(a) No person, knowingly and for gain, shall do either of the following:
(1) Entice or solicit another to patronize a prostitute or brothel;
(2) Procure a prostitute for another to patronize, or take or direct another at his or her request to any place for the purpose of patronizing a prostitute.
(b) No person, having authority or responsibility over the use of premises, shall knowingly permit such premises to be used for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity for hire.
(c) Whoever violates subsection (a) or (b) of this section is guilty of procuring. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (c), procuring is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the prostitute who is procured, patronized or otherwise involved in a violation of subsection (a)(2) of this section is under eighteen years of age at the time of the violation, regardless of whether the offender who violates subsection (a)(2) of this section knows the prostitute’s age, or if a prostitute who engages in sexual activity for hire in premises used in violation of subsection (b) of this section is under eighteen years of age at the time of the violation, regardless of whether the offender who violates subsection (b) of this section knows the prostitute’s age, procuring is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(d) No person shall recklessly induce, entice, or procure another to engage in sexual activity for hire in exchange for the person giving anything of value to the other person.
(e) As used in subsection (d) of this section, “Sexual Activity for Hire” means an implicit or explicit agreement to provide sexual activity in exchange for anything of value paid to the person engaging in such sexual activity, to any person trafficking that person, or to any
person associated with either such person.
(f) Whoever violates subsection (d) of this section is guilty of engaging in prostitution, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In sentencing the offender under this subsection, the court shall require the offender to attend an education or treatment program aimed at preventing persons from
inducing, enticing, or procuring another to engage in sexual activity for hire in exchange for the person giving anything of value to the other person and, notwithstanding the fine specified in Ohio R.C. 2929.28(A)(2)(a) for a misdemeanor of the first degree, the court may impose upon the offender a fine of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).
(ORC 2907.231; Ord. 21-121. Enacted 11-22-21.)