COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOWO): Surviving spouses of Purple Heart recipients could soon be allowed to keep or obtain Purple Heart license plates under legislation unanimously approved by the Ohio House of Representatives.

House Bill 339 passed Wednesday by a 91-0 vote and now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Under current Ohio law, a surviving spouse cannot continue displaying a Purple Heart license plate after the recipient’s death. The proposed legislation would change that by allowing eligible widows and widowers who have not remarried to retain the specialty plate or apply for one if their spouse qualified for the recognition.

State Rep. Jim Hoops, a Republican from Napoleon, said the bill recognizes that the sacrifice associated with a Purple Heart extends beyond the service member and includes the family members who supported them.

The legislation was inspired by middle school student Grady Langenderfer. Lawmakers say Langenderfer became interested in the issue after his grandmother was unable to keep displaying a Purple Heart plate following the death of his grandfather, a Purple Heart recipient.

To qualify under the proposal, surviving spouses would be required to apply through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and provide documentation verifying the deceased recipient’s Purple Heart award. Applicants would also need to meet all standard vehicle registration requirements and pay applicable registration fees and taxes.

If approved by the Senate and signed into law, the measure would allow surviving spouses to continue displaying a visible tribute to their loved one’s military service and sacrifice.