The bill amends sections 3701.249 and 4112.01 of the Revised Code to extend the employment provisions of the Ohio Civil Rights Law to unpaid interns. Specifically, it redefines the terms "employer" and "employee" to clarify that "employee" includes individuals performing unpaid work for the primary purpose of gaining knowledge or experience relevant to their career aspirations. This change aims to ensure that unpaid interns are afforded the same protections against discrimination as paid employees under the law.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous definitions of "employer" and "employee" from section 3701.249, replacing them with new language that aligns with the definitions in section 4112.01. The amendments emphasize the inclusion of unpaid interns in the scope of employment protections, thereby promoting fair treatment and equal opportunity in the workplace for all individuals, regardless of their compensation status.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3701.249, 4112.01