The Autism DadHB 225
Phase out subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities
Here is what HB 225 does, in plain language, and the lawmakers deciding it right now. Read it, then make your voice heard in about five minutes.
The basics
✓ Reviewed by The Autism Dad, June 9, 2026
Ohio House Bill 225, called the Ohio Employment First and Greater Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act, would phase out the subminimum wage in Ohio. Currently, Ohio law allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the standard minimum wage through a special license system. This bill would stop the state from issuing new subminimum wage licenses or renewing existing ones starting 90 days after the bill becomes law, eventually ending the practice entirely. The bill also creates a new tax credit for people or businesses that buy goods or services from certain nonprofit organizations that employ people with disabilities, pay at least minimum wage, and offer health insurance support. To qualify, a nonprofit must have at least 20 percent of its workforce be people with disabilities working in an integrated setting alongside workers without disabilities.
What this could mean for your familyThe concerns being raised
The concerns being raised
- The concern being raised is that ending the subminimum wage could cause some sheltered workshops and nonprofit programs to close or reduce staff, which might leave some people with significant support needs without a structured place to work or spend their day.
- The concern being raised is that moving to competitive, integrated employment may not come with enough funding for the job coaching, transportation, and other supports that some people with disabilities need to succeed in a new workplace.
- The concern being raised is that the tax credit cap of eight million dollars per year statewide may not be large enough to encourage many businesses to buy from qualifying nonprofits, limiting the financial benefit those nonprofits receive to help offset the cost of paying full minimum wage.
- The concern being raised is that family caregivers and the people they care for may face uncertainty during the transition period if existing programs lose funding or certification before new integrated employment options are fully available.
- The concern being raised is that the requirement for a nonprofit to employ at least 20 percent workers with disabilities in an integrated setting to qualify for the tax credit program may be difficult for some smaller organizations to meet, potentially excluding them from the benefit.
In The News/Updates
The state doesn't update its public site in real time, so official information from the legislature can be delayed. Here's what's being reported in the media.
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Take action in 5 minutes
These are starting drafts. Read them, make them yours, and double-check before you send or call. You're the one speaking. The bill summary is AI-assisted, so verify anything important against the bill itself.
Email the committee
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Your email
Dear Legislator, I'm an Ohio constituent and I'm writing about HB 225, Phase out subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities. I'm following this bill closely. As the Commerce and Labor Committee considers it, I want to be sure the concerns families like mine are raising are heard. [Add a sentence or two about why this matters to your family.] We are paying attention, we vote, and in November we will not forget how you voted on this. Thank you for your time, [Your name] [Your street address] [City], OH [ZIP] [Your email or phone]
Subject
Constituent message about HB 225, Phase out subminimum wage for individuals with disabilitiesSend to (paste into BCC)
rep29@ohiohouse.gov, rep18@ohiohouse.gov, rep68@ohiohouse.gov, rep40@ohiohouse.gov, rep59@ohiohouse.gov, rep81@ohiohouse.gov, rep92@ohiohouse.gov, rep50@ohiohouse.gov, rep61@ohiohouse.gov, rep58@ohiohouse.gov, rep90@ohiohouse.gov, rep13@ohiohouse.gov, rep41@ohiohouse.govFills the [brackets] in the email and call script. These fields stay in your browser and are never sent to us. The email above updates as you type.
Start with the leadership
These 3 decide whether HB 225 gets a vote or a substitute.
The Chair, Vice Chair, and Ranking Member control scheduling and what the committee votes on. Start here, then reach the rest below.
Who you are contacting
Everyone on the committee is included by default. Open this only if you want to leave someone out.
Call (it counts even more)
Use the script. Start with the leaders.
Phone script
Hi, my name is [your name] and I'm a constituent. I'm calling about HB 225 (Phase out subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities). I want to make sure you hear the concerns families are raising about it as it moves through committee. Thank you.
Call list (leaders first)
Chair, Mark Johnson (R-92): (614) 644-7928
Vice Chair, Beth Lear (R-61): (614) 466-1431
Ranking Member, Lauren McNally (D-58): (614) 466-9435
Cindy Abrams (R-29): (614) 466-9091
Juanita O. Brent (D-18): (614) 466-1408
Thaddeus J. Claggett (R-68): (614) 466-1482
Rodney Creech (R-40): (614) 466-2960
Tex Fischer (R-59): (614) 466-6107
James M. Hoops (R-81): (614) 466-3760
Matthew Kishman (R-50): (614) 466-9078
Justin Pizzulli (R-90): (614) 466-2124
Tristan Rader (D-13): (614) 466-5921
Erika White (D-41): (614) 466-1731Also contact your own reps
Your own legislators weigh constituents most. Add them without leaving this page.
Your address is used once to find your districts and is not stored. It goes to the U.S. Census geocoder to match your address to a district.
Spread the word
Post it and tag other Ohio parents.
Facebook / social post
OHIO FAMILIES: HB 225 (Phase out subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities) is in the Commerce and Labor Committee. These are the lawmakers deciding it right now. Make sure they hear from you.
START WITH THESE:
Chair, Mark Johnson (R-92): (614) 644-7928
Vice Chair, Beth Lear (R-61): (614) 466-1431
Ranking Member, Lauren McNally (D-58): (614) 466-9435
THEN CALL THE REST:
Cindy Abrams (R-29): (614) 466-9091
Juanita O. Brent (D-18): (614) 466-1408
Thaddeus J. Claggett (R-68): (614) 466-1482
Rodney Creech (R-40): (614) 466-2960
Tex Fischer (R-59): (614) 466-6107
James M. Hoops (R-81): (614) 466-3760
Matthew Kishman (R-50): (614) 466-9078
Justin Pizzulli (R-90): (614) 466-2124
Tristan Rader (D-13): (614) 466-5921
Erika White (D-41): (614) 466-1731
No time to call them all? Call three. Then share this and tag every Ohio parent you know.
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