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SB97 • 2026

Double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession

Double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Hearcel F. Craig
Last action
Official status
As Introduced
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession

To amend section 4511.451 of the Revised Code to double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession.

What This Bill Does

  • To amend section 4511.451 of the Revised Code to double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. Ohio Legislature

    As Introduced

Official Summary Text

To amend section 4511.451 of the Revised Code to double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
S. B. No. 97

2025-2026

Senators Craig, Wilson

A
BILL

To
amend section 4511.451 of the Revised Code
to
double fines for failing to yield to a funeral procession.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 4511.451 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec.
4511.451.
(A)
As used in this section, "funeral procession" means two or
more vehicles accompanying the cremated remains or the body of a
deceased person in the daytime when each of the vehicles has its
headlights lighted and is displaying a purple and white or an orange
and white pennant attached to each vehicle in such a manner as to be
clearly visible to traffic approaching from any direction.

(B)
Excepting public safety vehicles proceeding in accordance with
section 4511.45 of the Revised Code or when directed otherwise by a
police officer, pedestrians and the operators of all vehicles, street
cars, and trackless trolleys shall yield the right of way to each
vehicle that is a part of a funeral procession. Whenever the lead
vehicle in a funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, the
remainder of the vehicles in the procession may continue to follow
the lead vehicle through the intersection notwithstanding any traffic
control devices or right of way provisions of the Revised Code,
provided that the operator of each vehicle exercises due care to
avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian.

(C)
No person shall operate any vehicle as a part of a funeral procession
without having the headlights of the vehicle lighted and without
displaying a purple and white or an orange and white pennant in such
a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching from any
direction.

(D)
(D)(1)

Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this
section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the
offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded
guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever
violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth
degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously
has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic
offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of
the third degree.

(2)
Notwithstanding section 2929.28 of the Revised Code, upon finding
that a person operated a motor vehicle in violation of division (B)
of this section, the court, in addition to all other penalties
provided by law, shall impose a fine of two times the usual amount
imposed for the violation.

(3)

If
the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting
activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense,
the offender is subject to the additional fine established under
section 4511.991 of the Revised Code.

Section
2.
That
existing section 4511.451 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.