Criminal Justice

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3350: Crimes and punishments; updating language; effective date.

HB 3350 updates the language in Oklahoma's murder sentencing statute (21 O.S. § 701.11) without changing legal standards. It clarifies that juries must unanimously identify specific aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt when recommending the death penalty, and specifies that the death penalty cannot be imposed if no aggravating circumstances are found or if mitigating circumstances outweigh them. The bill directly affects murder sentencing procedures in Oklahoma courts, requiring clearer written jury instructions. It is purely a linguistic update to existing law, with no substantive policy changes, and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies death penalty jury requirements to require unanimity on aggravating factors and prevent imposition without sufficient aggravating circumstances, strengthening procedural safeguards in capital sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 3345: Inmate assessment and evaluations; providing risk, mental health and substance abuse screenings for arrested persons; effective date.

HB 3345 requires mandatory mental health, substance abuse, and risk screenings for individuals arrested on felony charges in Oklahoma after their initial court appearance. These screenings, conducted by certified professionals from the Department of Mental Health, must be shared with courts, prosecutors, defendants, and their attorneys. Results cannot be used as evidence in criminal trials unless the defendant waives this right, but may inform sentencing or diversion options. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health/substance abuse screenings for felony arrestees, protects defendant rights by prohibiting trial evidence use, and enables diversion/sentencing alternatives - key criminal justice reform elements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health screenings by certified professionals, expands access to mental health services for arrested persons, and protects patient rights by restricting trial evidence use without waiver.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing Mental Health Substance Abuse

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vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 14, 2026

HB 4342: Civil procedure; admissibility; evidence; disclosure; term; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows past domestic violence evidence in trials with disclosure requirements, strengthening victim access to justice and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of protecting victims and ensuring fair proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1666: Torts; stating liability of peace officers for injuries related to the deprivation of certain rights. Effective date.

SB 1666 holds peace officers (state or local law enforcement) personally liable when they, under color of law, deprive individuals of rights protected by Oklahoma's Bill of Rights (Article II), including through inaction. It removes qualified immunity as a defense, prohibits statutory immunity for such claims, and requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees to successful plaintiffs. Employers must indemnify officers for liability arising under this law, unless the officer acted without good faith or was convicted of a related crime, in which case the officer bears limited personal responsibility. The law directly affects peace officers, their employers, and individuals seeking redress for rights violations by law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves qualified immunity for officers violating civil rights, mandates personal liability, and requires attorney fees - directly advancing police accountability and civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2026

HB 3970: Court reporters; duties and salaries; remote availability; transcripts; certifications; continuing education; shorthand reporter examinations; methods; effective date; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds court reporter salaries and establishes transcript standards, strengthening court procedures essential to fair criminal proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1607: Sentencing of juveniles; prohibiting imposition of certain terms of imprisonment for certain persons. Effective date.

SB 1607 prohibits sentencing juveniles (persons under 18 at the time of the offense) who are certified as adults for certain crimes to life imprisonment without parole or mandatory minimum sentences exceeding 20 years. The bill amends Oklahoma statutes (10A O.S. § 2-5-204 and 22 O.S. § 985.1) to establish these specific sentencing limits for juveniles tried as adults. It directly affects youth convicted of crimes after being certified to stand trial as adults under Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system. The law aims to limit severe prison terms for young offenders while maintaining adult criminal proceedings for those certified as adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits life without parole for juvenile offenders tried as adults, aligning with reform to reduce harsh sentencing and promote rehabilitation for youth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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died · Oklahoma · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 3351: Pardon and Parole Board; increasing compensation for members of the Board; and providing an effective date.

HB 3351 increases annual compensation for Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board members and establishes attendance requirements tied to pay. The bill sets the Board Chair's annual pay at $24,800 (split into $400 for meeting prep and $1,667 for monthly meetings) and members' pay at $22,800 (split into $400 prep and $1,500 per meeting). Members who miss meetings without justification lose their monthly compensation, and missing two or more meetings may lead to removal proceedings. This directly affects the Board members, who are appointed to review parole and pardon cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases Pardon and Parole Board compensation/attendance requirements, ensuring consistent oversight of parole decisions - a key criminal justice function.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3352: Pardon and parole; updating language; effective date.

HB 3352 updates Oklahoma's pardon and parole procedures by revising statutory language and adding new requirements. It creates an accelerated commutation process for individuals convicted of crimes reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors, requiring the Pardon and Parole Board to prioritize these cases. The bill mandates extended notification timelines (20 business days) for victims, district attorneys, and the Attorney General before decisions, and requires the Board to provide detailed annual reports to the Legislature on approval rates and public input. These changes apply directly to the Pardon and Parole Board, inmates seeking commutation or pardon, and crime victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAccelerates commutation for reclassified offenses, mandates detailed Board decisions, and extends victim notifications - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing unnecessary incarceration and increasing transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3096: Crime victim's rights; allowing crime victims to request review of proposed plea agreements; effective date.

HB 3096 gives crime victims in felony cases the right to request a court review of proposed plea agreements before they are finalized. The bill requires prosecutors to notify victims about plea deals and the court date, and if victims request review, the case must go to a district court judge for independent approval or rejection - bypassing special judges. This applies only to felony cases and does not change prosecutors' authority or grant victims legal party status. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and ensures victims' input is considered without altering existing victim rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGives crime victims right to request court review of felony plea agreements, enhancing victim oversight in sentencing process per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Sentencing Victims' Rights

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died · Oklahoma · House Feb 16, 2026

HB 3651: Prisons and reformatories; authorizing the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to supervise certain probationers and parolees; effective date.

HB 3651 would authorize the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to supervise certain probationers and parolees. This change would directly affect individuals on probation or parole who fall under the Director’s supervision, as well as the Department of Corrections in its management of community supervision. The bill amends state law to add this new authority to the Director’s existing duties, expanding their role beyond prison operations. The bill is currently under review in the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee after its introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands Corrections Director's authority over probation/parole supervision, enhancing community supervision oversight - a key criminal justice reform element focused on reducing recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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