Labor & Employment (Public Employees)

To amend section 4112.01 and to enact sections 124.92, 2701.21, and 4112.20 of the Revised Code to define antisemitism for the purpose of investigations and proceedings in courts and state agencies and for state employee anti-bias training.

HB 388 requires state health plans to reimburse state employees and elected officials for costs associated with GLP-1 medications (used for conditions like diabetes or obesity). It adds these specific drugs to the list of covered expenses under existing reimbursement policies. The bill establishes a clear process for employees to seek reimbursement for these medications through their state health plan. This directly affects state workers who use GLP-1 drugs and ensures their costs are covered under state health benefits.

HB 530 establishes the Long-term Care Workforce Study Commission to examine challenges in the long-term care sector. The commission will study issues like staffing shortages, training needs, and retention strategies affecting facilities and workers. This bill directly impacts long-term care providers and their employees by creating a formal process to assess workforce gaps and inform future policy decisions.

To amend sections 164.07, 307.022, 307.671, 307.673, 307.674, 307.696, 308.21, 351.06, 353.03, 1506.44, 1710.02, 4115.03, 4115.034, 4115.04, 4115.06, 5540.03, 6117.012, and 6121.061 of the Revised Code to allow political subdivisions, special districts, and state institutions of higher education to elect to apply the Prevailing Wage Law to public improvement projects and to increase the threshold amount that triggers application of the Law for certain state public improvements.

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.