Prohibit post-employment agreements restraining future work

This bill prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that restrict their ability to work for other companies or start their own businesses after leaving a job. It specifically bans clauses that prevent workers from seeking new employment, penalize them for quitting, or force them to pay fees for terminating their relationship with an employer. The law also prevents employers from forcing workers to resolve legal disputes outside of Ohio or depriving them of state legal protections, unless the worker has their own independent legal counsel. Violations of these rules can result in civil lawsuits where workers may recover actual damages, up to $5,000 in punitive damages, and legal fees, and the state attorney general or director of commerce can investigate complaints on their behalf.