Senate Bill 37 removes the ability to suspend a person’s license for non-driving related issues, such as unpaid parking tickets, therefore removing the barrier to employment for millions of hard-working Ohioans and businesses that employ them.

Ohio sees roughly 3 million license suspensions per year with over 60% of these being for debt-related reasons, such as a missed traffic ticket. Individuals struggling to get to work and pay bills may find themselves trapped in a financial crisis that is difficult to overcome once they miss a court payment. Driver’s license suspension places individuals in a difficult position wherein they must choose between missing work, losing access to health care, childcare, food, and other necessities, or driving on a suspended license, which can spiral into involvement with the criminal justice system.

Employers in Ohio are all struggling to find employees to fill in demand jobs. Senate Bill 37 will help employers retain good employees by allowing them to continue to drive to work.

Suspending a person’s license for a non-safety, non-driving related reason harms Ohio’s economy and our businesses by keeping people from getting to work. This doesn’t need to be the case.

Senate Bill 37 would dramatically improve the landscape for millions of Ohioans by removing license suspension as an enforcement mechanism for unpaid traffic tickets. There are other means for courts and third parties to have their debts resolved including collection agencies, wage garnishment, and seizing federal tax refunds.

The ability of Ohio's workforce to commute to their workplaces is paramount, as it directly influences the economic productivity and vitality of our state. We urge your support for this bill.