Ohio House Passes Bill Updating Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault Statute

State Representatives Kevin Miller (R-Newark) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 533, legislation he sponsored that expands the list of vehicles that can be included under the law to commit a vehicular homicide or a vehicular assault.

Currently, someone may be charged with vehicular homicide or vehicular assault if they are operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle, utility vehicle, mini-truck, snowmobile, locomotive, watercraft or aircraft. House Bill 533 would expand the list of vehicles to include under-speed vehicles (such as golf carts), motorized bicycles, motor-driven cycles or scooters and all-purpose vehicles. While these vehicles can legally operate on municipal roadways around the state, they do not qualify under the current statute for vehicular homicide and assault.

"Anyone operating these kinds of vehicles has an obligation to do so safely and responsibly," said Rep. Miller. "An operator whose unsafe driving causes the injury or death of another person should be held accountable. This legislation ensures the Ohio Revised Code better reflects the range of modern modes of transportation."

House Bill 533 does not create any additional offenses or increase penalties; it simply expands the law to reflect a larger range of vehicles as it relates to vehicular homicide. The purpose of the bill is to ensure anyone operating these vehicles can be held accountable for irresponsible driving, just like other motor vehicles.

The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.