S.B. 212 Summary

• Enacts new section 4111.15 requiring employers to pay wages at or above the minimum wage as specified in Ohio Constitution Section 34a and section 4111.02.

• Creates new section 4111.20 establishing procedures for the Director of Commerce to investigate wage law violations and for employees, their representatives, and the Attorney General to bring civil actions for unpaid wages, with the director having power to issue findings and attempt resolution.

• Modifies section 4111.14 to define employer/employee terms consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act and require employers to maintain wage records for three years and provide requested wage information to employees within 30 business days.

• Renumbers sections 4113.15 and 4113.16 to 4111.18 and 4111.19 respectively and establishes wage payment schedules (semi-monthly minimum) with liability for delayed unpaid wages and provisions regarding fringe benefits and authorized deductions.

• Establishes civil remedies including back pay, liquidated damages of two times back pay (or $150 per day for retaliation violations), and awards for attorney fees and costs when employees prevail in wage actions; excludes employees earning $100,000+ annually from director investigation except for constitutional wage claims.