO ROLE IN DECIDING WHETHER, WHEN, AND HOW MUCH THE LEGAL CLAIM IS SETTLED FOR, HOWEVER, YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY MUST NOTIFY THE COMPANY OF THE OUTCOME OF THE LEGAL CLAIM BY SETTLEMENT OR ADJUDICATION ON OR BEFORE THE RESOLUTION DATE.
THE COMPANY MAY SEEK UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE LEGAL CLAIM BUT IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COMPANY ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH, CONTROL, OR INFLUENCE THE INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT OF YOUR ATTORNEY IN THE HANDLING OF THE LEGAL CLAIM OR ANY SETTLEMENT THEREOF." (c) "THE FUNDED AMOUNT AND AGREED UPON CHARGES SHALL BE PAID FROM THE PROCEEDS OF YOUR LEGAL CLAIM, AND SHALL BE PAID ONLY TO THE Sub.
105 Page 8 As Passed by the House (b) Mail a notice of cancellation and include in that 188 mailing a return of the full amount of disbursed funds in the 189 form of the company's uncashed check, or a registered or 190 certified check or money order, by insured, registered, or 191 certified United States mail, postmarked within ten business 192 days after receiving funds from the company, at the address 193 specified in the agreement for cancellation.
105 136th G.A.
194 (5) The body of the agreement includes all of the 195 following statements:
EXTENT THAT THERE ARE AVAILABLE PROCEEDS FROM YOUR LEGAL CLAIM.
196 (a) "CONSUMER'S RIGHT TO CANCELLATION:
YOU WILL NOT OWE [insert name of company] ANYTHING IF THERE ARE NO PROCEEDS FROM YOUR LEGAL CLAIM, UNLESS YOU HAVE VIOLATED ANY MATERIAL TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT OR YOU HAVE COMMITTED FRAUD AGAINST [insert name of company]." (d) Immediately above the place on the agreement where the consumer's signature is required:
YOU MAY CANCEL THIS 197 AGREEMENT WITHOUT PENALTY OR FURTHER OBLIGATION WITHIN TEN 198 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE FUNDING DATE IF YOU RETURN THE FULL 199 AMOUNT OF THE DISBURSED FUNDS TO [insert name of company]." 200 (b) "THE COMPANY HAS NO ROLE IN DECIDING WHETHER, WHEN, 201 AND HOW MUCH THE LEGAL CLAIM IS SETTLED FOR.
"DO NOT SIGN THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU READ IT COMPLETELY.
HOWEVER, YOU OR 202 YOUR ATTORNEY MUST NOTIFY THE COMPANY OF THE OUTCOME OF THE 203 LEGAL CLAIM BY SETTLEMENT OR ADJUDICATION ON OR BEFORE THE 204 RESOLUTION DATE.
DO NOT SIGN THIS AGREEMENT IF IT CONTAINS ANY BLANK SPACES.
THE COMPANY MAY SEEK UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT 205 THE STATUS OF THE LEGAL CLAIM BUT IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COMPANY 206 ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH, CONTROL, OR INFLUENCE THE INDEPENDENT 207 PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT OF YOUR ATTORNEY IN THE HANDLING OF THE 208 LEGAL CLAIM OR ANY SETTLEMENT THEREOF." 209 (c) "THE FUNDED AMOUNT AND AGREED UPON CHARGES SHALL BE 210 PAID FROM THE PROCEEDS OF YOUR LEGAL CLAIM, AND SHALL BE PAID 211 ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE ARE AVAILABLE PROCEEDS FROM YOUR 212 LEGAL CLAIM.
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A COMPLETELY FILLED-IN COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT.
YOU WILL NOT OWE [insert name of company] ANYTHING 213 IF THERE ARE NO PROCEEDS FROM YOUR LEGAL CLAIM, UNLESS YOU HAVE 214 VIOLATED ANY MATERIAL TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT OR YOU HAVE 215 COMMITTED FRAUD AGAINST [insert name of company]." 216 Sub.
BEFORE YOU SIGN THIS AGREEMENT, YOU SHOULD OBTAIN THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY.
DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSULT A TAX, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BENEFIT PLANNING, OR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR ATTORNEY IN THE LEGAL CLAIM HAS PROVIDED NO TAX, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BENEFIT PLANNING, OR FINANCIAL ADVICE REGARDING THIS TRANSACTION.
YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR ATTORNEY HAS EXPLAINED THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT." (6) The agreement contains a written acknowledgement by the attorney retained by the consumer in the legal claim that attests to all of the following:
(a) The attorney has reviewed the agreement and all disclosures required by this section with the consumer.
(b) The attorney is being paid on a contingency basis pursuant to a written fee agreement.
(c) All proceeds of the legal claim will be disbursed via the trust account of the attorney or a settlement fund established to receive the proceeds of the legal claim on behalf of the consumer.
(d) The attorney agrees to disburse funds from the legal claim and take any other steps necessary to ensure that the terms of the consumer legal funding agreement are fulfilled.
(e) The attorney has not received a referral fee or other consideration from the consumer legal funding company in connection with the consumer legal funding, nor will the attorney receive such a fee or other consideration in the future.
(f) The attorney agrees to follow all applicable rules of professional conduct adopted by the supreme court in all aspects of the transaction.
(B)(1) A violation of this section or section 1357.04 of the Revised Code by a consumer legal funding company constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code.
(2) A consumer injured by such a violation has a cause of action and is entitled to the same relief available to a consumer under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code.
(3) All powers and remedies available to the attorney general to enforce sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code are available to the attorney general to enforce this section.
(C) In addition to remedies set forth in division (B) of this section, any willful violation of Sub.
105 Page 9 As Passed by the House (d) Immediately above the place on the agreement where the 217 consumer's signature is required:
105 136th G.A.
"DO NOT SIGN THIS AGREEMENT 218 BEFORE YOU READ IT COMPLETELY.
this section, including omission of the attorney acknowledgement required by division (A)(6) of this section, renders the consumer legal funding agreement unenforceable by the company, the consumer, or any successor in interest to the agreement.
DO NOT SIGN THIS AGREEMENT IF IT 219 CONTAINS ANY BLANK SPACES.
A consumer terminating the attorney who made the acknowledgment required by division (A)(6) of this section or retaining a new attorney with respect to the legal claim does not, in itself, render the agreement unenforceable under this division.
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A COMPLETELY 220 FILLED-IN COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU SIGN IT.
Sec.
BEFORE YOU 221 SIGN THIS AGREEMENT, YOU SHOULD OBTAIN THE ADVICE OF AN 222 ATTORNEY.
DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU MAY WANT TO 223 CONSULT A TAX, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BENEFIT PLANNING, OR FINANCIAL 224 PROFESSIONAL.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR ATTORNEY IN THE LEGAL 225 CLAIM HAS PROVIDED NO TAX, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE BENEFIT PLANNING, 226 OR FINANCIAL ADVICE REGARDING THIS TRANSACTION.
YOU FURTHER 227 ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR ATTORNEY HAS EXPLAINED THE TERMS AND 228 CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT." 229 (6) The agreement contains a written acknowledgement by 230 the attorney retained by the consumer in the legal claim that 231 attests to all of the following:
232 (a) The attorney has reviewed the agreement and all 233 disclosures required by this section with the consumer.
234 (b) The attorney is being paid on a contingency basis 235 pursuant to a written fee agreement.
236 (c) All proceeds of the legal claim will be disbursed via 237 the trust account of the attorney or a settlement fund 238 established to receive the proceeds of the legal claim on behalf 239 of the consumer.
240 (d) The attorney agrees to disburse funds from the legal 241 claim and take any other steps necessary to ensure that the 242 terms of the consumer legal funding agreement are fulfilled.
243 (e) The attorney has not received a referral fee or other 244 consideration from the consumer legal funding company in 245 Sub.
H.
B.
No.
105 Page 10 As Passed by the House connection with the consumer legal funding, nor will the 246 attorney receive such a fee or other consideration in the 247 future.
248 (f) The attorney agrees to follow all applicable rules of 249 professional conduct adopted by the supreme court in all aspects 250 of the transaction.
251 (B)(1) A violation of this section or section 1357.04 of 252 the Revised Code by a consumer legal funding company constitutes 253 an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of section 254 1345.02 of the Revised Code.
255 (2) A consumer injured by such a violation has a cause of 256 action and is entitled to the same relief available to a 257 consumer under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code.
258 (3) All powers and remedies available to the attorney 259 general to enforce sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised 260 Code are available to the attorney general to enforce this 261 section.
262 (C) In addition to remedies set forth in division (B) of 263 this section, any willful violation of this section, including 264 omission of the attorney acknowledgement required by division 265 (A)(6) of this section, renders the consumer legal funding 266 agreement unenforceable by the company, the consumer, or any 267 successor in interest to the agreement.
A consumer terminating 268 the attorney who made the acknowledgment required by division 269 (A)(6) of this section or retaining a new attorney with respect 270 to the legal claim does not, in itself, render the agreement 271 unenforceable under this division.
272 Sec.
A consumer legal funding company shall not 273 do any of the following:
A consumer legal funding company shall not do any of the following:
274 Sub.
(A) Pay or offer to pay a commission, referral fee, or other form of consideration to any attorney, law firm, health care provider, chiropractor, or physical therapist, or to any employee or agent of the foregoing, for referring a consumer to the company;
(B) Accept any commission, referral fee, rebate, or other form of consideration from an attorney, law firm, health care provider, chiropractor, or physical therapist, or from any employee or agent of the foregoing;
(C) Purposefully advertise false or misleading information regarding the company's products or services;
(D) Refer a consumer or potential consumer to a specific attorney, law firm, medical provider, chiropractor, or physical therapist, or to any employee or agent of the foregoing, except that, if a consumer does not have legal representation, the company may refer the consumer to a state or local lawyer referral service operated by a bar association or nonprofit organization, or a legal aid society, as defined in section 120.51 of the Revised Code;
(E) Fail to promptly supply copies of all complete consumer legal funding agreements to the consumer and the attorney representing the consumer in the legal claim;
(F) Knowingly enter into a consumer legal funding agreement with a consumer for a legal claim respecting which the consumer previously sold or assigned all or part of the consumer's right to the proceeds, unless the company or the consumer extinguishes the prior agreement by either repaying the entire disbursed amount plus any contracted fees, or paying a lesser amount expressly agreed to, in writing, by the consumer and all other parties to the prior agreement.
More than one company may agree, contemporaneously, to enter into a consumer legal funding agreement with the same consumer for the same claim so long as the companies, the consumer, and the consumer's attorney consent to the agreements in writing.
(G) Make or influence any decision with respect to the conduct of the consumer's legal claim or the settlement or resolution of that legal claim, including appointing or changing counsel, choice or use of expert witnesses, litigation strategy, and settlement or other resolution of the claim;
(H) Attempt to obtain a waiver of any remedy, including compensatory, statutory, or punitive damages, to which the consumer might otherwise be entitled;
(I) Knowingly pay or offer to pay for court costs, filing fees, or attorney's fees before, during, or after the resolution of the legal claim;
(J)(1) Charge or collect from a consumer either of the following in connection with a Sub.
105 Page 11 As Passed by the House (A) Pay or offer to pay a commission, referral fee, or 275 other form of consideration to any attorney, law firm, health 276 care provider, chiropractor, or physical therapist, or to any 277 employee or agent of the foregoing, for referring a consumer to 278 the company;
105 136th G.A.
279 (B) Accept any commission, referral fee, rebate, or other 280 form of consideration from an attorney, law firm, health care 281 provider, chiropractor, or physical therapist, or from any 282 employee or agent of the foregoing;
consumer legal funding agreement:
283 (C) Purposefully advertise false or misleading information 284 regarding the company's products or services;
(a) A prepayment penalty or fee;
285 (D) Refer a consumer or potential consumer to a specific 286 attorney, law firm, medical provider, chiropractor, or physical 287 therapist, or to any employee or agent of the foregoing, except 288 that, if a consumer does not have legal representation, the 289 company may refer the consumer to a state or local lawyer 290 referral service operated by a bar association or nonprofit 291 organization, or a legal aid society, as defined in section 292 120.51 of the Revised Code;
(b) A one-time service fee that exceeds seven per cent of the initial funded amount.
293 (E) Fail to promptly supply copies of all complete 294 consumer legal funding agreements to the consumer and the 295 attorney representing the consumer in the legal claim;
(2) Charges in excess of the amount specified in division (A)(3)(c) of section 1357.03 of the Revised Code and fees prohibited by division (J)(1) of this section are unenforceable.
296 (F) Knowingly enter into a consumer legal funding 297 agreement with a consumer for a legal claim respecting which the 298 consumer previously sold or assigned all or part of the 299 consumer's right to the proceeds, unless the company or the 300 consumer extinguishes the prior agreement by either repaying the 301 entire disbursed amount plus any contracted fees, or paying a 302 lesser amount expressly agreed to, in writing, by the consumer 303 Sub.
(K) Enter into a consumer legal funding agreement if an attorney or a law firm retained by the consumer for the legal claim on which the agreement is based has a financial or ownership interest in the company.
H.
(L) Collude with or knowingly assist a lawyer or law firm that is enticing or intends to entice a consumer to bring a claim that the company knows or has reason to know is fabricated or otherwise not brought in good faith.
B.
Any consumer legal funding agreement resulting from a violation of this division is void ab initio.
No.
(M) Knowingly offer or collude to provide funding as an inducement to a consumer who is presently represented by counsel to terminate that engagement and engage another lawyer or law firm to represent the consumer in the same matter.
105 Page 12 As Passed by the House and all other parties to the prior agreement.
Any consumer legal funding agreement resulting from a violation of this division is void ab initio.
More than one 304 company may agree, contemporaneously, to enter into a consumer 305 legal funding agreement with the same consumer for the same 306 claim so long as the companies, the consumer, and the consumer's 307 attorney consent to the agreements in writing.
Sec.
308 (G) Make or influence any decision with respect to the 309 conduct of the consumer's legal claim or the settlement or 310 resolution of that legal claim, including appointing or changing 311 counsel, choice or use of expert witnesses, litigation strategy, 312 and settlement or other resolution of the claim;
313 (H) Attempt to obtain a waiver of any remedy, including 314 compensatory, statutory, or punitive damages, to which the 315 consumer might otherwise be entitled;
316 (I) Knowingly pay or offer to pay for court costs, filing 317 fees, or attorney's fees before, during, or after the resolution 318 of the legal claim;
319 (J)(1) Charge or collect from a consumer either of the 320 following in connection with a consumer legal funding agreement:
321 (a) A prepayment penalty or fee;
322 (b) A one-time service fee that exceeds seven per cent of 323 the initial funded amount.
324 (2) Charges in excess of the amount specified in division 325 (A)(3)(c) of section 1357.03 of the Revised Code and fees 326 prohibited by division (J)(1) of this section are unenforceable.
327 (K) Enter into a consumer legal funding agreement if an 328 attorney or a law firm retained by the consumer for the legal 329 claim on which the agreement is based has a financial or 330 ownership interest in the company.
331 Sub.
H.
B.
No.
105 Page 13 As Passed by the House (L) Collude with or knowingly assist a lawyer or law firm 332 that is enticing or intends to entice a consumer to bring a 333 claim that the company knows or has reason to know is fabricated 334 or otherwise not brought in good faith.
Any consumer legal 335 funding agreement resulting from a violation of this division is 336 void ab initio.
337 (M) Knowingly offer or collude to provide funding as an 338 inducement to a consumer who is presently represented by counsel 339 to terminate that engagement and engage another lawyer or law 340 firm to represent the consumer in the same matter.
Any consumer 341 legal funding agreement resulting from a violation of this 342 division is void ab initio.
343 Sec.
(A) An attorney retained by a consumer in a 344 legal claim shall not disclose confidential or privileged 345 information to a consumer legal funding company without first 346 obtaining written consent from the consumer and without first 347 ensuring that the disclosure is not prohibited by court rules, a 348 court order, or the rules of professional conduct adopted by the 349 supreme court.
(A) An attorney retained by a consumer in a legal claim shall not disclose confidential or privileged information to a consumer legal funding company without first obtaining written consent from the consumer and without first ensuring that the disclosure is not prohibited by court rules, a court order, or the rules of professional conduct adopted by the supreme court.
350 (B) No law firm or attorney that has a financial interest 351 in a consumer legal funding company and no attorney whose family 352 member has a financial interest in a consumer legal funding 353 company shall do any of the following:
(B) No law firm or attorney that has a financial interest in a consumer legal funding company and no attorney whose family member has a financial interest in a consumer legal funding company shall do any of the following:
354 (1) Represent a consumer in any legal claim respecting 355 which the consumer has entered into a consumer legal funding 356 agreement with the company;
(1) Represent a consumer in any legal claim respecting which the consumer has entered into a consumer legal funding agreement with the company;
357 (2) Provide consumer legal funding directly to a consumer 358 the attorney or law firm represents;
(2) Provide consumer legal funding directly to a consumer the attorney or law firm represents;
359 (3) Refer a consumer to the consumer's retained attorney 360 Sub.
(3) Refer a consumer to the consumer's retained attorney in any legal claim respecting which the consumer has entered into a consumer legal funding agreement with the company.
(C)(1) The attorney or attorneys representing a party that has entered into a consumer legal funding agreement shall, at the time the associated claim is resolved, disclose the existence and contents of the agreement to the attorney general, in a form and manner prescribed by the attorney general, within fourteen days after any of the following:
(a) The related legal claim being settled, but only if the legal claim is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction prior to settlement;
(b) A final appealable order is entered by the court;
(c) An adjudication or order is entered indicating that the legal claim has reached the final stage at the trial court.
Sub.
105 Page 14 As Passed by the House in any legal claim respecting which the consumer has entered 361 into a consumer legal funding agreement with the company.
105 136th G.A.
362 (C)(1) The attorney or attorneys representing a party that 363 has entered into a consumer legal funding agreement at the time 364 the associated claim is resolved shall disclose the existence 365 and contents of the agreement to the attorney general, in a form 366 and manner prescribed by the attorney general, within fourteen 367 days after any of the following:
(2) Any party to a civil proceeding may seek a court order declaring that the trial has completed for purposes of division (C)(1) of this section.
368 (a) The related legal claim being settled, but only if the 369 legal claim is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction prior 370 to settlement;
The court may take any necessary action to enforce the requirements of that division.
371 (b) A final appealable order is entered by the court;
(D) Upon receiving a disclosure under division (C) of this section, the attorney general shall promptly publish the contents of the consumer legal funding agreements included in the disclosure to the attorney general's publicly accessible web site.
372 (c) An adjudication or order is entered indicating that 373 the legal claim has reached the final stage at the trial court.
Prior to making the documents available, either on the attorney general's web site or in response to a public records request made under section 149.43 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall redact all legally required confidential information from the disclosure, including any information that could provide the identification of the consumer.
374 (2) Any party to a civil proceeding may seek a court order 375 declaring that the trial has completed for purposes of division 376 (C)(1) of this section.
(E) Any provision of a consumer legal funding agreement entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this section that prohibits or limits discovery of the agreement or the parties to the agreement is void and unenforceable.
The court may take any necessary action 377 to enforce the requirements of that division.
Sec.
378 (D) Upon receiving a disclosure under division (C) of this 379 section, the attorney general shall promptly publish the 380 contents of the consumer legal funding agreements included in 381 the disclosure to the attorney general's publicly accessible web 382 site.
Prior to making the documents available, the attorney 383 general shall redact all legally required confidential 384 information from the disclosure, including any information that 385 could provide the identification of the consumer.
386 (E) Any provision of a consumer legal funding agreement 387 entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date 388 of this section that prohibits or limits discovery of the 389 Sub.
H.
B.
No.
105 Page 15 As Passed by the House agreement or the parties to the agreement is void and 390 unenforceable.
391 Sec.
A consumer legal funding agreement places a 392 lien on the proceeds of the consumer's legal claim that 393 supersedes all subsequently perfected liens on such proceeds 394 other than liens directly related to the legal claim and 395 expressly authorized by state or federal law, such as a lien for 396 attorneys fees, a lien by the department of medicaid under 397 section 5160.37 of the Revised Code, a medicare lien under 42 398 U.S.C.
A consumer legal funding agreement places a lien on the proceeds of the consumer's legal claim that supersedes all subsequently perfected liens on such proceeds other than liens directly related to the legal claim and expressly authorized by state or federal law, such as a lien for attorneys fees, a lien by the department of medicaid under section 5160.37 of the Revised Code, a medicare lien under 42 U.S.C.
1395y, or a workers' compensation lien under section 399 4123.931 of the Revised Code.
1395y, or a workers' compensation lien under section 4123.931 of the Revised Code.
400 Sec.
Sec.
(A) No consumer legal funding company shall 401 knowingly enter into a consumer legal financing agreement with a 402 person or entity that is not domiciled in the United States or 403 respecting a legal claim that is financed, directly or 404 indirectly, by a person or entity not domiciled in the United 405 States.
(A) No consumer legal funding company shall knowingly enter into a consumer legal financing agreement with a person or entity that is not domiciled in the United States or respecting a legal claim that is financed, directly or indirectly, by a person or entity not domiciled in the United States.
406 (B) No commercial litigation financier shall knowingly 407 enter into a commercial litigation financing agreement with a 408 person or entity that is not domiciled in the United States or 409 respecting a legal claim that is financed, directly or 410 indirectly, by a person or entity not domiciled in the United 411 States.
(B) No commercial litigation financier shall knowingly enter into a commercial litigation financing agreement with a person or entity that is not domiciled in the United States or respecting a legal claim that is financed, directly or indirectly, by a person or entity not domiciled in the United States.
412 (C) No consumer or entity shall enter into a consumer 413 legal financing agreement or a commercial litigation financing 414 agreement with a person or entity that is not domiciled in the 415 United States.
(C) No consumer or entity shall enter into a consumer legal financing agreement or a commercial litigation financing agreement with a person or entity that is not domiciled in the United States.
416 (D) The general assembly declares its intent in enacting 417 this section is to achieve the legitimate state interest of 418 Sub.
(D) The general assembly declares its intent in enacting this section is to achieve the legitimate state interest of protecting due process rights for all litigants in the courts of this state by addressing the grave risk posed by foreign actors that seek to interfere with those courts.
Sec.
1357.08.
(A) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, all commercial litigation financiers shall register with the attorney general prior to commencing any business activity in this state.
(B) The attorney general shall establish a process that allows commercial litigation financiers to register under this section.
Such registration shall include, at a minimum, all of the Sub.
105 Page 16 As Passed by the House protecting due process rights for all litigants in the courts of 419 this state by addressing the grave risk posed by foreign actors 420 that seek to interfere with those courts.
105 136th G.A.
421 Sec.
following:
1357.08.
(1) The commercial litigation financier's company name and domiciliary address;
(A) Beginning ninety days after the 422 effective date of this section, all commercial litigation 423 financiers shall register with the attorney general prior to 424 commencing any business activity in this state.
(2) The names of the financier's chief executive officer and chair of the board of directors, as applicable;
425 (B) The attorney general shall establish a process that 426 allows commercial litigation financiers to register under this 427 section.
(3) A statement as to whether or not the financier is part of a larger group of companies;
Such registration shall include, at a minimum, all of 428 the following:
(4) An acknowledgment certified by an officer or duly appointed employee of the company that the commercial litigation financier's financiers have read this chapter.
429 (1) The commercial litigation financier's company name and 430 domiciliary address;
Sec.
431 (2) The names of the financier's chief executive officer 432 and chair of the board of directors, as applicable;
433 (3) A statement as to whether or not the financier is part 434 of a larger group of companies;
435 (4) An acknowledgment certified by an officer or duly 436 appointed employee of the company that the commercial litigation 437 financier's financiers have read this chapter.
438 Sec.
(A) No claimant, attorney or law firm 439 representing a claimant, or affiliated attorney or law firm 440 shall disclose or share any documents or information with a 441 commercial litigation financier that are subject to a protective 442 or sealing order from a court.
(A) No claimant, attorney or law firm representing a claimant, or affiliated attorney or law firm shall disclose or share any documents or information with a commercial litigation financier that are subject to a protective or sealing order from a court.
443 (B) A commercial litigation financier shall not make any 444 decision, have any influence, or direct any decisions with 445 respect to the course of a legal claim, including decisions in 446 Sub.
(B) A commercial litigation financier shall not make any decision, have any influence, or direct any decisions with respect to the course of a legal claim, including decisions in appointing or changing counsel, choice or use of expert witnesses, litigation strategy, and settlement or other resolution.
(C)(1) The attorney or attorneys representing a party that has entered into a commercial litigation financing agreement shall, at the time the associated claim is resolved, disclose the existence and contents of the agreement to the attorney general, in a form and manner prescribed by the attorney general, within fourteen days after any of the following:
(a) The related legal claim being settled, but only if the legal claim is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction prior to settlement;
(b) A final appealable order is entered by the court;
(c) An adjudication or order is entered indicating that the legal claim has reached the final stage at the trial court.
(2) Any party to a civil proceeding may seek a court order declaring that the trial has completed for purposes of division (C)(1) of this section.
The court may take any necessary action to enforce the requirements of that division.
(D) Upon receiving a disclosure under division (C) of this section, the attorney general shall promptly publish the contents of the consumer litigation financing agreements included in the disclosure to the attorney general's publicly accessible web site.
Prior to making the documents available, either on the web site or in response to a public records request made under section 149.43 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall redact all legally required confidential information from the disclosure, including any information that could provide the identification of the plaintiff.
(E) Any provision of a commercial litigation financing agreement entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this section that prohibits or limits discovery of the agreement or the parties to the agreement is void and unenforceable.
Sec.
1357.10.
The attorney general may file a complaint seeking any equitable remedy, including barring a commercial litigation financier or consumer legal funding company from doing business in this state in the capacity as a commercial litigation financier or a consumer legal funding Sub.
105 Page 17 As Passed by the House appointing or changing counsel, choice or use of expert 447 witnesses, litigation strategy, and settlement or other 448 resolution.
105 136th G.A.
449 (C)(1) The attorney or attorneys representing a party that 450 has entered into a commercial litigation financing agreement at 451 the time the associated claim is resolved shall disclose the 452 existence and contents of the agreement to the attorney general, 453 in a form and manner prescribed by the attorney general, within 454 fourteen days after any of the following:
company, if the commercial litigation financier or consumer legal funding company is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated this chapter.
455 (a) The related legal claim being settled, but only if the 456 legal claim is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction prior 457 to settlement;
S ECTION2.
458 (b) A final appealable order is entered by the court;
That section 1349.55 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.
459 (c) An adjudication or order is entered indicating that 460 the legal claim has reached the final stage at the trial court.
Sub.
461 (2) Any party to a civil proceeding may seek a court order 462 declaring that the trial has completed for purposes of division 463 (C)(1) of this section.
The court may take any necessary action 464 to enforce the requirements of that division.
465 (D) Upon receiving a disclosure under division (C) of this 466 section, the attorney general shall promptly publish the 467 contents of the commercial litigation financing agreements 468 included in the disclosure to the attorney general's publicly 469 accessible web site.
Prior to making the documents available, 470 the attorney general shall redact all legally required 471 confidential information from the disclosure, including any 472 information that could provide the identification of the 473 plaintiff.
474 (E) Any provision of a commercial litigation financing 475 Sub.
105 Page 18 As Passed by the House agreement entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the 476 effective date of this section that prohibits or limits 477 discovery of the agreement or the parties to the agreement is 478 void and unenforceable.
105 136th G.A.
479 Sec.
Speaker ___________________ of the House of Representatives.
1357.10.
President ___________________ of the Senate.
The attorney general may file a complaint 480 seeking any equitable remedy, including barring a commercial 481 litigation financier or consumer legal funding company from 482 doing business in Ohio, if the commercial litigation financier 483 or consumer legal funding company is found by a court of 484 competent jurisdiction to have violated this chapter.
Passed ________________________, 20____ Approved ________________________, 20____ Governor.
485 Section 2.
Sub.
That section 1349.55 of the Revised Code is 486 hereby repealed.
H.
487
B.
No.
105 136th G.A.
The section numbering of law of a general and permanent nature is complete and in conformity with the Revised Code.
Director, Legislative Service Commission.
Filed in the office of the Secretary of State at Columbus, Ohio, on the ____ day of ___________,A.
D.
20____.
Secretary of State.
File No.
_________ Effective Date ___________________
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Action History

  1. As Enrolled

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 132 not signed on · 23 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (132)

132 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

House — Favorable Passage

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 9000
Democratic 3000
Total 12000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (12)
Member Party Vote
Bride Rose Sweeney Democratic Yea
Derrick Hall Democratic Yea
Dontavius L. Jarrells Democratic Yea
Angela N. King Republican Yea
Bob Peterson Republican Yea
Brian Lampton Republican Yea
Brian Lorenz Republican Yea
Jack K. Daniels Republican Yea
Kellie Deeter Republican Yea
Marilyn John Republican Yea
Meredith Craig Republican Yea
Tim Barhorst Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Concurred in Senate amendments

Passed 82 Yea · 12 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 62100
Democratic 201100
Total 821200
% of votes cast 87%13%0%0%
How each member voted (94)
Member Party Vote
Anita Somani Democratic Nay
Ashley Bryant Bailey Democratic Yea
Beryl Brown Piccolantonio Democratic Nay
Bride Rose Sweeney Democratic Yea
C. Allison Russo Democratic Yea
Cecil Thomas Democratic Yea
Chris Glassburn Democratic Yea
Christine Cockley Democratic Yea
Crystal Lett Democratic Yea
Dani Isaacsohn Democratic Nay
Daniel P. Troy Democratic Yea
Darnell T. Brewer Democratic Nay
Desiree Tims Democratic Nay
Dontavius L. Jarrells Democratic Yea
Elgin Rogers, Jr. Democratic Nay
Eric Synenberg Democratic Nay
Erika White Democratic Yea
Joseph A. Miller, III Democratic Yea
Juanita O. Brent Democratic Yea
Karen Brownlee Democratic Yea
Latyna M. Humphrey Democratic Yea
Lauren McNally Democratic Yea
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe Democratic Yea
Michele Grim Democratic Nay
Munira Abdullahi Democratic Nay
Phillip M. Robinson, Jr. Democratic Yea
Rachel B. Baker Democratic Yea
Sean P. Brennan Democratic Nay
Terrence Upchurch Democratic Yea
Tristan Rader Democratic Nay
Veronica R. Sims Democratic Yea
Adam C. Bird Republican Yea
Adam Holmes Republican Yea
Adam Mathews Republican Yea
Andrea White Republican Yea
Angela N. King Republican Yea
Bernard Willis Republican Yea
Beth Lear Republican Yea
Bill Roemer Republican Yea
Bob Peterson Republican Yea
Brian Lampton Republican Yea
Brian Lorenz Republican Yea
Brian Stewart Republican Yea
Cindy Abrams Republican Yea
D. J. Swearingen Republican Yea
David Thomas Republican Yea
Gary Click Republican Yea
Gayle Manning Republican Yea
Haraz N. Ghanbari Republican Yea
Heidi Workman Republican Yea
Jack K. Daniels Republican Yea
James M. Hoops Republican Yea
Jamie Callender Republican Yea
Jason Stephens Republican Yea
Jeff LaRe Republican Yea
Jennifer Gross Republican Yea
Jim Thomas Republican Yea
Jodi Salvo Republican Yea
Johnathan Newman Republican Yea
Josh Williams Republican Yea
Justin Pizzulli Republican Yea
Kellie Deeter Republican Yea
Kevin D. Miller Republican Yea
Kevin Ritter Republican Yea
Levi Dean Republican Yea
Marilyn John Republican Yea
Mark Hiner Republican Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Yea
Matt Huffman Republican Yea
Matthew Kishman Republican Yea
Melanie Miller Republican Yea
Meredith Craig Republican Yea
Michael D. Dovilla Republican Yea
Michelle Teska Republican Yea
Mike Odioso Republican Yea
Monica Robb Blasdel Republican Yea
Nick Santucci Republican Yea
Phil Plummer Republican Yea
Riordan T. McClain Republican Yea
Rodney Creech Republican Yea
Ron Ferguson Republican Nay
Roy Klopfenstein Republican Yea
Sarah Fowler Arthur Republican Yea
Scott Oelslager Republican Yea
Sharon A. Ray Republican Yea
Steve Demetriou Republican Yea
Tex Fischer Republican Yea
Thaddeus J. Claggett Republican Yea
Thomas Hall Republican Yea
Tim Barhorst Republican Yea
Tom Young Republican Yea
Tracy M. Richardson Republican Yea
Ty D. Mathews Republican Yea
Ty Moore Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 31 Yea · 2 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 22200
Democratic 9000
Total 31200
% of votes cast 94%6%0%0%
How each member voted (33)
Member Party Vote
Beth Liston Democratic Yea
Casey Weinstein Democratic Yea
Catherine D. Ingram Democratic Yea
Hearcel F. Craig Democratic Yea
Kent Smith Democratic Yea
Nickie J. Antonio Democratic Yea
Paula Hicks-Hudson Democratic Yea
William P. DeMora Democratic Yea
Willis E. Blackshear, Jr. Democratic Yea
Al Cutrona Republican Nay
Al Landis Republican Yea
Andrew O. Brenner Republican Yea
Bill Reineke Republican Yea
Brian M. Chavez Republican Yea
George F. Lang Republican Yea
Jane M. Timken Republican Yea
Jerry C. Cirino Republican Yea
Kristina D. Roegner Republican Yea
Kyle Koehler Republican Yea
Louis W. Blessing, III Republican Nay
Mark Romanchuk Republican Yea
Michele Reynolds Republican Yea
Nathan H. Manning Republican Yea
Rob McColley Republican Yea
Sandra O'Brien Republican Yea
Shane Wilkin Republican Yea
Stephen A. Huffman Republican Yea
Steve Wilson Republican Yea
Susan Manchester Republican Yea
Terry Johnson Republican Yea
Theresa Gavarone Republican Yea
Thomas F. Patton Republican Yea
Tim Schaffer Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed

Passed 76 Yea · 14 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 60300
Democratic 161100
Total 761400
% of votes cast 84%16%0%0%
How each member voted (90)
Member Party Vote
Ashley Bryant Bailey Democratic Nay
Beryl Brown Piccolantonio Democratic Nay
Bride Rose Sweeney Democratic Yea
C. Allison Russo Democratic Yea
Cecil Thomas Democratic Yea
Chris Glassburn Democratic Yea
Crystal Lett Democratic Nay
Dani Isaacsohn Democratic Nay
Daniel P. Troy Democratic Yea
Darnell T. Brewer Democratic Yea
Derrick Hall Democratic Yea
Desiree Tims Democratic Nay
Eric Synenberg Democratic Nay
Erika White Democratic Yea
Ismail Mohamed Democratic Yea
Joseph A. Miller, III Democratic Yea
Juanita O. Brent Democratic Nay
Karen Brownlee Democratic Yea
Latyna M. Humphrey Democratic Nay
Lauren McNally Democratic Yea
Mark Sigrist Democratic Yea
Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe Democratic Nay
Phillip M. Robinson, Jr. Democratic Nay
Rachel B. Baker Democratic Yea
Sean P. Brennan Democratic Yea
Terrence Upchurch Democratic Nay
Veronica R. Sims Democratic Yea
Adam C. Bird Republican Yea
Adam Holmes Republican Yea
Adam Mathews Republican Yea
Andrea White Republican Yea
Angela N. King Republican Yea
Bernard Willis Republican Yea
Bill Roemer Republican Yea
Bob Peterson Republican Yea
Brian Lampton Republican Yea
Brian Lorenz Republican Yea
Brian Stewart Republican Yea
Cindy Abrams Republican Yea
D. J. Swearingen Republican Yea
David Thomas Republican Yea
Diane Mullins Republican Yea
Gary Click Republican Yea
Gayle Manning Republican Yea
Haraz N. Ghanbari Republican Yea
Heidi Workman Republican Yea
Jack K. Daniels Republican Yea
James M. Hoops Republican Yea
Jamie Callender Republican Yea
Jason Stephens Republican Yea
Jean Schmidt Republican Yea
Jeff LaRe Republican Yea
Jennifer Gross Republican Yea
Jim Thomas Republican Yea
Jodi Salvo Republican Yea
Johnathan Newman Republican Yea
Josh Williams Republican Yea
Justin Pizzulli Republican Yea
Kellie Deeter Republican Yea
Kevin D. Miller Republican Yea
Kevin Ritter Republican Yea
Levi Dean Republican Yea
Marilyn John Republican Yea
Mark Hiner Republican Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Yea
Matt Huffman Republican Yea
Matthew Kishman Republican Yea
Melanie Miller Republican Yea
Meredith Craig Republican Yea
Michael D. Dovilla Republican Yea
Michelle Teska Republican Nay
Mike Odioso Republican Yea
Monica Robb Blasdel Republican Yea
Nick Santucci Republican Yea
Phil Plummer Republican Yea
Riordan T. McClain Republican Yea
Rodney Creech Republican Yea
Ron Ferguson Republican Nay
Roy Klopfenstein Republican Yea
Sarah Fowler Arthur Republican Yea
Scott Oelslager Republican Nay
Sharon A. Ray Republican Yea
Tex Fischer Republican Yea
Thaddeus J. Claggett Republican Yea
Thomas Hall Republican Yea
Tim Barhorst Republican Yea
Tom Young Republican Yea
Tracy M. Richardson Republican Yea
Ty D. Mathews Republican Yea
Ty Moore Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Reported

Failed 12 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 9000
Democratic 3000
Total 12000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (12)
Member Party Vote
Bride Rose Sweeney Democratic Yea
Derrick Hall Democratic Yea
Dontavius L. Jarrells Democratic Yea
Angela N. King Republican Yea
Bob Peterson Republican Yea
Brian Lampton Republican Yea
Brian Lorenz Republican Yea
Jack K. Daniels Republican Yea
Kellie Deeter Republican Yea
Marilyn John Republican Yea
Meredith Craig Republican Yea
Tim Barhorst Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 105 do?
To enact sections 1357.01, 1357.011, 1357.02, 1357.03, 1357.04, 1357.05, 1357.06, 1357.07, and 1357.08 and to repeal section 1349.55 of the Revised Code to revise and supplement state regulations concerning non-recourse litigation funding agreements.
Who sponsors HB 105?
HB 105 is sponsored by Meredith Craig (Republican) and Jim Thomas (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 105?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced October 06, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 105?
Track HB 105 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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