Senate Bill 162 Summary

• Eliminates the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of rape (section 2907.02) and conspiracy, attempt, or complicity to commit rape

• Eliminates spousal exceptions for certain sexual offenses (rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition, and importuning), allowing spouses to testify against each other in prosecutions for these crimes

• Creates a new civil cause of action with no statute of limitations for victims of conduct constituting rape or conspiracy to commit rape

• Extends statute of limitations for sexual battery (section 2907.03) from 25 years to unlimited, with DNA match exceptions allowing prosecution within 5 years of DNA identification

• Requires law enforcement to preserve and analyze biological evidence from sexual assault cases, with specific timelines for DNA analysis and retention periods based on conviction status