Ohio Legislative Update

Recently, two bills have been introduced in the Ohio Senate regarding labor and employment law relations.

S.B. 31, introduced 2/10/09 by Senator Thomas F. Patton (R-Strongsville), would create a testimonial privilege for communications between a representative of an employee organization and a bargaining unit member. The bill would apply only if the communication was made while the employee organization representative was acting in a representative capacity. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Civil Justice Committee.

S.B. 34, introduced 2/10/09 by Senator Dale Miller (D-Cleveland), and co-sponsored by five others, would require the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to create a health insurance program that permits municipalities, employers of less than 500 employees, and nonprofit organizations to purchase for their employees the same policies provided to state employees. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Insurance, Commerce, & Labor Committee.