Rep. Bird Supports Bill to Protect First Responders and Ensure the Safety of Ohio Communities

COLUMBUS— The Ohio House of Representatives passed commonsense legislation to ensure first responders can carry out their responsibilities effectively during emergency situations, announced State Representative Adam Bird (R-New Richmond).

House Bill 20 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.

“First responders are often putting their lives on the line,” said Bird. “We need to protect them as much as possible through this bill.”

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