Changes proposed to Ohio's open-container law

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Senate is poised to move legislation that would allow communities to establish areas for people to drink alcoholic beverages in designated outdoor areas.

The Ohio Senate’s State and Local Government Committee today amended SB 95 to include many of the same provisions approved in separate legislation by the Ohio House before lawmakers broke for their spring break earlier this month.

Under current law, consumers face citations for carrying open containers of alcohol outside of businesses where those beverages are sold.

Under the substitute Senate bill, outdoor refreshment areas could be created in municipal corporations or townships with more than 35,000 residents, allowing residents to carry their drinks within certain boundaries.