SB 1859 creates a Cyber Crime and Fraud Unit within Oklahoma's State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to enhance investigations into cyber-enabled crimes (like ransomware and digital extortion), financial fraud (including identity theft), and digital evidence handling. The bill establishes a revolving fund with a $3 million appropriation from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal 2026, allowing the unit to operate without annual budget constraints. The unit can only investigate upon requests from local law enforcement, Governor direction, or under existing statutes - explicitly stating it does not expand OSBI's jurisdiction. It will provide technical support, training to law enforcement, and coordinate with federal and tribal partners on cybercrime cases.
SB 633 requires Oklahoma's Office of Juvenile Affairs to implement a centralized management system for juvenile records, integrating with existing child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It authorizes specific schools (including the Oklahoma School for the Blind and Deaf), public school districts, and other personnel already permitted under state law to access certain confidential records and reports. The system must secure data while enabling case-specific tracking and program monitoring. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
This bill allows evidence of past domestic violence or abuse to be admitted in criminal trials for current domestic violence charges. Prosecutors must disclose such evidence to defendants at least 15 days before trial, including witness statements or summaries of expected testimony. It defines "domestic violence or abuse" broadly to include psychological, physical, sexual, economic, or emotional acts within qualifying relationships. The law applies specifically to criminal cases involving domestic violence in Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2026.
HB 3980 creates a program to help assistant district attorneys in rural Oklahoma pay back education loans. It provides state-funded repayment assistance of up to $5,000 per year (capped at $50,000 total) for eligible employees who work full-time in designated high-need rural districts. Participants must complete 2,000 hours of service for every $5,000 covered, and must repay the state pro-rata if they leave before meeting this requirement. The program is funded through a new state revolving fund managed by the District Attorneys Council.
HB 3970 updates Oklahoma's court reporting rules by allowing electronic recording of proceedings when a court reporter is unavailable, while requiring official transcripts prepared by certified reporters for appeals. It increases base salaries for court reporters to $53,000 annually, adds a $3,000 equipment allowance, and establishes longevity pay of up to $8,000 per year for certified reporters with 20+ years of service. The bill also sets specific formatting standards for transcripts (e.g., page margins, line spacing) and clarifies that only transcripts from official court reporters can be used in future trials or appeals. These changes directly affect court reporters, judges, and legal parties across Oklahoma's district courts, Workers' Compensation Court, and Corporation Commission.
HB 4408 requires the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Administrator of the Courts to submit annual data by July 31st on offenders convicted only of crimes reclassified under State Question 780 (which reduced penalties for certain low-level offenses). This data includes unique offenders, days served, and sentence lengths for offenses now classified as misdemeanors or with adjusted dollar thresholds. The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency must then calculate the state's annual savings from reduced incarceration costs within 30 days, using actual data or best estimates if needed. The final calculation is binding and cannot be revised later, with the bill taking effect November 1, 2026.
This bill proposes changes to Oklahoma's voting eligibility rules for individuals with criminal convictions. It would modify the current law regarding when felons regain their right to vote after completing their sentences. The amendment seeks to restore specific language that defines the conditions under which convicted felons can vote again. This legislation directly affects people with criminal records who are seeking to restore their voting rights. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for further review.
HB 3581 amends the effective date of a bill that makes certain acts during riots unlawful. The amendment changes the original November 1, 2026, effective date to take effect immediately upon passage, citing an "emergency" for public peace and safety. This adjustment allows the law to apply without delay, directly affecting individuals who engage in specified conduct during civil disturbances. The bill itself focuses on defining and penalizing specific riot-related actions, though the amendment primarily addresses timing rather than altering the core prohibitions.
SB 1810 requires Oklahoma human trafficking shelters and service programs to obtain certification from the Attorney General. It authorizes the Attorney General to enter agreements with service providers for victims and expands telephone communication services for victims. The bill also mandates confidentiality for victim information and updates definitions of human trafficking, including "coercion" and "debt bondage." These changes directly affect victims seeking services and the shelters/programs providing them, aiming to standardize and improve support systems.
HB 2137 modifies Oklahoma's criminal procedure laws to clarify how courts handle defendants found incompetent to stand trial who may regain competency. It requires courts to hold new hearings if medical staff report potential competency restoration and mandates strict procedures for authorizing involuntary medication (including psychiatric medication) to restore competency, including requiring petitioners to prove necessity with "clear and convincing evidence." The bill ensures defendants receive legal representation, 30-day hearing deadlines, and specific court findings on medical necessity, alternatives, and the defendant's wishes. It directly affects individuals in criminal cases under involuntary competency restoration, ensuring due process while allowing medication administration only when medically justified and legally permissible.
