❌ HB588
Apply employment portions of Civil Rights Law to unpaid interns
Summary
This bill amends sections of the Ohio Revised Code to extend the employment protections of the Ohio Civil Rights Law to unpaid interns, defining them as employees for the purposes of discrimination protections. It specifies that unpaid interns are individuals working for an employer primarily to gain knowledge or experience relevant to their career aspirations. The bill does not specify penalties or timelines for enforcement.
Rationale
The bill imposes additional government regulations on employment practices, which conflicts with the Libertarian Party's principles of minimal government intervention in labor markets and individual contracts. Both LP and LPO platforms advocate for free markets and oppose government-mandated benefits or social engineering in employment.
Risks and Concerns
- Increases government control over employment practices
- May lead to unintended consequences for unpaid internships
- Could discourage businesses from offering unpaid internships