NEWS: Ohio Legislature Passes House Bill 29, Ending Driver’s License Suspensions for Unpaid Fines and Fees for Minor Traffic Infractions

Over 1.5 million Ohioans have their licenses suspended each year for debt-based reasons

Columbus, OH (December 19, 2024) — The Ohio Legislature yesterday overwhelmingly voted to pass House Bill 29, a bipartisan initiative to eliminate barriers to Ohioans by reforming the state’s driver’s license suspension policies. The bill removes the ability to suspend driver’s licenses for failure to pay fines and fees for minor traffic infractions while maintaining enforcement mechanisms for fine and fee payment. It also retroactively reinstates licenses suspended for these debt-related reasons, which could have a hugely positive impact for Ohio’s workforce. 

More than 60 percent of Ohio’s driver’s license suspensions do not stem from bad driving; instead, they arise because the driver owes an unpaid debt. Over 1.5 million Ohioans have their licenses suspended each year for debt-related reasons, such as missed or unpaid traffic tickets. These suspensions impact hard-working Ohioans, forcing them to choose between driving on a suspended license – risking further penalties – or losing access to jobs, childcare, and healthcare. The Cleveland Federal Reserve notes that the workforce could shrink by over 830,000 individuals if only half of affected Ohioans comply with their suspensions and stop driving to work.

“Suspending someone’s driver’s license for reasons unrelated to safety or driving severely limits their ability to provide for their families, businesses and Ohio’s economy,” said Lauren Krisai, Executive Director of Justice Action Network. “House Bill 29 is a monumental bill that will benefit Ohio workers, employers, and communities.” 

The final version of House Bill 29 that passed both chambers contained language originally in the bipartisan Senate Bill 37 introduced by Republican Senator Louis Blessing III and Democratic Senator Catherine Ingram. That bill was the product of nearly two years of work by the sponsors and Senate Judiciary Chairman, Nathan Manning, who worked to find consensus in his committee. 

“I want to thank Senators Blessing, Ingram, and Manning for their tenacious leadership to get this bill across the finish line,” Krisai continued. “I also want to thank the sponsors of House Bill 29, Representatives Latyna Humphrey and Darnell Brewer, for their leadership on this issue. This is a win for the state of Ohio and will change hundreds of thousands of lives.”

House Bill 29 provides license reinstatement for those currently affected, offering immediate and long-term benefits to Ohio families and businesses. The bill now awaits signature from Governor DeWine.