The bill introduced in the 136th General Assembly seeks to amend sections 2929.01 and 2929.14 of the Revised Code and enact section 2941.1427, which establishes a new specification for "repeat drug offenders." This definition applies to individuals sentenced for felony violations of section 2925.03 who have previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more felony violations of the same section. The bill aims to enhance penalties for these repeat offenders, thereby addressing the ongoing issues of drug abuse and trafficking. Additionally, it includes various amendments to existing definitions and terms related to probation and community control sanctions, clarifying language to ensure consistency across the Revised Code.

Moreover, the bill introduces mandatory prison terms for specific felonies, particularly those involving human trafficking and violent crimes, with additional terms for repeat offenders. It mandates that if an offender is convicted of a felony drug violation and is identified as a repeat offender, the court must impose the longest prison term authorized for the offense along with an additional mandatory term of one to ten years. The bill also emphasizes that these terms must be served consecutively and outlines the process for notifying defendants about the use of prior convictions as evidence. Notably, it repeals existing sections 2929.01 and 2929.14, consolidating previous amendments into a clearer framework for sentencing related to drug offenses.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2929.01, 2929.14