The Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill this week that would raise the penalty for drunk drivers convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide.

House Bill 37, also known as Liv's Law, would "create an appropriate penalty" for those who commit an aggravated vehicular homicide offense and have been convicted of an OVI-related offense.

The bill is named after Olivia Wright, a 22-year-old from Ashville who was killed in 2020 in a crash along State Route 104. The driver of the car that hit her was under the influence at the time.

Liv's Law would address repeat offenders and does not impact first-time offenders.

"As a former state trooper, I know that nearly 30% of all OVI arrests are repeat offenders," State Rep. Kevin Miller (R-Newark) said. "These offenders have repeatedly decided to put the lives of others at risk all for the sake of their own convenience. The consequences of an OVI conviction were clearly not enough to change their mind and deter their behavior. House Bill 37 sends a strong message to these individuals."

Under House Bill 37, if someone has pleaded guilty to one OVI in the past 20 years, they are subject to a one-strike policy. If their actions lead to a person's death, the court has the option to sentence them to up to 20 years in prison.

It would also increase the fine for all aggravated vehicular homicides as a result of an OVI to $25,000.

The bill passed the House with a 93-0 vote and will head to the senate for its consideration.