Ohio bill would boost penalties for motorists under these conditions

AI-assisted summary

Ohio House Bill 492 would increase the penalty for motorists who refuse to identify themselves during a traffic stop.

The proposed legislation would change the offense from an unclassified misdemeanor to a fourth-degree misdemeanor, allowing for jail time and fingerprinting.

Supporters argue the bill enhances officer safety, while opponents believe it creates unnecessary penalties and erodes public trust.

Motorists can face a fine if they refuse to identify themselves to police during traffic stops in Ohio.

Now, two state lawmakers want to bump up the penalty to include potential jail time for not cooperating.

Reps. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, and Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, have introduced House Bill 492 , which would modify the current law to require motorists to d