Ohio Prostitution and Solicitation Laws

Prostitution: Ohio Revised Statute §2907.25

Child Prostitution/Compelling Prostitution: Ohio Revised Statute 2907.21

Solicitation: Ohio Revised Statute 2907.24

Loitering to Engage in Solicitation: Ohio Revised Statute 2907.241

Prostitution : Engaging in sexual activity for money or payment

Child Prostitution/Compelling Prostitution: Causing or encouraging a minor or a person the defendant believes is a minor to engage in prostitution, or pays or agrees to pay a minor or a person the defendant believes is a minor to engage in prostitution.

Solicitation: Solicit a person to engage in sexual activity in exchange for money.

Loitering to Engage in Solicitation: Doing any one of the following things in or near a public place (including a driveway or doorway) for the purpose of soliciting someone to engage in prostitution:

1. Beckon to, stop, or attempt to stop another;
2. Engage or attempt to engage another in conversation;
3. Stop or attempt to stop the operator of a vehicle or approach a stationary vehicle;
4. If the offender is the operator of or a passenger in a vehicle, stop, attempt to stop, beckon to, attempt to beckon to, or entice another to approach or enter the vehicle of which the offender is the operator or in which the offender is the passenger;
5. Blocking another person's movement.

Prostitution : Third Degree Misdemeanor, Can be elevated to a fourth or fifth degree felony if a person engages in the act after testing positive for HIV/AIDS

Child Prostitution/Compelling Prostitution: Felony, Degree of punishment depends on facts of case and the child's age.

Solicitation: Third Degree Misdemeanor, May also include a driver's license suspension and community service house. Can be elevated to a fourth or fifth degree felony if a person engages in the act after testing positive for HIV/AIDS.

Loitering to Engage in Solicitation: Third Degree Misdemeanor, Can be elevated to a fourth or fifth degree felony if a person engages in the act after testing positive for HIV/AIDS

Definition of "Public Place"

• Street, road, highway, thoroughfare, bikeway, walkway, sidewalk, bridge, alley, alleyway, plaza, park, driveway, parking lot, or transportation facility;
• A doorway or entrance way to a building that fronts a public place.

Definition of "Sexual Activity"

Sexual activity includes anal, oral, and valuating sex, and sexual touching

Only if convicted of prostitution, solicitation, and loitering. May be required to submit to mandatory testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases at their own expense.