Ohio House Passes Legislation to Update Motor Vehicle-Related Laws

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) and Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) are pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives this week passed legislation that would modify current law to require motor-vehicle drivers to disclose their name, address, and date of birth to a police officer on request when stopped for a Title 45 violation. 

House Bill 492, sponsored by Ray and Abrams, aims to provide law enforcement officers the tools to identify potentially dangerous individuals during a traffic stops, resulting in increased safety for officers and communities.

The legislation would also expand the offense of interfering with an arrest, increasing the penalty to a second-degree misdemeanor.

“When someone intentionally withholds their identity, there may be a more serious reason at hand that the officers can’t identify thus creating unwanted tension on both sides,” said Ray. “House Bill 492 will make sure basic cooperation during traffic stops is the norm, not the exception.”

“Our law enforcement face risk each day they put their uniform on and start their shift. Traffic stops are some of the most dangerous situations for our police,” said Abrams. “House Bill 492 provides our law enforcement with an extra tool in the toolbox as they work to keep our communities safe.”

House Bill 492 now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.