Kasich signs bill changing commercial drivers' licenses, extending unempoyment benefits

COLUMBUS — Gov. John R. Kasich today signed into law House Bill 337, which makes changes in the law governing commercial drivers' licenses, including hazardous material endorsements, medical certification requirements, disqualifications, and conviction records.

Further, the new law establishes texting-while-driving as a serious traffic violation for commercial drivers, excludes certain components from the prohibited length dimensions of specified types of vehicles, revises the law governing self-sufficiency contracts established under the Ohio Works First program.

Additionally, the legislation allows more than 20,000 eligible Ohioans to continue to receive state extended unemployment benefits. These individuals are Ohio’s long-term unemployed who are in the final 20 weeks of the total 99 maximum weeks of benefits currently allowable.