State Representative Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) announced today that the Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 459, legislation designating Ohio as a “Purple Heart State.”

The legislation makes Ohio the first state in the nation to pass legislation in the form of a bill showing the state's appreciation to those wounded in combat operations. Earlier this year, California passed a resolution proclaiming it to be a ‘Purple Heart state'.

“Ohio is a state that houses many brave military service members, several of whom are recipients of the “Purple Heart” award,” said Rep. Hottinger. “Their brave service to our nation deserves to be recognized, and I am proud that Ohio is the first state to offer that recognition. It is my hope that many more states will follow in Ohio’s footsteps on this matter.”

HB 459 passed the Ohio House of Representatives 95-0 and will now be sent to the Ohio Senate.