SB 1498 prohibits Oklahoma employers (both public and private) from asking about an applicant's criminal history or obtaining criminal record information before making a conditional job offer. Employers may only ask about criminal convictions that would legally disqualify someone for a specific job under federal, state, or local law. The law does not apply to "sensitive positions" (like school staff, law enforcement, or roles involving vulnerable adults) or jobs where law requires criminal record checks. It takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 2993 creates 11 rural law enforcement coordination districts across Oklahoma, each covering specific counties (e.g., District 1 includes Washington and Craig Counties). It establishes law enforcement coordinators for each district - requiring 10 years of experience or certification - to serve as liaisons, assist agencies with grant applications for personnel/equipment, and provide technical support. The bill also creates a dedicated "Rural Law Enforcement Coordination Revolving Fund" in the State Treasury to finance coordinator salaries and district operations. This fund is a continuing account not subject to annual budget limits. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3766 amends Oklahoma's DUI statutes to update Class B3 criminal offenses, specifically adding two DUI-related offenses: third or subsequent DUI convictions (item 21) and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or higher (item 22). The bill also updates statutory references across multiple DUI-related sections (e.g., Sections 11-902, 11-904, and 11-906.4) and clarifies that metabolite presence alone cannot be used as evidence for DUI of controlled substances. It further specifies requirements for testing controlled substances and allows independent evidence in DUI cases. The bill affects individuals convicted of certain DUI offenses and updates legal references for law enforcement and courts.
SB 1636 creates a formal process for reviewing cold cases at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). It defines "cold cases" as violent crimes with exhausted leads and unidentified perpetrators, and establishes that immediate family members can request a "case file review" of these cases. The bill requires the OSBI to complete reviews within 60 days (with possible 30-day extensions), mandates coordination with law enforcement, and sets specific criteria for when reviews can be initiated. This procedural bill directly affects families of cold case victims by providing a structured way to seek updates on unresolved investigations.
HB 3258 modifies Oklahoma's Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) by reducing its membership from 13 to 7 members. It eliminates three Governor-appointed positions (including a tribal law enforcement representative and two specific county/municipal leadership roles) and reduces Senate/House appointments from two to one each. The bill does not change CLEET's core responsibilities, which include overseeing officer certification, background checks, training standards, and continuing education for law enforcement officers statewide. The revised structure maintains key representation from the Department of Public Safety, state bureaus, sheriffs, and police chiefs, while streamlining council composition.
HB 3283 modifies Oklahoma's criminal forfeiture law by raising the standard of proof required for property seizures. It requires prosecutors to prove illegal use of seized property by "clear and convincing evidence" rather than a lower standard, directly affecting property owners in forfeiture cases. Key provisions protect innocent owners and lienholders by allowing them to prove they had no knowledge of illegal use, potentially preventing forfeiture if they hold a valid claim. The bill also clarifies how proceeds from forfeited property must be distributed, prioritizing victims and law enforcement costs. It takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 2990 prohibits Oklahoma law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that conceal their identity during public interactions while performing official duties, with specific safety exceptions (like medical masks, helmets for hazardous conditions, or SWAT operations). It requires officers to visibly display their name, agency, and badge number during public contact, except during undercover assignments. All law enforcement agencies must create and publicly post written policies detailing these identification requirements and limited undercover exceptions. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and directly affects all Oklahoma police and sheriff's departments.
SB 1936 reclassifies 49 existing offenses as Class D1 felonies in Oklahoma law, including a new felony for falsely impersonating a peace officer (under amended Section 264 of Title 21). It also broadens seizure authority in forfeiture proceedings (amending Section 1738) and updates related statutory references. The bill affects individuals committing these specific offenses, such as those impersonating law enforcement or violating banking regulations. It takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 3760 creates tax credits for Oklahomans who donate to certified law enforcement foundations supporting local police departments. Taxpayers can claim credits up to $5,000 annually (single filers) or $10,000 (married/joint filers), with a total annual cap of $75 million statewide and $3 million per foundation. Foundations must be certified by the state, and donations must fund specific officer needs like training, equipment, or joint emergency response teams - *not* regular salaries. The bill requires foundations to report spending and sets strict limits to ensure credits don’t exceed state revenue goals.
HB 3637 requires each Oklahoma district attorney to establish a child abuse multidisciplinary review team in their county or neighboring counties, led by a certified child advocacy center or approved agency. The teams must develop joint investigation protocols for child sexual/physical abuse cases, minimize trauma for child victims, eliminate duplicated efforts, and identify community service gaps. The bill creates a Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team Council to oversee teams, approve freestanding teams, conduct annual reviews, and mandate public annual reports on child death/near-death case reviews. It directly affects district attorneys, law enforcement, child welfare staff, medical personnel, and child advocacy centers involved in abuse investigations.
