Licking Today

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 37, also known as Liv’s Law, on May 23, 2024. This legislation aims to increase penalties for aggravated vehicular homicides committed by drunk drivers. State Representatives Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) and Kevin Miller (R-Newark) led the initiative.

Liv’s Law is named after Olivia Wright, an Ohio native who was a victim of drunk driving. The bill targets repeat offenders whose actions have resulted in fatalities. It does not affect first-time offenders.

“A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver,” said Johnson. “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 measure allows courts to apply the same sentence if an offender has prior convictions for vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, or involuntary manslaughter resulting from an OVI offense. Additionally, it raises fines for all aggravated vehicular homicides due to an OVI to $25,000.

“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to protecting Ohioans from those who have been repeatedly convicted of an OVI-related offense,” said Miller. “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 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.