The Ohio House approved two bills sponsored by state Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles — one to increase penalties for human trafficking and kidnapping convictions and the other to update tax deductions for married couples contributing to certain accounts.

The House passed both bills 93-0 on Wednesday. They need to be approved by the state Senate before Gov. Mike DeWine can sign them into law.

One bill makes human trafficking, kidnapping and abduction convictions first-degree felonies rather than second degree.

The bill, with state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, as the other lead sponsor, would increase the prison sentence for those convicted from its current 10 to 15 years to a minimum of 15 years.

The legislation also will provide protections for victims who are under the age of 18 or developmentally disabled by increasing sentences in those cases to 25 years to life in prison.

Santucci, a House majority whip, said: “Human trafficking is a brutal and destructive crime and Ohio must respond with unwavering resolve. (This bill) delivers a direct message: if you are involved in human trafficking, you are not welcome in Ohio and you will be held fully accountable.”

The other bill updates tax deductions for those who file married jointly for contributions to state 529 plans — to save money for a child or grandchild going to college or a trade school — and for an ABLE savings account — for those with disabilities and their families that allow them to save and invest money without jeopardizing their eligibility for certain public benefit programs like Medicaid.

The bill raises the annual deduction limit to $8,000 from $4,000 as well as index the annual deduction limits to inflation beginning next year.

Under existing law, married couples who file separately can deduct $4,000 each while those filing jointly have a total deduction of $4,000

The bill’s other lead sponsor was state Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon.

Santucci said this bill “reflects our commitment to empowering families with the tools they need to plan for their future. With this commonsense change, we’re making it easier for Ohioans to invest in education and build financial independence.”