Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2907
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.231 (2026)

Engaging in prostitution

✓ laws through the 2026 session (checked Sept. 2026)
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Effective:
October 3, 2023
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly
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(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Person with a developmental disability" has the same meaning as in section 2905.32 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Sexual activity for hire" means an implicit or explicit agreement to provide sexual activity in exchange for anything of value paid to the person engaging in such sexual activity, to any person trafficking that person, or to any person associated with either such person.

(B) No person shall recklessly induce, entice, or procure another to engage in sexual activity for hire in exchange for the person giving anything of value to the other person.

(C) No person shall recklessly induce, entice, or procure another to engage in sexual activity for hire in exchange for the person giving anything of value to the other person if the other person is a person with a developmental disability and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person is a person with a developmental disability.

(D) Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of engaging in prostitution, a misdemeanor of the first degree. Whoever violates division (C) of this section is guilty of engaging in prostitution with a person with a developmental disability, a felony of the third degree. In sentencing an offender under this division for a violation of division (B) or (C) of this section, the court shall require the offender to attend an education or treatment program aimed at preventing persons from inducing, enticing, or procuring another to engage in sexual activity for hire in exchange for the person giving anything of value to the other person. Notwithstanding the fine specified in division (A)(2)(a) of section 2929.28 of the Revised Code for a misdemeanor of the first degree, in sentencing an offender under this division for a violation of division (B) of this section, the court may impose upon the offender a fine of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars.

Last updated August 28, 2023 at 12:33 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 2024–2026 · leading case: State v. Clavin, 2026-Ohio-325.
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State v. Clavin, 2026-Ohio-325. · cites it 29× “{¶10} Appellant submits R.C. 2907.231 is unconstitutionally vague.”
State v. George, 2026-Ohio-324. · cites it 29× “{¶10} Appellant submits that R.C. 2907.231 is unconstitutionally vague.”
State v. Sawitke, 2025-Ohio-1089. “24(A), a misdemeanor of the third degree; and one count of engaging in prostitution in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B), a misdemeanor of the first degree.”
State v. Plaster, 2024-Ohio-5938, 258 N.E.3d 1244. · cites it 3× “{¶8} Appellant was charged with two counts: first-degree misdemeanor engaging in prostitution in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B) and third-degree misdemeanor soliciting in violation of R.”
State v. Gore, 2026-Ohio-1488. · cites it 3× “{¶9} On April 2, 2024, Appellant was charged with one count of engaging in prostitution, a misdemeanor of the first degree in violation of R.C. 2907.231, and one count of possessing criminal tools (the phone), a misdemeanor of the first degree in violation of R.”
State v. Newberry, 2025-Ohio-586. · cites it 2× “323(A)(3) (Counts 1 and 2); engaging in prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B) (Count 3); and possessing criminal tools, a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.”
State v. Keirns, 2024-Ohio-3177. “21(A)(2)(b); one count of engaging in prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B); and one count of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony in violation of R.”
Cleveland Metro. Bar Assn. v. McGaffick, 2026-Ohio-2397. “, “recklessly induc[ing], entic[ing], or procur[ing] another to engage in sexual activity for hire in exchange for the person giving anything of value to the other person,” R.C. 2907.231(B) and (D). The board determined that McGaffick’s conduct falls under the catchall provision…”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.231(A)(1): 2 cases
State v. Clavin, 2026-Ohio-325. “{¶10} Appellant submits R.C. 2907.231 is unconstitutionally vague.”
State v. George, 2026-Ohio-324. “{¶10} Appellant submits that R.C. 2907.231 is unconstitutionally vague.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2907.231(B): 8 cases
State v. Clavin, 2026-Ohio-325. “{¶10} Appellant submits R.C. 2907.231 is unconstitutionally vague.”
State v. George, 2026-Ohio-324. “{¶10} Appellant submits that R.C. 2907.231 is unconstitutionally vague.”
State v. Sawitke, 2025-Ohio-1089. “24(A), a misdemeanor of the third degree; and one count of engaging in prostitution in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B), a misdemeanor of the first degree.”
State v. Plaster, 2024-Ohio-5938, 258 N.E.3d 1244. “{¶8} Appellant was charged with two counts: first-degree misdemeanor engaging in prostitution in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B) and third-degree misdemeanor soliciting in violation of R.”
State v. Newberry, 2025-Ohio-586. “323(A)(3) (Counts 1 and 2); engaging in prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.C. 2907.231(B) (Count 3); and possessing criminal tools, a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of R.”
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