Criminal Justice

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1689: Crimes and punishments; making certain acts unlawful; effective date.

HB 1689 amends Oklahoma's larceny law for lost property, establishing penalties based on the item's value: misdemeanor fines/imprisonment for items under $1,000, and escalating felony penalties up to 8 years for items valued at $15,000 or more. It specifically adds that removing retail shopping carts with intent to deprive the owner (or possessing such carts) is unlawful, punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who find lost property without making reasonable effort to return it or who remove shopping carts from retail parking areas. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses (e.g., retail cart removal) and increasing penalties for property crimes, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 549: Crimes and punishments; modifying provisions and expanding applicability of offenses related to aiding suicide or an attempt at suicide. Effective date.

SB 549 modifies Oklahoma law to make aiding suicide and aiding an attempt at suicide felony offenses with specific penalties. It increases penalties for aiding suicide (7+ years in prison, up to $5,000 fine) and aiding an attempt (up to 2 years, $1,000 fine), while expanding applicability to cases where a person's actions under anti-harassment communications laws (Section 1172) cause a suicide or attempted suicide. The bill also updates penalties for repeated threatening communications online or via electronic devices, raising third offenses to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It repeals outdated sections that previously set lower penalties for these acts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for aiding suicide (7+ years felony), expanding criminalization under stricter sentencing - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher punishments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 562: Crimes and Punishment; Bus Passenger Safety Act; expanding scope of unlawful acts. Emergency.

SB 562 strengthens Oklahoma's Bus Passenger Safety Act by expanding criminal penalties for violence targeting buses and passengers. It defines "bus" broadly to include vans, railcars, and other public transit vehicles, and makes it a felony to seize control of any bus (up to 20 years in prison), intimidate drivers/passengers (up to 10 years), or use deadly weapons during such acts (up to 20 years). The bill also prohibits discharging firearms in buses or terminals without valid self-defense justification (up to 5 years). These provisions directly affect bus passengers, drivers, and transit staff by increasing legal consequences for threats and violence against them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by increasing felony penalties (up to 20 years) for bus-related violence, directly opposing reform-focused justice through harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens public transit safety by criminalizing violence against buses/passengers, enhancing passenger protection in transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Public Transit

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 934: Firearms; stating certain criminal negligence. Effective date.

SB 934 amends Oklahoma law to address criminal negligence when firearm owners permit minors access to weapons. It makes it unlawful for a firearm owner to fail to secure a readily dischargeable firearm (a loaded gun ready to fire), leading to a minor causing injury or death - unless the owner used a locked container, supervised use for lawful purposes, or had other valid defenses listed in the bill. The law also expands civil liability, allowing victims to seek damages from parents or guardians whose negligence permitted a minor to possess a firearm that caused injury. This directly affects parents, guardians, and firearm owners who store guns unsafely around minors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal negligence offense for firearm owners, expanding criminalization (key oppose indicator) by making failure to secure loaded guns a crime leading to injury/death.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 2715: Crimes and punishments; Laser Safety Act; increasing penalties; effective date.

HB 2715, the Laser Safety Act, increases penalties for intentionally pointing lasers at law enforcement officers or aircraft. It raises fines for first-time offenses against officers to $500 (up from $100) and for aircraft to $1,000 (up from $100), with steeper penalties for repeat violations. Second offenses against officers carry up to $1,000 fines or 2 years in jail, while second aircraft offenses can result in $5,000 fines or 5 years in prison. The law excludes authorized uses like FAA research, military operations, or emergency signaling devices. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for laser offenses against officers/aircraft, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter penalties.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SB 550: Crimes and punishment; making certain acts unlawful. Emergency.

SB 550 prohibits organizing adult cabaret performances harmful to minors on public property or hosting "story hours" (where drag performers read children's books to minors) in public spaces. Violators face felony charges (1-5 years in prison or $5,000-$20,000 fine) for performances, or misdemeanor charges (up to 1 year jail or $500-$1,000 fine) for story hours. The law preempts conflicting local ordinances and defines "harmful to minors" per existing Oklahoma law. It directly affects event organizers, venues, and performers hosting such public activities involving minors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new felonies/misdemeanors for specific performances involving minors, increasing penalties under criminal law rather than advancing justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 11, 2026

HB 1933: Nitrous oxide; Maddix Bias Act; definition; sale of nitrous oxide to persons under twenty-one; legal age; enforcement; penalty; imprisonment; effective date.

HB 1933 prohibits the recreational use and sale of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for intoxication, directly affecting individuals under 21 and sellers to minors. It makes possessing nitrous oxide for intoxication a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $5,000 fine, with harsher penalties for possessing over 16 grams. Key exceptions include medical/dental use, food propellants (like whipped cream chargers), and industrial applications, ensuring the law doesn’t impact legitimate commercial or healthcare uses. The bill also prohibits selling nitrous oxide paraphernalia to those under 18 and allows business license suspension for repeat violations. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for nitrous oxide possession/intoxication, expanding criminalization beyond typical offenses without reform focus.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1320: Crimes and punishments; creating the Child Trafficking Protection Act of 2025; increasing penalties for certain unlawful act; effective date.

HB 1320 creates Oklahoma's "Child Trafficking Protection Act of 2025" by amending statutes to define human trafficking more broadly and significantly increase penalties. It specifically targets trafficking for commercial sex or labor, with harsher punishments: 5+ years to life for standard cases, and 15+ years to life without parole for offenses involving victims under 18. Key provisions include requiring offenders to pay victim restitution, mandating 85% of sentences be served before parole eligibility, and eliminating defenses based on victim consent or ignorance of a minor's age. The law directly affects traffickers and those exploiting victims, particularly minors, with stricter criminal consequences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for child trafficking with mandatory minimums (15+ years without parole for minors) and restitution, aligning with punitive sentencing approach.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 1168: Abortion-inducing drugs; terms; trafficking; felony; exceptions.

HB 1168 makes it a felony to knowingly deliver or possess abortion-inducing drugs (like misoprostol or methotrexate) with the intent of causing an abortion, punishable by up to $100,000 in fines or 10 years in prison. It directly affects individuals who provide such drugs for non-exceptional purposes, including off-label use for abortion. Key exceptions include pharmacists, manufacturers, and distributors acting within lawful medical practices, as well as preventive contraception used as directed by manufacturers. The law does not restrict treatment for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, or medical uses of drugs like chemotherapy.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating a new felony for possession/delivery of abortion drugs, increasing penalties and broadening criminal law scope without reform indicators.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to abortion-inducing drugs, criminalizing a healthcare service under felony penalties, directly limiting patient access to medical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 1100: Assault and battery; requiring certain assessment; authorizing certain alternative programs. Effective date.

SB 1100 amends Oklahoma's domestic abuse sentencing laws to increase penalties for assaults against intimate partners or family members, including longer prison terms for repeat offenses and specific provisions for cases involving pregnant victims. The bill requires courts to mandate court-ordered assessments and participation in certified batterers' intervention programs (minimum 52 weeks) or alternative programs (minimum 26 weeks) as a condition of suspended or deferred sentences for domestic abuse convictions. Defendants must complete these programs, with three consecutive or seven total unexcused absences serving as evidence for probation revocation. The law directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse, courts managing these cases, and certified domestic violence program providers overseeing the required treatment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for domestic abuse offenses with longer prison terms and mandatory assessments, aligning with punitive sentencing indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

Track