Ohio bill requiring identification during traffic stops heads to DeWine

Ohio lawmakers have approved legislation requiring drivers and passengers to provide basic identifying information to law enforcement officers during certain traffic-related investigations, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine for consideration.

House Bill 492 passed both chambers of the General Assembly and would require motorists and passengers to disclose their name, address and date of birth when requested by a peace officer who reasonably suspects they committed a violation of Ohio’s motor vehicle laws.

The measure, sponsored by state Reps. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, and Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, also expands Ohio’s prohibition against interfering with an arrest by applying it to all motor vehicle-related laws contained in Title XLV of the Ohio Revised Code.

Supporters said the legislation gives officers an additional tool during traffic stops and other encounters involving suspected violations of Ohio’s motor vehicle laws.

“House Bill 492 will make the roads safer for both law enforcement and drivers,” Ray said in a statement following Senate passage of the bill. “I am thankful both chambers moved this bill quickly and look forward to the Governor signing it into law.”

Abrams said traffic stops remain among the most dangerous calls officers face.

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

Under the legislation, operators and passengers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, watercraft, aircraft, snowmobiles and several other vehicle types would be required to provide their name, address and date of birth when requested by an officer who reasonably suspects a violation of Ohio’s motor vehicle laws.

The bill specifies that people are not required to answer questions beyond providing their identifying information. It also creates an exception when age is an element of the offense being investigated.

A violation of the identification requirement would be a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The legislation also expands Ohio’s existing prohibition against interfering with an arrest. Current law applies to a narrower set of motor-vehicle offenses, while HB 492 would extend the provision to violations throughout Title XLV of the Ohio Revised Code.

The legislation received support from 22 House co-sponsors and passed the House with bipartisan support. Senate records show 24 senators voted in favor of the bill, while nine Democrats voted against it.

HB 492 now awaits DeWine’s signature before becoming law.