Ohio Code 2917.47 – Improperly handling infectious agents
As used in this section, “infectious agent” means a microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, or similar agent that causes disease or death in human beings.
Attorney's Note
Under the Ohio Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Felony of the second degree | 2 years or more | up to $15,000 |
Terms Used In Ohio Code 2917.47
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Whoever: includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents, and employees; and all officials, public or private. See Ohio Code 1.02
(A) No person shall knowingly possess, send, receive, or cause to be sent or received an isolate or derivative of an isolate of an infectious agent, except as permitted by division (B) of this section.
(B) A person may possess, send, receive, or cause to be sent or received an isolate or derivative of an isolate of an infectious agent as permitted by state or federal law, including for purposes of biomedical or biotechnical research or production, provision of health care services, or investigation of disease by public health agencies.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of improperly handling infectious agents, a felony of the second degree.