Ohio legislators propose limits on healthcare worker noncompete clauses

The issue of non-compete clauses for doctors and other highly skilled healthcare workers is under scrutiny by the Ohio legislature, where two bills aimed at addressing it have been introduced (Source: “Rural Ohio hospitals feel brunt of noncompete clauses as legislators eye ban,” Columbus Dispatch, May 15).
 
Last year, retired physician and state Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, introduced a bill that would limit noncompete clauses in healthcare contracts.
 
The legislation would ban nonprofit hospitals from enforcing noncompete clauses more severe than banning employment with a competitor for six months within a 15-mile radius. An employee is allowed to bring a civil action against a hospital if they believe these terms, should they become law, are being violated.
 
Sens. Louis Blessing (R-Colerain) and Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) also introduced a more general noncompete ban to the Ohio Senate in 2025.
 
Both bills have had several hearings in their respective committees.