SB 97

As Introduced
136th General Assembly
   Regular Session  S. B. No. 97
       2025-2026
  Senators Craig, Wilson
  A BILL
  To amend section 4511.451 of the Revised Code to  1
  double fines for failing to yield to a funeral  2
  procession.  3
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
     Section 1. That section 4511.451 of the Revised Code be  4
amended to read as follows:  5
     Sec. 4511.451. (A) As used in this section, "funeral  6
procession" means two or more vehicles accompanying the cremated  7
remains or the body of a deceased person in the daytime when  8
each of the vehicles has its headlights lighted and is  9
displaying a purple and white or an orange and white pennant  10
attached to each vehicle in such a manner as to be clearly  11
visible to traffic approaching from any direction.  12
     (B) Excepting public safety vehicles proceeding in  13
accordance with section 4511.45 of the Revised Code or when  14
directed otherwise by a police officer, pedestrians and the  15
operators of all vehicles, street cars, and trackless trolleys  16
shall yield the right of way to each vehicle that is a part of a  17
funeral procession. Whenever the lead vehicle in a funeral  18
procession lawfully enters an intersection, the remainder of the  19
S. B. No. 97  Page 2
As Introduced
vehicles in the procession may continue to follow the lead  20
vehicle through the intersection notwithstanding any traffic  21
control devices or right of way provisions of the Revised Code,  22
provided that the operator of each vehicle exercises due care to  23
avoid colliding with any other vehicle or pedestrian.  24
       (C) No person shall operate any vehicle as a part of a  25
funeral procession without having the headlights of the vehicle  26
lighted and without displaying a purple and white or an orange  27
and white pennant in such a manner as to be clearly visible to  28
traffic approaching from any direction.  29
       (D)(D)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division,  30
whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.  31
If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has  32
been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor  33
vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is  34
guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one  35
year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted  36
of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses,  37
whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the  38
third degree.  39
       (2) Notwithstanding section 2929.28 of the Revised Code,  40
upon finding that a person operated a motor vehicle in violation  41
of division (B) of this section, the court, in addition to all  42
other penalties provided by law, shall impose a fine of two  43
times the usual amount imposed for the violation.  44
       (3) If the offender commits the offense while distracted  45
and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the  46
commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the  47
additional fine established under section 4511.991 of the  48
Revised Code.  49
S. B. No. 97  Page 3
As Introduced
       Section 2. That existing section 4511.451 of the Revised  50
Code is hereby repealed.  51