OH HB208

Amends Ohio Revised Code section 2907.07 to establish penalties for the offense of importuning, which involves soliciting minors or individuals for sexual activity.

Establishes four categories of importuning: soliciting anyone under 13 years old; soliciting individuals 13-15 years old when offender is 18+ and 4+ years older; telecommunications solicitation of minors under 13; and telecommunications solicitation of minors 13-15 years old.

First offense violations of soliciting minors under 13 or telecommunications solicitation of minors under 13 are felonies of the third degree with mandatory prison sentences; prior conviction of sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offenses elevates to felony of the second degree.

First offense violations involving minors 13-15 years old are felonies of the fifth degree with mandatory prison sentences; prior conviction of sexually oriented or child-victim oriented offenses elevates to felony of the fourth degree with minimum 12-month prison sentence.

Applies telecommunications solicitation provisions to any transmission that originates in or is received in Ohio.