On January 8, 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 29 into law, eliminating the way that the state can suspend driver’s licenses for reasons related to debt. This reform makes Ohio the 25th state to move away from such penalties, directly benefiting hundreds of thousands of residents, thanks in part to research led by the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education at Cleveland State University.

The journey to this reform began with Road to Nowhere, an earlier white paper co-authored by Dr. Brian Mikelbank, associate professor in the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, which brought the issue of debt-related driver’s license suspensions to the forefront. The report not only highlighted the far-reaching economic and social consequences of the policy but also served as a catalyst for coalition-building among advocates and policymakers

Building on that foundation, Dr. Mikelbank and Kyle Fee, a then doctoral student (now an alumni) of Levin College and a policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, co-authored a pivotal study titled Providing Labor Market Context for Debt-Related Driver’s License Suspensions in Ohio. This research revealed the extent to which debt-related license suspensions harmed Ohio’s workforce. In 2020, 1.66 million Ohioans had active license suspensions, with approximately 830,000 unable to legally drive to work. The study also showed that job postings requiring a valid driver’s license rose from 8% in 2015 to 14% in 2022, compounding barriers to employment.

“Debt-related driver’s license suspensions severely limit mobility and often create a vicious cycle of unemployment and unpayable debt that destabilizes families and communities,” Dr. Mikelbank explained. “By removing this policy, we’re giving Ohioans the opportunity to work, contribute to the economy, fully participate in their communities, and regain their financial independence.”

The passage of HB 29 was the result of years of advocacy by a broad coalition of community partners. In addition to Levin College, organizations like the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, the Ohio Poverty Law Center, and Towards Employment played vital roles. Levin College contributed critical research and insights that helped shape the conversation and provide a data-driven foundation for the reform.

Among its key provisions, the law:

• Eliminates driver’s license suspensions for failure to pay court fines or fees, applied retroactively and automatically without reinstatement fees.
• Ends license suspensions for certain non-driving drug offenses and school truancy.
• Reduces the lookback period for driving without insurance offenses from five years to one year.
• Authorizes expanded limited driving privileges for individuals with child support-related suspensions.

Representative Darnell Brewer, co-sponsor of HB 29, played a pivotal role in securing the bill’s passage. Brewer, a proud alumnus of Cleveland State University, earned both his bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Levin College and his master's degree in Legal Studies from the College of Law at CSU. Reflecting on the bill’s passage, Representative Brewer stated, “HB 29 is transformative legislation for countless Ohioans working to overcome financial obstacles and regain economic stability.”

The Levin College study informed bipartisan discussions, underscoring the economic harm caused by license suspensions and helping legislators craft practical, impactful reforms. “This is a proud moment for Levin College,” said Jill Gordon, Ph.D., Dean of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education. “Our work is designed to drive change, and HB 29 exemplifies how data and research inform policymakers to improve lives and strengthen communities.”

With an effective date of April 10, 2025, HB 29 positions Ohio as a leader in addressing the harmful consequences of debt-related policies. The research, advocacy, and coalition-building behind this reform highlight Levin College’s commitment to tackling systemic challenges and advancing equity through collaboration and evidence-based policy solutions.