The bill amends the Revised Code to increase Ohio's state minimum wage through a tiered schedule, starting at twelve dollars per hour in 2026 and reaching fifteen dollars per hour by 2029. It mandates annual adjustments to the wage rate by the director of commerce beginning in 2029, in accordance with the Ohio Constitution, and prohibits local governments from setting a minimum wage that differs from the state rate. Additionally, the bill requires employers to maintain specific records related to employee wages and hours worked, clarifies definitions related to employment and wage enforcement, and repeals section 4111.07 of the Revised Code, which may have contained outdated provisions.

Moreover, the bill introduces new provisions that allow employees to request their employment information from employers, requiring responses within thirty business days unless otherwise agreed. It clarifies the definition of a "request" and mandates that requests be written and notarized. The bill also establishes the state's authority to investigate employer compliance with employee rights, ensures confidentiality of investigation records, and sets penalties for violations, including damages calculated at two times the back wages owed. It repeals existing sections of the Revised Code that previously governed these matters, thereby updating the legal framework surrounding employee information requests and protections.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4111.02, 4111.05, 4111.09, 4111.14, 4111.07