Bill to require drivers to identify themselves at traffic stops sent to DeWine for approval

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A measure that would criminalize refusal to disclose personal, identifiable accusation to constabulary officers during a postulation extremity has been sent to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for his approval.

The Senate approved nan legislation, House Bill 492, past week conscionable earlier recessing for nan summer. The connection cleared nan Ohio House successful November 2025.

The measure would create penalties for refusing to supply name, reside and day of commencement during a postulation extremity for some drivers and passengers. Withholding specified accusation tin beryllium punishable arsenic a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which tin lead to 30 days successful jailhouse and a good of up to $250.

Legislation already existed that penalized interferences pinch an serviceman conducting a postulation stop. HB 492, however, expands nan punishment from a insignificant misdemeanor into a second-degree misdemeanor. A second-degree misdemeanor could consequence successful being jailed for up to 90 days and a good of up to $750.

Critics of nan measure reason that much terrible penalties are disproportionate to nan scope of nan offenses.

“This expansive broadening intends that interference pinch an serviceman during enforcement of moreover a insignificant aliases regular non-moving violation, specified arsenic a faulty taillight aliases lapsed registration, could now trigger a superior obstruction charge,” wrote Zachary Miller, a legislative serviceman for nan Office of nan Ohio Public Defender, successful force testimony.

Supporters of nan measure opportunity that nan measure provides basal model for rule enforcement to travel during postulation stops.

“This targeted change, accompanied by an due penalty, will thief promote drivers and occupants to beryllium voluntary partners successful nationalist safety,” wrote Col. Charles A. Jones of nan State Highway Patrol successful proponent testimony.

Ohio courts person found that refusing to divulge personality accusation to officers during a postulation extremity is not an obstruction of charismatic business, nan complaint officers typically trust connected successful those situations. In Toledo v. Dandridge (2013), nan Sixth District Court of Appeals recovered that a driver’s denial to supply a driver’s licence did not obstruct charismatic business, arsenic it was not an overt “affirmative action”.

While HB 492 would require drivers and passengers to place themselves astatine a postulation stop, nan measure clarifies that location is nary request to reply immoderate different questions beyond name, day of commencement aliases address.