Criminal Justice

passed · Oklahoma · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1990: Firearms; defining term; effective date.

HB 1990 amends Oklahoma's firearm law (21 O.S. 21, Section 1283) to clarify restrictions on firearm possession. It specifically allows individuals with a full pardon for nonviolent felonies to regain firearm rights, while maintaining prohibitions for: convicted felons (without pardon), people on felony probation, delinquent children/youthful offenders (for 10 years after adjudication), and illegal aliens. The bill also defines key terms like "altered toy pistol" and "sawed-off shotgun" to clarify enforcement. This amendment takes effect November 1, 2025, and directly affects restricted groups by defining their firearm access under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores firearm rights for pardoned nonviolent felons, reducing post-conviction barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 770: Rehabilitation services; expanding membership of the Commission for Rehabilitation Services. Emergency.

SB 770 expands Oklahoma's Commission for Rehabilitation Services from 3 to 7 members by adding new appointment slots: one member appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore (2-year term), two by the Governor (1-year terms), and one by the House Speaker (3-year term). The bill updates the commission's membership structure, removes outdated language, and specifies appointment timelines and term durations. This directly affects the commission's composition and its ability to oversee state rehabilitation services for Oklahomans with disabilities. The changes aim to provide broader representation on the commission while maintaining its role in setting policies for rehabilitation programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands rehabilitation commission membership to strengthen oversight of reentry programs, directly advancing criminal justice reform by improving rehabilitation services structure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 574: Attorney General; broadening approved purposes for opioid grant awards; authorizing certain use of funds by the Attorney General. Effective date.

SB 574 expands the types of opioid-related projects eligible for state grant funding by allowing the Attorney General to allocate funds toward new prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and community organizations receiving opioid grants by broadening allowable uses beyond current restrictions. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to use grant funds for specific, previously ineligible activities, such as community-based support programs. This policy change modifies how opioid grant funds are distributed without altering the grant application process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands opioid grant funding for prevention/treatment programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals by addressing root causes of crime and reducing recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands opioid grant funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, directly increasing healthcare access and public health funding for substance use disorders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 870: Oklahoma Children's Code; creating the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act. Effective date.

SB 870, the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, requires staff, contractors, and volunteers in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (including state-run, county, and private group homes) to immediately report any suspected sexual misconduct or coercive relationships involving juveniles to both their supervisor and the newly created Independent Oversight Committee (IOC). The bill establishes the IOC to independently investigate such reports, separate from facility internal reviews, and mandates that facilities provide annual staff training on prevention and reporting. Failure to report can result in a felony charge (up to 2 years in prison and $5,000 fine), while negligent facilities or contractors could face civil liability and fines of up to $50,000 per victim. The law also amends confidentiality rules to allow certain authorized disclosures related to these investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Independent Oversight Committee to investigate juvenile facility abuse, enhancing accountability in youth corrections system per bill's reporting requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1089: Determination of competency; modifying procedures for proceedings for restoration of competency; requiring certain reporting. Effective date.

SB 1089 modifies Oklahoma's process for handling criminal cases involving defendants found incompetent to stand trial *and* dangerous, specifically for those charged with serious felonies (e.g., murder, assault) or violent crimes. It requires courts to use a "clear and convincing evidence" standard - stronger than typical criminal cases - to determine if such defendants committed the crimes, before allowing continued custody. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health to report regularly to courts about these defendants and prohibits their release until the maximum possible sentence period for the alleged crime expires. This affects only defendants meeting all three criteria: incompetence, dangerousness, and charges for specific serious crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires clear and convincing evidence standard for incompetent defendants, strengthening due process and protecting civil rights in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 85: County jails; increasing reimbursement rate amount. Effective date.

SB 85 increases the daily reimbursement rate for Oklahoma counties housing state inmates from $27 to $32 per inmate. Counties that incur higher actual costs can request reimbursement for those costs by September 30, with the state either accepting the amount or having the State Auditor determine it if rejected. The bill also adds a 3% annual inflation adjustment to the base rate and specifies that reimbursements must cover jail operational expenses and personnel costs. This directly affects county governments managing jails under state incarceration agreements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases county jail reimbursement rates for inmate housing, directly funding correctional operations under criminal justice funding framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Oklahoma · House May 21, 2025

HB 1414: Counties and county officers; qualifications for county sheriff; military police service; effective date.

HB 1414 changes Oklahoma's requirements for county sheriff candidates by adding a four-year full-time peace officer experience prerequisite, or equivalent military police service (verified by a DD214 form). It also mandates that newly elected sheriffs complete an approved sheriff's administrative training program within 12 months of taking office or risk losing their CLEET certification. The bill applies to all candidates filing for office after November 1, 2025, and does not affect current or previous sheriffs. This update aims to standardize qualifications and training for county law enforcement leadership.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires four years' peace officer experience/military service and mandatory training for sheriffs, enhancing law enforcement standards and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExplicitly accepts military police service (verified by DD214) as equivalent sheriff qualification, supporting veteran employment in law enforcement roles.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Oklahoma · House May 15, 2025

HB 2103: Judicial Nominating Commission; recusal of member; removal of board member; campaign contributions disclosure; eligibility of members; effective date.

HB 2103 updates procedures for Oklahoma's Judicial Nominating Commission. It requires Commission members to recuse themselves if related by blood or marriage to a judicial applicant within the third degree, and mandates immediate removal for violations. The bill also requires members to disclose campaign contributions to judicial candidates within 10 days of receiving applications, with this information posted publicly online. These changes take effect November 1, 2025, and the bill was approved by the Governor on May 14, 2025. The law focuses on transparency and conflict avoidance in judicial appointments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judicial recusal and campaign disclosure to enhance court integrity and transparency, supporting judicial accountability within criminal justice system.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 607: Oklahoma Evidence Code; providing for admissibility of certain statements in certain proceedings. Effective date.

SB 607 allows statements made by domestic abuse victims to law enforcement within one week of an incident, on protective order applications within one week, or as testimony at protective order hearings to be automatically admissible as evidence in criminal and juvenile domestic abuse cases. This applies to pre-trial hearings, probation revocation hearings, and other related proceedings. The bill directly affects victims seeking legal protection and prosecutors building cases, streamlining the use of timely victim statements without requiring additional verification. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and codifies these admissibility rules in Oklahoma's Evidence Code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines evidence admissibility for domestic abuse victims, improving prosecutorial efficiency and victim access to justice in criminal cases, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 391: Opioid overdose fatalities; dissolving Overdose Fatality Review Board; providing for Attorney General oversight. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 391 extends the Opioid Overdose Fatality Review Board's existence until July 1, 2026 (correcting the bill title's "dissolving" error), requiring it to review opioid overdose cases involving adults. The Board gathers confidential records from medical examiners, hospitals, law enforcement, and other agencies to identify systemic issues in medical or law enforcement responses, then makes recommendations for improvement. All case discussions and recommendations remain confidential and privileged, not admissible in court, while the Board must publish an annual public report by February 1 detailing its findings and system coordination. This directly affects state agencies (like mental health services, law enforcement, and medical examiners) and ensures public transparency through annual reports.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends Opioid Overdose Review Board to identify systemic issues in law enforcement responses, making recommendations for improvement. Aligns with criminal justice reform by enhancing oversight and accountability.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes board to review opioid overdose cases and improve medical/law enforcement responses, strengthening public health system oversight in healthcare.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice