SB 981 Oklahoma Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Bail; authorizing denial of bail under certain circumstance. Effective date.

Senate Bill 981 amends Oklahoma's existing law regarding bail, expanding the circumstances under which bail may be denied for individuals arrested for criminal offenses. It authorizes the denial of bail for categories such as violent offenses, crimes potentially punishable by life imprisonment, individuals with two or more prior felony convictions, certain controlled dangerous substance offenses, and repeat felony DUI offenses. For these offenses, bail may be denied if the proof of guilt is evident and no condition of release would assure community safety. The bill also establishes rebuttable presumptions against release for specific violent or domestic abuse-related crimes, particularly if a new violent crime is committed while out on bond. Courts are also required to assess prior patterns of abuse in domestic abuse or violent crime cases when setting bail.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action May 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Oklahoma's bail statute to clarify when bail can be denied, particularly for violent offenses, domestic abuse cases, and repeat offenders. It adds specific criteria for denying bail when the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that release would endanger community safety, especially for those arrested for domestic violence or violent crimes while on bond.

Scope change

The bill expands the circumstances under which bail can be denied, adding specific protections for domestic violence victims and clarifying requirements for violent offense cases.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a rebuttable presumption that bail should be denied if the state proves by clear and convincing evidence the person was arrested for a violation of Section 741 of Title 21 (domestic violence).

Modified bail denial criteria to include specific conditions for violent offenses and repeat DUI offenders, requiring proof of guilt to be evident or presumption great.

Added specific conditions for denying bail when a person arrested for a violent offense while on bond is subsequently arrested for another violent crime.

REQUIREMENT

Requires courts to assess prior patterns of abuse and present written findings on bail amounts for domestic abuse and violent crime cases.

Added a rebuttable presumption that no release conditions would assure community safety if the state shows by clear and convincing evidence the person was arrested for a domestic violence violation.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 1, 2025

Committee

Referred for enrollment

upper

May 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 82 Nays: 0

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Criminal Judiciary

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Judiciary

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

lower

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Engrossed to House

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred for engrossment

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Measure passed: Ayes: 43 Nays: 0

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors