With many Ohio families struggling to recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and many protections coming to end, Ohio can play a vital role in protecting households from seizure of wages and property to pay old debts.

Every state has a set of debt collection exemption laws intended to prevent creditors from pushing families into destitution. A November 2021 report from the National Consumer Law Center, examined these state laws based on five criteria. Ohio, while earning a C grade overall failed in protecting wages from garnishment. Additionally, Ohio barely received passing grades for allowing a person to keep a used car of at least average value and for protecting a basic amount in a person’s bank account from a creditor.

The effects of COVID-19 will make families increasingly vulnerable to the seizure of essential wages, savings, and vehicles. By updating its exemption laws, Ohio can prevent creditors and debt buyers from reducing families to poverty.