Rep. Brown Applauds Unanimous Passage of House Bill 279

Today, State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) applauded the unanimous passage of his House Bill 279 on the Ohio House Floor. Along with Representative Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton), Brown advocated for the passage of this legislation that will significantly cut down on the red-tape required to obtain probate court approval of a settlement determination when a wrongful death occurs. 

“This common-sense legislation will help legal practitioners and families in our state when they are grieving the loss of a relative and need to go through the process of contacting next of kin about the decedent’s estate,” said Rep. Brown. 

The legislation would provide a statutory definition of next of kin, providing clarity to a confusing and often duplicative process of ensuring that the proper relatives are notified about the existence of an estate and the need to assert a claim. House Bill 279 would also change timelines to provide that notification to the next of kin, creating a more defined and streamlined process of making a claim against an estate. 

“I was proud to have the unanimous support of both my Democratic and Republican colleagues today on the House Floor,” Rep. Brown continued, “I look forward to working to get this passed in the Senate”. 

House Bill 279 now heads to the Ohio Senate, where Brown is hopeful that it will be swiftly considered and passed into law.