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Senate passes legislation to protect infrastructure

COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction, announced the Senate passage of his legislation that will help protect critical infrastructure in Ohio by enhancing penalties associated with certain types of wrongful acts that disrupt vital operations.

“We are beginning to see how critical infrastructure provides essential energy, communications and other vital services and products to the entire state,” Hoagland said. “This legislation seeks to increase measures of protecting these facilities from wrongful acts that can cause serious harm.”

Senate Bill 250 prohibits criminal mischief, trespassing and aggravated criminal trespassing and would impose fines on organizations that are found to be complicit with these offenses.

In recent months there have been a number of reports of tampering with valves and controls at pipeline facilities that can create extremely dangerous situations.

Critical Infrastructure includes all of the following but is not limited to:

Electricity Generation, Transmission, and Generation

Gas Production, Transport, and Distribution

Oil, Oil Products, Production, Transportation, and Distribution

Telecommunication

Water Supply

Agricultural Resources, Food Production, & Distribution

Heating

Transportation Systems

Security Services

SB 250 will now be sent to the Ohio House for further consideration.

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