H.B. 486 Summary

• Increases Ohio's minimum wage to $10.10 per hour effective January 1, 2017, replacing the prior wage rate specified in Ohio Constitution Section 34a.

• Allows employers to pay tipped employees less than minimum wage if tips combined with base wages equal or exceed the minimum wage threshold.

• Requires the director of commerce to annually adjust the minimum wage rate according to constitutional provisions and to update and post wage information on the department website.

• Establishes comprehensive employer obligations including maintaining employee records (name, address, occupation, pay rate, hours worked, and wages paid) for three years and providing employees with employer contact information at hire.

• Creates enforcement mechanisms allowing employees, interested parties, and the state to file complaints, with damages calculated as double back wages plus additional penalties for retaliation violations, and allows civil actions within three years of violation.