The bill amends the Ohio Revised Code to strengthen penalties and clarify definitions related to sexually oriented offenses involving juvenile victims. Key changes include the reclassification of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor as a felony of the second degree if the offender is ten or more years older than the victim. It introduces stricter penalties for the creation and distribution of obscene materials involving minors, including mandatory prison terms for offenses involving minors under thirteen. The bill also specifies that individuals cannot engage in sexual conduct with a minor if they are four or more years older than the victim and emphasizes that a mistake of age is not a valid defense in prosecutions.

Additionally, the bill establishes mandatory prison terms for specific violent and sexual offenses, particularly those involving minors and impaired persons. It introduces new definitions, such as "artificially generated depiction," and clarifies the criteria for classifying sex offenders into tiers based on the severity of their crimes. The bill repeals certain existing sections of the Revised Code to harmonize definitions and classifications, ensuring legal clarity in the treatment of juvenile offenders and sex offenses. Overall, the bill aims to enhance protections against the exploitation of minors and impose stricter penalties on offenders to improve public safety.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 959.21, 959.99, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2929.14, 2950.01
As Reported By Senate Committee: 959.99, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2929.14, 2950.01
As Passed By Senate: 959.99, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2929.14, 2950.01