The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code to revise community control sanctions for offenders, particularly focusing on drug possession offenses and the conditions under which individuals may receive immunity from prosecution when seeking medical assistance during a drug overdose. Key provisions include the establishment of definitions for terms such as "qualified individual" and "community control sanction," and it stipulates that a qualified individual will not face arrest or prosecution for minor drug possession if they seek medical assistance and comply with treatment referral requirements. The bill also introduces a tiered penalty system for drug possession based on the quantity of controlled substances, with specific classifications ranging from minor misdemeanors to felonies, and outlines the maximum periods for community control sanctions, which shall not exceed five years for first or second-degree felonies and three years for lower felonies.

Additionally, the bill enhances the management of community control sanctions by allowing for jail sanctions to be served intermittently and introducing provisions for judicial release for eligible offenders, particularly during declared states of emergency. It specifies that community control sanctions must be supervised by the court or a probation department, and it allows for the imposition of penalties for violations, including extending the duration of sanctions or imposing more restrictive conditions. The previous five-year limit on total time under community control sanctions has been deleted, and new provisions have been inserted to allow for additional terms under certain conditions, such as willful refusal to comply with treatment. Overall, the bill aims to create a more structured and rehabilitative approach to drug-related offenses while ensuring public safety and accountability for offenders.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2925.11, 2929.15, 2929.20, 2929.25, 2951.02, 2951.07