As we welcome the new year, Ohioans will see a couple of key changes to state law starting January 1, 2025.
Minimum Wage Increase
Thanks to a constitutional amendment passed by Ohio voters in 2006, the state’s minimum wage is rising once again. For non-tipped employees working in businesses with annual gross receipts exceeding $394,000, the hourly rate will increase to $10.70, up from $10.45 in 2024. Tipped employees will see their wage rise to $5.35 per hour, up from $5.25.
Religious Expression Days for Students
The new “R.E.D. Act” allows K-12 students to take up to three days off from school each year for religious or spiritual reasons, without facing academic penalties. This absence can be used for religious holidays or organized activities under the guidance of a religious organization. School principals are prohibited from questioning the sincerity of the student’s religious beliefs, though they can verify the absence with the student’s parent or guardian.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Other significant changes are also on the horizon for later in the year:
- Bathroom Bill (Feb. 25, 2025): This law will require Ohio students to use restrooms that align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Cellphone Use in Schools (July 2025): Schools will be required to create guidelines for cellphone usage during school hours, set to be implemented in the 2025-26 school year.
These new laws reflect ongoing shifts in policy, with both immediate and future impacts on Ohio’s workforce and students.
