Legislation that passed Wednesday with broad bipartisan support would make it a misdemeanor to read, write or send text messages while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.
Twenty other states have similar laws, and Ohio communities including Cleveland and Toledo already have outlawed texting while driving.
Police in Ohio would begin enforcing the ban after a six-month period of warnings only.
One of the bill's co-sponsors, Democratic Rep. Nancy Garland of the Columbus suburb of Gahanna , said on the House
floor that the measure will save lives.
Similar legislation is before the Ohio Senate.
The Associated Press