H.B. No. 97 Summary

• Eliminates spousal exceptions for rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition, importuning, and public indecency offenses

• Permits spouses to testify against each other in prosecutions for these seven sexual offenses, removing previous restrictions on spousal testimony

• Makes it clear that marital status is not a defense to charges under these offenses when the victim is the offender's spouse

• Amends sections 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.09, and 2945.42 of the Ohio Revised Code to implement these changes