Opinion ID: 3200388
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Retroactivity Clause

Text: {¶ 17} The Retroactively Clause of the Ohio Constitution, Article II, Section 28, remains unchanged from its adoption in 1851: The general assembly shall have no power to pass retroactive laws, or laws impairing the obligation of contracts; but may, by general laws, authorize courts to carry into effect, upon such terms as shall be just and equitable, the manifest intention of parties, and officers, by curing omissions, defects, and errors, in instruments and proceedings, arising out of their want of conformity with the laws of this state. {¶ 18} The literal meaning of the clause is that the legislature is absolutely prohibited from passing any law that is “ ‘made to affect acts or facts occurring, or rights accruing, before it come into force.’ ” Bielat v. Bielat, 87 Ohio St.3d 350, 353, 721 N.E.2d 28 (2000), quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1317 (6th Ed.1990). This court, however, has recognized that “retroactivity itself is not always forbidden by Ohio law.” Id. Instead, “there is a crucial distinction between statues that merely apply retroactively    and those that do so in a manner that offends our Constitution.” Id., citing Rairden v. Holden, 15 Ohio St. 207, 210-211 (1864), and State v. Cook, 83 Ohio St.3d 404, 410, 700 N.E.2d 570 (1998). Accordingly, we must look to the purpose of the Retroactivity Clause to determine whether the statute at issue offends it.