Targeting the issue of wage theft in Ohio, Sen. Sue Morano (D-Lorain) introduced the Wage Protection Act (SB 212) in the Ohio Senate on Nov. 19. 

"Wage theft is a very real problem across the nation and here in Ohio," said Sen. Morano. "Too many hard working Ohioans are being cheated out of the wages they've earned. This legislation affirms Ohio's commitment to protecting workers."

In short, SB 212 would expand the Department of Commerce's enforcement abilities, permitting the investigation of non-minimum-wage complaints. Aside from pursuing often cost-prohibitive civil actions, employees who earn more than the minimum wage cannot file complaints for the full amount of their unpaid wages. Ohio is one of only 5 states that still doesn't investigate unpaid wages above the minimum wage.

Representatives of labor and faith communities joined Sen. Morano, who is herself a member of SEIU 1199, at the conference. She also introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, urging Congress to pass the Wage Theft Prevention Act (HR3303). HR 3303 would ensure that delays in investigating wage theft don't result in a permanent loss of a workers' back pay.