541.09 INJURING, INTIMIDATING OR INTERFERING WITH HOUSING.

   (a)   No person, whether or not acting under color of law, shall by force or threat of force willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate or interfere with:

(1)   Any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or ancestry and because that person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying, contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for or participating in any service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting housing accommodations;

(2)   Any person because that person is or has been, or in order to intimidate that person or any other person or any class of persons from:

A.   Participating, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or ancestry, in any of the activities, services, organizations, or facilities described in subsection (a)(1) hereof;

B.   Affording another person or class of persons opportunity of protection so to participate.

(3)   Any person because that person is or has been, or in order to discourage that person or any other person from, lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or ancestry, in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in subsection (a)(1) hereof, or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate.

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, except that whoever violates this section and causes bodily injury or death is guilty of a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law.

(ORC 2927.03)