New Ohio Laws Affecting Drivers, Schools and Public Benefits

Governor Mike DeWine signed a series of bills into law Tuesday (July 7, 2026) that will bring changes for Ohio drivers, students, schools, licensed professionals and public-assistance programs.

The new laws address issues ranging from vehicular homicide involving golf carts and ATVs to school psychologist shortages, student athletics, catalytic converter theft and the security of SNAP benefits.

Vehicular homicide law expanded to more vehicles

Ohio is expanding its vehicular homicide and vehicular assault laws to cover additional types of vehicles, including golf carts, all-purpose vehicles and other vehicles that may not have previously fallen under the traditional legal definition of a motor vehicle.

The change means a person could face vehicular homicide or assault charges when reckless or impaired operation of one of those vehicles results in death or serious injury, even when the crash does not involve a conventional car or truck.

Ohio joins school psychologist compact

Ohio is joining the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, which is intended to make it easier for qualified school psychologists from other participating states to work in Ohio.

Supporters say reducing licensing barriers could help school districts fill open positions and connect students with evaluations, counseling and other support more quickly.

Students may seek opportunities at neighboring schools

The Student Athlete Mobility Act gives students a process to request participation in certain sports or extracurricular activities at a neighboring public school when the activity is not available at their own school.

Participation will not be automatic. Approval from the student’s home district and the neighboring district will still be required. The measure was included in Senate Bill 276 before it was signed into law.

Continuing education required for massage therapists

Ohio massage therapists will be required to complete continuing education to maintain their licenses.

The law also modifies Ohio’s involvement in an interstate massage therapy compact, intended to make it easier for qualified professionals to work in participating states while maintaining licensing and disciplinary standards.

Identifying information during traffic stops

Another new law expands Ohio’s prohibition against interfering with motor-vehicle-related law enforcement.

Drivers and passengers will be required to provide their name, address and date of birth when requested by an officer enforcing motor-vehicle laws. Refusing to provide that identifying information could result in a misdemeanor charge.

Ohio tightens catalytic converter rules

Ohio is also strengthening laws surrounding the purchase and sale of used catalytic converters.

The changes are intended to make stolen converters more difficult to sell by increasing accountability and recordkeeping requirements for certain transactions. Thefts have affected individual drivers as well as businesses, churches and other organizations with fleets of vehicles.

Added protections against SNAP and Medicaid fraud

The new laws also move Ohio toward chip-enabled electronic benefit transfer cards to provide greater protection against the theft of SNAP benefits through card skimming and similar scams.

Additional provisions strengthen Medicaid oversight and fraud investigations, giving the state more tools to identify and pursue suspected misuse of taxpayer-funded assistance programs.