Ohio Senate drops controversial undocumented worker budget provision

The Ohio Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee on Tuesday eliminated a controversial provision of the state’s workers compensation budget bill that would have denied benefits for undocumented workers, according to the latest draft of H.B. 27.

The state’s House of Representatives passed the bill with a 65-29 vote in May with the amendment included, despite outrage from Democrats.

Proponents at the time argued in the press that undocumented workers cost businesses money in comp costs and that benefits should not be allotted to those working in the United States illegally. However, opponents countered that the provision would incent employers to hire undocumented workers because they would not have to pay comp benefits in the event of an injury.

The budget bill now heads to the full Senate for a vote.