Warren-Clinton News

House Bill 179, legislation aimed at simplifying Ohio’s legal system by clarifying the parties against whom and the time frame within which certain lawsuits must be filed, has been unanimously passed by the Ohio Senate and signed into law. The bill's sponsors, State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), made the announcement.

The new law establishes a four-year period for filing specific civil lawsuits against potential defendants. It also clarifies which industries and professions require specific named defendants and delineates the extent of businesses' liability for their employees' misconduct. These changes are intended to clarify recent court decisions and reinforce longstanding Ohio law.

“Our intent is to ensure transparency, clarity, and easily understood legal standards for all our businesses, hospitals, and attorneys. With the increasing complexity of the law, House Bill 179 will preserve the legal framework Ohio has enjoyed for decades and provide stability for our economic and legal environment,” Mathews stated. “I am thankful for all of the interested parties who have worked alongside us in the House and Senate to pass this bill and protect the legal framework Ohioans expect.”

“HB 179 will ensure that lawsuits are directed at the relevant parties and that they do not unnecessarily drag in innocent, unrelated people at great personal expense,” Stewart added.

“House Bill 179 strikes the right balance between allowing meritorious claims to proceed but also streamlining the litigation process and preventing over-naming of defendants based only on legal technicalities.”