SB 624 prohibits Oklahoma government entities from seeking or using "reverse-keyword" court orders (requiring data on people who searched specific terms/websites) or "reverse-location" court orders (requiring location data for unspecified devices in an area). It also bans government requests for such data without a court order. The bill requires government entities to notify individuals if their data was improperly obtained, and allows affected people to sue for $1,000 per violation or actual damages, plus punitive damages based on factors like targeting protected activities. This directly affects state/local governments and individuals whose digital data might be improperly collected under broad surveillance methods.
HB 2131 amends Oklahoma's criminal procedure laws to clarify rules for grand jury operations and handling of transcripts. It restricts who can advise grand juries (prohibiting district attorneys from advising during investigations of their own office), requires sealed court proceedings for transcript requests, and bans using grand jury transcripts in unrelated civil cases. The bill directly affects defense attorneys, prosecutors, witnesses, and judges by limiting transcript access to only criminal proceedings related to the original grand jury investigation. Key provisions include strict penalties for unauthorized disclosure (misdemeanor or contempt) and requiring the prosecutor to be notified before any transcript is released. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 1372 allows eligible Oklahoma probationers to shorten their probation term by earning credits. Offenders who complete their first year of probation or earn a high school diploma, college degree, or vocational certificate can receive credits equal to 1/4 of their probation length. Supervising agencies must track these credits, notify offenders annually about their projected termination date, and inform courts when credits qualify for early termination. The bill excludes those convicted of certain serious offenses (like specific sex crimes or violent felonies) and allows offenders who complete education after probation ends to file a court motion for credit reduction.
SB 1321 prohibits Oklahoma government entities from seeking or using "reverse-keyword" court orders (requiring disclosure of people who searched specific terms online) or "reverse-location" court orders (requiring location data of unspecified devices). It also bans government requests for such data without a court order, with strict penalties for violations. Individuals whose data is improperly collected can sue for $1,000 per violation or actual damages, plus punitive damages based on factors like the number of people affected and whether constitutional rights were targeted. The bill makes illegally obtained data inadmissible in court and allows victims to recover attorney fees. It takes effect November 1, 2026.
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HB 1109 prohibits detaining students for school absences and bans suspensions for truancy. It requires school districts to create progressive intervention plans (with three tiers) and send written notices to families for absences, replacing punitive measures. The bill also limits court involvement by allowing reports of absences only under specific circumstances and prevents placing students in institutional facilities solely for truancy. These changes directly affect students, schools, and juvenile courts in Oklahoma, shifting focus from punishment to support systems for attendance issues.
SB 973 prohibits Oklahoma courts and state entities from contracting with private debt collectors to collect criminal fines, fees, costs, or restitution owed by individuals. This directly affects courts, state agencies handling collections, and private debt collection companies that previously managed these payments. The bill’s key provision, added to Oklahoma law, bans such contracts without altering existing court cost structures for criminal cases. It repeals related sections of law (19 O.S. §§ 514.4-514.5) that governed court cost compliance programs. The law aims to keep collection of criminal justice debts within public systems, not private contractors.
HB 1913 prohibits Oklahoma state government entities from seeking or obtaining location or search history data through "reverse-location" or "reverse-keyword" court orders or requests. It bans government agencies from issuing such orders, requiring courts to reject them, and making any data collected this way inadmissible in court. Individuals affected can receive written notice of violations and sue for $1,000 per violation, plus attorney fees, with punitive damages possible for repeated or targeted violations. The law applies to all Oklahoma state and local government actions and takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 154 requires Oklahoma courts to prioritize ordering restitution payments to crime victims when sentencing defendants convicted of crimes (excluding death penalty cases). The bill amends sentencing guidelines to explicitly state that courts "shall prioritize an order for payments of restitution to the victim to the extent feasible" before considering other sentencing options like community service or fines. It directly affects courts, victims seeking compensation, and defendants required to pay restitution. The key change is a procedural shift in sentencing priorities, ensuring restitution is addressed early in the process without altering existing restitution rates or amounts.
HB 2058 clarifies who can seek protective orders under Oklahoma's Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, expanding eligibility to include victims of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, rape, and other specified crimes, as well as minors or adults acting on behalf of household members. The bill prohibits charging filing fees, service fees, or attorney fees to the person seeking a protective order, regardless of whether the order is granted. It also adds provisions allowing courts to order defendants to make no contact with animals owned by the household and to issue emergency protective orders without requiring prior criminal complaints for certain victims. The bill modifies court fee structures for defendants convicted of crimes but focuses primarily on removing financial barriers for victims seeking protection.
SB 1055 automatically seals criminal records for certain misdemeanor convictions in Oklahoma after specific waiting periods. It applies to individuals convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors with no subsequent felony convictions, requiring at least 5-10 years to pass since conviction or sentence completion, depending on the offense. The bill creates a "clean slate" process where eligible cases are automatically sealed three years after the law takes effect (subject to funding), without needing court petitions. It excludes violent offenses, sex offenses, and cases involving pending charges. This policy change directly affects Oklahomans with qualifying misdemeanor histories seeking to clear their records.
