The bill amends section 2307.60 of the Revised Code to enable victims of theft or fraud that occurs during a declared state of emergency to recover treble damages from the offender in a civil action. The new language specifies that individuals injured by such criminal acts during an emergency, as declared by the president, governor, or local officials, are entitled to these enhanced damages, along with the costs of maintaining the civil action and attorney's fees, unless otherwise specified by law.

Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that allows a final judgment from a trial court, which has not been overturned, to be used as evidence in subsequent civil proceedings related to the criminal act. This provision aims to prevent offenders from denying essential facts that were established in the criminal judgment, unless they can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances that hindered their ability to fully litigate the issue in the original trial. The existing section 2307.60 is repealed, and the new language is inserted to clarify these changes.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2307.60