Paycheck Freedom Gets Attention of House Labor Panel

State Rep. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake) will urge colleagues to support his Paycheck Freedom Act—House Bill 253—before the House Commerce, Labor and Technology Committee this afternoon. The bill would ensure Ohio workers have the freedom to choose their preferred from of compensation. Some businesses currently pay their workers with ATM-like debit cards that can generate latent fees and surcharges.

“Ohioans should have the freedom to choose how they receive their hard-earned wages,” said Rep. Rogers. “People should be able to decide how they budget and spend their wages without worrying about hidden fees. Many Ohioans cannot afford to lose more take-home pay.”

The Paycheck Freedom Act would ensure that workers have the ability to receive payment via direct deposit, standard paper check, or paycheck card by requiring that employers offer at least one alternative to paycheck debit cards. Eleven other legislators are cosponsors of HB 253, including four representatives from the Northeast Ohio area.

Numerous states have passed legislation addressing payroll debit cards including, Colo., Del., Kan., Maine, Md., Mich., Minn., Nev., N. H., N. J., N. D., Okla., Va., and W. Va.