The Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act aims to eliminate the subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities by prohibiting new licenses for such employment and establishing a five-year phase-out period. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the director of developmental disabilities in aiding employers during this transition and emphasizes the importance of competitive, integrated employment. It also introduces a tax credit for businesses that purchase goods from nonprofit corporations employing individuals with disabilities, with specific criteria for qualifying vendors and a cap of eight million dollars annually for the tax credit program.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Ohio Revised Code to enhance employee protections and clarify compliance procedures related to wage laws. It establishes confidentiality for employee information and outlines a process for filing complaints regarding wage violations. The legislation mandates coordination among state agencies to support competitive employment for individuals with developmental disabilities and creates an employment first task force to oversee the transition from subminimum wages. The act also introduces a new nonrefundable tax credit for purchases from qualified vendors, streamlining the tax credit process and repealing certain existing sections of the Revised Code.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4111.06, 4111.14, 5122.28, 5123.022, 5123.023, 5123.87, 5747.98, 5751.98