State Reps. Roemer and Kishman Introduce Legislation to Combat Deed and Title Fraud in Ohio

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - State Representatives Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Matthew Kishman (R-Minerva) are pleased to announce that they recently introduced legislation that works to address the growing issue of deed and title fraud in Ohio.

This legislation stems from recent cases in Rep. Roemer's district where property has been transferred or listed for sale without the owner's knowledge or consent.

"The issue of deed and title theft is one of the most serious threats facing homeowners," said Roemer. "Imagine dedicating years of hard work to buy a home, only to have it stolen by a scammer. This legislation puts an end to that."

"Deed and title fraud is a growing threat that can strip Ohio homeowners of their most valuable asset overnight," said Kishman. "House Bill 749 takes meaningful steps to strengthen the protections our county recorders and real estate professionals need to catch fraud before it devastates families. Ohioans deserve to know their property rights are secure, and this legislation helps deliver that peace of mind."

If enacted, this legislation would do the following:

Require at least one hour of continuing education focused on fraud prevention, identifying red flags, response protocols, and reporting suspicious activity
Establish a statewide owner-notification or waiting period system at the Auditor or Recorder level, similar to the Licking County Transfer Protection Program
Require photo identification as part of the deed recording process

This bill awaits a number and committee assignment.