Criminal Justice

passed · Oklahoma · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1990: Firearms; defining term; effective date.

HB 1990 amends Oklahoma's firearm law (21 O.S. 21, Section 1283) to clarify restrictions on firearm possession. It specifically allows individuals with a full pardon for nonviolent felonies to regain firearm rights, while maintaining prohibitions for: convicted felons (without pardon), people on felony probation, delinquent children/youthful offenders (for 10 years after adjudication), and illegal aliens. The bill also defines key terms like "altered toy pistol" and "sawed-off shotgun" to clarify enforcement. This amendment takes effect November 1, 2025, and directly affects restricted groups by defining their firearm access under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores firearm rights for pardoned nonviolent felons, reducing post-conviction barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2131: Criminal procedure; procedures for advising grand juries; transcripts; hearings; witnesses; effective date.

HB 2131 amends Oklahoma's criminal procedure laws to clarify rules for grand jury operations and handling of transcripts. It restricts who can advise grand juries (prohibiting district attorneys from advising during investigations of their own office), requires sealed court proceedings for transcript requests, and bans using grand jury transcripts in unrelated civil cases. The bill directly affects defense attorneys, prosecutors, witnesses, and judges by limiting transcript access to only criminal proceedings related to the original grand jury investigation. Key provisions include strict penalties for unauthorized disclosure (misdemeanor or contempt) and requiring the prosecutor to be notified before any transcript is released. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts DA conflicts of interest, mandates sealed transcripts, bans misuse in civil cases, protecting civil rights and enhancing procedural fairness in criminal justice.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1563: Criminal procedure; authorizing the issuance of subpoena duces tecum to businesses and commercial entities; codification; effective date.

HB 1563 allows criminal defendants to subpoena specific records from law enforcement and businesses in Oklahoma. It permits defendants to request body camera footage, traffic videos, incident reports, or security camera recordings covering the time of the alleged crime from businesses or commercial entities. The bill includes safeguards: law enforcement can object if records involve juvenile confidentiality, ongoing investigations, or informant privacy, and requires strict fee limits ($0.25/page for copies). This directly affects criminal defendants seeking evidence, while balancing access with protections for sensitive information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to subpoena business records (bodycam, security footage) for evidence access, enhancing transparency and defendant rights in criminal cases.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 770: Rehabilitation services; expanding membership of the Commission for Rehabilitation Services. Emergency.

SB 770 expands Oklahoma's Commission for Rehabilitation Services from 3 to 7 members by adding new appointment slots: one member appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore (2-year term), two by the Governor (1-year terms), and one by the House Speaker (3-year term). The bill updates the commission's membership structure, removes outdated language, and specifies appointment timelines and term durations. This directly affects the commission's composition and its ability to oversee state rehabilitation services for Oklahomans with disabilities. The changes aim to provide broader representation on the commission while maintaining its role in setting policies for rehabilitation programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands rehabilitation commission membership to strengthen oversight of reentry programs, directly advancing criminal justice reform by improving rehabilitation services structure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 574: Attorney General; broadening approved purposes for opioid grant awards; authorizing certain use of funds by the Attorney General. Effective date.

SB 574 expands the types of opioid-related projects eligible for state grant funding by allowing the Attorney General to allocate funds toward new prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and community organizations receiving opioid grants by broadening allowable uses beyond current restrictions. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to use grant funds for specific, previously ineligible activities, such as community-based support programs. This policy change modifies how opioid grant funds are distributed without altering the grant application process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands opioid grant funding for prevention/treatment programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals by addressing root causes of crime and reducing recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands opioid grant funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, directly increasing healthcare access and public health funding for substance use disorders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 870: Oklahoma Children's Code; creating the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act. Effective date.

SB 870, the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, requires staff, contractors, and volunteers in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (including state-run, county, and private group homes) to immediately report any suspected sexual misconduct or coercive relationships involving juveniles to both their supervisor and the newly created Independent Oversight Committee (IOC). The bill establishes the IOC to independently investigate such reports, separate from facility internal reviews, and mandates that facilities provide annual staff training on prevention and reporting. Failure to report can result in a felony charge (up to 2 years in prison and $5,000 fine), while negligent facilities or contractors could face civil liability and fines of up to $50,000 per victim. The law also amends confidentiality rules to allow certain authorized disclosures related to these investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Independent Oversight Committee to investigate juvenile facility abuse, enhancing accountability in youth corrections system per bill's reporting requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1273: Domestic violence; providing for alternative batterers' intervention programs; effective date.

HB 1273 creates an alternative batterers' intervention program option for defendants convicted of domestic abuse in Oklahoma. It requires courts to mandate participation in either a standard 52-week batterers' intervention program or a shorter 26-week certified alternative program. The alternative programs, approved by the Attorney General, must prioritize victim safety and include specific strategies to stop violence and hold offenders accountable. This change directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse under Oklahoma law and the domestic violence organizations providing these certified programs. The bill amends sentencing requirements to allow courts to order completion of the alternative program instead of the standard 52-week option.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates certified alternative batterers' program prioritizing victim safety and offender accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1089: Determination of competency; modifying procedures for proceedings for restoration of competency; requiring certain reporting. Effective date.

SB 1089 modifies Oklahoma's process for handling criminal cases involving defendants found incompetent to stand trial *and* dangerous, specifically for those charged with serious felonies (e.g., murder, assault) or violent crimes. It requires courts to use a "clear and convincing evidence" standard - stronger than typical criminal cases - to determine if such defendants committed the crimes, before allowing continued custody. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health to report regularly to courts about these defendants and prohibits their release until the maximum possible sentence period for the alleged crime expires. This affects only defendants meeting all three criteria: incompetence, dangerousness, and charges for specific serious crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires clear and convincing evidence standard for incompetent defendants, strengthening due process and protecting civil rights in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 85: County jails; increasing reimbursement rate amount. Effective date.

SB 85 increases the daily reimbursement rate for Oklahoma counties housing state inmates from $27 to $32 per inmate. Counties that incur higher actual costs can request reimbursement for those costs by September 30, with the state either accepting the amount or having the State Auditor determine it if rejected. The bill also adds a 3% annual inflation adjustment to the base rate and specifies that reimbursements must cover jail operational expenses and personnel costs. This directly affects county governments managing jails under state incarceration agreements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases county jail reimbursement rates for inmate housing, directly funding correctional operations under criminal justice funding framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Oklahoma · House May 28, 2025

HB 1462: Criminal procedure; directing courts to prioritize orders of payments of restitution; effective date.

HB 1462 requires Oklahoma courts to prioritize ordering restitution payments to crime victims when sentencing convicted defendants (excluding death penalty cases). The bill amends sentencing procedures to ensure courts consider restitution as a key requirement before other sentencing options, with interest accruing at 12% annually. It directly affects convicted individuals who must pay restitution, crime victims who receive priority for compensation, and courts that must now formally prioritize this in sentencing decisions. The law applies to all criminal convictions where restitution is feasible without causing undue hardship to the defendant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrioritizes victim restitution in sentencing procedures, advancing victim rights and fair sentencing within criminal justice reform.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice