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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 632
2025-2026
Representative Ritter
To
amend sections 4507.01, 4507.06, 4507.13, 4507.51, and 4507.52 of the
Revised Code
to
allow a driver's license and a state identification card to indicate
that the licensee or cardholder is a Gold Star Family member.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
sections 4507.01, 4507.06, 4507.13, 4507.51, and 4507.52 of the
Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec.
4507.01.
(A)
As used in this chapter, "motor vehicle," "motorized
bicycle," "state," "owner," "operator,"
"chauffeur," and "highways" have the same
meanings as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.
"Driver's
license" means a class D license issued to any person to operate
a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle, other than a commercial motor
vehicle, and includes "probationary license," "restricted
license," "limited term license," and any operator's
or chauffeur's license issued before January 1, 1990.
"Probationary
license" means the license issued to any person between sixteen
and eighteen years of age to operate a motor vehicle.
"Restricted
license" means the license issued to any person to operate a
motor vehicle subject to conditions or restrictions imposed by the
registrar of motor vehicles.
"Commercial
driver's license" means the license issued to a person under
Chapter 4506. of the Revised Code to operate a commercial motor
vehicle.
"Commercial
motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in section 4506.01 of the
Revised Code.
"Motorcycle
operator's temporary instruction permit, license, or endorsement"
includes a temporary instruction permit, license, or endorsement for
a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter unless otherwise specified.
"Motorized
bicycle license" means the license issued under section 4511.521
of the Revised Code to any person to operate a motorized bicycle
including a "probationary motorized bicycle license."
"Probationary
motorized bicycle license" means the license issued under
section 4511.521 of the Revised Code to any person between fourteen
and sixteen years of age to operate a motorized bicycle.
"Identification
card" means a card issued under sections 4507.50 to 4507.52 of
the Revised Code.
"Resident"
means a person who, in accordance with standards prescribed in rules
adopted by the registrar, resides in this state on a permanent basis.
"Temporary
resident" means a person who, in accordance with standards
prescribed in rules adopted by the registrar, resides in this state
on a temporary basis.
"Gold
star family member" means any member of the immediate family, as
defined in section 4503.546 of the Revised Code, of a person who died
in a combat zone while a member of any branch of the armed forces of
the United States.
(B)
In the administration of this chapter and Chapter 4506. of the
Revised Code, the registrar has the same authority as is conferred on
the registrar by section 4501.02 of the Revised Code. Any act of an
authorized deputy registrar of motor vehicles under direction of the
registrar is deemed the act of the registrar.
To
carry out this chapter, the registrar shall appoint such deputy
registrars in each county as are necessary.
The
registrar also shall provide at each place where an application for a
driver's or commercial driver's license or identification card may be
made the necessary equipment to take a photograph of the applicant
for such license or card as required under section 4506.11 or 4507.06
of the Revised Code, and to conduct the vision screenings required by
section 4507.12 of the Revised Code.
The
registrar shall assign one or more deputy registrars to any driver's
license examining station operated under the supervision of the
director of public safety, whenever the registrar considers such
assignment possible. Space shall be provided in the driver's license
examining station for any such deputy registrar so assigned. The
deputy registrars shall not exercise the powers conferred by such
sections upon the registrar, unless they are specifically authorized
to exercise such powers by such sections.
(C)
No agent for any insurance company, writing automobile insurance,
shall be appointed deputy registrar, and any such appointment is
void. No deputy registrar shall in any manner solicit any form of
automobile insurance, nor in any manner advise, suggest, or influence
any licensee or applicant for license for or against any kind or type
of automobile insurance, insurance company, or agent, nor have the
deputy registrar's office directly connected with the office of any
automobile insurance agent, nor impart any information furnished by
any applicant for a license or identification card to any person,
except the registrar. This division shall not apply to any nonprofit
corporation appointed deputy registrar.
(D)
The registrar shall immediately remove a deputy registrar who
violates the requirements of this chapter.
Sec.
4507.06.
(A)(1)
Every application for a driver's license, motorcycle operator's
license or endorsement, or motor-driven cycle or motor scooter
license or endorsement, or duplicate of any such license or
endorsement, shall be made upon the approved form furnished by the
registrar of motor vehicles and shall be signed by the applicant.
Every
application shall state the following:
(a)
The applicant's name, date of birth, social security number if such
has been assigned, sex, general description, including height,
weight, color of hair, and eyes, residence address, including county
of residence, duration of residence in this state, and country of
citizenship;
(b)
Whether the applicant previously has been licensed as an operator,
chauffeur, driver, commercial driver, or motorcycle operator and, if
so, when, by what state, and whether such license is suspended or
canceled at the present time and, if so, the date of and reason for
the suspension or cancellation;
(c)
Whether the applicant is now or ever has been afflicted with
epilepsy, or whether the applicant now has any physical or mental
disability or disease and, if so, the nature and extent of the
disability or disease, giving the names and addresses of physicians,
certified nurse-midwives if authorized as described in section
4723.438 of the Revised Code, clinical nurse specialists, or
certified nurse practitioners then or previously in attendance upon
the applicant;
(d)
Whether an applicant for a duplicate driver's license, duplicate
license containing a motorcycle operator endorsement, or duplicate
license containing a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter endorsement
has pending a citation for violation of any motor vehicle law or
ordinance, a description of any such citation pending, and the date
of the citation;
(e)
If an applicant has not certified the applicant's willingness to make
an anatomical gift under section 2108.05 of the Revised Code, whether
the applicant wishes to certify willingness to make such an
anatomical gift, which shall be given no consideration in the
issuance of a license or endorsement;
(f)
Whether the applicant has executed a valid durable power of attorney
for health care pursuant to sections 1337.11 to 1337.17 of the
Revised Code or has executed a declaration governing the use or
continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining
treatment pursuant to sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code
and, if the applicant has executed either type of instrument, whether
the applicant wishes the applicant's license to indicate that the
applicant has executed the instrument;
(g)
Whether the applicant is a veteran, active duty, or reservist of the
armed forces of the United States and, if the applicant is such,
whether the applicant wishes the applicant's license to indicate that
the applicant is a veteran, active duty, or reservist of the armed
forces of the United States by a military designation on the license
;
(h)
Whether the applicant is a gold star family member and, if the
applicant is such, whether the applicant wishes the applicant's
license to indicate the gold star family symbol as described in
section 4507.13 of the Revised Code
.
(2)
Every applicant for a driver's license applying in person at a deputy
registrar office shall be photographed at the time the application
for the license is made. The application shall state any additional
information that the registrar requires.
(B)
The registrar or a deputy registrar, in accordance with section
3503.11 of the Revised Code, shall register as an elector any person
who applies for a license or endorsement under division (A) of this
section, or for a renewal or duplicate of the license or endorsement,
if the applicant is eligible and wishes to be registered as an
elector. The decision of an applicant whether to register as an
elector shall be given no consideration in the decision of whether to
issue the applicant a license or endorsement, or a renewal or
duplicate.
(C)
The registrar or a deputy registrar, in accordance with section
3503.11 of the Revised Code, shall offer the opportunity of
completing a notice of change of residence or change of name to any
applicant for a driver's license or endorsement under division (A) of
this section, or for a renewal or duplicate of the license or
endorsement, if the applicant is a registered elector who has changed
the applicant's residence or name and has not filed such a notice.
(D)
In addition to any other information it contains, the approved form
furnished by the registrar of motor vehicles for an application for a
license or endorsement or an application for a duplicate of any such
license or endorsement shall inform applicants that the applicant
must present a copy of the applicant's DD-214 or an equivalent
document in order to qualify to have the license or duplicate
indicate that the applicant is a veteran, active duty, or reservist
of the armed forces of the United States based on a request made
pursuant to division (A)(1)(g) of this section.
Sec.
4507.13.
(A)(1)
The registrar of motor vehicles shall issue a driver's license to
every person licensed as an operator of motor vehicles other than
commercial motor vehicles. No person licensed as a commercial motor
vehicle driver under Chapter 4506. of the Revised Code need procure a
driver's license, but no person shall drive any commercial motor
vehicle unless licensed as a commercial motor vehicle driver.
(2)
Every driver's license shall display all of the following
information:
(a)
The distinguishing number assigned to the licensee;
(b)
The licensee's name and date of birth;
(c)
The licensee's residence address and county of residence;
(d)
A photograph of the licensee;
(e)
A brief description of the licensee for the purpose of
identification;
(f)
A facsimile of the signature of the licensee as it appears on the
application for the license;
(g)
A notation, in a manner prescribed by the registrar, indicating any
condition described in division (D)(3) of section 4507.08 of the
Revised Code to which the licensee is subject;
(h)
If the licensee has executed a durable power of attorney for health
care or a declaration governing the use or continuation, or the
withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment and has
specified that the licensee wishes the license to indicate that the
licensee has executed either type of instrument, any symbol chosen by
the registrar to indicate that the licensee has executed either type
of instrument;
(i)
If the licensee has specified that the licensee wishes the license to
indicate that the licensee is a veteran, active duty, or reservist of
the armed forces of the United States and has presented a copy of the
licensee's DD-214 form or an equivalent document, any symbol chosen
by the registrar to indicate that the licensee is a veteran, active
duty, or reservist of the armed forces of the United States;
(j)
If the licensee is a noncitizen of the United States, a notation
designating that the licensee is a noncitizen;
(k)
If
the licensee has specified that the licensee wishes the license to
indicate that the licensee is a gold star family member and has
presented any documentation the registrar may require by rule, the
gold star family symbol. As used in this division, "gold star
family symbol" means a symbol inscribed on a license with a
folded military burial flag, with golden stars, and the words "Gold
Star Family" in a size and placement determined by the
registrar;
(l)
Any
additional information that the registrar requires by rule.
(3)
No license shall display the licensee's social security number unless
the licensee specifically requests that the licensee's social
security number be displayed on the license. If federal law requires
the licensee's social security number to be displayed on the license,
the social security number shall be displayed on the license
notwithstanding this section.
(4)
The driver's license for licensees under twenty-one years of age
shall have characteristics prescribed by the registrar distinguishing
it from that issued to a licensee who is twenty-one years of age or
older, except that a driver's license issued to a person who applies
no more than thirty days before the applicant's twenty-first birthday
shall have the characteristics of a license issued to a person who is
twenty-one years of age or older.
(5)
The limited term license issued to a temporary resident shall contain
the words "limited term" and shall have any additional
characteristics prescribed by the registrar distinguishing it from a
license issued to a resident.
(6)
Every driver's or commercial driver's license displaying a motorcycle
operator's endorsement and every restricted license to operate a
motor vehicle also shall display the designation "novice,"
if the endorsement or license is issued to a person who is eighteen
years of age or older and previously has not been licensed to operate
a motorcycle by this state or another jurisdiction recognized by this
state. The "novice" designation shall be effective for one
year after the date of issuance of the motorcycle operator's
endorsement or license.
(7)
Each license issued under this section shall be of such material and
so designed as to prevent its reproduction or alteration without
ready detection.
(B)
Except in regard to a driver's license issued to a person who applies
no more than thirty days before the applicant's twenty-first
birthday, neither the registrar nor any deputy registrar shall issue
a driver's license to anyone under twenty-one years of age that does
not have the characteristics prescribed by the registrar
distinguishing it from the driver's license issued to persons who are
twenty-one years of age or older.
(C)
The registrar shall ensure that driver's licenses issued in
accordance with the federal "Real ID Act," 49 U.S.C. 30301,
et seq., comply with the regulations specified in 6 C.F.R. part 37.
(D)
Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of a minor
misdemeanor.
Sec.
4507.51.
(A)(1)
Every application for an identification card or duplicate shall be
made on an approved form furnished by the registrar of motor vehicles
and shall be signed by the applicant. The application also shall be
signed by the applicant's parent or guardian, or by the department of
rehabilitation and correction or the department of youth services, as
applicable, if the applicant is under eighteen years of age.
Every
application shall contain the following information:
(a)
The applicant's name, date of birth, sex, general description
including the applicant's height, weight, hair color, and eye color,
address, country of citizenship, and social security number.
(b)
If an applicant has not already certified the applicant's willingness
to make an anatomical gift under section 2108.05 of the Revised Code,
whether the applicant wishes to certify willingness to make such an
anatomical gift and information about the requirements of sections
2108.01 to 2108.29 of the Revised Code that apply to persons who are
less than eighteen years of age. The statement regarding willingness
to make such a donation shall be given no consideration in the
decision of whether to issue an identification card.
(c)
Whether the applicant has executed a valid durable power of attorney
for health care pursuant to sections 1337.11 to 1337.17 of the
Revised Code or has executed a declaration governing the use or
continuation, or the withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining
treatment pursuant to sections 2133.01 to 2133.15 of the Revised Code
and, if the applicant has executed either type of instrument, whether
the applicant wishes the identification card issued to indicate that
the applicant has executed the instrument.
(d)
Whether the applicant is a veteran, active duty, or reservist of the
armed forces of the United States and, if the applicant is such,
whether the applicant wishes the identification card issued to
indicate that the applicant is a veteran, active duty, or reservist
of the armed forces of the United States by a military designation on
the identification card.
(e)
Whether the applicant is a gold star family member and, if the
applicant is such, whether the applicant wishes the applicant's
identification card to indicate the gold star family symbol as
described in section 4507.52 of the Revised Code.
(2)
Each applicant applying in person at a deputy registrar office shall
be photographed at the time of making an application.
(3)
The registrar or deputy registrar, in accordance with section 3503.11
of the Revised Code, shall register as an elector any person who
applies for an identification card or duplicate if the applicant is
eligible and wishes to be registered as an elector. The decision of
an applicant whether to register as an elector shall be given no
consideration in the decision of whether to issue the applicant an
identification card or duplicate.
(4)
The application shall be accompanied by any necessary documents, as
required by the registrar. The registrar or the deputy registrar may
authenticate the submitted documents and verify the information in
the application.
(B)(1)
Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section or section
4507.061 of the Revised Code, the application for an identification
card or duplicate shall be filed in the office of the registrar or
deputy registrar. Each applicant shall present documentary evidence
as required by the registrar of the applicant's age and identity, and
the applicant shall swear that all information given is true.
All
applications for an identification card or duplicate under this
section shall be filed in duplicate, and if submitted to a deputy
registrar, a copy shall be forwarded to the registrar. The registrar
shall prescribe rules for the manner in which a deputy registrar is
to file and maintain applications and other records. The registrar
shall maintain a suitable, indexed record of all applications denied
and cards issued or canceled.
(2)
The application for an identification card filed by either the
department of rehabilitation and correction or the department of
youth services on behalf of an individual in prison or in the
department's custody shall be submitted through the process
established by the registrar. The registrar shall establish the
process for submission of such applications and the process for
mailing the identification card to either the individual or the
applicable department.
(C)
In addition to any other information it contains, the form furnished
by the registrar of motor vehicles for an application for an
identification card or duplicate shall inform applicants that the
applicant must present a copy of the applicant's DD-214 or an
equivalent document in order to qualify to have the card or duplicate
indicate that the applicant is an honorably discharged veteran of the
armed forces of the United States based on a request made pursuant to
division (A)(2)(b) of this section.
Sec.
4507.52.
(A)(1)
Each identification card issued by the registrar of motor vehicles or
a deputy registrar shall display a distinguishing number assigned to
the cardholder, and shall display the following inscription:
"STATE
OF OHIO IDENTIFICATION CARD
This
card is not valid for the purpose of operating a motor vehicle. It is
provided solely for the purpose of establishing the identity of the
bearer described on the card."
(2)
The identification card shall display substantially the same
information as contained in the application and as described in
division (A)(1) of section 4507.51 of the Revised Code, including, if
the cardholder is a noncitizen of the United States, a notation
designating that the cardholder is a noncitizen. The identification
card shall not display the cardholder's social security number unless
the cardholder specifically requests that the cardholder's social
security number be displayed on the card. If federal law requires the
cardholder's social security number to be displayed on the
identification card, the social security number shall be displayed on
the card notwithstanding this section.
(3)
The identification card also shall display the photograph of the
cardholder.
(4)
If the cardholder has executed a durable power of attorney for health
care or a declaration governing the use or continuation, or the
withholding or withdrawal, of life-sustaining treatment and has
specified that the cardholder wishes the identification card to
indicate that the cardholder has executed either type of instrument,
the card also shall display any symbol chosen by the registrar to
indicate that the cardholder has executed either type of instrument.
(5)
If the cardholder has specified that the cardholder wishes the
identification card to indicate that the cardholder is a veteran,
active duty, or reservist of the armed forces of the United States
and has presented a copy of the cardholder's DD-214 form or an
equivalent document, the card also shall display any symbol chosen by
the registrar to indicate that the cardholder is a veteran, active
duty, or reservist of the armed forces of the United States.
(6)
The card shall be designed as to prevent its reproduction or
alteration without ready detection.
(7)
The identification card for persons under twenty-one years of age
shall have characteristics prescribed by the registrar distinguishing
it from that issued to a person who is twenty-one years of age or
older, except that an identification card issued to a person who
applies no more than thirty days before the applicant's twenty-first
birthday shall have the characteristics of an identification card
issued to a person who is twenty-one years of age or older.
(8)
Every identification card issued to a resident of this state shall
display the expiration date of the card, in accordance with section
4507.501 of the Revised Code.
(9)
Every identification card issued to a temporary resident shall expire
in accordance with section 4507.501 of the Revised Code and rules
adopted by the registrar and is limited term. Every limited term
identification card and limited term temporary identification card
shall contain the words "limited term" and shall have any
additional characteristics prescribed by the registrar distinguishing
it from an identification card issued to a resident
.
(10)
If the cardholder has specified that the cardholder wishes the
identification card to indicate that the cardholder is a gold star
family member and has presented any documentation the registrar may
require by rule, the gold star family member symbol. As used in this
division, "gold star family symbol" means a symbol
inscribed on an identification card with a folded military burial
flag, with golden stars, and the words "Gold Star Family"
in a size and placement determined by the registrar
.
(B)(1)
If a card is lost, destroyed, or mutilated, the person to whom the
card was issued may obtain a duplicate by doing both of the
following:
(a)
Furnishing suitable proof of the loss, destruction, or mutilation to
the registrar or a deputy registrar;
(b)
Filing an application and presenting documentary evidence under
section 4507.51 of the Revised Code.
(2)
A cardholder may apply to obtain a reprint of the cardholder's
identification card through electronic means in accordance with
section 4507.40 of the Revised Code.
(3)
A cardholder may obtain a replacement identification card that
reflects any change of the cardholder's name by furnishing suitable
proof of the change to the registrar or a deputy registrar.
(4)
Except as provided in division (B)(5) or (6) of this section, when a
cardholder applies for a duplicate, reprint, or replacement
identification card, the cardholder shall pay the following fees:
(a)
Two dollars and fifty cents;
(b)
A deputy registrar or service fee equal to the amount established
under section 4503.038 of the Revised Code.
(5)
The following cardholders may apply for a duplicate, reprint, or
replacement identification card without payment of any fee prescribed
in division (B)(4) of this section:
(a)
A disabled veteran who has a service-connected disability rated at
one hundred per cent by the veterans' administration;
(b)
A resident who is permanently or irreversibly disabled;
(c)
A resident who is in the custody of the department of rehabilitation
and correction or the department of youth services.
(6)
A cardholder who is seventeen years of age or older may apply for a
replacement identification card without payment of any fee prescribed
in division (B)(4) of this section.
(7)
A duplicate, reprint, or replacement identification card expires on
the same date as the card it replaces.
(C)
The registrar shall cancel any card upon determining that the card
was obtained unlawfully, issued in error, or was altered.
(D)(1)
No agent of the state or its political subdivisions shall condition
the granting of any benefit, service, right, or privilege upon the
possession by any person of an identification card. Nothing in this
section shall preclude any publicly operated or franchised transit
system from using an identification card for the purpose of granting
benefits or services of the system.
(2)
No person shall be required to apply for, carry, or possess an
identification card.
(E)
Except in regard to an identification card issued to a person who
applies no more than thirty days before the applicant's twenty-first
birthday, neither the registrar nor any deputy registrar shall issue
an identification card to a person under twenty-one years of age that
does not have the characteristics prescribed by the registrar
distinguishing it from the identification card issued to persons who
are twenty-one years of age or older.
(F)
The registrar shall ensure that identification cards issued in
accordance with the federal "Real ID Act," 49 U.S.C. 30301,
et seq., comply with the regulations specified in 6 C.F.R. part 37.
(G)
Whoever violates division (E) of this section is guilty of a minor
misdemeanor.
Section
2.
That
existing sections 4507.01, 4507.06, 4507.13, 4507.51, and 4507.52 of
the Revised Code are hereby repealed.