The bill amends the Revised Code to prohibit tier II and tier III sex offenders, specifically those classified as child-victim offenders, from being present on school and child care center premises, with certain exceptions for legitimate purposes such as picking up their children or attending meetings requested by school officials. It establishes an affirmative defense for offenders who are parents or guardians, provided they are on the premises for a legitimate purpose. Additionally, the bill requires sheriffs to notify these offenders about the prohibitions and updates the state registry of sex offenders to include information regarding these restrictions, thereby enhancing child safety in educational environments. Moreover, the bill introduces new legal language by inserting section 3313.475, which aligns certain schools with the regulations applicable to school districts, and repeals several existing sections to streamline the legal framework governing educational institutions. It also mandates the creation of a public database by sheriffs containing detailed offender information and outlines penalties for violations of registration requirements, particularly for repeat offenders. The legislation aims to improve the management of sex offender registries, enhance public safety, and ensure compliance with legal standards in community schools across Ohio.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2950.13, 2950.99, 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24