Debt collection; prohibiting certain contract with private debt collectors. Effective date.

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 state courts, county entities, and people convicted of crimes who owe these amounts. The bill’s key provision (Section 1) explicitly bans such contracts, replacing previous arrangements that allowed private agencies to handle collections under repealed sections of law. It does not change court cost amounts but ensures these debts are collected directly by state offices, not private firms.