Labor & Employment

To amend section 3902.02 and to enact sections 3966.01, 3966.02, 3966.03, 3966.04, 3966.05, 3966.06, 3966.07, 3966.08, 3966.09, 3966.10, and 3966.11 of the Revised Code regarding paid family leave insurance.

HB 588 would apply Ohio's Civil Rights Law anti-discrimination protections to unpaid interns by amending two sections of the Revised Code. Currently, these protections do not cover unpaid interns, but the bill would extend them to include unpaid interns under the same employment anti-discrimination rules as paid employees. This change directly affects unpaid interns and their employers across Ohio, requiring equal treatment in hiring, assignments, and workplace conditions. The key mechanism is the explicit amendment of state law to include unpaid interns within the scope of the Civil Rights Law's employment provisions.

SB 50 amends Ohio law to update requirements for minors under sixteen working. It changes the rules for age verification, schooling certificates, and maximum work hours for young workers. The bill directly affects employers hiring minors and the minors themselves, requiring updated documentation and limiting work time. These changes aim to clarify and strengthen protections for young workers while ensuring compliance with educational obligations.

HB 393 requires community-based correctional facilities (like halfway houses or work release programs) to help inmates obtain state identification cards before their release. This applies specifically to individuals transitioning from community-based programs back into the general population. The bill mandates facilities provide assistance with ID applications, including necessary forms and documentation. This ensures released individuals have essential identification for accessing housing, employment, and public services.

SB 331 allows certain public hospitality employees, such as those working in state-run hotels or event venues, to accept tips or gratuities from customers. The bill creates a new section (102.10) in the Revised Code to legally permit this practice, which was previously restricted under state policy. It directly affects public employees in hospitality roles by enabling them to receive voluntary customer payments. The provision clarifies that this applies only to specified public sector positions, not private businesses. The change updates state law to align with common practices in the broader hospitality industry.