As Introduced
136th General Assembly
Regular Session H. B. No. 180
2025-2026
Representatives Klopfenstein, Rogers
Cosponsors: Representatives Glassburn, Thomas, D., Daniels, Hiner, Williams,
Cockley, Newman
A B I L L
To enact section 3501.281 of the Revised Code to
prohibit adverse employment actions against
employees who are absent from work while serving
as, or training to be, precinct election
officials.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That section 3501.281 of the Revised Code be
enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 3501.281. (A) Except as provided in division (B) of
this section, no employer shall discharge, threaten to
discharge, or take any disciplinary action that could lead to
the discharge of any permanent employee who is absent from work
for either of the following reasons:
(1) The employee serves as a precinct election official
under section 3501.22 of the Revised Code.
(2) The employee attends a training program described in
section 3501.27 of the Revised Code that must be successfully
completed by the employee to perform the duties of an election
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17 H. B. No. 180 Page 2
As Introduced
official.
(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply unless the
employee satisfies both of the following conditions:
(1) Before serving as a precinct election official or
attending a training program to perform the duties of an
election official, the employee provides reasonable notice to
the employee's employer that the employee will be serving as an
official or attending the training program.
(2) The employee is absent from employment because of the
actual service or training program.
(C) No employer shall require an employee to use annual,
vacation, or sick leave for time spent serving as a precinct
election official or attending a training program to perform the
duties of an election official. This section does not require an
employer to provide annual, vacation, or sick leave to an
employee. An employee who is entitled to annual, vacation, or
sick leave under another law, ordinance, or resolution or the
employer's policy may use that leave in accordance with the law,
ordinance, resolution, or policy.
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