537.19. Domestic violence.
   (a)   No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a family or household member.
   (b)   No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to a family or household member.
   (c)   No person, by threat of force, shall knowingly cause a family or household member to believe that the offender will cause imminent physical harm to the family or household member.
   (d)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of domestic violence. A violation of subsection (c) hereof is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A violation of subsections (a) or (b) hereof is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
   (e)   As used in this section and Ohio R.C. 2919.25, 2919.251 and 2919.26:
      (1)   "Family or household member" means any of the following:
         A.   Any of the following who is residing or has resided with the offender:
            1.    A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the offender;
            2.    A parent or a child of the offender, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to the offender;
            3.    A parent or a child of a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender.
         B.   The natural parent of any child of whom the offender is the natural parent or is the putative other natural parent.
      (2)   "Person living as a spouse" means a person who is living or has lived with the offender in a common-law marital relationship, who otherwise is cohabiting with the offender, or who otherwise has cohabited with the offender within five years prior to the date of the alleged commission of the act in question.
   (f)   The same relief available under the Ohio R.C. 2919.26, "motion for temporary protection order," for filing a complaint for violation of Ohio R.C. 2919.25 shall be available for a filing of a complaint for violation of this section.
(Ord. 716-97. Passed 12-9-97.)