The proposed bill enacts section 4113.86 of the Revised Code, which prohibits private employers from including questions about an applicant's criminal background on initial employment applications. It defines "employer" to include any person employing five or more individuals, excluding state agencies or political subdivisions. The bill outlines specific actions that employers cannot take, such as inquiring about criminal backgrounds on applications, considering arrest records not followed by conviction, and denying applicants based solely on their criminal history without conducting an individualized assessment of the relevance of the criminal background to the job duties.

Additionally, if an employer intends to deny employment based on an applicant's criminal background, they must provide written notice of the preliminary decision, including the reasons for the decision and the applicant's right to respond. The applicant is given at least five days to contest the decision, and the employer must consider any information submitted by the applicant before making a final decision. The bill also states that violations of these provisions are considered unlawful discriminatory practices, allowing affected applicants to file complaints with the Ohio civil rights commission. Exceptions to this law apply to positions requiring criminal background checks by federal, state, or local laws.