HB 646 Summary

• Modifies sentencing options for aggravated murder committed purposely and with prior calculation by adding life imprisonment with parole eligibility after serving 45 and 55 full years as alternative sentences to existing options.

• Creates mandatory sentence of death or life imprisonment without parole for aggravated murder when the offender was convicted of or pleaded guilty to sexual motivation and sexually violent predator specifications, unless the offender was found to be under 18 years old at time of offense.

• Establishes new aggravating circumstance (division A(11) of section 2929.04) making violation of division (A) of section 2903.01 (purposely causing death with prior calculation) subject to death penalty or life without parole.

• Extends indefinite sentencing with 30-year minimum/life maximum terms to aggravated murder cases involving victims under 13 years old with sexual motivation specifications when death or life without parole is not imposed.

• Updates sentencing provisions in sections 2929.03, 2929.06, 2971.03, 2971.07, and 5120.61 to align parole eligibility thresholds and references throughout the sentencing scheme.