Substitute H.B. No. 278 Summary

• Amends Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.08 to expand vehicular assault charges to include causing serious physical harm as a proximate result of violating the state "move over" law while operating a motor vehicle approaching stationary vehicles.

• Establishes violation of the "move over" law as a third category of vehicular assault offense alongside existing DUI-related and reckless operation violations.

• Maintains existing penalty structures with aggravated vehicular assault remaining a third-degree felony (second-degree if prior convictions or driving under suspension apply) and regular vehicular assault carrying fourth-degree felony or misdemeanor charges depending on circumstances.

• Requires mandatory prison terms for aggravated vehicular assault convictions and mandatory jail terms of at least seven days for misdemeanor vehicular assault convictions.

• Imposes license suspension penalties ranging from class one to class four suspensions based on offense severity and prior traffic violations or related convictions.