Advocacy organizations hold event to assist Ohioans impacted by debt-related driver’s license suspensions; say legislation could provide relief
Fines & Fees Justice Center, Towards Employment, Neighborhood Connections and Policy Matters Ohio recently hosted the Drive to Justice Summit at Tri-C’s metro campus, an event designed to work directly with impacted Ohioans and advocate for Senate Bill 37, comprehensive legislation that will help decriminalize poverty.
The event included a panel discussion with State Representative Darnell T. Brewer (D-Cleveland), Zack Eckles from Ohio Poverty Law Center, Bree Easterling from Policy Matters Ohio and Mike Jones, an Ohioan who has struggled with the consequences of a suspended driver’s license for many years.
Local organizations provided resources related to driver’s license suspensions and presented advocacy opportunities. The keynote speaker was Linda Howard with Building Freedom Ohio, a nonprofit organization on Cleveland’s East Side that supports and connects citizens returning from prison.
“Senate Bill 37 will eliminate the government’s authority to revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a person’s driver’s license for failure to pay court fines and fees,” said Anna Odegaard, Senior Advocacy and Campaigns Strategist for Fines & Fees Justice Center. “A person’s ability to pay a fine or fee should not determine whether they are free to drive, and we heard from impacted Ohioans today exactly how much is lost when driver’s licenses are suspended for debt-related causes.”
Sponsored by Senator Louis Blessing, III (R-Colerain Twp) and Senator Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati), Senate Bill 37 eliminates and revises Ohio policies to remove financial barriers to returning to the road in Ohio. With the passage of this legislation, Ohio would join more than 20 other states that have already moved away from these debt-related penalties. The measure passed unanimously through the Ohio Senate on May 22, 2024.
Throughout the Senate Judiciary Committee process, Senators heard from 33 proponent witnesses ranging from legal aid societies to employment advocates to local government representatives to conservative groups. They all saw the benefits of passing Senate Bill 37.
“The Ohio Poverty Law Center calls on the Ohio House of Representatives to move forward with passage of Senate Bill 37 before the end of the year to ensure driver’s license suspensions are limited to those convictions related to dangerous driving,” said Zack Eckles, Senior Policy Advocate with Ohio Poverty Law Center. “When a state’s public policy acts as a barrier to a person reaching their full potential, the long-term consequences impact individuals, families, and their communities at large. A valid driver’s license is essential to participating in Ohio’s economy and earning the money necessary to resolve existing debt.”
The Ohio Poverty Law Center’s mission is to reduce poverty and increase justice by protecting and expanding the legal rights of Ohioans living, working and raising their families in poverty.
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