Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

SB 78 requires individuals convicted of 22 specific serious offenses - including first-degree murder, rape, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, and aggravated assault - to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This applies to all sentences imposed after the bill's effective date (November 1, 2025). The bill prohibits earned credits or other sentence reductions that would allow parole eligibility before completing 85% of the sentence. It updates statutory references and language in Oklahoma law related to these sentencing requirements.

HB 1001, known as "Lauria and Ashley's Law," requires individuals convicted of 23 specific serious crimes - including murder, rape, child exploitation, trafficking, and certain violent assaults - to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. It prohibits earned credits or other reductions that would shorten sentences below this 85% threshold. The law applies to all offenders convicted of these designated offenses and takes effect November 1, 2025. It was signed into law by the Governor on May 5, 2025.

HB 1307 amends Oklahoma law to change penalties for first-degree murder convictions. It mandates the death penalty for foreign-born individuals convicted of first-degree murder who were in the U.S. without valid immigration documentation or violated their visa terms at the time of the crime, unless "overwhelming mitigating evidence" is presented. For all other first-degree murder convictions, the bill maintains the existing options of death, life without parole, or life imprisonment. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.