Proposed License Suspension Amendment Targets “Worst of the Worst”

A new Ohio bill aims to change the current driver’s license suspension
rule to further crack down on the most severe drunk driving offenders.

Reps. Nan Baker (R-Westlake) and Nathan Manning (R-Ridgeville) are co-sponsoring
House Bill 300, legislation that would make Ohio’s driver’s
license suspension rule more strict for the “worst of the worst”
drunk driving offenders. The proposal just passed through its first Senate
committee hearing.

HB 300, if it became law, would accomplish two things:

1. Offenders convicted of OVI-related
   aggravated vehicular homicide would have their license suspension period start AFTER release from prison,
   rather than start while they are still in prison. (The court still has
   authority to modify the length of suspension for reasons such as occupation,
   medical reasons, etc.)
2. Clarifies Ohio’s existing driver’s license suspension law by
   defining the difference between misdemeanor license suspension and felony
   license suspension.

Anyone convicted of OVI-related aggravated vehicular homicide must meet
all requirements of the law if they wish to modify or terminate their
driver’s license suspension. These individuals would also wait a
minimum of 15 years before they can seek to modify or terminate suspension.

Last year, HB 300 cleared the House by a vote of 92-0. You can
view the full text of the bill here.