Representative Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland) recently introduced House Bill 894, which would provide much needed reform to the processes for imposing security and judgment driver’s license suspensions.

Security suspensions and judgment suspensions are debt collection tools primarily used by insurance companies to recover damages from an uninsured driver. If an uninsured driver is involved in an accident, the injured party (typically the insurance company after covering the damages to the insured driver), can request through BMV that the insured driver pay a security deposit for the alleged damages. If the driver cannot afford to pay or does not pay the deposit, their license can be suspended for up to two years. The two-year suspension is intended to coincide with the statute limitations the injured party has to file a lawsuit against the driver. If the injured party is successful in their lawsuit and the court awards them financial judgment against the driver, the injured party can request a judgment suspension if the driver defaults on payments. Judgment suspensions can last indefinitely, sometimes more than 20 years, and often the only way to remove one is to file for bankruptcy.

HB 894 would make important reforms to security and judgment suspensions processes including:

• Limits judgment suspensions to a maximum of 5 years.
• Allows a person with a security or judgment suspension to apply for limited driving privileges.
• Increases due process protections for Ohioans who face a potential security suspension.
• Allows a person with a judgment suspension to cure the default and get their license reinstated.

OPLC and coalition partners worked closely with Representative Brewer to develop the proposals prior to introduction. Although we are hopeful that the law will pass this year, with limited session days left due to it being an election year, passage during the next General Assembly is more likely.

Ohio Safe Homes Act Introduced with Bipartisan Support

Representative Michele Grim (D-Toledo) and Representative Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) recently introduced the Ohio Safe Homes Act (House Bill 855). The legislation would provide additional tenant protections to victims of sexually-oriented offenses and domestic violence.

Under the legislation a tenant may change the locks without prior approval of their landlord or pursue termination of their rental agreement if they are issued a qualifying protection order or have reported a crime to a law enforcement officer or victims advocate and received a written record of the report. Landlords are also protected under the bill, as they would be eligible for a tax credit if their tenant breaks their lease by availing themselves of the bill’s protections.

According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, 2025 was the most lethal year for Domestic Violence homicides in Ohio. The number of deaths rose 37% from the previous year. OPLC will support HB 855 once it begins receiving hearings in the House Judiciary Committee.

Reentry Legislation Advances Through Senate Committee

Legislation reducing the waiting time for a person to apply for a certificate of qualification for employment (CQE) if they were incarcerated for a felony offense took another step toward becoming law last week.

Sponsored by Representative Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus) and Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery), House Bill 268 was favorably voted out of the Senate Workforce and Development Committee. Having already passed the House, HB 268 just now needs a Senate floor vote before it is sent to Governor Mike DeWine to be signed into law.

Under existing law, a person who served time for a felony offense must wait until one year after their release date and the date that all periods of supervision imposed after their release from incarceration expire before filing a petition for a CQE. The bill eliminates the requirement that the person must wait until all periods of supervision have expired, meaning they may apply one year from their prison release date.

CQEs provide reentering Ohioans with relief from occupational licensing barriers connected to their convictions and incentivize employers to hire them. Although we support eliminating the waiting period entirely, OPLC submitted testimony in support of HB 268 as an important step forward.

OPLC Participates in Senator Reynolds' Housing Policy Think Tank

At the beginning of May, Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) convened a Housing Policy Think Tank at the Ohio Statehouse. Sen. Reynolds is the Chair of the Ohio Senate Housing Committee and has championed multiple pro-housing and pro-tenant bills.
 
The event brought together federal, state, and local experts and advocates from across the housing policy space to develop legislative solutions to Ohio’s housing challenges. During the event, attendees participated in collaborative policy drafting sessions where teams built and pitched model legislation which will inform and inspire future legislation.