Sex Offender Registry

History

Electronic Sex Offender Registration and notification system, commonly referred to as e-SORN began in response to the 1994 passage of Megan's Law. After that, the Jacob Wetterling Act and the Federal Crime Act were passed. These legal additions to existing law required all states to pass a sex offender registration and notification law. In Ohio, new guidelines were passed in 2003 classifying sexual offenders and strengthening the e-SORN laws. Classifications under the 3-Tier system are solely based on the crime the offender was convicted of.

Definitions

• Child: 0 to 12 years of age
• Youth: 13 to 17 years of age

General Information for Offenders

Offenders have to register the new information anytime they have a change in: 

• Address 
• Education 
• Employment
• Internet access (emails, social media sites)
• Telephone number
• Vehicle 

There are no restrictions on employment unless probation or parole sets those. No offender can live within 1000 feet (1/5 mile) of a school or daycare center unless they were convicted of their crime prior to the law taking effect. Crimes committed prior to July 31, 2003 are exempt from the School Statute. Crimes committed prior to July 1, 2007 are exempt from the daycare/pre-school statute.