Residency Requirements for Public Employees

It's been the practice in a number of places to require local government employees (particularly teachers and public safety officers) to reside within city limits.  The justifications are generally given in terms of building strong ties between such personnel and community members, and helping build loyalty and a stronger tax base.  The Ohio House has just passed legislation that would limit the power of local governments to impose such requirements.  The Columbus Dispatch has a related story. 

The bill (SB 82 as amended) passed the Senate previously.  Legislative analysis has raised the question whether the new provisions violate the Ohio constitutional provisions relating to home rule.  The bill was opposed by the Ohio municipal league.