Ohio House Hears Testimony on Bill to Limit Employers’ COVID-19 Options

This week, the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee heard testimony on House Bill 435, the latest attempt by certain House Republicans to restrict employer options during COVID-19. As previously reported, House leaders pulled the bill from floor action last week after objections from the business community, including the OMA.

During an Oct. 6 hearing, Ross McGregor, a former state representative and president and owner of Pentaflex Inc., testified on behalf of the OMA to oppose the legislation. (Watch McGregor’s testimony beginning at the 3:05 mark.) He said the bill would impose the state’s will on the operation of private businesses — and that HB 435’s “gaping exemptions” would make an employer’s decisions meaningless.

“Employers are in the best position to decide what measures make the most sense to protect their companies, not the government,” McGregor said.

Meanwhile, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) this week told news media that he was reluctant to dictate vaccine policies to private employers. 10/7/2021