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Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99 (2026)

Penalty

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(A)(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in division (A)(1)(b) of this section, whoever violates a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code shall be punished as follows:

(i) If the most serious sexually oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is aggravated murder or murder if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the first degree.

(ii) If the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a felony of the first, second, third, or fourth degree if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the same degree as the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition, or, if the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the same degree as that offense committed in the other jurisdiction would constitute if committed in this state.

(iii) If the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a felony of the fifth degree or a misdemeanor if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

(b) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to, or previously has been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing, a violation of a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code, whoever violates a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code shall be punished as follows:

(i) If the most serious sexually oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is aggravated murder or murder if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the first degree.

(ii) If the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a felony of the first, second, or third degree if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the same degree as the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition, or, if the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the same degree as that offense committed in the other jurisdiction would constitute if committed in this state.

(iii) If the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a felony of the fourth or fifth degree if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the third degree.

(iv) If the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a misdemeanor if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the offender is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.

(2)(a) In addition to any penalty or sanction imposed under division (A)(1) of this section or any other provision of law for a violation of a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code, if the offender or delinquent child is subject to a community control sanction, is on parole, is subject to one or more post-release control sanctions, or is subject to any other type of supervised release at the time of the violation, the violation shall constitute a violation of the terms and conditions of the community control sanction, parole, post-release control sanction, or other type of supervised release.

(b) In addition to any penalty or sanction imposed under division (A)(1)(b)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section or any other provision of law for a violation of a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to, or previously has been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing, a violation of a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code when the most serious sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the requirement that was violated under the prohibition is a felony if committed by an adult or a comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction, the court imposing a sentence upon the offender shall impose a definite prison term of no less than three years. The definite prison term imposed under this section shall not be reduced to less than three years pursuant to any provision of Chapter 2967. or any other provision of the Revised Code.

(3) As used in division (A)(1) of this section, "comparable category of offense committed in another jurisdiction" means a sexually oriented offense or child-victim oriented offense that was the basis of the registration, notice of intent to reside, change of address notification, or address verification requirement that was violated, that is a violation of an existing or former law of another state or the United States, an existing or former law applicable in a military court or in an Indian tribal court, or an existing or former law of any nation other than the United States, and that, if it had been committed in this state, would constitute or would have constituted aggravated murder or murder for purposes of division (A)(1)(a)(i) of this section, a felony of the first, second, third, or fourth degree for purposes of division (A)(1)(a)(ii) of this section, a felony of the fifth degree or a misdemeanor for purposes of division (A)(1)(a)(iii) of this section, aggravated murder or murder for purposes of division (A)(1)(b)(i) of this section, a felony of the first, second, or third degree for purposes of division (A)(1)(b)(ii) of this section, a felony of the fourth or fifth degree for purposes of division (A)(1)(b)(iii) of this section, or a misdemeanor for purposes of division (A)(1)(b)(iv) of this section.

(B) If a person violates a prohibition in section 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, or 2950.06 of the Revised Code that applies to the person as a result of the person being adjudicated a delinquent child and being classified a juvenile offender registrant or an out-of-state juvenile offender registrant, both of the following apply:

(1) If the violation occurs while the person is under eighteen years of age, the person is subject to proceedings under Chapter 2152. of the Revised Code based on the violation.

(2) If the violation occurs while the person is eighteen years of age or older, the person is subject to criminal prosecution based on the violation.

(C) Whoever violates division (C) of section 2950.13 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(D) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of section 2950.035 of the Revised Code shall be punished as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(2) or (3) of this section, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2) If the offender once previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(2) of section 2950.035 of the Revised Code, the offender is guilty of a felony of the third degree.

(3) If the offender two or more times previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(2) of section 2950.035 of the Revised Code, the offender is guilty of a felony of the first degree.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Last updated February 14, 2023 at 2:26 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 129 cases (22 in the last 5 years), 1998–2026 · leading case: State v. Howard, 2012-Ohio-5738, 983 N.E.2d 341.
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State v. Howard, 2012-Ohio-5738, 983 N.E.2d 341. · cites it 64× “05—Requirement to give notice of change of residence address—Penalty for failure to give notice—Former R.C. 2950.99 as it existed immediately before repeal of Megan’s Law by Adam Walsh Act governs penalty for offenders originally classified under Megan’s Law who violate notice…”
State v. Ashcraft, 2022-Ohio-4611, 220 N.E.3d 749. · cites it 67× “At Ashcraft’s plea hearing, the court informed him that he was facing a prison term of no less than three years under R.C. 2950.99 in addition to any sanction or penalty imposed for the offense.”
State v. Buttery (Slip Opinion), 2020-Ohio-2998, 164 N.E.3d 294. · cites it 12× “Unlike the sentencing statutes in Apprendi and Alleyne, R.C. 2950.99 does not provide for sentence enhancements upon a trial court’s determination of certain facts.”
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. · cites it 18× “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
State v. Howard, 2011-Ohio-5693, 961 N.E.2d 1196. · cites it 20× “Under the former R.C. 2950.99, the penalty for failure to notify was a felony of the fifth degree.”
State v. Beckwith, 2017-Ohio-4298, 82 N.E.3d 1198. · cites it 16× “Because of the prior conviction specification, his offense was elevated from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony, pursuant to R.C. 2950.99. The trial court sentenced him to 24 months, concurrent to the term imposed in CR-604159.”
State v. Williams, 2011-Ohio-3374, 952 N.E.2d 1108. · cites it 4× “R.C. 2950.99. {¶ 12} In a dissent in Ferguson, Justice Lanzinger wrote as follows: {¶ 13} "Although the majority continues to rely on State v.”
State v. Ashcraft, 2021-Ohio-3842, 180 N.E.3d 630. · cites it 36× “05(F) was contrary to law under the language of R.C. 2950.99. Standard of Review {¶10} R.”
State v. Gingell, 2011-Ohio-1481, 128 Ohio St. 3d 444. · cites it 6× “Under former R.C. 2950.99, Gingell’s failure to properly register as a sexually oriented offender would have been a fifth-degree felony.”
State v. Barnes, 2014-Ohio-2721. · cites it 19× “In his written pleas, it was noted that the two failure to register counts carried a mandatory three year prison sentence, pursuant to R.C. 2950.99(A)(2)(b), because he had a prior conviction for failing to register under R.”
State v. Risch, 2025-Ohio-2484, 270 N.E.3d 1202. · cites it 16× “The trial court imposed a mandatory three-year prison term pursuant to sentencing enhancement provisions in R.C. 2950.99 that elevate the penalty if the defendant had a prior conviction for certain enumerated failure to report crimes.”
State v. Freeman, 2011-Ohio-4357. · cites it 9× “{¶15} Freeman was classified under Megan’s Law as a sexually oriented offender on December 12, 2000.”
Show all 129 citing cases →
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A): 5 cases
State v. Buttery (Slip Opinion), 2020-Ohio-2998, 164 N.E.3d 294. “Unlike the sentencing statutes in Apprendi and Alleyne, R.C. 2950.99 does not provide for sentence enhancements upon a trial court’s determination of certain facts.”
State v. Alltop, 2011-Ohio-5541.
State v. Jones, 2012-Ohio-1231.
State v. Morris, 2014-Ohio-5578.
State v. Hopson, 2018-Ohio-4552.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1): 5 cases
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
Julie Hautzenroeder v. Michael DeWine, 887 F.3d 737 (6th Cir. 2018).
State v. Shazier, 2019-Ohio-4409, 147 N.E.3d 1220.
Young v. Swaney, No. 1:23-cv-00037 (S.D. Ohio Apr. 25, 2024).
State v. Jackson, 2017-Ohio-917.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(a): 14 cases
State v. Hubbard, 2020-Ohio-856, 146 N.E.3d 593.
State v. Howard, 2011-Ohio-5693, 961 N.E.2d 1196. “Under the former R.C. 2950.99, the penalty for failure to notify was a felony of the fifth degree.”
State v. Gingell, 2011-Ohio-1481, 128 Ohio St. 3d 444. “Under former R.C. 2950.99, Gingell’s failure to properly register as a sexually oriented offender would have been a fifth-degree felony.”
State v. Ashcraft, 2022-Ohio-4611, 220 N.E.3d 749. “At Ashcraft’s plea hearing, the court informed him that he was facing a prison term of no less than three years under R.C. 2950.99 in addition to any sanction or penalty imposed for the offense.”
State v. Beard, 2021-Ohio-2512, 177 N.E.3d 591.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(a)(I): 1 case
State v. Brunning, 2013-Ohio-930.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(a)(i): 12 cases
State v. Howard, 2011-Ohio-5693, 961 N.E.2d 1196. “Under the former R.C. 2950.99, the penalty for failure to notify was a felony of the fifth degree.”
State v. Johnson, 2011-Ohio-2069.
State v. Alexander, 2011-Ohio-4015.
State v. Alltop, 2011-Ohio-5541.
State v. Kimbrough, 2012-Ohio-1773.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(a)(ii): 14 cases
State v. Buttery (Slip Opinion), 2020-Ohio-2998, 164 N.E.3d 294. “Unlike the sentencing statutes in Apprendi and Alleyne, R.C. 2950.99 does not provide for sentence enhancements upon a trial court’s determination of certain facts.”
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
State v. Alltop, 2011-Ohio-5541.
State v. Palmer, 2012-Ohio-580, 131 Ohio St. 3d 278.
State v. Alexander, 2011-Ohio-4015.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(a)(iii): 3 cases
State v. Conley, 2016-Ohio-5310.
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
State v. Finfrock, 2026-Ohio-2240.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(b): 5 cases
State v. Ashcraft, 2022-Ohio-4611, 220 N.E.3d 749. “At Ashcraft’s plea hearing, the court informed him that he was facing a prison term of no less than three years under R.C. 2950.99 in addition to any sanction or penalty imposed for the offense.”
State v. Ashcraft, 2021-Ohio-3842, 180 N.E.3d 630. “05(F) was contrary to law under the language of R.C. 2950.99. Standard of Review {¶10} R.”
State v. Caldwell, 2012-Ohio-1091.
State v. Koch, 2016-Ohio-7926.
State v. McCoppin, 2016-Ohio-5440.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(b)(i): 2 cases
State v. Ashcraft, 2022-Ohio-4611, 220 N.E.3d 749. “At Ashcraft’s plea hearing, the court informed him that he was facing a prison term of no less than three years under R.C. 2950.99 in addition to any sanction or penalty imposed for the offense.”
State v. Howard, 2011-Ohio-5693, 961 N.E.2d 1196. “Under the former R.C. 2950.99, the penalty for failure to notify was a felony of the fifth degree.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(b)(ii): 4 cases
State v. Ashcraft, 2022-Ohio-4611, 220 N.E.3d 749. “At Ashcraft’s plea hearing, the court informed him that he was facing a prison term of no less than three years under R.C. 2950.99 in addition to any sanction or penalty imposed for the offense.”
State v. Ashcraft, 2021-Ohio-3842, 180 N.E.3d 630. “05(F) was contrary to law under the language of R.C. 2950.99. Standard of Review {¶10} R.”
State v. Burden, 2022-Ohio-569.
State v. Bocanegra, 2024-Ohio-5971.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(b)(iii): 5 cases
State v. Beckwith, 2017-Ohio-4298, 82 N.E.3d 1198. “Because of the prior conviction specification, his offense was elevated from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony, pursuant to R.C. 2950.99. The trial court sentenced him to 24 months, concurrent to the term imposed in CR-604159.”
State v. Ramsey, 2022-Ohio-3389.
State v. Kesler, 2014-Ohio-3376.
State v. Bibb, 2020-Ohio-4670.
State v. Chandler, 2016-Ohio-599.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(1)(iii): 1 case
State v. Overton, 2021-Ohio-3193.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(2)(b): 22 cases
State v. Ashcraft, 2022-Ohio-4611, 220 N.E.3d 749. “At Ashcraft’s plea hearing, the court informed him that he was facing a prison term of no less than three years under R.C. 2950.99 in addition to any sanction or penalty imposed for the offense.”
State v. Barnes, 2014-Ohio-2721. “In his written pleas, it was noted that the two failure to register counts carried a mandatory three year prison sentence, pursuant to R.C. 2950.99(A)(2)(b), because he had a prior conviction for failing to register under R.”
State v. Ashcraft, 2021-Ohio-3842, 180 N.E.3d 630. “05(F) was contrary to law under the language of R.C. 2950.99. Standard of Review {¶10} R.”
State v. Beckwith, 2017-Ohio-4298, 82 N.E.3d 1198. “Because of the prior conviction specification, his offense was elevated from a fourth-degree felony to a third-degree felony, pursuant to R.C. 2950.99. The trial court sentenced him to 24 months, concurrent to the term imposed in CR-604159.”
State v. Pritchett, 2011-Ohio-5978.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(3): 1 case
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(l)(a)(i): 1 case
State v. Chessman, 935 N.E.2d 887 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2010).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(l)(a)(ii): 3 cases
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
State v. Chessman, 935 N.E.2d 887 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2010).
State v. Savors, 2012-Ohio-1297, 965 N.E.2d 1086.
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(A)(l)(a)(iii): 2 cases
State v. Lloyd, 2012-Ohio-2015, 132 Ohio St. 3d 135. “01 {¶ 13} In all prosecutions under Ohio’s sex-offender-registration laws, the state must prove that the defendant had been convicted of a sexually oriented offense that triggered a duty to register.”
State v. Chessman, 935 N.E.2d 887 (Ohio Ct. App. 2d Dist. 2010).
Ohio Rev. Code § 2950.99(a)(1)(i): 1 case
People v. Carmony, 127 Cal. App. 4th 1066 (Cal. Ct. App. 2005).
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