The Justice Action Network Applauds Adoption of Retroactivity Amendment on Ohio Driver’s License Suspension Reform Bill

Amendment to Senate Bill 37 represents a monumental shift for millions of Ohioans currently unable to drive legally to work, school due to minor traffic infractions.

Columbus, OH – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee adopted an amendment to SB 37 that would make the bill retroactive. As it stands, SB 37 would discontinue the practice of suspending a person’s driver’s license for minor infractions like the failure to pay a traffic ticket involvement, which is often the result of financial struggle. Over 1.5 million Ohioans have their licenses suspended every year for debt-related reasons like a missed traffic ticket. This amendment means that those who have had their licenses suspended for these minor infractions will have them reinstated, immediately enabling them to legally drive to work again.

Lauren Krisai, Deputy Director for Justice Action Network, which is the nation’s largest bipartisan criminal justice organization advancing data-driven solutions at both the state and federal level, released the following in response to the hearing: 

“Making the prospective changes in Senate Bill 37 retroactive today means that, upon passage, the people already impacted by license suspensions for minor infractions are not left behind. This amendment will allow millions of Ohioans to get back to providing for themselves and their families without fear of further interaction with the justice system. This is a win-win for Ohio taxpayers, Ohio working families, and Ohio businesses who need their workers to be able to get to work legally and efficiently.”

“We are grateful to Senators Blessing and Ingram for their sponsorship, to Senator Manning for his leadership on this issue in his committee, and to the full Senate Judiciary Committee for their thoughtful consideration of the ways we can make Ohio safer and economically stronger.”