Representatives Ray, Abrams Introduce Legislation Regarding Motor Vehicle-Related Laws

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) and Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) recently introduced House Bill 492 – legislation that would modify current law to require motor-vehicle drivers to disclose their name, address, and date of birth to a police officer on request. 

“If someone fails to identify themselves at a traffic stop the charge is an unclassified misdemeanor, which is a fine-only offense,” said Ray. “By enacting House Bill 492 and changing it to a misdemeanor of the fourth degree it carries a possibility of a maximum of 30 days in jail and more importantly a fourth-degree misdemeanor gives jails the authority to fingerprint and identify the person before they are let go. In some cases, these people have warrants out for their arrests for dangerous crimes and without being able to identify them, whether at the traffic stop or the jail, there is no way to know.”

“Law enforcement across the state and nation are put in an unsafe situation during a traffic stop when some people believe that they do not need to identify themselves to law enforcement,” said Abrams. “Our law enforcement face risks each day they put their uniforms on and start their shift. House Bill 492 provides our law enforcement with an extra tool in the toolbox as they work to keep our communities safe.”

House Bill 492 would require that anyone operating a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley to disclose their name, address, or date of birth when requested by a police officer.

Representatives Ray and Abrams provided sponsor testimony this week in Public Safety Committee. You can watch the full testimony here.

House Bill 492 awaits further consideration in Committee.