COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Some Ohioans who have suspended driver's licenses will soon be getting their suspensions lifted due to a new law passed during the previous legislative session.
The law, which goes into effect on April 9, will end the practice of suspending driver's licenses for failure to pay court fines or fees, along with some other minor offenses. The law does not apply to any "drug abuse offense" in which a vehicle was used "to further the commission of the offense."
The Ohio Legislature passed HB 29 in December by a vote of 31-0 in the Senate and 84-6 in the House. The bill was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine in January.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio applauded the law, which makes Ohio the 25th state to shift away from debt-related penalties.
Ohio higher education bill one step closer to law"House Bill 29 is smart, practical policy that will enable Ohioans to reinstate their licenses, drive to work, take their children to school, and participate more fully in their communities," ACLU of Ohio Policy Council Patrick Higgins said in a statement. "A person's ability to pay should not determine whether they are free to drive. We thank lawmakers for passing this legislation and are grateful that Governor DeWine signed it into law."
In addition to no longer suspending licenses for unpaid fines or fees, any person whose driver's license or motor vehicle registration was suspended before the law was passed will be allowed to have their license reinstated, unless it was also suspended for another offense.
Ohio attorney general backs Trump order ending birthright citizenshipThe law also allows those who have had their license suspended for being in default on child support payments to prove that a suspended license prevents them from making the payments and they could be granted "limited driving privileges."
A 2022 report from the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland found that 60% of driver's licenses suspended in Ohio were suspended due to reasons not related to driving.
"These 'debt-related suspensions' trap people with limited means in an impossible cycle: They cannot afford the required payments, so they need to work to earn money, but they don't have a valid driver's license, so they cannot get to work, thus they cannot make the payments to get a valid driver's license," the organization said.
Columbus City Schools bars religious release organizations from giving out candy, trinketsWithin 30 days of the law going into effect, impacted individuals will be notified and provided instructions on how to get their license reinstated. No fees can be charged for reinstatement, but individuals may still be required to pay if their license was suspended for another reason.
"This bill takes a significant step to giving more people a chance to work, which also provides businesses with an expanded pool of workers," Towards Employment CEO Jill Rizika said in a statement. "Our community -- businesses, workers and families -- benefit when more people have more opportunity to participate in Ohio's economy, earning the money necessary to resolve existing debt and build careers."
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