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hb894_00_IN
As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 894
2025-2026
Representative Brewer
Cosponsor: Representative Upchurch
To
amend sections 4509.06
,
4509.11
,
4509.12, 4509.13, 4509.14, 4509.15, 4509.17, 4509.19, 4509.37,
4509.40, 4509.42, and 4509.45 of the Revised Code
to
make changes to the laws governing proof of financial responsibility
and the associated debt-related driver's license suspensions.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
sections 4509.06
,
4509.11
,
4509.12, 4509.13, 4509.14, 4509.15, 4509.17, 4509.19, 4509.37,
4509.40, 4509.42, and 4509.45 of the Revised Code be amended to read
as follows:
Sec.
4509.06.
(A)
Any person who is in any manner involved in a motor vehicle accident,
including as the driver of a motor vehicle, the owner of property, or
any person sustaining bodily injury or property damage, may, within
six
months
ninety
days
after
the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the
registrar of motor vehicles on a form prescribed by the registrar
alleging that a driver or owner of any vehicle involved in the
accident was uninsured at the time of the accident.
(B)
Upon receipt of the accident report, the registrar shall send a
notice by regular mail to the driver and owner alleged to be
uninsured requiring the person to give evidence that the person had
proof of financial responsibility in effect at the time of the
accident.
(C)
Within thirty days after the mailing of the notice by the registrar,
the driver of the vehicle alleged to be uninsured shall forward a
report together with acceptable proof of financial responsibility to
the registrar in a form prescribed by the registrar. The forwarding
of the report by the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the
accident is deemed compliance with this section by the driver. This
section does not change or modify the duties of the driver or
operator of a motor vehicle as set forth in section 4549.02 of the
Revised Code.
Sec.
4509.11.
Sections
4509.12 to 4509.30, inclusive, of the Revised Code apply to the
driver and owner of any motor vehicle which is in any manner involved
in a motor vehicle accident within this state
that results in either of the following:
(A)
The death of any person or bodily injury to any person that is equal
to or greater than the amounts specified under division (B)(1) or (2)
of section 4509.51 of the Revised Code, as applicable;
(B)
Injury or damage to the property of any person that is equal to or
greater than the amount specified under division (B)(3) of section
4509.51 of the Revised Code
.
Sec.
4509.12.
(A)
The
Subject
to the limitation in section 4509.11 of the Revised Code, the
registrar
of motor vehicles upon the expiration of twenty days after the
receipt of a motor vehicle accident report, required under section
4509.01 to 4509.78, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall determine
the amount of security which is sufficient to satisfy any judgments
for damages resulting from the accident as may be recovered against
each driver or owner involved in the accident
;
provided that in any accident resulting in personal injury such
amount shall in no case be less than five hundred dollars
.
This determination shall not be made with respect to drivers or
owners who are exempt under sections 4509.14 to 4509.78, inclusive,
of the Revised Code from the requirements as to security and
suspension.
(B)
The registrar shall determine the amount of security deposit required
of any person upon the basis of the reports and other evidence
submitted. If a person involved in a motor vehicle accident fails to
make a report indicating the extent of
his
the
person's
injuries or the damage to
his
the
person's
property within thirty days after being requested to furnish
additional information and the registrar does not have sufficient
evidence on which to base an evaluation of such injuries or damage,
then the registrar after reasonable notice to such person, if it is
possible to give such notice, otherwise without notice, shall not
require any deposit of security for the benefit or protection of such
person. However, if the registrar finds that during the time provided
in this section it was impossible to determine the extent of such
injuries or damage, then such report or information must be furnished
by the individual within thirty days after such injuries or damages
have been determined.
Sec.
4509.13.
(A)
The
registrar of motor vehicles, within fifty days after receipt of
report of any motor vehicle accident, or after receipt of additional
evidence as may be requested by the registrar, and upon determining
the amount of security to be required of any person involved in such
accident or to be required of the owner of any motor vehicle involved
in such accident, shall give written notice to such person
of the
.
(B)
The written notice from the registrar shall include all of the
following information:
(1)
The
amount
of security required to be deposited by
him.
Such notice shall inform
the
person
of his
;
(2)
The person's
right
to a hearing if
written
a
request
is made within
thirty
sixty
days
of the mailing of the notice
.
A person may request a hearing either by telephone, electronic mail,
or regular mail.
(3)
The contact information necessary for a person to make a request for
a hearing under division (B)(2) of this section
.
(C)
Not later than fifteen days after receiving a request for a hearing
under division (B) of this section, the registrar shall send a
written confirmation of receipt through either electronic mail or
regular mail to the person requesting the hearing.
Sec.
4509.14.
The
registrar of motor vehicles may reduce the amount of security ordered
if, in
his
the
registrar's
judgment, the amount ordered is excessive
;
provided that in any accident resulting in personal injury, the
amount shall in no case be reduced to an amount less than five
hundred dollars
.
If the security originally ordered has been deposited, the excess
deposit over the reduced amount ordered shall be returned to the
depositor or
his
the
depositor's
personal representative forthwith.
Sec.
4509.15.
The
security required under section 4509.12 of the Revised Code shall be
in the form of money, or bonds of the United States, or of this
state, or a political subdivision of this state, at their par or face
value, or a corporate surety bond of a surety licensed to do business
in this state,
in
such amount as the registrar of motor vehicles may require, but in no
case involving personal injury
in
an amount
less
than five hundred dollars, or in excess of
that
is equal to
the
limits specified in section 4509.20 of the Revised Code.
Sec.
4509.17.
(A)
Except
as provided in sections 4509.01 to 4509.78 of the Revised Code, upon
failure of any person to request a hearing as provided for in section
4509.13 of the Revised Code or to deposit the security required under
section 4509.12 of the Revised Code within
thirty
sixty
days
after the registrar of motor vehicles has sent the notice provided
for in section 4509.13 of the Revised Code, the registrar shall
impose a class F suspension of the person's driver's license,
commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit,
probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for the
period of time specified in division (B)(6) of section 4510.02 of the
Revised Code on the person and the registrations of all motor
vehicles owned by the person. If the person is a nonresident, the
suspension shall include the privilege of operating any motor vehicle
within this state or permitting the operation within this state of
any motor vehicle owned by the nonresident.
(B)
A person whose license, permit, or operating privileges are suspended
under division (A) of this section may request limited driving
privileges in accordance with division (B) of section 4510.021 of the
Revised Code. The clerk of court shall charge not more than fifty
dollars, including any court costs and fees, for filing a petition
for limited driving privileges under this section.
The
court may grant limited driving privileges to the person, but only if
the person presents proof of financial responsibility and the
person's license, permit, or operating privileges are not otherwise
suspended for an offense that prevents the granting of limited
driving privileges.
Sec.
4509.19.
(A)
The requirements as to security and suspension in sections 4509.12
and 4509.17 of the Revised Code do not apply:
(1)
To the driver or the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident
in which no injury or damage was caused to the person or property of
anyone other than such driver or owner;
(2)
To the driver or owner of a motor vehicle which at the time of the
accident was parked, unless such motor vehicle was parked at a place
where parking was at the time of the accident prohibited under any
applicable law or ordinance;
(3)
To the owner of a motor vehicle if at the time of the accident the
motor vehicle was operated without
his
the
owner's
permission, express or implied, or was parked by a person who had
been operating such motor vehicle without such permission;
(4)
To any police officer who while responding to an emergency call
assumes custody of a motor vehicle and is driver thereof at the time
of the accident;
(5)
To the driver or owner if the owner had in effect at the time of the
accident an automobile liability policy or bond with respect to the
motor vehicle in the accident, except that a driver shall not be
exempt under this division of this section if at the time of the
accident the motor vehicle was being operated without the owner's
permission, express or implied;
(6)
To the driver, if not the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the
accident, if there was in effect at the time of the accident an
automobile liability policy or bond with respect to
his
driving
of motor vehicles not owned by
him
the
driver
;
(7)
To a driver or owner whose liability for damages resulting from the
accident is, in the judgment of the registrar of motor vehicles,
covered by any other form of liability insurance policy or bond;
(8)
To the driver or owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident to
the extent that the owner of the motor vehicle at the time of the
accident was a self-insurer as defined in section 4509.72 of the
Revised Code, except that a driver shall not be exempt under this
division of this section if at the time of the accident the motor
vehicle was being operated without the owner's permission, express or
implied;
(9)
To the owner of a motor vehicle where such owner is the United
States, this state, any political subdivision of this state, any
municipal corporation therein or any private volunteer fire company
serving a political subdivision of this state
;
(10)
To the driver or owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident who
requested a hearing in accordance with section 4509.13 of the Revised
Code, and at the hearing, the person requesting the security deposit
was unable to demonstrate that there is a reasonable possibility of
judgments in the amounts claimed being rendered against the driver or
owner of the motor vehicle
.
(B)
Whenever the registrar has taken any action or has failed to take any
action under section 4509.17 of the Revised Code by reason of having
received erroneous information or by reason of having received no
information, then upon receiving correct information within six
months after the date of a motor vehicle accident the registrar shall
take appropriate action to carry out the purposes of sections 4509.01
to 4509.78 of the Revised Code. This division of this section does
not require the registrar to re-evaluate the amount of any deposit
required under section 4509.12 of the Revised Code.
Sec.
4509.37.
(A)
The registrar of motor vehicles upon receipt of a certified copy of a
judgment, shall impose a class F suspension for the period of time
specified in division (B)(6) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code
of the license and registration and any nonresident's operating
privilege of any person against whom such judgment was rendered,
except as provided in sections 4509.01 to 4509.78 of the Revised
Code.
Such
certified copy of a judgment shall include the last known address,
the social security number, if known, and the operator's license
number, of the judgment debtor.
(B)
The registrar shall also impose the civil penalties specified in
division (A)(2) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code unless either
of the following applies:
(1)
The judgment debtor presents proof of financial responsibility to the
registrar proving that the judgment debtor was covered, at the time
of the motor vehicle accident out of which the cause of action arose,
by proof of financial responsibility in compliance with section
4509.101 of the Revised Code.
(2)
The judgment debtor proves to the registrar that the judgment
debtor's registration and license have been previously suspended
under section 4509.101 of the Revised Code by reason of the judgment
debtor's failure to prove that the judgment debtor was covered, at
the time of the motor vehicle accident out of which the cause of
action arose, by proof of financial responsibility.
(C)
A person whose license, permit, or operating privileges are suspended
under division (A) of this section may request limited driving
privileges in accordance with division (B) of section 4510.021 of the
Revised Code. The clerk of court shall charge not more than fifty
dollars, including any court costs and fees, for filing a petition
for limited driving privileges under this section.
The
court may grant limited driving privileges to the person, but only if
the person presents proof of financial responsibility and the
person's license, permit, or operating privileges are not otherwise
suspended for an offense that prevents the granting of limited
driving privileges.
Sec.
4509.40.
(A)
The
registrar of motor vehicles shall impose a class F suspension of the
person's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary
instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating
privilege for the period of time specified in division (B)(6) of
section 4510.02 of the Revised Code for nonpayment of a judgment, and
while such order is in force no license, registration, or permit to
operate a motor vehicle shall be issued in the name of such person,
including any such person not previously licensed. The registrar
shall vacate the order of suspension upon proof that such judgment is
stayed, or satisfied in full or to the extent provided in section
4509.41 of the Revised Code, subject to the exemptions stated in
sections 4509.37, 4509.38, 4509.39, and 4509.42 of the Revised Code,
and upon such person's filing with the registrar of motor vehicles
evidence of financial responsibility in accordance with section
4509.45 of the Revised Code.
(B)
A person whose license, permit, or operating privileges are suspended
under division (A) of this section may request limited driving
privileges in accordance with division (B) of section 4510.021 of the
Revised Code. The clerk of court shall charge not more than fifty
dollars, including any court costs and fees, for filing a petition
for limited driving privileges under this section.
The
court may grant limited driving privileges to the person, but only if
the person presents proof of financial responsibility and the
person's license, permit, or operating privileges are not otherwise
suspended for an offense that prevents the granting of limited
driving privileges.
Sec.
4509.42.
(A)
A judgment debtor upon due notice to the judgment creditor may apply
to the court in which the judgment was rendered for the privilege of
paying the judgment in installments and the court, in its discretion
and without prejudice to any other legal remedies which the judgment
creditor has, may order and fix the amounts and times of payment of
the installments.
(B)
The registrar of motor vehicles shall not suspend for nonpayment of a
judgment, a license, registration, or nonresident's operating
privilege, and shall restore the license, registration, or
nonresident's operating privilege suspended for nonpayment, when the
judgment debtor gives proof of financial responsibility and maintains
it in accordance with section 4509.45 of the Revised Code, and
obtains an order permitting the payment of the judgment in
installments, and while the payment of any installment is not in
default.
(C)
If the judgment debtor fails to pay any installment as specified by
such order, then upon notice of default the registrar shall impose a
class F suspension of the license, registration, or nonresident's
operating privilege of the judgment debtor
until
such judgment is satisfied as
for
the period of time
specified
in division (B)(6) of section 4510.02 of the Revised Code.
Such an order of suspension remains in effect until any of the
following occurs:
(1)
The judgment debtor provides proof to the registrar of payment to the
judgment creditor in the total amount of missed installment payments.
(2)
The judgment debtor deposits with the registrar three consecutive
installment payments on time and in full.
(3)
The registrar receives satisfactory evidence that the entire
obligation has been paid or released.
(4)
The judgment creditor agrees to waive the suspension.
(5)
A period of five years has elapsed following the missed installment
payment and satisfactory evidence is filed with the registrar that no
action has been instituted on the judgment during that period.
Sec.
4509.45.
(A)
As used in this section, "electronic wireless communications
device" has the same meaning as in section 4509.103 of the
Revised Code.
(B)
Proof of financial responsibility when required under section
4509.101, 4509.33, 4509.34, 4509.38, 4509.40, 4509.42, 4509.44, or
4510.038 of the Revised Code may be given by filing and maintaining
any of the following:
(1)
A financial responsibility identification card as provided in section
4509.104 of the Revised Code;
(2)
A certificate of insurance as provided in section 4509.46 or 4509.47
of the Revised Code;
(3)
A bond as provided in section 4509.59 of the Revised Code;
(4)
A certificate of deposit of money or securities as provided in
section 4509.62 of the Revised Code;
(5)
A certificate of self-insurance, as provided in section 4509.72 of
the Revised Code, supplemented by an agreement by the self-insurer
that, with respect to accidents occurring while the certificate is in
force, the self-insurer will pay the same amounts that an insurer
would have been obligated to pay under an owner's motor vehicle
liability policy if it had issued such a policy to the self-insurer.
(C)
When proof of financial responsibility is required to be given under
section 4509.101 of the Revised Code, such proof also may be given
through use of an electronic wireless communications device as
provided in that section.
(D)
Proof
(D)(1)
Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, proof
under
division (B) of this section shall be filed and maintained for one
year from the date of the registrar's imposition of a suspension of
operating privileges. Proof of financial responsibility that is
required to be filed and maintained with the registrar during a
period of suspension of operating privileges described in this
division shall not be given through the use of an electronic wireless
communications device.
(2)
The registrar shall not impose the requirements of division (D)(1) of
this section on a person whose operating privileges were suspended
under division (A)(2)(a) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code.
Section
2.
That
existing sections 4509.06
,
4509.11
,
4509.12, 4509.13, 4509.14, 4509.15, 4509.17, 4509.19, 4509.37,
4509.40, 4509.42, and 4509.45 of the Revised Code are hereby
repealed.
Section
3.
The
Registrar of Motor Vehicles shall remove the requirements on an
individual to continue to regularly file proof of financial
responsibility in accordance with division (D) of section 4509.45 of
the Revised Code (also commonly known as filing the SR-22 form) from
both of the following groups of individuals:
(A)
Any individual who has served and met that requirement for one full
year as of April 9, 2025;
(B)
Any individual who had the requirement imposed because the
individual's operating privileges were suspended under division
(A)(2)(a) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code prior to the
effective date of this section.