COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a legislative push that could shift the career trajectories for many Ohioans, state lawmakers are moving to ban noncompete clauses that have long shackled employees to specific employers and limited their future employment opportunities. The proposal, Senate Bill 11, sponsored by State Senator Louis Blessing III, State Senator William DeMora, seeks to outlaw any employer from enforcing non-competent employment clauses.
This Ohio bill comes on the heels of a failed attempt by the Federal Trade Commission last year to enact a nationwide ban on these clauses—a move that was ultimately stymied by federal courts. Under the proposed Ohio law, any agreements that restrict employees from moving freely between jobs or that penalize them for leaving their current positions would be null and void. This includes prohibitions on working in certain geographic areas, in specific industries, or for competing firms within a designated time frame after leaving a job.
The bill doesn’t just tackle future contracts; it also lays down legal pathways for workers to challenge noncompetes already in effect. Additionally, the proposed legislation aims to protect workers from any retaliation or costs that employers might impose as a punishment for leaving, such as demanding reimbursement for training or other orientation services.
With this legislation, Ohio is setting the stage for a significant overhaul in employment contracts that could lead to a more dynamic and employee-friendly labor market. The bill’s fate now rests in the Judiciary Committee, where it was referred after being introduced. If passed, it could represent a landmark shift in employment rights, providing Ohio workers with freedom to navigate their careers without the fear of legal repercussions from past employers.
The full legislative text can be viewed here: