Ohio legislators have introduced House Bill 690 to bolster school zone safety by imposing harsher penalties on drivers who ignore or harass school crossing guards.
Bill Introduction and Sponsors
Reps. Tom Young, R-Washington Twp., and Andrea White, R-Kettering, unveiled the Crossing Guard Protection Act last week. The measure establishes first-degree misdemeanor charges for failing to obey a crossing guard’s directions or for harassing, threatening, or interfering with their duties. Fines would double if violations occur in active school zones during school hours.
Push for Stronger Enforcement
Young described the bill as addressing repeat offenders who ignore school zones without causing harm. White highlighted risks to volunteer guards, often retirees, amid rising distracted and reckless driving. The legislation grants crossing guards explicit authority to control traffic at crosswalks and offers civil lawsuit immunity.
Real-World Incidents Fueling the Bill
A national Associated Press and Cox Media Group investigation revealed over 230 collisions involving crossing guards nationwide in the past decade, with nearly three dozen fatalities. Locally, Franklin City Schools guard Becky Evans was struck in January 2025 and continues facing medical issues. In Kettering, police documented 574 near-misses last year and eight school-zone pedestrian crashes in 2025.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The bill awaits its first House committee hearing, with supporters like Kettering Police Chief Christopher Protsman calling it a vital tool for accountability. A related measure, House Bill 203, seeks to elevate penalties for vehicular manslaughter or assault in school zones. Proponents frame HB 690 as promoting education, awareness, and deterrence to protect students and guards.