Ohio texting ban bill clears House, heads for Senate

6/28/2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bill that would ban texting while driving in Ohio has cleared the state House and now goes to the Senate.

The Republican-led House voted 88-10 to approve the bill, which would make writing, reading and sending text messages while driving a minor misdemeanor with possible fines of up to $150 dollars. The bill would not prohibit text messaging in a stopped vehicle pulled off the road.

It also would require driver education classes to teach warnings against texting and driving.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Nancy Garland, a New Albany Democrat, and Rep. Rex Damschroder, a Fremont Republican.

If it becomes law, Ohio would join 30 states and the District of Columbia with a texting ban.