H.B. 535 Summary

• Extends employment and reemployment protections to Ohio employees who are members of another state's National Guard or organized militia, applying the same rights as the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

• Defines "organized militia of another state" as the National Guard or recognized military/naval forces of any state, territory, or district other than Ohio.

• Grants employees denied reinstatement or reemployment rights a cause of action in court of common pleas (or court of claims if the state is the defendant) with the same remedies available under federal law.

• Requires courts to award court costs to prevailing plaintiffs and may award reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses to successful plaintiffs.

• Prohibits double recovery by preventing persons from receiving remedies under both state and federal law for the same facts, requiring reimbursement of the lesser remedy amount if both are received.