SB 623 Oklahoma Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Protection from Domestic Abuse Act; requiring service in certain location; requiring initial attempt of service of protective orders upon defendant within specified time frame. Emergency.

SB 623 requires that protective orders in domestic abuse cases be served to the accused person within 24 hours of issuance, with priority service available 24/7 when the defendant's location is known. It mandates electronic service between counties via sheriff's offices and allows sheriffs to use private process servers or other law enforcement if initial service fails. The bill directly affects domestic abuse victims (by expediting protection) and law enforcement (by changing service protocols), while ensuring orders have statewide validity for cross-jurisdiction service. These changes aim to improve the speed and reliability of serving protective orders to enhance victim safety.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) Floor (Senate) · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the service and enforcement procedures for protective orders in Oklahoma. It requires faster service of emergency orders (within 24 hours), allows electronic transmission of documents to sheriffs, and sets specific timelines for court hearings based on whether a minor child has been removed from the victim's home. The changes aim to improve the speed and effectiveness of protecting victims from domestic abuse.
Scope change
The bill expands service procedures to allow electronic transmission and prioritizes emergency orders for 24/7 service, while adding specific hearing timelines when minors are involved.
ENFORCEMENT

Changed service method to allow electronic transmission (facsimile or other electronic means) for service of protective order documents to sheriffs in other counties.

Clarified that emergency orders have statewide validity and may be transferred to any law enforcement jurisdiction for service.

TIMELINE

Established a 24-hour requirement for initial service attempts on emergency orders and set specific hearing timelines (14 days normally, 72 hours if a minor child is removed from residence).

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that when a minor child is removed from the victim's residence, copies of protective orders must be delivered to the child's caretaker at the new location.

Added provision that failure to serve the defendant does not automatically dismiss the petition unless the victim requests dismissal or fails to appear at the hearing.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2025 · House Apr 28, 2025

How they voted

480
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 49
Mar 25, 2025
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican40
39 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
6
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 05/03/2025
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred for enrollment
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 89 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 26, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Engrossed to House
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 46 Nays: 0
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors