Ohio House Passes Bill to Protect First Responders and Ensure the Safety of Ohio Communities

COLUMBUS— State Representatives Thomas Hall (R- Madison Twp.) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) are pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation to ensure first responders can carry out their responsibilities effectively during emergency situations.

House Bill 20, spearheaded by Hall and Plummer, will increase the penalty of obstructing official business from a second-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree misdemeanor if the victim of the offense is an emergency service responder, commonly known as a first responder, who is responding to an emergency in an official capacity. The bill will also extend current law to include probation officers under the definition of emergency service responder.

“This bill will allow our first responders the space to do their jobs and increase public safety as a result,” said Hall. “It is essential that our first responders are able to safely and efficiently carry out their duties without distraction or interference.”

“H.B. 20 will add another layer of protections to our first responders,” said Plummer. “It will increase penalties for individuals who obstruct first responders while they are performing their duties.” 

House Bill 20 now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.