HB 1148 strengthens whistleblower protections in Oklahoma by prohibiting retaliation against employees who report wrongdoing by state agencies, public entities, or private employers with supervisory roles. It makes retaliation - such as termination, demotion, or intimidation - a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, and civil liability for economic, emotional, and mental harm, including punitive damages. Whistleblowers who successfully sue under this law are entitled to attorney fees and court costs, and violators are barred from holding public office or employment. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2127 prohibits imprisoning defendants for inability to pay court fines, fees, or costs in criminal cases. It establishes a court cost compliance program with liaisons to help defendants set up installment payment plans instead of facing jail time. The bill requires courts to accept payments via phone, mail, or online, and mandates that defendants pay all costs (including fines, fees, and assessments) through this structured process. This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes who owe court financial obligations in Oklahoma.
HB 1740 requires Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to create written, individualized service plans within 45 days for people found not guilty by reason of mental illness (NGRI/MI). These plans must be based on comprehensive psychological and psychiatric evaluations, include specific details like treatment history and service schedules, and be written in plain language. The court must approve the plan after reviewing it with input from the individual, their attorney, and treating doctors, and the plan must be updated regularly. The bill also mandates frequent court review hearings - four quarterly in the first year, then two semi-annually - and requires ODMHSAS to provide detailed reports to the court before each hearing.
HB 1568 restricts access to grand jury transcripts to prevent misuse. It requires court approval for releasing transcripts to defense attorneys, prosecutors, or witnesses, and prohibits using them in unrelated civil cases. The bill mandates sealed court filings for transcript requests and closed hearings unless public interest outweighs secrecy needs. Violating these rules is a misdemeanor, and the law explicitly bans attorneys from using transcripts to benefit or harm parties in civil cases related to the original investigation. This directly affects legal teams, witnesses, and courts handling criminal and related civil proceedings.
SB 391 extends the Opioid Overdose Fatality Review Board's existence until July 1, 2026 (correcting the bill title's "dissolving" error), requiring it to review opioid overdose cases involving adults. The Board gathers confidential records from medical examiners, hospitals, law enforcement, and other agencies to identify systemic issues in medical or law enforcement responses, then makes recommendations for improvement. All case discussions and recommendations remain confidential and privileged, not admissible in court, while the Board must publish an annual public report by February 1 detailing its findings and system coordination. This directly affects state agencies (like mental health services, law enforcement, and medical examiners) and ensures public transparency through annual reports.
SB 594 amends Oklahoma law to expand admissible testimony in child abuse cases and elevate penalties for specific offenses. It updates rules allowing statements from children under 16, disabled youth, or incapacitated persons describing abuse, neglect, sexual contact, or witnessing harm to be used in court. The bill also classifies "child abuse" (under §843.5) and "failure to protect a child from abuse" as Class A3 felonies - the highest penalty tier - effective upon enactment. These changes directly affect child abuse victims, their witnesses, and individuals charged with these offenses, streamlining legal proceedings while increasing penalties for perpetrators.
HB 1786 requires peace officers to make every effort to serve protective order subjects and complete service documentation when filing petitions with the court. If immediate service isn't possible, officers must file the petition the next business day, and court clerks must prioritize service through county sheriffs. This affects victims seeking emergency protective orders (for domestic violence, stalking, or related offenses) and the law enforcement/court staff handling these cases. The bill streamlines the process to ensure timely court review while clarifying procedures for service attempts and filing deadlines. It amends Oklahoma statutes to standardize how protective order petitions are processed after emergency requests.
HB 1460 adds new fees for criminal convictions in Oklahoma. It requires courts to collect a $10 fee for most convictions (excluding parking violations) and a $150 laboratory analysis fee for cases involving forensic services from OSBI, the Chief Medical Examiner, or local agencies. Funds from these fees are deposited into specific accounts: the $150 fees go to OSBI, medical examiner, or local law enforcement revolving funds, while the $10 fees fund the CLEET Training Center and General Revenue. The bill also creates a $5 fee for misdemeanor marijuana possession cases, with proceeds going to a drug education fund. These fees apply to individuals convicted of offenses punishable by fines or jail time, excluding minor traffic violations.
SB 1216 updates Oklahoma's drug court eligibility rules by clarifying who can participate. It requires offenders to not be charged with drug trafficking under the Trafficking In Illegal Drugs Act, have committed a felony or specific misdemeanor, and demonstrate a substance abuse addiction (through admission, apparent signs, or known history) or have an offense eligible for drug court. The bill mandates an eligibility form explaining the program process, required waivers (including giving up the right to a quick trial), and consequences of failure (such as up to six months in an intermediate facility). This bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and directly affects offenders seeking drug court alternatives in Oklahoma.
HB 1987 creates Oklahoma's "Extreme Risk Protective Order Act," establishing a legal process for courts to issue orders restricting firearm access. It allows family members, intimate partners, or law enforcement to file petitions alleging an immediate danger of harm from a respondent possessing firearms, including emergency orders without prior notice to the respondent. The bill requires no filing fees for petitions or court services, mandates specific notice procedures for domestic violence cases, and outlines procedures for firearm seizure, return, and record-keeping. This directly affects individuals ordered to surrender firearms (respondents) and those filing petitions (family members, intimate partners, or law enforcement).
