OH HB329

Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate violations of unauthorized use of property (section 2913.04) and telecommunications fraud (section 2913.05), with power to issue subpoenas and compel witness testimony.

Modifies telecommunications fraud penalties based on fraud amount: fifth degree felony for amounts under $1,000; fourth degree for $1,000-$7,499; third degree for $7,500-$149,999; second degree for $150,000-$999,999; first degree for $1,000,000 or more.

Creates a new offense of telecommunications fraud perpetrated against an elderly person or disabled adult with enhanced penalties: fourth degree felony as baseline, escalating to first degree felony for amounts of $150,000 or more.

Allows courts to aggregate the value of benefits obtained or victim detriment across multiple related fraud violations in a course of conduct involving one or more victims.

Expands the telemarketing fraud enforcement fund to cover investigation and prosecution of crimes investigated by the consumer protection section, not just administration of telemarketing registration programs.