Bill > HB357

This bill revises Ohio law governing vehicular manslaughter and vehicular assault, making several significant changes to how these offenses are classified and punished. The bill modifies existing statutes to adjust the severity of charges and penalties for different types of vehicular offenses involving death or serious physical harm. Specifically, it changes the classification of vehicular manslaughter from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor, with the option to elevate it to a fourth-degree felony under certain circumstances, such as driving with a suspended license or having previous traffic-related offenses. The bill also expands the definition of serious physical harm to include more comprehensive descriptions of mental and physical injuries, and adjusts the sentencing guidelines for various vehicular offenses. Additionally, the bill introduces more nuanced penalties for repeat offenders, particularly those with multiple OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) offenses or other traffic-related violations within a specified time frame. These changes aim to create a more graduated and potentially more punitive approach to addressing serious traffic-related offenses that result in death or significant injury.

Justice

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb357