HB 203 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Enact Aspen Runnels' Law

Summary

To amend sections 2903.06, 2903.08, 2903.081, 4511.01, 4511.132, 4511.20, 4511.202, 4511.204, 4511.205, 4511.21, 4511.25, 4511.251, 4511.26, 4511.27, 4511.28, 4511.29, 4511.30, 4511.31, 4511.32, 4511.33, 4511.34, 4511.35, 4511.36, 4511.37, 4511.38, 4511.39, 4511.41, 4511.42, 4511.43, 4511.431, 4511.44, 4511.441, 4511.46, 4511.54, 4511.60, 4511.711, 4511.712, and 5501.27 and to enact section 4510.039 of the Revised Code to increase penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular homicide that occur in an active school zone, to require doubled fines for specified traffic violations in an active school zone, and to name this act Aspen Runnels' Law.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 26, 2025 Last action Apr 15, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 5 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands penalties for driving offenses that cause death or serious injury in active school zones and construction zones. It introduces new felony charges for reckless or speeding violations in these zones, mandates doubled fines for traffic infractions, and requires mandatory prison terms for repeat offenders. The law also adds strict requirements for driver education courses and expands the definition of vehicles subject to these rules.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of applicability to include construction zones alongside active school zones and broadens the range of traffic violations (such as speeding and reckless operation) that trigger enhanced penalties when committed in these specific areas.

REQUIREMENT

New felony charges were created for causing death or serious injury while committing reckless operation or speeding offenses in active school zones or construction zones.

New requirements mandate that drivers convicted of offenses in active school zones must complete a remedial driving course with at least 50% in-person attendance and specific instruction on school zone safety.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalties for vehicular assault and homicide were increased, including mandatory prison terms for offenders with prior convictions and doubled fines for traffic violations in school zones.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added to clarify terms like 'active school zone,' 'construction zone,' and 'school-adjacent sector' to ensure consistent application of the new penalties.

ELIGIBILITY

The bill expands eligibility for enhanced penalties to include violations occurring in construction zones, not just active school zones.

Floor votes · House Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

95–0

Passed

Total votes 95

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican64

64 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 15, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Mar 26, 2026

Introduced

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Introduced

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors