Noncompete Bans – Next Up: Ohio

This month, Ohio joined the list of states with pending legislation to ban noncompetes.* With the FTC noncompete ban blocked on a nationwide basis last year, Ohio lawmakers introduced a bill on February 5, 2025, that would ban noncompete contracts as a condition of employment in the state. If enacted as written, Ohio would become the fifth state with such a ban, following California, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma.

Ohio S.B. No. 11 seeks to prohibit employers from entering into, attempting to enter into, presenting or attempting to enforce an agreement that prohibits or penalizes a "worker" for competing. The law defines "employer" as anyone "who hires or contracts with a worker to perform services for the person." "Worker" is defined very broadly to include employees, independent contractors, externs, interns, volunteers, and apprentices.