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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Ohio,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">HB 225 has b</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">een introduced you should</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">prepare</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> your testimony now Suzanne</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">and I will be reaching out again with updates.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">As Introduced</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">136th General Assembly</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Regular</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Session</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">. B. No. 225</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">2025-2026</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Representatives Jarrells, Young</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Cosponsors: Representatives Abdullahi, Brennan, Brewer, Denson, Grim, Isaacsohn, Lett, McNally, Mohamed, Piccolantonio, Russo, Thomas, C., Troy, Upchurch,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Lorenz, Johnson, Barhorst, Ritter, Jones</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A BILL</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">To amend sections 4111.06, 4111.14, 5122.28, 5123.022, 5123.023, 5123.87, 5747.98, and 5751.98 and to enact sections 3304.45, 4111.061, 5747.87, and 5751.56</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the Revised Code to phase out the subminimum wage for individuals with physical or mental disabilities, to authorize a tax credit for purchases made</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">from nonprofit corporations that hire such individuals, and to name this act the Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Act.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Section 1. That sections 4111.06, 4111.14, 5122.28, 5123.022, 5123.023, 5123.87, 5747.98, and 5751.98 be amended and sections 3304.45, 4111.061, 5747.87,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">and 5751.56 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 3304.45. (A) As used in this section: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Qualified vendor" means a nonprofit corporation that is certified under division (D) of this section as meeting all of the following requirements:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(a) The nonprofit corporation is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501(a) as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Internal Revenue Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) At least twenty per cent of the individuals employed by the nonprofit corporation are individuals with disabilities, and those individuals are employed</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">in an integrated setting, as defined in section 5123.022 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(c) One or more of the following applies:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(i) The nonprofit corporation offers to contribute at least seventy-five per cent of the premium cost for individual health insurance coverage for each</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">eligible employee.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(ii) The nonprofit corporation offers an eligible employer-sponsored insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act for each eligible employee.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(iii) The nonprofit corporation does not offer an employer-sponsored insurance plan, but pays the penalty required by 26 U.S.C. 4980H for each eligible</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employee who purchases health insurance through an exchange, as defined in section 3905.01 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(iv) The nonprofit corporation is not subject to the employer mandate under 26 U.S.C. 4980H, but offers assistance to eligible employees to cover at least</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">seventy-five per cent of the employees' health insurance costs through a health savings account or other similar method.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(d) The nonprofit corporation does not employ individuals under a certificate issued by the United States secretary of labor under 29 U.S.C. 214(c). </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "Individuals with disabilities" means individuals having a physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment, as</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">certified by a health care provider who is qualified to make such a determination or by a state or federal agency having the function of making such a</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">determination.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Physical or mental impairment" and "substantial impediment to employment" have the same meanings as in section 3304.11 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) "Affordable Care Act" means the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," 42 U.S.C. 18031 (2011).</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) "Internal Revenue Code" has the same meaning as in section 5747.01 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(6) "Eligible employer-sponsored health plan" has the same meaning as in section 5166.40 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(7) "Eligible employee" has the same meaning as in section 3924.01 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(8) "Price" has the same meaning as in section 5739.01 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) A person may apply to the executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency for a nonrefundable credit against the tax levied</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">under section 5747.02 or 5751.02 of the Revised Code for purchases made by the person from a qualified vendor.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A person may submit an application after the first day and before the twenty-first day of January of the year following the year in which the purchases</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">are made. The executive director shall prescribe the form and manner of filing such applications. In the application, the person shall specify the tax</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">against which the person proposes to claim the credit. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The executive director shall review applications in the order in which they are received. Subject to the limits described in division (C) of this section,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the executive director shall issue a tax credit certificate authorizing the applicant to claim a credit if the executive director determines that the applicant</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">made one or more purchases from a qualified vendor. The certificate shall include a unique identifying number and state the amount of credit for which</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the executive director determines the applicant is eligible and the tax against which the person may claim the credit.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Subject to division (C) of this section, the amount of the credit shall equal fifteen per cent of the price of purchases made by the applicant from the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">qualified vendor.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) The executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency shall not issue tax credit certificates that would authorize more</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">than eight million dollars of tax credits to be claimed in any calendar year and shall not issue a certificate authorizing more than five hundred thousand</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">dollars of tax credits to be claimed in any calendar year on the basis of purchases from the same qualified vendor.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(D) The executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency shall certify nonprofit corporations as qualified vendors. An entity</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">may apply to the executive director for certification, and the executive director shall provide the certification if the executive director determines</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">that the nonprofit corporation meets all of the requirements described in divisions (A)(1)(a) to (d) of this section. A nonprofit corporation shall notify</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the executive director if the nonprofit corporation no longer meets all of those requirements. The executive director shall revoke a certification upon</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">receiving such notice or if the executive director otherwise determines that a nonprofit corporation no longer meets those requirements.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(E) The executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency shall annually submit to the general assembly a report in accordance</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">with division (B) of section 101.68 of the Revised Code that includes the number of tax credit certificates issued in the preceding year, the amount of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">credits awarded with respect to those certificates, and any other information the executive director considers relevant for the review of the effectiveness</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the credit authorized under this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 4111.06. (A) As used in this section and section 4111.061 of the Revised Code, "employer" and "employee" have the same meanings as in section 4111.02</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) In order to prevent curtailment of opportunities for employment, to avoid undue hardship, and to safeguard the minimum wage rates under sections 4111.01</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to 4111.17 of the Revised Code, the director of commerce, subject to divisions (C) to (E) of this section, shall adopt rules under section 4111.05 of the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Revised Code, permitting employment in any occupation at wages lower than the wage rates applicable under sections 4111.01 to 4111.17 of the Revised Code,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of individuals whose earning capacity is impaired by physical or mental disabilities or injuries. The Except as provided in divisions (C) to (E) of this</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">section, the rules shall provide for licenses to be issued authorizing employment at the wages of specific individuals or groups of employees, or by specific</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employers or groups of employers, pursuant to the rules. The rules shall not conflict with the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," 104 Stat. 328,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">42 U.S.C.A. 12111, et seq.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, the director shall not issue any new, or renew any existing, licenses authorizing</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employment at wages lower than the wage rates applicable under sections 4111.01 to 4111.17 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, beginning ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, no employer shall pay an</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employee whose earning capacity is impaired by a physical or mental disability or injury at wages lower than the wage rates applicable under sections 4111.01</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to 4111.17 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) For the time period ending on the date that is five years after the effective date of this amendment, an employer may pay an employee whose earning</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">capacity is impaired by a physical or mental disability or injury at wages lower than the wage rates applicable under sections 4111.01 to 4111.17 of the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Revised Code if both of the following apply:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(a) The employer employs that employee on and after the date that is ninety days after the effective date of this amendment.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) The employer, on the date that is ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, holds an unexpired license issued in accordance with division</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) of this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) For purposes of division (D)(2) of this section, an unexpired license held by an employer as described in division (D)(2)(b) of this section is valid</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">for the time period ending on the date that is five years after the effective date of this amendment.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(E) Beginning on and after the date that is five years after the effective date of this amendment, no employer shall pay any employee whose earning capacity</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">is impaired by a physical or mental disability or injury at a wage lower than the wage rates applicable under sections 4111.01 to 4111.17 of the Revised</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 4111.061. (A) As used in this section: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Competitive employment" has the same meaning as in section 5123.022 of the Revised Code. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "Department" has the same meaning as in section 121.01 of the Revised Code, except that it also includes the bureau of workers' compensation, department</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of higher education, department of taxation, and public utilities commission of Ohio.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Disability" means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of major life activities,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">a record of a physical or mental impairment, being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment, or any condition that would be considered a disability</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">under the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. 12101, et seq.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) "Federal certificate" means a special certificate issued in accordance with section 14(c) of the "Fair Labor Standards Act," 29 U.S.C. 214(c).</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) "State license" means a license issued pursuant to division (B) of section 4111.06 of the Revised Code or division (C) of section 4111.14 of the Revised</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Code, as that division existed before the effective date of this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(6) "Subminimum wage" means a wage paid to an employee with a disability that is lower than the wage rates applicable under sections 4111.01 to 4111.17</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the Revised Code. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) Not later than fifteen months after the effective date of this section, each employer that holds a state license or federal certificate shall submit</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to the director of developmental disabilities a transition plan that addresses how the employer intends to do both of the following:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) Phase out subminimum wages not later than the date that is five years after the effective date of this section; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Support individuals with disabilities in pursuing competitive, integrated employment.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) The director of developmental disabilities, in consultation with the executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">shall assist employers with phasing out subminimum wages not later than the date that is five years after the effective date of this section and shall</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">do all of the following:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) Identify and develop protections to ensure competitive, integrated employment for employees with disabilities while phasing out subminimum wages;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Identify and collaborate with employees, employers, organizations, agencies, and stakeholders impacted by the phase out of subminimum wages to assist</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">them with implementing the transition plans submitted under division (B) of this section and creating sustainable, competitive employment;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) Collect data on employers that hold state licenses or federal certificates until the date that is five years after the effective date of this section;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) Propose a plan to establish and evaluate benchmarks for measuring progress with respect to implementing the transition plans each year until subminimum</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">wages are eliminated beginning on the date that is five years after the effective date of this section;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) Propose a plan to monitor and track the outcomes of employees with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(6) Identify initiatives, investments, training, and services designed to improve wages, reduce unemployment rates, and provide support and sustainable</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">work opportunities for individuals with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(7) Identify and make recommendations for sustainable support, funding, and resources to assist individuals with disabilities with respect to phasing out</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">subminimum wages, such as financing for the cost to implement and provide employment services, training, and support;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(8) Ensure that the transition plans protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and complies with the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,"</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">42 U.S.C. 12111, et seq. and Chapter 4112. of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(D) Not later than the first day of January that first occurs following the effective date of this section, and not later than the first day of January</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of each year thereafter until the date that is five years after the effective date of this section, the director of developmental disabilities shall submit</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to the governor and the general assembly a report that includes the information described in division (C) of this section. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(E) The director of developmental disabilities, in consultation with the executive director of the opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">shall solicit assistance from all of the following in carrying out the director's duties under this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) The employment first task force established under section 5123.023 of the Revised Code;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Stakeholders who have expertise regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities, at least twenty per cent of whom are individuals with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) Family members of individuals with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) Organizations that advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) Providers of services to individuals with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(6) Local governments;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(7) Business associations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(F) Each department that employs or provides employment services to individuals with disabilities shall do both of the following:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) Coordinate and collaborate with other departments to ensure that state programs, policies, procedures, and funding contribute toward the competitive,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">integrated employment of individuals with disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Share nonconfidential data and other information with other departments to track progress with respect to phasing out subminimum wages not later than</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the date that is five years after the effective date of this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 4111.14. (A) Pursuant to the general assembly's authority to establish a minimum wage under Section 34 of Article II, Ohio Constitution, this section</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">is in implementation of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution. In implementing Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, the general assembly</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">hereby finds that the purpose of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, is to:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) Ensure that Ohio employees, as defined in division (B)(1) of this section, are paid the wage rate required by Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Ensure that covered Ohio employers maintain certain records that are directly related to the enforcement of the wage rate requirements in Section 34a</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of Article II, Ohio Constitution;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) Ensure that Ohio employees who are paid the wage rate required by Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, may enforce their right to receive</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">that wage rate in the manner set forth in Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution; and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) Protect the privacy of Ohio employees' pay and personal information specified in Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, by restricting an employee's</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">access, and access by a person acting on behalf of that employee, to the employee's own pay and personal information.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, the terms "employer," "employee," "employ," "person," and "independent contractor"</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">have the same meanings as in the "Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938," 52 Stat. 1060, 29 U.S.C. 203, as amended. In construing the meaning of these terms,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">due consideration and great weight shall be given to the United States department of labor's and federal courts' interpretations of those terms under the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Fair Labor Standards Act and its regulations. As used in division (B) of this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Employee" means individuals employed in Ohio, but does not mean individuals who are excluded from the definition of "employee" under 29 U.S.C. 203(e)</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or individuals who are exempted from the minimum wage requirements in 29 U.S.C. 213 and from the definition of "employee" in this chapter.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "Employ" and "employee" do not include any person acting as a volunteer. In construing who is a volunteer, "volunteer" shall have the same meaning</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">as in sections 553.101 to 553.106 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended, and due consideration and great weight shall be given to</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the United States department of labor's and federal courts' interpretations of the term "volunteer" under the Fair Labor Standards Act and its regulations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Employer" does not include a franchisor with respect to the franchisor's relationship with a franchisee or an employee of a franchisee, unless the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">franchisor agrees to assume that role in writing or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the franchisor exercises a type or degree of control</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">over the franchisee or the franchisee's employees that is not customarily exercised by a franchisor for the purpose of protecting the franchisor's trademark,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">brand, or both. For purposes of this division, "franchisor" and "franchisee" have the same meanings as in 16 C.F.R. 436.1.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) Subject to division (B)(5) of this section, "employee" does not include an individual who operates a vehicle or vessel in the performance of services</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">for or on behalf of a motor carrier transporting property and to whom all of the following factors apply:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(a) The individual owns the vehicle or vessel that is used in performing the services for or on behalf of the carrier, or the individual leases the vehicle</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or vessel under a bona fide lease agreement that is not a temporary replacement lease agreement. For purposes of this division, a bona fide lease agreement</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">does not include an agreement between the individual and the motor carrier transporting property for which, or on whose behalf, the individual provides</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">services.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) The individual is responsible for supplying the necessary personal services to operate the vehicle or vessel used to provide the service.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(c) The compensation paid to the individual is based on factors related to work performed, including on a mileage-based rate or a percentage of any schedule</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of rates, and not solely on the basis of the hours or time expended.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(d) The individual substantially controls the means and manner of performing the services, in conformance with regulatory requirements and specifications</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the shipper.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(e) The individual enters into a written contract with the carrier for whom the individual is performing the services that describes the relationship between</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the individual and the carrier to be that of an independent contractor and not that of an employee.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(f) The individual is responsible for substantially all of the principal operating costs of the vehicle or vessel and equipment used to provide the services,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">including maintenance, fuel, repairs, supplies, vehicle or vessel insurance, and personal expenses, except that the individual may be paid by the carrier</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the carrier's fuel surcharge and incidental costs, including tolls, permits, and lumper fees.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(g) The individual is responsible for any economic loss or economic gain from the arrangement with the carrier.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) A motor carrier may elect to consider an individual described in division (B)(4) of this section as an employee for purposes of this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(6) "Motor carrier" has the same meaning as in section 4923.01 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, the state may issue licenses to employers authorizing payment of a wage below that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">required by Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, to individuals with mental or physical disabilities that may otherwise adversely affect their</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">opportunity for employment. In issuing such licenses, the state shall abide by the rules adopted pursuant to section 4111.06 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(D)(1) (C)(1) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, individuals employed in or about the property of an employer or an individual's</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">residence on a casual basis are not included within the coverage of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution. As used in division (D) (C) of this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(a) "Casual basis" means employment that is irregular or intermittent and that is not performed by an individual whose vocation is to be employed in or</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">about the property of the employer or individual's residence. In construing who is employed on a "casual basis," due consideration and great weight shall</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">be given to the United States department of labor's and federal courts' interpretations of the term "casual basis" under the Fair Labor Standards Act and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">its regulations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) "An individual employed in or about the property of an employer or individual's residence" means an individual employed on a casual basis or an individual</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employed in or about a residence on a casual basis, respectively.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, employees of a solely family-owned and operated business who are family members of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">an owner are not included within the coverage of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution. As used in division (D)(2) (C)(2) of this section, "family</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">member" means a parent, spouse, child, stepchild, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or other member of an owner's immediate family.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(E) (D) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, an employer shall at the time of hire provide an employee with the employer's</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">name, address, telephone number, and other contact information and update such information when it changes. As used in division (E) (D) of this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Other contact information" may include, where applicable, the address of the employer's internet site on the world wide web, the employer's electronic</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">mail address, fax number, or the name, address, and telephone number of the employer's statutory agent. "Other contact information" does not include the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">name, address, telephone number, fax number, internet site address, or electronic mail address of any employee, shareholder, officer, director, supervisor,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">manager, or other individual employed by or associated with an employer.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "When it changes" means that the employer shall provide its employees with the change in its name, address, telephone number, or other contact information</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">within sixty business days after the change occurs. The employer shall provide the changed information by using any of its usual methods of communicating</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">with its employees, including, but not limited to, listing the change on the employer's internet site on the world wide web, internal computer network,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or a bulletin board where it commonly posts employee communications or by insertion or inclusion with employees' paychecks or pay stubs.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(F) (E) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, an employer shall maintain a record of the name, address, occupation, pay rate,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">hours worked for each day worked, and each amount paid an employee for a period of not less than three years following the last date the employee was employed</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">by that employer. As used in division (F) (E) of this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Address" means an employee's home address as maintained in the employer's personnel file or personnel database for that employee.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2)(a) With respect to employees who are not exempt from the overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act or this chapter, "pay rate" means</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">an employee's base rate of pay.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) With respect to employees who are exempt from the overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act or this chapter, "pay rate" means an employee's</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">annual base salary or other rate of pay by which the particular employee qualifies for that exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act or this chapter,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">but does not include bonuses, stock options, incentives, deferred compensation, or any other similar form of compensation.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Record" means the name, address, occupation, pay rate, hours worked for each day worked, and each amount paid an employee in one or more documents,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">databases, or other paper or electronic forms of record-keeping maintained by an employer. No one particular method or form of maintaining such a record</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or records is required under this division. An employer is not required to create or maintain a single record containing only the employee's name, address,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">occupation, pay rate, hours worked for each day worked, and each amount paid an employee. An employer shall maintain a record or records from which the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employee or person acting on behalf of that employee could reasonably review the information requested by the employee or person.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">An employer is not required to maintain the records specified in division (F)(3) (E)(3) of this section for any period before January 1, 2007. On and after</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">January 1, 2007, the employer shall maintain the records required by division (F)(3) (E)(3) of this section for three years from the date the hours were</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">worked by the employee and for three years after the date the employee's employment ends.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4)(a) Except for individuals specified in division (F)(4)(b) (E)(4)(b) of this section, "hours worked for each day worked" means the total amount of time</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">worked by an employee in whatever increments the employer uses for its payroll purposes during a day worked by the employee. An employer is not required</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to keep a record of the time of day an employee begins and ends work on any given day. As used in division (F)(4) (E)(4) of this section, "day" means a</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">fixed period of twenty-four consecutive hours during which an employee performs work for an employer.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) An employer is not required to keep records of "hours worked for each day worked" for individuals for whom the employer is not required to keep those</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">records under the Fair Labor Standards Act and its regulations or individuals who are not subject to the overtime pay requirements specified in section</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">4111.03 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) "Each amount paid an employee" means the total gross wages paid to an employee for each pay period. As used in division (F)(5) (E)(5) of this section,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">"pay period" means the period of time designated by an employer to pay an employee the employee's gross wages in accordance with the employer's payroll</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">practices under section 4113.15 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(G) (F) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, an employer must provide such information without charge to an employee or person</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">acting on behalf of an employee upon request. As used in division (G) (F) of this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Such information" means the name, address, occupation, pay rate, hours worked for each day worked, and each amount paid for the specific employee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">who has requested that specific employee's own information and does not include the name, address, occupation, pay rate, hours worked for each day worked,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or each amount paid of any other employee of the employer. "Such information" does not include hours worked for each day worked by individuals for whom</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">an employer is not required to keep that information under the Fair Labor Standards Act and its regulations or individuals who are not subject to the overtime</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">pay requirements specified in section 4111.03 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "Acting on behalf of an employee" means a person acting on behalf of an employee as any of the following:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(a) The certified or legally recognized collective bargaining representative for that employee under the applicable federal law or Chapter 4117. of the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Revised Code;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) The employee's attorney;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(c) The employee's parent, guardian, or legal custodian.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A person "acting on behalf of an employee" must be specifically authorized by an employee in order to make a request for that employee's own name, address,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">occupation, pay rate, hours worked for each day worked, and each amount paid to that employee.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Provide" means that an employer shall provide the requested information within thirty business days after the date the employer receives the request,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">unless either of the following occurs:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(a) The employer and the employee or person acting on behalf of the employee agree to some alternative time period for providing the information.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(b) The thirty-day period would cause a hardship on the employer under the circumstances, in which case the employer must provide the requested information</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">as soon as practicable.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) A "request" made by an employee or a person acting on behalf of an employee means a request by an employee or a person acting on behalf of an employee</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">for the employee's own information. The employer may require that the employee provide the employer with a written request that has been signed by the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employee and notarized and that reasonably specifies the particular information being requested. The employer may require that the person acting on behalf</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of an employee provide the employer with a written request that has been signed by the employee whose information is being requested and notarized and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">that reasonably specifies the particular information being requested.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(H) (G) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, an employee, person acting on behalf of one or more employees, and any other interested</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">party may file a complaint with the state for a violation of any provision of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, or any law or regulation implementing</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">its provisions. Such complaint shall be promptly investigated and resolved by the state. The employee's name shall be kept confidential unless disclosure</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">is necessary to resolution of a complaint and the employee consents to disclosure. As used in division (H) (G) of this section:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Complaint" means a complaint of an alleged violation pertaining to harm suffered by the employee filing the complaint, by a person acting on behalf</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of one or more employees, or by an interested party.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "Acting on behalf of one or more employees" has the same meaning as "acting on behalf of an employee" in division (G)(2) (F)(2) of this section. Each</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employee must provide a separate written and notarized authorization before the person acting on that employee's or those employees' behalf may request</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">the name, address, occupation, pay rate, hours worked for each day worked, and each amount paid for the particular employee.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Interested party" means a party who alleges to be injured by the alleged violation and who has standing to file a complaint under common law principles</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of standing.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) "Resolved by the state" means that the complaint has been resolved to the satisfaction of the state.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(5) "Shall be kept confidential" means that the state shall keep the name of the employee confidential as required by division (H) (G) of this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(I) (H) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, the state may on its own initiative investigate an employer's compliance with</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, and any law or regulation implementing Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution. The employer shall make</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">available to the state any records related to such investigation and other information required for enforcement of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or any law or regulation implementing Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution. The state shall investigate an employer's compliance with this section</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">in accordance with the procedures described in section 4111.04 of the Revised Code. All records and information related to investigations by the state</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">are confidential and are not a public record subject to section 149.43 of the Revised Code. This division does not prevent the state from releasing to</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or exchanging with other state and federal wage and hour regulatory authorities information related to investigations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(J) (I) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, damages shall be calculated as an additional two times the amount of the back</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">wages and in the case of a violation of an anti-retaliation provision an amount set by the state or court sufficient to compensate the employee and deter</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">future violations, but not less than one hundred fifty dollars for each day that the violation continued. The "not less than one hundred fifty dollar"</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">penalty specified in division (J) (I) of this section shall be imposed only for violations of the anti-retaliation provision in Section 34a of Article</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">II, Ohio Constitution.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(K) (J) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, an action for equitable and monetary relief may be brought against an employer</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">by the attorney general and/or an employee or person acting on behalf of an employee or all similarly situated employees in any court of competent jurisdiction,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">including the court of common pleas of an employee's county of residence, for any violation of Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, or any law</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or regulation implementing its provisions within three years of the violation or of when the violation ceased if it was of a continuing nature, or within</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">one year after notification to the employee of final disposition by the state of a complaint for the same violation, whichever is later.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) As used in division (K) (J) of this section, "notification" means the date on which the notice was sent to the employee by the state.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) No employee shall join as a party plaintiff in any civil action that is brought under division (K) (J) of this section by an employee, person acting</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">on behalf of an employee, or person acting on behalf of all similarly situated employees unless that employee first gives written consent to become such</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">a party plaintiff and that consent is filed with the court in which the action is brought.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) A civil action regarding an alleged violation of this section shall be maintained only under division (K) (J) of this section. This division does not</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">preclude the joinder in a single civil action of an action under this division and an action under section 4111.10 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) Any agreement between an employee and employer to work for less than the wage rate specified in Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, is no</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">defense to an action under this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(L) (K) In accordance with Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, there shall be no exhaustion requirement, no procedural, pleading, or burden of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">proof requirements beyond those that apply generally to civil suits in order to maintain such action and no liability for costs or attorney's fees on an</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employee except upon a finding that such action was frivolous in accordance with the same standards that apply generally in civil suits. Nothing in division</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(L) (K) of this section affects the right of an employer and employee to agree to submit a dispute under this section to alternative dispute resolution,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">including, but not limited to, arbitration, in lieu of maintaining the civil suit specified in division (K) (J) of this section. Nothing in this division</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">limits the state's ability to investigate or enforce this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(M) (L) An employer who provides such information specified in Section 34a of Article II, Ohio Constitution, shall be immune from any civil liability for</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">injury, death, or loss to person or property that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as a result of providing that information to an employee or person</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">acting on behalf of an employee in response to a request by the employee or person, and the employer shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapters</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">1347. and 1349. of the Revised Code to the extent that such provisions would otherwise apply. As used in division (M) (L) of this section, "such information,"</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">"acting on behalf of an employee," and "request" have the same meanings as in division (G) (F) of this section.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(N) (M) As used in this section, "the state" means the director of commerce.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5122.28. No patient of a hospital for persons with mental illnesses shall be compelled to perform labor which involves the operation, support, or</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">maintenance of the hospital or for which the hospital is under contract with an outside organization. Privileges or release from the hospital shall not</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">be conditional upon the performance of such labor. Patients who volunteer to perform such labor shall be compensated at a rate derived from the value of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">work performed, having reference to the prevailing wage rate for comparable work or wage rates established under section 4111.06 of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A patient may be required to perform therapeutic tasks which do not involve the operation, support, or maintenance of the hospital if those tasks are an</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">integrated part of the patient's treatment plan and supervised by a person qualified to oversee the therapeutic aspects of the activity.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A patient may be required to perform tasks of a personal housekeeping nature.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5123.022. (A) As used in this section and in section 5123.023 of the Revised Code: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) "Community employment" means competitive employment that takes place in an integrated setting. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) "Competitive employment" means full-time or part-time work in the competitive labor market in which payment is at or above the minimum wage but not</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by persons who are not disabled. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) "Integrated setting" means a setting typically found in the community where individuals with developmental disabilities interact with individuals who</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">do not have disabilities to the same extent that individuals in comparable positions who are not disabled interact with other individuals, including in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employment settings in which employees interact with the community through technology. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state that employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities be directed at community</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">employment. Every individual with a developmental disability is presumed capable of community employment. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The departments of developmental disabilities, education and workforce, medicaid, job and family services, and mental health and addiction services; the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency; and each other state agency that provides employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">shall implement the policy of this state and ensure that it is followed whenever employment services are provided to individuals with developmental disabilities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The department of developmental disabilities shall coordinate the actions taken by state agencies to comply with the state's policy. Agencies shall collaborate</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">within their divisions and with each other to ensure that state programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive and integrated employment</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of individuals with developmental disabilities. State agencies shall share information with the department, and the department shall track progress toward</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">full implementation of the policy. The department, in coordination with any task force established by the governor, shall compile data and annually submit</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to the governor a report on implementation of the policy. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The department and state agencies may adopt rules to implement the state's policy. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) The state's policy articulated in this section is intended to promote the right of each individual with a developmental disability to informed choice;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">however, nothing in this section requires any employer to give preference in hiring to an individual because the individual has a disability. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(D) Each political subdivision that provides employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities shall implement a policy that complies</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">with the policy of this state and ensure that it is followed whenever employment services are provided to individuals with developmental disabilities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5123.023. (A) The director of developmental disabilities shall establish an employment first task force consisting of the departments of developmental</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">disabilities, education and workforce, medicaid, job and family services, and mental health and addiction services; and the opportunities for Ohioans with</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">disabilities agency. The purpose of the task force shall be to improve the coordination of the state's efforts to address the needs of individuals with</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">developmental disabilities who seek community employment as defined in section 5123.022 of the Revised Code. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) The department of developmental disabilities may enter into interagency agreements with any of the government entities on the task force. The interagency</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">agreements may specify either or both of the following: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) The roles and responsibilities of the government entities that are members of the task force, including any money to be contributed by those entities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) The projects and activities of the task force. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) The task force shall do all of the following:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) Review the transition plans submitted by employers under section 4111.061 of the Revised Code and develop long-term strategies to assist those employers</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">in phasing out subminimum wages as defined in that section not later than the date that is five years after the effective date of this amendment;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Review and develop recommendations to transition individuals with developmental disabilities from subminimum wages and to support these individuals</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">in seeking competitive employment;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) Work with interagency partners to ensure developmental disability services that align with national models are available for individuals with developmental</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(4) Use data available to the department of developmental disabilities to identify opportunities for improving health outcomes for individuals with developmental</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">disabilities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(D) Not later than the first day of March immediately after the effective date of this amendment, and on the first day of March of each even-numbered year</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">thereafter, the task force, in consultation with the department of developmental disabilities, shall submit to the general assembly a report that includes</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">all of the following:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(1) Information regarding the outcomes, best practices, and challenges with respect to individuals with developmental disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(2) Information regarding opportunities to support individuals with developmental disabilities;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(3) Legislative recommendations for creating a better system of care for individuals with developmental disabilities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(E) There is hereby created in the state treasury the employment first taskforce fund. Any money received by the task force from its members shall be credited</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">to the fund. The department of developmental disabilities shall use the fund to support the work of the task force. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5123.87. (A) No resident of an institution for persons with intellectual disabilities shall be compelled to perform labor that involves the operation,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">support, or maintenance of the institution or for which the institution is under contract with an outside organization. Privileges or release from the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">institution shall not be conditional upon the performance of such labor. Residents who volunteer to perform such labor shall be compensated at a rate derived</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">from the value of the work performed, having reference to the prevailing wage rate for comparable work or wage rates established under section 4111.06</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the Revised Code.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) A resident may be required to perform habilitative tasks that do not involve the operation, support, or maintenance of the institution if those tasks</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">are an integrated part of the resident's habilitation plan and supervised by a member of the institution's professional staff who is designated by the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">chief program director.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C) A resident may be required to perform tasks of a personal housekeeping nature.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5747.87. (A) As used in this section, "qualified vendor" has the same meaning as in section 3304.45 of the Revised Code. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) There is allowed a nonrefundable credit against a taxpayer's aggregate tax liability under section 5747.02 of the Revised Code for a taxpayer issued</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">a tax credit certificate under section 3304.45 of the Revised Code for purchases made from a qualified vendor. The credit shall equal the dollar amount</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">indicated on the certificate and shall be claimed for the taxable year in which the certificate is issued.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit shall be claimed in the order required under section 5747.98 of the Revised Code. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer's aggregate tax due under</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">section 5747.02 of the Revised Code for that taxable year after allowing for credits that precede the credit under this section in that order, such excess</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">shall be allowed as a credit in each of the ensuing four taxable years, but the amount of any excess credit allowed in any such taxable year shall be deducted</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">from the balance carried forward to the ensuing taxable year.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A taxpayer claiming a credit pursuant to this section shall submit a copy of the certificate with the taxpayer's return. Nothing in this section limits</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">or disallows pass-through treatment of the credit.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5747.98. (A) To provide a uniform procedure for calculating a taxpayer's aggregate tax liability under section 5747.02 of the Revised Code, a taxpayer</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">shall claim any credits to which the taxpayer is entitled in the following order: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Either the retirement income credit under division (B) of section 5747.055 of the Revised Code or the lump sum retirement income credits under divisions</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(C), (D), and (E) of that section; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Either the senior citizen credit under division (F) of section 5747.055 of the Revised Code or the lump sum distribution credit under division (G) of that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">section; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The dependent care credit under section 5747.054 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for displaced workers who pay for job training under section 5747.27 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The campaign contribution credit under section 5747.29 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The twenty-dollar personal exemption credit under section 5747.022 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The joint filing credit under division (G) of section 5747.05 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The earned income credit under section 5747.71 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for education expenses under section 5747.72 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations under section 5747.73 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for tuition paid to a nonchartered nonpublic school under section 5747.75 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable vocational job credit under section 5747.057 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable job retention credit under division (B) of section 5747.058 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The enterprise zone credit under section 5709.66 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for beginning farmers who participate in a financial management program under division (B) of section 5747.77 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for purchases made from a qualified vendor under section 5747.87 of the Revised Code;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for commercial vehicle operator training expenses under section 5747.82 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable welcome home Ohio (WHO) program credit under section 122.633 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for selling or renting agricultural assets to beginning farmers under division (A) of section 5747.77 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for purchases of qualifying grape production property under section 5747.28 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The small business investment credit under section 5747.81 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable lead abatement credit under section 5747.26 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The opportunity zone investment credit under section 5747.86 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The enterprise zone credits under section 5709.65 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The research and development credit under section 5747.331 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for rehabilitating a historic building under section 5747.76 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable Ohio low-income housing tax credit under section 5747.83 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable affordable single-family home credit under section 5747.84 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonresident credit under division (A) of section 5747.05 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit for a resident's out-of-state income under division (B) of section 5747.05 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable motion picture and broadway theatrical production credit under section 5747.66 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit for film and theater capital improvement projects under section 5747.67 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable jobs creation credit or job retention credit under division (A) of section 5747.058 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit for taxes paid by a qualifying entity granted under section 5747.059 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credits for taxes paid by a qualifying pass-through entity granted under division (I) of section 5747.08 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit under section 5747.80 of the Revised Code for losses on loans made to the Ohio venture capital program under sections 150.01 to 150.10</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit for rehabilitating a historic building under section 5747.76 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit under section 5747.39 of the Revised Code for taxes levied under section 5747.38 of the Revised Code paid by an electing pass-through</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">entity. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) For any credit, except the refundable credits enumerated in this section and the credit granted under division (H) of section 5747.08 of the Revised</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Code, the amount of the credit for a taxable year shall not exceed the taxpayer's aggregate amount of tax due under section 5747.02 of the Revised Code,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">after allowing for any other credit that precedes it in the order required under this section. Any excess amount of a particular credit may be carried</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">forward if authorized under the section creating that credit. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to allow a taxpayer to claim, directly or indirectly,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">a credit more than once for a taxable year.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5751.56. (A) As used in this section, "qualified vendor" has the same meaning as in section 3304.45 of the Revised Code. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) There is allowed a nonrefundable credit against the tax imposed by section 5751.02 of the Revised Code for a taxpayer that is issued a tax credit certificate</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">under section 3304.45 of the Revised Code for purchases made from a qualified vendor. The credit shall equal the dollar amount indicated on the certificate</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">and shall be claimed for the tax period in which the certificate is issued.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The credit shall be claimed in the order required under section 5751.98 of the Revised Code. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer's aggregate tax due under</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">section 5751.02 of the Revised Code for the tax period after allowing for credits that precede the credit under this section in that order, such excess</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">may be carried forward for up to fifteen tax periods, but the amount of any excess credit allowed in any such tax period shall be deducted from the balance</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">carried forward to the ensuing tax period.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A taxpayer claiming a credit pursuant to this section shall submit a copy of the certificate with the taxpayer's return.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Sec. 5751.98. (A) To provide a uniform procedure for calculating the amount of tax due under this chapter, a taxpayer shall claim any credits to which</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">it is entitled in the following order: </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable jobs retention credit under division (B) of section 5751.50 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for purchases made from a qualified vendor under section 5751.56 of the Revised Code;</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for qualified research expenses under division (B) of section 5751.51 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for a borrower's qualified research and development loan payments under division (B) of section 5751.52 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The nonrefundable credit for calendar years 2010 to 2029 for unused net operating losses under division (B) of section 5751.53 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable motion picture and broadway theatrical production credit under section 5751.54 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit for film and theater capital improvement projects under section 5751.55 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable jobs creation credit or job retention credit under division (A) of section 5751.50 of the Revised Code; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The refundable credit for calendar year 2030 for unused net operating losses under division (C) of section 5751.53 of the Revised Code. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">(B) For any credit except the refundable credits enumerated in this section, the amount of the credit for a tax period shall not exceed the tax due after</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">allowing for any other credit that precedes it in the order required under this section. Any excess amount of a particular credit may be carried forward</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">if authorized under the section creating the credit.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Section 2. That existing sections 4111.06, 4111.14, 5122.28, 5123.022, 5123.023, 5123.87, 5747.98, and 5751.98 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Section 3. This act shall be known as the Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<BR>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Richard Payne, President</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">937/829/3368</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></U><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">Rchpay7@gmail.com</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="http://www.nfbohio.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></U><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">www.nfbohio.org</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, becaus</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">e low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</FONT></SPAN></P>
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