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Mentor-on-the-Lake Overview
Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH Code of Ordinances
CITY OF MENTOR-ON-THE-LAKE, OHIO CODIFIED ORDINANCES
DIRECTORY OF OFFICIALS (2024)
ADOPTING ORDINANCE
COMPARATIVE SECTION TABLE
TABLES OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
CHARTER
PART TWO - ADMINISTRATION
PART FOUR - TRAFFIC CODE
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
CHAPTER 606 General Provisions, Administration and Enforcement
CHAPTER 612 Alcoholic Beverages
CHAPTER 618 Animals
CHAPTER 624 Drugs
CHAPTER 628 Fair Housing
CHAPTER 630 Gambling
CHAPTER 636 Offenses Relating to Persons
CHAPTER 642 Offenses Relating to Property
CHAPTER 648 Peace Disturbances
CHAPTER 654 Railroads
CHAPTER 660 Safety, Sanitation and Health
CHAPTER 666 Sex Related Offenses
CHAPTER 670 Watercraft
670.01 DEFINITIONS; APPLICABILITY.
670.02 ENFORCEMENT.
670.03 REFUSAL TO COMPLY; OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
670.04 WATERCRAFT TO CARRY LIGHTS. (REPEALED)
670.05 FLASHING LIGHTS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
670.06 SIREN PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
670.07 OPERATING REGULATIONS. (REPEALED)
670.075 REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION AND RENTAL OF POWERCRAFT OF MORE THAN 10 HORSEPOWER.
670.08 CHILD OPERATORS PROHIBITED; ADULT SUPERVISION.
670.09 RECKLESS OPERATION; MAINTAINING SUFFICIENT CONTROL; WAKES RESTRICTED.
670.10 MARKING OF BATHING AND VESSEL AREAS.
670.11 MOORING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN AREAS.
670.12 OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS PROHIBITED.
670.125 IMPLIED CONSENT.
670.13 INCAPACITATED OPERATORS PROHIBITED.
670.14 OBSERVER REQUIRED WHEN TOWING SKIER.
670.15 WATER SKIING AFTER DARK PROHIBITED.
670.16 NO MORE THAN TWO SKIERS MAY BE TOWED SIMULTANEOUSLY. (REPEALED)
670.17 PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE REQUIRED FOR TOWED PERSON.
670.18 SKI JUMPS PROHIBITED.
670.19 PERMIT FOR SPECIAL WATER EVENTS.
670.20 SALE OF SINGLE-CELLED INFLATABLE VESSELS PROHIBITED.
670.21 SITTING, STANDING, WALKING ON MOVING VESSELS RESTRICTED.
670.22 ENGINE WARM-UP REQUIRED.
670.23 CHILDREN UNDER TEN MUST WEAR APPROPRIATE SIZE PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE.
670.24 OPERATION WITHOUT PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES PROHIBITED.
670.245 DISTRESS SIGNAL OR FLAG REQUIRED.
670.25 ANCHOR; WHISTLE REQUIRED; EXCEPTION.
670.26 SPECIFICATION FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
670.27 BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL DEVICE REQUIRED.
670.28 VENTILATION REQUIREMENT ON POWERCRAFT.
670.29 ABANDONMENT OF JUNK VESSELS OR OUTBOARD MOTORS.
670.30 EXHAUST MUFFLER REQUIRED.
670.31 NUMBERING.
670.315 REGISTRATION.
670.32 FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY.
670.33 OVERLOADED VEHICLE AND UNSAFE OPERATION.
670.34 UNSAFE CONDITION OF WATERCRAFT.
670.35 SKIN DIVING AREAS.
670.36 WATER SKIING AREAS.
670.37 SPECIAL SPEED LIMITATIONS.
670.38 POLLUTION OF WATERS.
670.39 RENTING OF WATERCRAFT.
670.40 THROWING OBJECTS AT WATERCRAFT PROHIBITED.
670.41 DUTIES OF OPERATOR FOLLOWING COLLISION.
670.42 PERSONAL WATERCRAFT.
670.43 PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
670.44 FIREARMS OFFENSES; SIGNALING DEVICES.
670.45 TAMPERING WITH NAVIGATION AID OR VESSEL PROHIBITED.
CHAPTER 672 Weapons and Explosives
CHAPTER 678 Weeds and Litter
CHAPTER 680 Property Maintenance Requirements for Snow Removal and Landscaping
CHAPTER 698 Penalties and Sentencing
PART EIGHT - BUSINESS REGULATION AND TAXATION CODE
PART TEN - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
PART FOURTEEN - BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
PART SIXTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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   670.075   REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION AND RENTAL OF POWERCRAFT OF MORE THAN 10 HORSEPOWER.
   (a)   (1)   No person born on or after January 1, 1982, shall operate on the waters in this Municipality a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower, unless the operator successfully has completed either a safe boater course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or a proctored or nonproctored proficiency examination that tests knowledge of information included in the curriculum of such a course, and has received a certificate as evidence of successful completion of the course or examination.
      (2)   Division (a)(1) of this section does not apply to an individual who possesses valid merchant mariner credentials issued by the United States Coast Guard in accordance with 46 C.F.R. 10.109 with at least one endorsement of master or operator as defined in 46 C.F.R. § 10.107. Such an individual, while operating any recreational vessel on the waters in this municipality, shall carry onboard documentation of the merchant mariner credentials and required endorsements and shall present the documentation to a natural resources officer or law enforcement officer upon request.
      (3)   No person shall permit a powercraft to be operated in this Municipality in violation of this division (a)(1) of this section.
(ORC 1547.05)
   (b)   A person born on or after January 1, 1982, who is operating on the waters in this Municipality a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower and who is stopped by a law enforcement officer in the enforcement of Ohio R.C. Chapter 1547 or rules shall present to the law enforcement officer, not later than 72 hours after being stopped, a certificate obtained by the person pursuant to division (a) of this section prior to being stopped or proof of holding such a certificate. Failure of the person to present the certificate or proof of holding it within 72 hours constitutes prima facie evidence of a violation of division (a) of this section.
(ORC 1547.051)
   (c)   No rental business shall lease, hire, or rent a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower for operation on the waters in this Municipality to a person born on or after January 1, 1982, unless the person meets one of the following requirements:
      (1)   The person signs a statement on the rental agreement or attached to the rental agreement that the person has successfully completed a safe boater course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators or has successfully completed a proficiency examination as provided in division (a) of this section.
      (2)   The person receives educational materials from the rental business and successfully passes, with a score of 90% or better, an abbreviated examination given by the rental business. The achievement of a passing score on the examination shall be indicated on or attached to the powercraft rental agreement.
   (d)   Any person born on or after January 1, 1982, operating or supervising the operation of a leased, hired, or rented powercraft shall:
      (1)   Meet the requirements for boater education of division (c) of this section.
      (2)   Be named as an operator on the agreement that leases, hires, or rents the powercraft.
   (e)   The Division of Parks and Watercraft shall make available to all watercraft rental businesses in the State boater safety educational materials and an abbreviated examination that shall be used by the watercraft rental business for the purposes of division (c)(2) of this section.
(ORC 1547.052)
   (f)   Whoever violates division (a) or (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree if the violation is not related to a collision, injury to a person, or damage to property and a misdemeanor of the third degree if the violation is related to a collision, injury to a person, or damage to property.
(ORC 1547.99(K))
   (g)   Whoever violates division (c) or (d) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 1547.99(C))
   (h)   The sentencing court, in addition to the penalty provided under this section for a violation of this section or a rule adopted under it that involves a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower and that, in the opinion of the court, involves a threat to the safety of persons or property, shall order the offender to complete successfully a boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators before the offender is allowed to operate a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower on the waters in this State. Violation of a court order entered under this division is punishable as contempt under Ohio R.C. Chapter 2705.
(ORC 1547.99(L))
   670.08   CHILD OPERATORS PROHIBITED; ADULT SUPERVISION.
   (a)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, no person under 16 years of age shall operate a personal watercraft on the waters in this Municipality. A person who is not less than 12 nor more than 15 years of age may operate a personal watercraft if a supervising person 18 years of age or older is aboard the personal watercraft and, in the case of a supervising person born on or after January 1, 1982, if the supervising person holds a certificate obtained under Section 670.075(a) or, in the case of a rented powercraft, meets the requirements of Section 670.075(c) and (d).
   (b)   No person under 12 years of age shall operate any vessel on the waters in this Municipality unless the person is under the direct visual and audible supervision, during the operation, of a person who is 18 years of age or older. This division does not apply to a personal watercraft, which shall be governed by division (a) of this section, or to a powercraft, other than a personal watercraft, powered by more than 10 horsepower, which shall be governed by division (c) of this section.
   (c)   No person under 12 years of age shall operate on the waters in this Municipality a powercraft, other than a personal watercraft, powered by more than 10 horsepower unless the person is under the direct visual and audible supervision, during the operation, of a person 18 years of age or older who is aboard the powercraft and, in the case of such a supervising person born on or after January 1, 1982, who holds a certificate obtained under Section 670.075(a) or, in the case of a rented powercraft, meets the requirements of Section 670.075(c) and (d).
   (d)   No supervising person 18 years of age or older shall permit any person who is under the supervising person's supervision and who is operating a vessel on the waters in this Municipality to violate any section of this chapter, Ohio R.C. Chapter 1547 or a rule.
(ORC 1547.06)
   (e)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 1547.99(C))
   670.09   RECKLESS OPERATION; MAINTAINING SUFFICIENT CONTROL; WAKES RESTRICTED.
   (a)   Reckless Operation.
      (1)   Any person who operates any vessel or manipulates any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters in this Municipality carelessly or heedlessly, or in disregard of the rights or safety of any person, vessel, or property, or without due caution, at a rate of speed or in a manner so as to endanger any person, vessel, or property is guilty of reckless operation of the vessel or other device.
      (2)   No person shall operate or permit the operation of a vessel in an unsafe manner. A vessel shall be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times. Unsafe vessel operation includes, without limitation, any of the following:
         A.   A vessel becoming airborne or completely leaving the water while crossing the wake of another vessel at a distance of less than 100 feet, or at an unsafe distance, from the vessel creating the wake;
         B.   Operating at such a speed and proximity to another vessel or to a person attempting to ride on one or more water skis, surfboard, inflatable device, or similar device being towed by a vessel so as to require the operator of either vessel to swerve or turn abruptly to avoid collision;
         C.   Operating less than 200 feet directly behind a person water skiing or attempting to water ski;
         D.   Weaving through congested traffic.
(ORC 1547.07)
   (b)   Maintaining Sufficient Control. No person shall operate or permit the operation of a vessel on the waters in this municipality without maintaining sufficient control to avoid an incident that results in property damage, physical injury, loss of life, or any combination of them.
(ORC 1547.072)
   (c)   Wakes Restricted.
      (1)   As used in this division (c), “public service” means activities that include, but are not limited to, escorting or patrolling special water events, traffic control, salvage, firefighting, medical assistance, assisting disabled vessels, and search and rescue.
      (2)   No person shall operate a vessel at a speed that creates a wake within 100 feet of a stationary law enforcement vessel displaying at least one flashing, oscillating, or rotating light conforming with 33 C.F.R. 88.11.
      (3)   No person shall operate a vessel at a speed that creates a wake within 100 feet of a vessel that is being used to provide public service and that displays at least one flashing, oscillating, or rotating light conforming with 33 C.F.R. 88.12.
      (4)   No person shall permit any vessel to be operated on the waters in this municipality in violation of this division (c).
(ORC 1547.132)
   (d)   (1)   Whoever violates divisions (a) or (c) of this section without causing injury to persons or damage to property is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(ORC 1547.99(D))
      (2)   Whoever violates divisions (a) or (c) of this section causing injury to persons or damage to property is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 1547.99(E))
      (3)   Whoever violates division (b) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 1547.99(C))
   670.10   MARKING OF BATHING AND VESSEL AREAS.
   (a)   No person shall operate a vessel within or through a designated bathing area or within or through any area that has been buoyed off designating it as an area in which vessels are prohibited.
   (b)   (1)   No person shall operate a vessel at greater than idle speed or at a speed that creates a wake under any of the following circumstances:
         A.   Within 300 feet of any marina, boat docking facility, boat gasoline dock, launch ramp, recreational boat harbor, or harbor entrance on Lake Erie or on the Ohio River;
         B.   During the period from sunset to sunrise according to local time within any water between the Dan Beard bridge and the Brent Spence bridge on the Ohio River for any vessel not documented by the United States Coast Guard as commercial;
         C.   Within any area buoyed or marked as a no wake area on the waters in this Municipality.
      (2)   Division (b)(1) of this section does not apply in either of the following places:
         A.   An area designated by the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft unless it is marked by a buoy or sign as a no wake or idle speed area;
         B.   Within any water between the Dan Beard bridge and the Brent Spence bridge on the Ohio River when the United States Coast Guard has authorized the holding of a special event of a community nature on that water.
   (c)   No person shall operate a vessel in any area of restricted or controlled operation in violation of the designated restriction.
   (d)   No person shall operate a vessel within 300 feet of an official diver's flag unless the person is tendering the diving operation.
   (e)   (1)   All areas of restricted or controlled operation as described in division (a) of this section or as provided for in Section 670.12 or Ohio R.C. 1547.16 or 1547.61 shall be marked by a buoy or sign designating the restriction. All waters surrounded by or lying between such a buoy or sign and the closest shoreline are thereby designated as an area in which the designated restrictions shall apply in the operation of any vessel.
      (2)   Markings on buoys designating areas of restricted or controlled operation shall be so spaced as to show all around the horizon. Lineal spacing between the buoys shall be such that under normal conditions of visibility any buoy shall be readily visible from the next adjacent buoy. No colors or symbols, except as provided for in rules, shall be used on buoys or signs for marking closed or controlled areas of boating waters.
      (3)   Any State department, conservancy district, or political subdivision having jurisdiction and control of impounded boating waters may place such buoys or signs on its waters. Any political subdivision may apply to the Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft for permission to place such buoys or signs on other waters within its territorial limits. No person shall place or cause to be placed a regulatory buoy or sign on, into, or along the waters in this Municipality unless the person has complied with all the provisions of this chapter and Ohio R.C. Chapter 1547.
   (f)   No person shall enter, operate a vessel that enters, or allow a vessel to enter a federally-declared security zone as defined in 33 C.F.R Chapter 1, subparts 6.01-1, 6.01-2, 6.01-3, 6.01-4, 6.01-5, 6.04-1, 6.04-5, 6.04-6, 6.04-7, and 6.04-8.
   (g)   No person shall permit any vessel to be operated on the waters in this Municipality in violation of this section.
(ORC 1547.08)
   (h)   (1)   Whoever violates division (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (g) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(ORC 1547.99(C))
      (2)   Whoever violates division (f) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(ORC 1547.99(B))
   670.11   MOORING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN AREAS.
   (a)   No person shall moor or anchor any vessel in a designated speed zone or water ski zone. No person, unless in distress and no other vessel is endangered thereby, shall moor to, anchor to, or tie up to any marker, aid, buoy, light, or other aid to navigation.
   (b)   No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel on the waters in this Municipality in violation of this section.
(ORC 1547.09)
   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor
(ORC 1547.99(C))
    670.12   OPERATING UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS PROHIBITED.
   (a)   No person shall operate or be in physical control of any vessel underway or shall manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters in this Municipality if, at the time of the operation, control, or manipulation, any of the following applies:
      (1)   The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them;
      (2)   The person has a concentration of 0.08% or more by weight of alcohol per unit volume in the person's whole blood;
      (3)   The person has a concentration of 0.096% or more by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person's blood serum or plasma;
      (4)   The person has a concentration of 0.11 grams or more by weight of alcohol per 100 milliliters of the person's urine;
      (5)   The person has a concentration of 0.08 grams or more by weight of alcohol per 210 liters of the person's breath.
      (6)   Except as provided in division (h) of this section, the person has a concentration of any of the following controlled substances or metabolites of a controlled substance in the person's whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds any of the following:
         A.   The person has a concentration of amphetamine in the person's urine of at least 500 nanograms of amphetamine per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of amphetamine in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 100 nanograms of amphetamine per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         B.   The person has a concentration of cocaine in the person's urine of at least 150 nanograms of cocaine per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of cocaine in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 50 nanograms of cocaine per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         C.   The person has a concentration of cocaine metabolite in the person's urine of at least 150 nanograms of cocaine metabolite per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of cocaine metabolite in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 50 nanograms of cocaine metabolite per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         D.   The person has a concentration of heroin in the person's urine of at least 2,000 nanograms of heroin per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of heroin in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 50 nanograms of heroin per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         E.   The person has a concentration of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) in the person's urine of at least 10 nanograms of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 10 nanograms of heroin metabolite (6-monoacetyl morphine) per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         F.   The person has a concentration of L.S.D. in the person's urine of at least 25 nanograms of L.S.D. per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of L.S.D. in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 10 nanograms of L.S.D. per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         G.   The person has a concentration of marihuana in the person's urine of at least 10 nanograms of marihuana per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of marihuana in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 2 nanograms of marihuana per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         H.   The State Board of Pharmacy has adopted a rule pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4729.041 that specifies the amount of salvia divinorum and the amount of salvinorin A that constitute concentrations of salvia divinorum and salvinorin A in a person’s urine, in a person’s whole blood, or in a person’s blood serum or plasma at or above which the person is impaired for purposes of operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or manipulating any water skis, aquaplane or similar device on the waters of this State, the rule is in effect, and the person has a concentration of salvia divinorum or salvinorin A of at least that amount so specified by rule in the person’s urine, in the person’s whole blood, or in the person’s blood serum or plasma.
         I.   Either of the following applies:
            1.   The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them, and, as measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, the person has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person's urine of at least 15 nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 5 nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
            2.   As measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, the person has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person's urine of at least 35 nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person's urine or has a concentration of marihuana metabolite in the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 50 nanograms of marihuana metabolite per milliliter of the person's whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         J.   The person has a concentration of methamphetamine in the person’s urine of at least 500 nanograms of methamphetamine per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of methamphetamine in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 100 nanograms of methamphetamine per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
         K.   The person has a concentration of phencyclidine in the person’s urine of at least 25 nanograms of phencyclidine per milliliter of the person’s urine or has a concentration of phencyclidine in the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma of at least 10 nanograms of phencyclidine per milliliter of the person’s whole blood or blood serum or plasma.
   (b)   No person under 21 years of age shall operate or be in physical control of any vessel underway or shall manipulate any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters in this Municipality if, at the time of the operation, control, or manipulation, any of the following applies:
      (1)   The person has a concentration of at least 0.02% but less than 0.08% by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person's whole blood;
      (2)   The person has a concentration of at least 0.03% but less than 0.096% by weight per unit volume of alcohol in the person's blood serum or plasma.
      (3)   The person has a concentration of at least 0.028 grams, but less than 0.11 grams by weight of alcohol per 100 milliliters of the person's urine;
      (4)   The person has a concentration of at least 0.02 grams, but less than 0.08 grams by weight of alcohol per 210 liters of the person's breath.
   (c)   In any proceeding arising out of one incident, a person may be charged with a violation of division (a)(1) and a violation of division (b)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section, but the person shall not be convicted of more than one violation of those divisions.
   (d)   (1)   In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (a) or (b) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is watercraft-related, the result of any test of any blood or urine withdrawn and analyzed at any health care provider, as defined in Ohio R.C. 2317.02, may be admitted with expert testimony to be considered with any other relevant and competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
      (2)   In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (a) or (b) this section or for an equivalent offense that is watercraft-related, the court may admit evidence on the concentration of alcohol or a drug of abuse, controlled substances, metabolites of a controlled substance, or a combination of them in the defendant's or child's whole blood, blood serum or plasma, urine, or breath at the time of the alleged violation as shown by chemical analysis of the substance withdrawn, or specimen taken within three hours of the time of the alleged violation. The three-hour time limit specified in this division regarding the admission of evidence does not extend or affect the two- hour time limit specified in Section 670.125(c) or Ohio R.C. 1547.111(C) as the maximum period of time during which a person may consent to a chemical test or tests as described in that section. The court may admit evidence on the concentration of alcohol, drugs of abuse, or a combination of them as described in this division when a person submits to a blood, breath, urine, or other bodily substance test at the request of a law enforcement officer under Ohio R.C. 1547.111, or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, or a blood or urine sample is obtained pursuant to a search warrant. Only a physician, a registered nurse, or a qualified technician, chemist, or phlebotomist shall withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcohol, drug, controlled substance, metabolite of a controlled substance, or combination content of the whole blood, blood serum, or blood plasma. This limitation does not apply to the taking of breath or urine specimens. A person authorized to withdraw blood under this division may refuse to withdraw blood under this division if, in that person’s opinion, the physical welfare of the defendant or child would be endangered by withdrawing blood.
      (3)   The whole blood, blood serum or plasma, urine, or breath withdrawn under division (d)(2) of this section shall be analyzed in accordance with methods approved by the director of health by an individual possessing a valid permit issued by the director pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3701.143.
      (4)   In a criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (a) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is watercraft- related, if there was at the time the bodily substance was taken a concentration of less than the applicable concentration of alcohol specified for a violation of division (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), or (a)(5) of this section or less than the applicable concentration of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance specified for a violation of division (a)(6) of this section, that fact may be considered with other competent evidence in determining the guilt or innocence of the defendant or in making an adjudication for the child. This division does not limit or affect a criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (b) of this section or for a violation of a prohibition that is substantially equivalent to that division.
      (5)   Upon the request of the person who was tested, the results of the chemical test shall be made available to the person or the person's attorney immediately upon completion of the test analysis.
      (6)   If the chemical test was administered pursuant to division (d)(2) of this section, the person tested may have a physician, registered nurse, or qualified technician, chemist, or phlebotomist of the person's own choosing administer a chemical test or tests in addition to any administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer, and shall be so advised. The failure or inability to obtain an additional test by a person shall not preclude the admission of evidence relating to the test or tests taken at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
   (e)   (1)   In any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (a) or (b) of this section, of a municipal ordinance relating to operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or to manipulating any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters of this state while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them, or of a municipal ordinance relating to operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or to manipulating any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters of this state with a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine, if a law enforcement officer has administered a field sobriety test to the operator or person found to be in physical control of the vessel underway involved in the violation or the person manipulating the water skis, aquaplane, or similar device involved in the violation and if it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the officer administered the test in substantial compliance with the testing standards for reliable, credible, and generally accepted field sobriety tests for vehicles that were in effect at the time the tests were administered, including, but not limited to, any testing standards then in effect that have been set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, that by their nature are not clearly inapplicable regarding the operation or physical control of vessels underway or the manipulation of water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices, all of the following apply:
         A.   The officer may testify concerning the results of the field sobriety test so administered.
         B.   The prosecution may introduce the results of the field sobriety test so administered as evidence in any proceedings in the criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding.
         C.   If testimony is presented or evidence is introduced under division (e)(1)A. or (e)(1)B. of this section and if the testimony or evidence is admissible under the Rules of Evidence, the court shall admit the testimony or evidence, and the trier of fact shall give it whatever weight the trier of fact considers to be appropriate.
      (2)   Division (e)(1) of this section does not limit or preclude a court, in its determination of whether the arrest of a person was supported by probable cause or its determination of any other matter in a criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding of a type described in that division, from considering evidence or testimony that is not otherwise disallowed by division (e)(1) of this section.
   (f)   (1)   Subject to division (f)(3) of this section, in any criminal prosecution or juvenile court proceeding for a violation of division (a) or (b) of this section or for an equivalent offense that is substantially equivalent to either of those divisions, the court shall admit as prima facie evidence a laboratory report from any laboratory personnel issued a permit by the Department of Health authorizing an analysis as described in this division that contains an analysis of the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, urine, or other bodily substance tested and that contains all of the information specified in this division. The laboratory report shall contain all of the following:
         A.   The signature, under oath, of any person who performed the analysis;
         B.   Any findings as to the identity and quantity of alcohol, a drug of abuse, a controlled substance, a metabolite of a controlled substance, or a combination of them that was found;
         C.   A copy of a notarized statement by the laboratory director or a designee of the director that contains the name of each certified analyst or test performer involved with the report, the analyst's or test performer's employment relationship with the laboratory that issued the report, and a notation that performing an analysis of the type involved is part of the analyst's or test performer's regular duties;
         D.   An outline of the analyst's or test performer's education, training, and experience in performing the type of analysis involved and a certification that the laboratory satisfies appropriate quality control standards in general and, in this particular analysis, under rules of the Department of Health.
      (2)   Notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the admission of evidence, a report of the type described in division (f)(1) of this section is not admissible against the defendant or child to whom it pertains in any proceeding, other than a preliminary hearing or a grand jury proceeding, unless the prosecutor has served a copy of the report on the defendant's or child's attorney or, if the defendant or child has no attorney, on the defendant or child.
      (3)   A report of the type described in division (f)(1) of this section shall not be prima-facie evidence of the contents, identity, or amount of any substance if, within seven days after the defendant or child to whom the report pertains or the defendant's or child's attorney receives a copy of the report, the defendant or child or the defendant's or child's attorney demands the testimony of the person who signed the report. The judge in the case may extend the seven-day time limit in the interests of justice.
   (g)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, any physician, registered nurse, or qualified technician, chemist, or phlebotomist who withdraws blood from a person pursuant to this section, Ohio R.C. 1547.111 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, and a hospital, first-aid station, or clinic at which blood is withdrawn from a person pursuant to this section, Ohio R.C. 1547.111 or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, is immune from criminal and civil liability based upon a claim of assault and battery or any other claim that is not a claim of malpractice, for any act performed in withdrawing blood from the person. The immunity provided in this division is not available to a person who withdraws blood if the person engages in willful or wanton misconduct.
   (h)   Division (a)(6) of this section does not apply to a person who operates or is in physical control of a vessel underway or manipulates any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device while the person has a concentration of a listed controlled substance or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance in the person's whole blood, blood serum or plasma, or urine that equals or exceeds the amount specified in that division, if both of the following apply:
      (1)   The person obtained the controlled substance pursuant to a prescription issued by a licensed health professional authorized to prescribe drugs.
      (2)   The person injected, ingested, or inhaled the controlled substance in accordance with the health professional's directions.
   (i)   For the purposes of this section:
      (1)   "Cocaine" and "L.S.D." have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2925.01.
      (2)   "Controlled substance" and "marihuana" have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 3719.01.
      (3)   “Equivalent offense” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4511.181.
      (4)   “Equivalent offense that is watercraft-related” means an equivalent offense that is one of the following:
         A.   A violation of division (a) or (b) of this section;
         B.   A violation of a municipal ordinance prohibiting a person from operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or from manipulating any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters of this State while under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them or prohibiting a person from operating or being in physical control of any vessel underway or from manipulating any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device on the waters of this State with a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a controlled substance, or a metabolite of a controlled substance in the whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine;
         C.   A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance, law of another state, or law of the United States that is substantially equivalent to division (a) or (b) of this section;
         D.   A violation of an existing or former law of this State that is or was substantially equivalent to division (a) or (b) of this section.
      (5)   "National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C.4511.19.
      (6)   "Operate" means that a vessel is being used on the waters in this state when the vessel is not securely affixed to a dock or to shore or to any permanent structure to which the vessel has the right to affix or that a vessel is not anchored in a designated anchorage area or boat camping area that is established by the United States Coast Guard, this state, or a political subdivision and in which the vessel has the right to anchor.
(ORC 1547.11)
   (j)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be punished as provided in division (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this section.
      (1)   Except as otherwise provided in division (j)(2) or (j)(3) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender to a jail term of three consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.24 to a longer jail term. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). The court may suspend the execution of the mandatory jail term of three consecutive days that it is required to impose by this division (j)(1) if the court, in lieu of the suspended jail term, places the offender under a community control sanction pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.25 and requires the offender to attend, for three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3793.10. The court also may suspend the execution of any part of the mandatory jail term of three consecutive days that it is required to impose by this division (j)(1) if the court places the offender under a community control sanction pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.25 for part of the three consecutive days; requires the offender to attend, for that part of the three consecutive days, a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3793.10; and sentences the offender to a jail term equal to the remainder of the three consecutive days that the offender does not spend attending the drivers' intervention program. The court may require the offender, as a condition of community control, to attend and satisfactorily complete any treatment or education programs, in addition to the required attendance at a drivers' intervention program, that the operators of the drivers' intervention program determine that the offender should attend and to report periodically to the court on the offender's progress in the programs. The court also may impose any other conditions of community control on the offender that it considers necessary.
      (2)   If, within six years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one violation of this section, Ohio R.C. 1547.11 or one other equivalent offense, the court shall sentence the offender to a jail term of 10 consecutive days and may sentence the offender pursuant to Ohio R.C. 2929.24 to a longer jail term. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3793.10.
      (3)   If, within six years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to more than one violation or offense identified in division (j)(2) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender to a jail term of 30 consecutive days and may sentence the offender to a longer jail term of not more than one year. In addition, the court shall impose upon the offender a fine of not less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00). In addition to any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, the court may require the offender to attend a drivers' intervention program that is certified pursuant to Ohio R.C. 3793.10.
      (4)   Upon a showing that serving a jail term would seriously affect the ability of an offender sentenced pursuant to division (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this section to continue the offender's employment, the court may authorize that the offender be granted work release after the offender has served the mandatory jail term of 3, 10, or 30 consecutive days that the court is required by division (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this section to impose. No court shall authorize work release during the mandatory jail term of 3, 10, or 30 consecutive days that the court is required by division (j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this section to impose. The duration of the work release shall not exceed the time necessary each day for the offender to commute to and from the place of employment and the place in which the jail term is served and the time actually spent under employment.
      (5)   Notwithstanding any section of the Ohio Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of being imprisoned or serving a jail term, no court shall suspend the mandatory jail term of 10 or 30 consecutive days required to be imposed by division (j)(2) or (j)(3) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (j)(2) or (j)(3) of this section in any treatment program in lieu being imprisoned or serving a jail term until after the offender has served the mandatory jail term of 10 or 30 consecutive days required to be imposed pursuant to division (j)(2) or (j)(3) of this section. Notwithstanding any section of the Ohio Revised Code that authorizes the suspension of the imposition or execution of a sentence or the placement of an offender in any treatment program in lieu of being imprisoned or serving a jail term, no court, except as specifically authorized by division (j)(1) of this section, shall suspend the mandatory jail term of 3 consecutive days required to be imposed by division (j)(1) of this section or place an offender who is sentenced pursuant to division (j)(1) of this section in any treatment program in lieu of being imprisoned or serving a jail term until after the offender has served the mandatory jail term of 3 consecutive days required to be imposed pursuant to division (j)(1) of this section.
      (6)   As used in this division (j):
         A.   “Equivalent offense” has the same meaning as in Ohio R.C. 4511.181.
         B.   "Jail term" and "mandatory jail term" have the same meanings as in Ohio R.C. 2929.01.
(ORC 1547.99(G))
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