SB 261 Summary

• Adds "unemployment status" as a protected class under Ohio civil rights law, defining it as being unemployed and currently available for employment.

• Prohibits employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs from discriminating against individuals based on unemployment status in hiring, firing, compensation, and terms of employment.

• Prohibits job advertisements from stating or suggesting that current employment is required, that unemployed applicants will not be reviewed, or that only currently employed applicants will be considered, though preference for current employees and relevant experience requirements remain permitted.

• Establishes civil penalties of $5,000 for first violations and $10,000 for subsequent violations related to unemployment status discrimination, in addition to damages and injunctive relief.