When a child is born to unmarried parents in Ohio, the father has far fewer rights than the mother.

House Bill 256 would place the responsibility of custody and parenting time on both parents equally − if the father establishes paternity through a test or the child's birth certificate.

“When the law arbitrarily sidelines a willing and responsible parent, it does not serve the best interests of the child," said Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, one of the bill's sponsors.

There are still some limits. The mother would remain the sole legal guardian. Parents could still ask a judge to limit or terminate parental rights based on the other person's actions or inactions. And the father could not become a residential parent or legal guardian if he were convicted of rape or sexual batte

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