Understanding Ohio’s Child Grooming Law

Being investigated or charged under a new criminal statute carries a unique level of uncertainty and fear. In April 2025, Governor DeWine signed into law House Bill 322, which added a new, complex criminal offense for “grooming” to the Ohio Revised Code. Unlike many established crimes, the legal definition of “grooming” focuses on a “pattern of conduct” and intent, making charges highly dependent on interpretation.

Anyone facing this accusation must immediately understand that a conviction can lead to significant penalties, ranging from a serious misdemeanor to a felony offense, carrying the potential for substantial jail or prison time. Your freedom, reputation, and future are at stake, and navigating this new law requires the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

What Is “Grooming” Under Ohio?

In this context, “grooming” refers to a “pattern of conduct” between adults and minors that is viewed as preparing, encouraging, or coercing the minor to engage in sexual activity. There are different acts that can qualify as “grooming” under the new law. Depending on what actions are alleged to have been committed, a suspect could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony level offense.

What Is A “Pattern Of Conduct” Under Ohio Law?

A “pattern of conduct” has been defined as two or more actions or incidents closely related in time. No criminal investigations or convictions need to have occurred for an action or incident to qualify as a pattern of conduct. (R.C. 2903.211(D))

If you are facing an investigation or a charge under Ohio’s new grooming law, do not speak to law enforcement without a lawyer. Your first call should be to an experienced defense attorney at Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima. Call us today at 513-496-0134 or fill out our contact form to arrange a confidential consultation with an Ohio criminal defense lawyer.

What Types Of Behavior Qualify As “Grooming” Under R.C. 2907.071?

The lower-level grooming offense is defined as:

(B) No person who is eighteen years of age or older shall engage in a pattern of conduct with a minor who is less than sixteen years of age and who is four or more years younger than the person, when the pattern of conduct would cause a reasonable adult person to believe that the person is communicating with the minor with purpose to do either of the following:

(1) Entice, coerce, or solicit the minor to engage in sexual activity, and when the person’s purpose in engaging in the pattern of conduct is to entice, coerce, or solicit the minor to engage in sexual activity with the person or a third person;

(2) Prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity, and when the person’s purpose in engaging in the pattern of conduct is to prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity with the person or a third person that would be a violation of section 2907.02 (Rape), 2907.03 (Sexual Battery), 2907.04 (Unlawful sexual conduct with minor), 2907.05 (Gross sexual imposition), 2907.06 (Sexual imposition), or 2907.07 (Importuning) of the Revised Code.

A violation of R.C. 2907.071(B) is a misdemeanor of the second degree, meaning that it carries up to 90 days in jail and up to a $750 fine.

However, if (1) the victim was less than 13 years of age or (2) the offender supplied alcohol or a drug of abuse to the victim, a violation of R.C. 2907.071(B) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony of the fifth degree, which carries up to 12 months in prison and up to a $2500 fine.

Also, if the victim of the offense was less than 13 years old and the offender was previously convicted of a prior grooming offense, a sexually-oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(A)), or a child-victim oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(C)), then a violation of R.C. 2907.071(B) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony of the fourth degree, which carries up to 18 months in prison and up to a $5000 fine.

Finally, if the offender has a prior conviction for grooming, a sexually-oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(A)), or a child-victim oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(C)), and the offender supplied alcohol or a drug abuse to the victim, then a violation of R.C. 2907.071(B) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree, which carries up to 9-36 months in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine.

The higher-level grooming offense is defined as:

(C) No person who is eighteen years of age or older shall engage in a pattern of conduct with a minor if the person and the minor are in any of the relationships described in divisions (A)(5) to (13) of section 2907.03 of the Revised Code, when the pattern of conduct would cause a reasonable adult person to believe that the person is communicating with the minor with purpose to do either of the following:

(1) Entice, coerce, or solicit the minor to engage in sexual activity, and when the person’s purpose in engaging in the pattern of conduct is to entice, coerce, or solicit the minor to engage in sexual activity with the person or a third person;

(2) Prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity, and when the person’s purpose in engaging in the pattern of conduct is to prepare the minor to engage in sexual activity with the person or a third person that would be a violation of section 2907.02 (Rape), 2907.03 (Sexual Battery), 2907.04 (Unlawful sexual conduct with minor), 2907.05 (Gross sexual imposition), 2907.06 (Sexual imposition), or 2907.07 (Importuning) of the Revised Code.

This section focuses on juvenile victims that are part of a special juvenile-adult relationship like child-parent, child-guardian, student-teacher, student-coach, scout-scout leader, patient-mental health professional, client-medical professional, incarcerated juvenile-corrections officer, and child-cleric. (R.C. 2907.03(A)(5)-(13))

A violation of R.C. 2907.071(C) is a misdemeanor of the first degree, meaning that it carries up to 180 days in jail and up to a $1000 fine.

However, if the offender supplied alcohol or a drug of abuse to the victim, a violation of R.C. 2907.071(C) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony of the fifth degree, which carries up to 12 months in prison and up to a $2500 fine.

Also, if the victim of the offense was less than 13 years old or the offender was previously convicted of a prior grooming offense, a sexually-oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(A)), or a child-victim oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(C)), then a violation of R.C. 2907.071(B) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony of the fourth degree, which carries up to 18 months in prison and up to a $5000 fine.

Finally, if (1) the victim of the offense was less than 13 years old and (1) the offender has a prior conviction for grooming, a sexually-oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(A)), or a child-victim oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(C)), and the offender supplied alcohol or a drug abuse to the victim, or (2) the offender supplied alcohol or a drug of abuse to the victim, then a violation of R.C. 2907.071(B) increases from a misdemeanor to a felony of the third degree, which carries up to 9-36 months in prison, and up to a $10,000 fine.

Why Are There Different Types Of Grooming Offenses?

The difference in the levels of the offense focus on the age of the victim, the age difference between the victim and the offender, the relationship between the victim and the offender, whether the offender used drugs or alcohol in the commission of the act, and whether the offender has prior convictions for similar crimes.

Can A Minor Be Charged With A Grooming Offense?

No. As currently written, R.C. 2907.071 only criminalizes grooming for any person who is 18 years of age or older. However, that does not prohibit a prosecutor from charging a juvenile offender with other sexually-oriented offenses.

Can An Adult Charged With The Offense Of Grooming Also Be Charged With Other Offenses?

Yes. R.C. 2907.071(E) specifically permits prosecutors to pursue charges for violations of other criminal laws in the Revised Code.

Is There A Specific Age Range Of Victims That The Law Seeks To Protect?

Yes. Section (B) focuses on offenders who are at least 18 years old and victims that are (1) under 16 years old and (2) four or more years younger than the offender. Section (C) focuses on juvenile victims that are part of a special juvenile-adult relationship like child-parent, child-guardian, student-teacher, student-coach, scout-scout leader, patient-mental health professional, client-medical professional, incarcerated juvenile-corrections officer, and child-cleric.

Does A Conviction For Grooming Require The Offender To Register As A Sexually-Oriented Offender Or Child-Victim Offender?

No. As originally signed into law, a violation of R.C. 2907.071 is not listed as a sexually-oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(A)) or a child-victim oriented offense (R.C. 2950.01(C)). However, the General Assembly could always amend the law to include a registration requirement for grooming. That is why it is important to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer about your case.

Don’t Face Serious Charges Alone: Get Immediate Legal Defense

Ohio’s new grooming law is complex, and even a misdemeanor charge can quickly be elevated to a serious felony offense resulting in significant prison time and fines. If you are being investigated or have been charged with any violation of R.C. 2907.071, every step you take can impact your future.

You need an attorney who is not just familiar with this new legislation, but who is ready to aggressively defend your rights from the very start. Our experienced criminal trial lawyers at Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima will thoroughly review your case, explain the potential consequences, and develop a robust defense strategy. Your freedom and reputation are on the line. Call us now to secure the representation you need.

Call us today at 513-496-0134 or fill out our contact form to arrange a confidential consultation with an experienced Ohio criminal defense lawyer.