Bill > SB331

This bill establishes a new provision in Ohio law that allows certain public employees working in hospitality-related roles at publicly owned facilities to accept gratuities (tips) in addition to their regular compensation. The bill defines "public hospitality employees" as those working in specific types of public facilities, including parks, recreational camps, public swimming pools, publicly owned golf courses, publicly owned hotels, theaters, entertainment venues, marine facilities, retail establishments within public facilities, and food service operations in public facilities. The legislation explicitly permits these employees to receive tips for services performed during their public employment, and it prohibits public agencies from using these gratuities to reduce the employee's base wage or from paying them less than other employees in similar positions. Furthermore, the bill specifies that accepted gratuities will be considered as earnable salary for purposes of pension and retirement calculations. This bill aims to provide additional compensation opportunities for public sector employees in customer-facing hospitality roles, recognizing the service-oriented nature of their work.

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https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sb331