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. This new legal language mandates that courts take into account the familial responsibilities of offenders during sentencing, which may lead to more rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive measures. Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the information that must be considered during sentencing, including presentence investigation reports and victim impact statements, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the offender's role as a primary caretaker.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions 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. Successful completion of the intervention plan results in the dismissal of charges without a criminal conviction, and the bill clarifies the roles of supervising authorities while outlining consequences for non-compliance. The bill also repeals existing sections related to previous intervention or sentencing guidelines, aiming to enhance the judicial process by ensuring relevant factors are considered in sentencing and rehabilitation efforts.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2929.19, 2951.03, 2951.041