The enabling legislation (Am. Sub. H. B. 690,) which awaits the Governor's signature, focuses on two issues (1) limited access to payroll records and (2) adoption of Federal Fair Labor Standards Act exemptions and definitions for purposes of the minimum wage.
Currently, the Ohio minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. Beginning January 1, 2007, with several exceptions, every employer in Ohio must pay its employees at least $6.85 per hour. This amount will automatically increase annually by the rate of inflation beginning on January 1, 2008, and rounded to the nearest five cents.
Originally there was concern the constitutional amendment would put an unlimited recordkeeping and disclosure burden on the employer. Although a certain degree of both are required, the clarification bill contains several employer friendly provisions.
The implementation bill (Am. Sub. H. B. 690) may be viewed in its entirety via the web at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/. We can also fax (sorry no mail or email) a very nice summary of the legislation as prepared by the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants. Simply email Gary King at gking@oaba.net or call the OABA office at (614) 326-7520.