Criminal Justice

signed · Oklahoma · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1579: Juvenile bureaus; salaries and expenses; limitations; effective date.

HB 1579 sets salary limits for juvenile bureau staff in Oklahoma counties, capping directors' pay at 90% of Class A county officer salaries and other employees at 85%. It requires juvenile court judges (with county commissioner oversight) to establish expense limits for bureau operations and mandates that all bureau costs - salaries and expenses - be funded through county budgets or dedicated sales taxes. The bill also specifies that county excise boards must appropriate funds for bureau staffing and operations, consistent with other county officer budgets. Additionally, it clarifies that district attorneys represent juvenile bureaus in lawsuits, unless conflicts arise. The law became effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCapping juvenile bureau staff salaries and requiring county budget funding limits restricts resource allocation for juvenile justice services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1689: Crimes and punishments; making certain acts unlawful; effective date.

HB 1689 amends Oklahoma's larceny law for lost property, establishing penalties based on the item's value: misdemeanor fines/imprisonment for items under $1,000, and escalating felony penalties up to 8 years for items valued at $15,000 or more. It specifically adds that removing retail shopping carts with intent to deprive the owner (or possessing such carts) is unlawful, punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who find lost property without making reasonable effort to return it or who remove shopping carts from retail parking areas. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses (e.g., retail cart removal) and increasing penalties for property crimes, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 871: Crimes and punishments; required service of minimum percentage of sentence; modifying statutory references to certain criminal offenses. Effective date.

SB 871 modifies Oklahoma's law against eluding police officers by updating penalty structures for different offenses. For first-time offenders, it increases the maximum fine for misdemeanor eluding from $2,000 to $5,000 and raises the jail term for second offenses to up to one year. If eluding endangers others, the offense becomes a felony punishable by 1-5 years in state prison; if it causes "great bodily injury" (defined as serious harm like permanent disfigurement or long-term disability), penalties increase to 1-7 years. The bill also clarifies legal language around these offenses and takes effect November 1, 2025. It directly affects drivers convicted of eluding police in Oklahoma.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases fines and jail terms for eluding police, raising penalties for offenses and expanding criminalization, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1861: Crimes and punishments; providing statutory reference for prostitution-related offense; effective date.

HB 1861 amends Oklahoma's prostitution-related offense penalties in Section 1031 of the statutes. It creates a new felony charge for engaging in prostitution while knowingly infected with HIV (Section B), increases penalties for child prostitution (Section C), and escalates violations near schools/churches to felony status with fines up to $7,500 and up to 5 years in prison (Section D). The bill directly affects individuals committing these specific prostitution-related offenses under the defined circumstances. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felonies for HIV-positive prostitution, increases penalties for child prostitution, and escalates near-school/church violations to felony status with harsher sentences.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 748: Larceny; establishing certain offense and providing penalty. Effective date.

SB 748 amends Oklahoma's larceny laws for theft from retail or wholesale businesses, establishing tiered penalties based on the value of stolen merchandise and prior convictions. It increases punishments for repeat offenses (e.g., third theft under $1,000 becomes a misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail), classifies thefts of $1,000-$15,000 as felonies with prison terms up to 8 years, and requires restitution to victims. The bill also allows aggregating multiple thefts within 180 days for sentencing and imposes a $500 fine or 30 hours of community service for stealing shopping carts. This directly affects individuals who steal merchandise from stores, with penalties varying by value, frequency, and prior record.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for theft, classifies more offenses as felonies, and aggregates multiple thefts for harsher sentencing, expanding criminalization and mandatory punishments.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 928: Assault and battery; creating misdemeanor and felony offenses. Effective date.

SB 928 creates new misdemeanor and felony charges for assaulting or battering county employees while they are performing their duties. It defines "county employee" broadly to include workers for counties and contracted firms. Simple assault/battery becomes a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine), while aggravated attacks become felonies (up to 2 years in prison or $5,000 fine). The bill also requires counties to post clear signage stating that felony charges may apply for such attacks. This law directly affects county employees and aims to strengthen protections for them during work.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new assault offenses against county employees, increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects county employees from assault, enhancing workplace safety protections for workers performing duties.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 780: Flag-related offenses; creating felony offense and providing penalties. Effective date.

SB 780 creates a felony offense for removing or taking down the U.S. flag from public property or private property (without permission) and replacing it with another flag. It directly affects individuals who handle U.S. flags on public or private property, including property owned by others. The bill imposes penalties of up to $3,000 in fines, up to three years in prison, or both for violations. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense for flag removal, expanding criminalization without reform context. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of increased criminalization.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 551: Crimes and punishment; modifying penalty provision related to child sexual abuse. Effective date.

SB 551 amends Oklahoma's penalties for child sexual abuse and exploitation, specifically increasing minimum sentences for offenses against children under 12. It sets a mandatory 25-year minimum prison term for perpetrators of child sexual abuse (Section F) or exploitation (Section I) involving children under 12, replacing previous sentencing ranges. The bill also requires mandatory post-prison supervision for certain convictions and expands the age range covered to include all children under 18. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of child sexual abuse/exploitation (including enablers like caregivers) and the state's sentencing framework. The law updates statutory language but does not alter defenses or exemptions like reasonable parental force.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences (25 years) for child sexual abuse, expanding criminalization without reform elements like rehabilitation or accountability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 123: Firearms; modifying scope of certain unlawful act. Effective date.

SB 123 modifies Oklahoma's Self-Defense Act to ban carrying firearms loaded with specific ammunition types: restricted bullets (per Section 1289.19), caliber larger than .45, or other legally prohibited ammunition. It directly affects individuals holding self-defense permits who carry firearms under the Act. The bill adds a $500 administrative fine for violations (in addition to potential criminal penalties), following a hearing by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm ammunition types under self-defense permits, adding fines and limiting permit holder rights, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 944: Crimes and punishments; modifying provisions and penalties related to hazing. Effective date.

SB 944 modifies Oklahoma's hazing laws to better protect students at public and private schools and colleges. It defines hazing broadly to include activities endangering physical or mental health (like forced consumption or extreme stress), prohibits all hazing by student groups, and creates new misdemeanor charges for basic hazing (up to 90 days jail or $5,000 fines) and felony charges if hazing causes serious injury or death (up to 10 years in prison or $15,000 fines). The bill also establishes the Anti-Hazing Revolving Fund for educational programs, prohibits defenses like "tradition" or "consent," and grants immunity to students who report hazing or seek medical help for hazing victims. These changes directly affect student organizations, schools, and individuals involved in hazing incidents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new felony charges for hazing causing injury/death, increasing penalties under criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly protects students in schools/colleges from hazing, creating safer educational environments which supports student well-being and access to learning.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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