Criminal Justice

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1563: Criminal procedure; authorizing the issuance of subpoena duces tecum to businesses and commercial entities; codification; effective date.

HB 1563 allows criminal defendants to subpoena specific records from law enforcement and businesses in Oklahoma. It permits defendants to request body camera footage, traffic videos, incident reports, or security camera recordings covering the time of the alleged crime from businesses or commercial entities. The bill includes safeguards: law enforcement can object if records involve juvenile confidentiality, ongoing investigations, or informant privacy, and requires strict fee limits ($0.25/page for copies). This directly affects criminal defendants seeking evidence, while balancing access with protections for sensitive information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to subpoena business records (bodycam, security footage) for evidence access, enhancing transparency and defendant rights in criminal cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 1103: Torts; prohibiting prosecution for certain acts; clarifying actions deemed reasonable. Effective date.

SB 1103 protects individuals who intervene during a violent crime. It prohibits prosecution for reasonable actions taken to stop the crime or ensure the victim's safety until law enforcement arrives, regardless of the intervener's official role. The bill defines "violent crime" using existing Oklahoma law (Title 57, Section 571) and clarifies that such protective actions are deemed reasonable under the law. The measure becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects interveners from prosecution for reasonable actions during violent crimes, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

Track

passed both · Oklahoma · House Mar 5, 2025

HCR 1004: Concurrent resolution; consent decree; Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Forensic Center, and the putative class; approval.

HCR 1004 is a procedural resolution approving a consent decree resolving a class-action lawsuit against Oklahoma's mental health system. It formally authorizes the Oklahoma Legislature to adopt the court-approved settlement between the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Forensic Center, and a group of individuals alleging inadequate competency restoration treatment for people found incompetent to stand trial. The decree resolves claims about delays in providing required treatment to ensure court competency, avoiding further litigation costs. This resolution does not create new policy but legally ratifies an existing court agreement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeApproves consent decree resolving inadequate competency restoration treatment delays in criminal justice system, advancing mental health care for defendants95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApproves consent decree resolving mental health treatment delays, mandating improved competency restoration services for vulnerable patients per court settlement.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 691: Law enforcement; requiring the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop certain program. Effective date.

SB 691 requires Oklahoma's Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to create a voluntary program offering specialized training for law enforcement officers to handle mental health crisis calls. Officers who complete the training will be designated as "law enforcement mental health specialists." The bill mandates these agencies to develop the program and establish rules for its implementation, effective November 1, 2025. This directly affects participating officers and aims to improve responses to mental health emergencies involving law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates mental health crisis training for law enforcement to reduce unnecessary criminalization and improve officer responses, a key criminal justice reform initiative.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires specialized mental health training for law enforcement to improve crisis response, directly supporting mental health services access and coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 8, 2025

HB 2376: Criminal procedure; directing the District Attorneys Council to annually provide list of early termination applications; effective date.

HB 2376 requires Oklahoma's District Attorneys Council to annually provide a report to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker by November 30 each year. The report must include all applications for early termination of suspended sentences (under specific eligibility rules) and copies of any objections or responses from district attorneys. This applies to individuals with suspended sentences exceeding five years who meet probation and rehabilitation requirements, or who qualify for an earlier review through education, certification, or consistent employment. The bill creates a transparent reporting mechanism to track these requests and objections, without altering the existing early hearing eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates annual reporting on early termination of suspended sentences for rehab-qualified individuals, promoting sentencing reform and reducing recidivism through streamlined rehabilitation pathways.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 1363: Professions and occupations; bail enforcer breaking and entering; effective date.

HB 1363 prohibits licensed bail enforcers from breaking into a dwelling to recover a defendant, except when they have direct evidence (such as seeing the defendant inside or receiving verified information from a witness) that the defendant is present and refusing to surrender after a reasonable request. It defines "first-hand knowledge" as direct visual contact, eyewitness testimony, or other confirmed evidence provided directly to the bail enforcer. Homeowners or occupants can defend their property (including using a firearm if legally permitted) without liability for injuries to the bail enforcer, and they may seek compensation for property damage caused by an unlawful entry. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts bail enforcers from unlawful entry without evidence, protecting civil rights and reducing potential abuse in enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 2883: Crimes and punishments; creating the Utility Worker Protection Act of 2025; establishing assault or battery of a utility worker as a felony; effective date.

HB 2883, the Utility Worker Protection Act of 2025, makes assault or battery against utility workers a felony. It defines "utility workers" as those employed by or contracted with companies providing electricity, water, natural gas, or other utility services while performing job duties. The bill sets penalties for such offenses at up to two years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both, and states this law works alongside existing legal protections. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates felony penalties for assaulting utility workers, strengthening legal protections for a vulnerable workforce within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects utility workers from assault via felony charges, enhancing workplace safety protections for essential service employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Workplace Safety

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 2735: Professions and occupations; license denial; exception; effective date.

HB 2735 modifies Oklahoma's licensing rules for professions by establishing clear criteria for denying licenses based on criminal history. It allows denial only if a conviction "substantially relates" to the job duties and "poses a reasonable threat" to public safety, requiring licensing boards to consider factors like offense severity, time passed, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill explicitly prohibits denial for sealed/expunged records, most convictions older than five years (except for domestic violence, sex offenses, or specific felonies), and vague "good character" claims. Applicants can request pre-licensing determinations about their criminal history within 60-90 days, and boards must provide written notice of denial reasons with appeal options. This directly affects individuals seeking state licenses who have criminal records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts license denial for non-relevant criminal history, prohibits denial for sealed/expunged records, and aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated individuals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Tags Licensing

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1622: Crimes and punishments; modifying threshold amounts for certain penalties; effective date.

HB 1622 amends Oklahoma's larceny statute to lower the threshold for misdemeanor penalties when stealing retail or wholesale merchandise. It reduces the value threshold from $1,000 to $500 for first or second convictions, meaning thefts under $500 now carry misdemeanor penalties (up to 30 days jail or $500 fine), while thefts of $500-$2,500 remain felonies. The bill also clarifies that multiple thefts within 180 days can be combined to determine penalties, and requires restitution for victims. This directly affects individuals convicted of retail theft in Oklahoma, altering the severity of penalties based on the stolen property's value.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLowers theft threshold from $1,000 to $500 for misdemeanors, reducing felony charges for minor thefts - aligns with criminal justice reform by decreasing unnecessary incarceration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 1379: Attorney General; establishing certain pilot program; stating eligibility requirements; Victims of Human Trafficking and Prevention Revolving Fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1379 establishes a two-year pilot program through Oklahoma's Attorney General's Office to provide grants to private nonprofit organizations supporting victims of sexual and labor trafficking. The program funds specific services like emergency shelter, mental health counseling, legal assistance, job training, and medical care - directly benefiting trafficking victims through partner organizations. Eligible organizations must demonstrate experience serving trafficking victims, maintain confidentiality, and use grants primarily for direct services (not exceeding 15% for administrative costs). Recipients must submit quarterly reports on services provided and outcomes, with the Attorney General compiling annual program evaluations for state leaders. The bill expands allowable uses of the Victims of Human Trafficking Fund to support this initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes specific appropriation for trafficking victim services, directly funding public safety programs through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim services for trafficking survivors, aligning with criminal justice reform by supporting victims and enhancing victim protection within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical care and mental health counseling for trafficking victims via grants to nonprofits, directly supporting healthcare services as specified in bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides job training services for labor trafficking victims, directly supporting employment opportunities and workforce reintegration as part of victim assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Mental Health Workforce Development