COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives has unanimously approved House Bill 37, known as Liv’s Law, aimed at increasing penalties for Aggravated Vehicular Homicides involving drunk drivers. This legislative initiative was led by State Representatives Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) and Kevin Miller (R-Newark).
Liv’s Law, named after Olivia Wright, an Ohio native tragically killed in a drunk driving incident, seeks to impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders convicted of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide. The bill aims to address cases where the actions of repeat drunk drivers result in fatalities. Notably, Liv’s Law does not affect first-time offenders.
Johnson, reflecting on the inspiration behind the bill, shared, “A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver. He pointed out to me how weak Ohio’s laws are compared to other states in the nation, and that is what inspired me to work on this legislation in an attempt to try and deter any drunk driver from becoming a repeat offender.”
The legislation proposes that if an offender has a previous conviction for vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, or involuntary manslaughter due to an OVI offense, the court will have the discretion to apply the same sentence. Additionally, the bill raises fines for all Aggravated Vehicular Homicide convictions related to OVI offenses to $25,000.
Miller emphasized the importance of Liv’s Law in protecting Ohioans from the dangers posed by repeat OVI offenders, stating, “Today’s vote brings us one step closer to protecting Ohioans from those who have been repeatedly convicted of an OVI related offense. It is my hope that Liv’s Law will serve as a deterrent for those who have repeatedly decided to put the lives of others at risk all for the sake of their convenience.”
Liv’s Law will now proceed to the Ohio Senate for further review and consideration.
