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 requiring employers to submit transition plans to phase out these wages within five years. The bill defines "qualified vendors" as nonprofit organizations that employ a certain percentage of individuals with disabilities and provide health insurance options. It also introduces a nonrefundable tax credit for taxpayers who purchase goods or services from these qualified vendors, capped at $8 million annually, with a limit of $500,000 for purchases from any single vendor.

Additionally, the bill enhances protections for employees and individuals with developmental disabilities by clarifying definitions related to minimum wage enforcement and establishing a framework for calculating damages in anti-retaliation cases. It mandates collaboration among state agencies to promote competitive employment opportunities and creates an Employment First Task Force to coordinate efforts and report on progress. The legislation also streamlines the process for employees to file complaints regarding wage law violations and modifies the order for claiming tax credits, while repealing several 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