Civil procedure; Pleading Code; claims and averments; effective date.

HB 1596 amends Oklahoma's civil procedure rules to clarify how lawsuits must be filed. It requires plaintiffs to state material facts clearly and specifically (not just "beliefs"), makes language gender-neutral, and simplifies how damages are requested (e.g., stating only that amounts exceed federal diversity jurisdiction thresholds for most cases). The bill directly affects lawyers, courts, and anyone involved in civil lawsuits by standardizing pleading requirements. Key changes include updating the list of affirmative defenses and clarifying procedures for alleging fraud, official acts, or special damages. This is a procedural update, not a substantive policy change.