The proposed bill, known as Aspen Runnels' Law, seeks to amend the Ohio Revised Code to enhance penalties for vehicular assault and vehicular homicide in active school zones. Key provisions include the introduction of doubled fines for various traffic violations occurring in these zones, as well as the establishment of new legal language that specifies penalties for reckless and negligent driving offenses resulting in death or unlawful termination of pregnancy. The bill also introduces a new section, 4510.039, which outlines these enhanced penalties and clarifies that certain provisions do not apply in construction or active school zones unless appropriate signage is erected.

In addition to increased fines, the bill mandates prison terms and license suspensions for individuals convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide or vehicular homicide under specific conditions. It expands the definition of applicable offenses to include violations in active school zones and introduces new requirements for individuals whose licenses are suspended due to offenses in these areas, including the completion of a remedial driving instruction course focused on school zone safety. Overall, the legislation aims to improve public safety in school zones by imposing stricter consequences for traffic violations that endanger lives, while also ensuring that the law is enforceable regardless of signage presence.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 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, 5501.27