COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Democratic State Representative Lauren McNally introduced new legislation to draw clear distinctions between full-time employees and independent contractors.

This legislation aims to address the improper categorization of employees. Certain protections like minimum wage and overtime are given to full-time employees, but not to independent contractors.

According to a press release, there have been multiple legal battles on how workers for companies like ride-sharing, food delivery and package delivery services are classified, with varying results.

If passed, this legislation would codify the U.S. Department of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act "economic reality test" into the Ohio Revised Code. The Department of Labor created these new rules in 2024, replacing previous rules from 2021.

"Adding this test to the ORC is one way we can make sure that employees are not being taken advantage of. We want people to be properly classified in their positions so that they can get the benefits that they deserve," McNally said in the release.

This legislation is currently awaiting a bill number and committee assignment.