The bill amends section 4549.13 of the Revised Code to clarify the requirements for marked police vehicles used in traffic law enforcement. It specifies that any motor vehicle operated by a member of the state highway patrol or other peace officers, while enforcing motor vehicle or traffic laws, must be marked in a distinctive manner or color that aligns with other law enforcement vehicles in the jurisdiction. The amendment also introduces the inclusion of civil traffic law violations recorded by traffic law photo-monitoring devices as offenses that require the use of marked vehicles.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that these vehicles must be equipped with at least one flashing, oscillating, or rotating colored light mounted on top, although it does not need to be in operation at all times. The superintendent of the state highway patrol is tasked with defining what constitutes a distinctive marking or color for their vehicles. The existing section 4549.13 is repealed to accommodate these changes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4549.13