The bill H.B. No. 2025-2026 seeks to amend sections 2929.01 and 2929.14 of the Revised Code and introduces a new section, 2941.1427, to establish a repeat drug offender specification in Ohio law. It defines a "repeat drug offender" as someone being sentenced for a felony violation of section 2925.03 who has previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more felony violations of the same section. The bill aims to enhance penalties for repeat drug offenders, thereby addressing the ongoing issues of drug abuse and trafficking in the state. Additionally, it includes various amendments to existing definitions and clarifications related to community control sanctions, probation supervision, and economic loss, providing clearer guidelines for sentencing and offender classification.

Moreover, the bill introduces mandatory prison terms for specific felonies, particularly those involving human trafficking, violence against pregnant women, and drug offenses. It mandates that offenders convicted of felony drug violations involving fentanyl-related compounds face significant prison terms of one to ten years, with the requirement that these terms be served consecutively. The bill also specifies that the indictment must explicitly state the offender's status as a repeat drug offender for the mandatory term to apply, ensuring transparency in the judicial process. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding drug offenses and enhance accountability for repeat offenders while ensuring that sentencing is clear and consistent.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2929.01, 2929.14