To amend sections 4109.08, 4109.13, and 4109.99 of the Revised Code to enact the Clock Out Kids Act to require school employees to report certain minor labor law violations, to increase penalties for certain minor labor law violations, and to create the Minor Labor Law Enforcement Fund; and to make an appropriation.
HB 150, known as the Clock Out Kids Act, would amend Ohio’s minor labor laws to add a new reporting requirement for school employees and strengthen enforcement and penalties for violations involving minors. Under the bill, a school employee who knows or reasonably suspects that a student under 16 is working in violation of the state’s child labor restrictions must report that information to the school principal or designee, and the principal or designee must then report it to the Director of Commerce. The bill also clarifies existing employer obligations to keep records of minor employees and prohibits false statements made to help a minor obtain employment, including electronically submitted falsified forms.
The bill increases penalties for certain child labor violations, including a new $50,000 fine for an employer who knowingly violates the law governing prohibited employment of minors, with separate fines for each minor employed in violation. It also creates the Minor Labor Law Enforcement Fund in the state treasury, funded by certain fines, and appropriates $150,000 in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027, along with a $300,000 transfer from the General Revenue Fund, to support enforcement staffing at the Department of Commerce. The bill would amend sections 4109.08, 4109.13, and 4109.99 of the Revised Code and repeal the existing versions of those sections.
The bill’s impact on state law is to expand the enforcement structure for Ohio’s child labor provisions, add a mandatory school-based reporting channel, and significantly raise financial consequences for employers who violate minor labor rules. It would also direct fine revenue into a dedicated enforcement fund rather than solely to local school districts in some cases, while preserving some existing fine distribution rules for other violations. In practical terms, the measure would give the Department of Commerce more resources and a clearer enforcement role in monitoring child labor compliance.
Because the bill was only introduced and had not advanced to a recorded vote, there is no formal voting history or committee vote sentiment available. The bill’s title and structure suggest a protective, enforcement-focused approach that is likely to be viewed favorably by supporters concerned about child labor abuses. At the same time, the mandatory reporting requirement for school employees and the steep new penalties for employers could draw concern from school administrators, employers, and business groups over reporting burdens, due process, and the size of the fines.
The main points of contention are likely to center on whether school staff should be required to report suspected violations, how broadly “reasonable suspicion” may be applied, and whether the $50,000 penalty is proportionate. Supporters are likely to emphasize stronger child labor protections and better enforcement capacity, while opponents may argue that the bill creates new compliance obligations and punitive penalties that could be difficult for employers and schools to administer.
HB 150 would amend Ohio Revised Code sections 4109.08, 4109.13, and 4109.99 governing the employment of minors. It would add a mandatory reporting duty for school employees, expand the enforcement role of the Department of Commerce, increase penalties for certain child labor violations, and create a dedicated Minor Labor Law Enforcement Fund supported by fines and state appropriations. The bill would also appropriate $150,000 in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and transfer $300,000 from the General Revenue Fund to support enforcement staffing and administration.
There is no recorded committee vote or floor vote in the provided materials, so formal sentiment cannot be measured from voting history. The bill’s framing as the Clock Out Kids Act and its focus on child labor enforcement suggest generally supportive intent among sponsors and cosponsors. The likely overall tone is protective of minors and enforcement-oriented, though the absence of debate transcripts means no direct evidence of opposition or amendment support is available.
The likely areas of contention are the new obligation for school employees to report suspected child labor violations, the use of a “reasonable suspicion” standard, and the severity of the new $50,000 fine for knowingly violating the child labor law. Employers and business interests may object to the increased penalties and expanded enforcement, while school officials may be concerned about administrative burden and the scope of their reporting responsibilities. Supporters, by contrast, are likely to argue that stronger reporting and penalties are necessary to deter exploitation of minors and improve compliance.