S.B. No. 176 Summary

• Prohibits illegal aliens and unauthorized aliens from being classified as "employees" under Ohio's Workers' Compensation Law and denies them eligibility for workers' compensation benefits except medical benefits.

• Requires claimants to submit a signed attestation to the administrator of workers' compensation confirming their status as eligible employees before receiving compensation or benefits (other than medical benefits); false attestations constitute workers' compensation fraud.

• Creates exceptions allowing unauthorized aliens to sue employers for damages if the employer knowingly employed them knowing they were not authorized to work under federal immigration law, and allows claims for intentional torts against employers.

• Amends tort liability laws to prevent illegal and unauthorized aliens from suing the state or political subdivisions for workplace injuries unless the employer knowingly hired them knowing of their unauthorized status.

• Applies retroactively to all claims arising on or after the effective date and adds criminal penalties for making false statements in attestations required for workers' compensation benefits.