Ohio Sexual Predator update

An article in this morning’s Enquirer shines some local light on the continuing sexual predator issue in the nation. Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis and Prosecutor Joe Deters were meeting yesterday to discuss plans to “literally map out areas around Hamilton County schools,” in an effort to facilitate enforcement of Ohio’s sexual predators law in general, and the requirement that offenders cannot live within 1,000 feet of any school facility.

Ohio’s sexual predator law is embodied in Chapter 2950 of the Revised Code, with the residency requirements being specified in § 2950.031. The residency restriction went into effect on July 31, 2003, with minor amendments taking effect April 29, 2005.

There are still four additional bills pending. H.B. 118, introduced March 8th., again amends §2950.031 adding additional landlord rights including those of evicting offenders;

H.B. 191, introduced April 12th., makes violation of the registry & notification sections a fifth-degree felony;

H.B. 217 proposes the creation of specially colored license plates for sex offenders;

and H.B. 15, which was introduced Jan. 25, 2005 and represents Ohio’s “Laura’s Law,” would establish an internet database including information for each inmate under sentence for any “designated violence- or sex-related offense,” and where an individual could send written statements regarding an inmates release, pardon, commutation, parole, or transfer.