Minimum Wage Increase
Ohio’s minimum wage has officially risen to $11.00 per hour for non-tipped employees—up from $10.70. Tipped workers will now earn $5.50 per hour, a 30-cent increase. The adjustment follows a 2006 constitutional amendment tying wage hikes to inflation. The Ohio Department of Commerce said the annual bump helps ensure that pay keeps pace with rising costs of living. More than 600,000 workers are expected to benefit from the new rate.
New Rules on School Cellphones
Students across Ohio will also face new boundaries around cellphone use during the school day. A statewide policy now requires each public district to establish formal cellphone restrictions—though it stops short of a total ban. Lawmakers behind the measure cited growing concerns over classroom distractions, cyberbullying, and mental health. Districts have flexibility in implementation, but all must submit their policies to the state by summer.
“Avery’s Law” Targets Dangerous Dogs
Another major law taking effect, House Bill 247, widely known as **“Avery’s Law,”** strengthens accountability for owners of dangerous dogs. The law, named after a young survivor of a severe dog attack, imposes tougher penalties—including potential felony charges—for owners and shelters that fail to control or report aggressive animals. Supporters say it closes loopholes in existing animal control statutes and strengthens public safety protections statewide.
Standardizing School Narcan Use
In response to the ongoing opioid crisis, schools that choose to stock naloxone (Narcan) must now comply with uniform rules governing its storage, staff training, and emergency notification procedures. Though not mandatory, the new protocol—developed in coordination with the Ohio Department of Health—aims to ensure that any school ready to respond to an overdose does so safely and consistently.
As Ohio ushers in 2026, lawmakers say these reforms reflect a continued focus on public safety, education, and economic resilience—three themes likely to dominate state policy debates in the year ahead.