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House Commerce and Labor Committee advances bill allowing Ohio employers to post labor notices online
Summary
The House Commerce and Labor Committee heard sponsor testimony and approved motions advancing Senate Bill 33, which would allow Ohio employers to make statutorily required labor-law notices available online as an alternative to physical posting. The panel tabled two member amendments and favorably reported the bill to the full House.
The House Commerce and Labor Committee advanced Senate Bill 33 on a party-line procedural vote after sponsor testimony and questions from members.
Senator Wilson, a sponsor of the measure, told the committee Senate Bill 33 “is a simple, straightforward bill” that would permit — but not require — Ohio employers to make statutorily required labor-law notices available via the Internet rather than only by posting them at a physical workplace.
The bill does not change the required content of the notices, Wilson said. He noted that the director of the Ohio Department of Commerce is already required under current law to publish those notices on the department’s website and to update them annually; SB 33 would make online posting an optional, permissible method of providing employees access to the same notices.
Committee members pressed the sponsor on several practical issues, including how the change would affect remote and hybrid workers and how employers would demonstrate employees had actual access to the notices. Representative Rader asked whether any current Ohio law prevents employers from posting the notices online today; Wilson replied that employers may already post notices online in addition to having a physical poster, and that the bill would allow the online option to satisfy the posting requirement.
Several members proposed amendments to set minimum accessibility standards while an employer transitions to online posting. Ranking Member McNally offered amendment 136-0327 (a one-click/accessibility requirement) and later amendment 136-0371 (which would require employers to keep physical posters until the online version was fully available and employees had been notified). Vice Chair Lear moved to lay both amendments on the table; the committee voted to table the first amendment by a roll call (yes 9, no 3) and tabled the second amendment by roll call (yes 8, no 4). The committee ultimately voted to favorably report SB 33 to the full House by roll call (yes 11, no 2).
Witnesses and business groups who testified in support said the bill modernizes posting requirements to reflect remote work and mobile access. Kevin (representing the Ohio Chamber) described SB 33 as part of a series of post-pandemic updates to Ohio law and told members he found few enforcement actions that relied solely on poster violations; he said poster claims typically accompany other alleged employment-law violations.
Supporters and several committee members emphasized the bill leaves enforcement mechanisms unchanged — workers who believe their rights are violated would still pursue the same complaint processes — and that employers remain responsible for ensuring employees can access the notices. Opponents and members seeking amendments said they were concerned bad actors could bury notices on employee portals or intranets and that some specification of access (for example, limiting the number of clicks or requiring notice to employees) would protect workers.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to table amendment 136-0327 (one-click access): Passed by roll call, yes 9, no 3. Movers: Ranking Member McNally (offered amendment); Vice Chair Lear moved to lay on the table. Vote record captured in committee roll call.
- Motion to table amendment 136-0371 (physical poster remains until online notice live and employees notified): Passed by roll call, yes 8, no 4. Vice Chair Lear moved to lay on the table.
- Motion to favorably report Senate Bill 33 to the House: Passed by roll call, yes 11, no 2.
Where it stands
The committee’s favorable report sends SB 33 to the full House for further consideration. The bill, as presented, would allow employers to choose online posting as an alternative to physical workplace posters but would not abolish the underlying obligation that employees have access to the required notices.
The committee hearing included extended discussion but no final floor action on the content amendments; members who expressed concern said they intend to press for accessibility safeguards as the bill moves forward.
