The bill amends sections 2929.19, 2951.03, and 2951.041 of the Revised Code to require courts to consider an offender's status as a primary caretaker of a child when determining eligibility for community control sanctions or intervention in lieu of conviction. It mandates that during the sentencing process, the court must take into account the offender's role as a primary caretaker alongside other factors such as their criminal record and any information presented at the hearing. The bill also makes several deletions and insertions to clarify the considerations for sentencing, including the removal of the phrase "and, if" in the context of presentence investigation reports, while emphasizing the importance of victim impact statements.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a framework for "intervention in lieu of conviction," allowing eligible offenders to avoid a criminal conviction by complying with a court-imposed intervention plan. The court is required to presume that intervention is appropriate unless there are specific reasons to deny the request. If granted, offenders must adhere to conditions such as abstaining from illegal substances and participating in treatment for one to five years, with successful completion leading to the dismissal of charges. The bill also repeals existing sections related to previous intervention or sentencing guidelines, clarifying the roles of supervising authorities and outlining consequences for non-compliance, thereby promoting a rehabilitative approach while ensuring accountability.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2929.19, 2951.03, 2951.041