New legislation in the Ohio House would allow first-time drunken-driving offenders to receive unlimited driving privileges with a special license if they agree to have ignition interlocks installed in their vehicles.
Other new bills in the Ohio General Assembly would, among other things, outlaw the sale or possession of a number of invasive animal species, create an “I Stand With Israel” license plate, expand Ohio’s anti-domestic violence laws, and ban products with microbeads that pollute Lake Erie.
House Bill 388 would expand the use of ignition interlocks, devices that allow motorists to operate their vehicles only after they provide a breath sample indicating blood alcohol concentrations lower than .025.
Under the bill, a judge could give DUI offenders unlimited driving privileges and reduce the offenders’ license suspensions by up to 50 percent. The drivers would have to obtain special restricted licenses indicating that they are allowed to drive vehicles only with ignition interlocks.
Invasive species: Another new Ohio House bill would make it illegal to possess, sell, or release a sizable list of invasive animal species in the state, under penalty of fines or even prison time.
House Bill 396 would create a list of “prohibited species” that includes animals such as the Eurasian collared dove; the nutria, a rodent native to South America that destroys vegetation and wetlands habitat; the rusty crawfish; several species of carp, snakehead fish, and snails; the Asian long-horned beetle, and the emerald ash borer.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Dave Hall, a Holmes County Republican, would also create a smaller list of “restricted species” that includes quagga and zebra mussels, both of which have infested the Great Lakes.
“I Stand With Israel” license plate: New legislation by Rep. Andy Thompson, a Marietta Republican, would create a new specialty license plate to raise money for first responders in Israel.
Domestic-violence laws: Another Democratic bill in the Ohio House would expand the state’s anti-domestic violence laws to allow civil protective orders against current or former romantic partners.
Currently, Ohio law only defines domestic violence as occurring between spouses, family members, or those who are cohabitating, according to a House Democrats news release. Ohio and Georgia are the only states with domestic violence laws that don’t apply to people who are dating.
Microbeads: Two House Democrats from Northeast Ohio have proposed a statewide ban on manufacturing or selling facial scrubs, toothpaste and other products that contain synthetic microbeads, saying the tiny particles are polluting Lake Erie and killing fish.
At least seven states have already passed restrictions on microbeads; Congress is considering a nationwide ban.
Click here to read more of this story, including expanded details on the proposed bills.
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