HB 1689 amends Oklahoma's larceny law for lost property, establishing penalties based on the item's value: misdemeanor fines/imprisonment for items under $1,000, and escalating felony penalties up to 8 years for items valued at $15,000 or more. It specifically adds that removing retail shopping carts with intent to deprive the owner (or possessing such carts) is unlawful, punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who find lost property without making reasonable effort to return it or who remove shopping carts from retail parking areas. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1215 establishes Oklahoma's first comprehensive human trafficking law by defining key terms like "coercion" (including threats, debt bondage, and controlling documents) and "human trafficking" (covering both labor exploitation and commercial sex acts). It makes trafficking a felony punishable by 5-20 years in prison (or $100,000 fine) for general cases, and 15-99 years (or $250,000 fine) if the victim is a minor. Convicted traffickers must register as sex offenders under Oklahoma's Sex Offenders Act and have their information submitted to the FBI. The law also prohibits using a victim's consent as a defense and requires courts to order restitution to victims.
HB 2422 modifies Oklahoma's parole rules for certain sex offenders convicted of crimes involving minors under 13. It requires a mental health evaluation to determine if hormonal treatment (medroxyprogesterone acetate) could reduce reoffending risk, making voluntary hormonal treatment a condition for parole eligibility. Parolees must continue this treatment while incarcerated, and failure to comply - along with new offenses - revokes parole eligibility. The bill applies only to offenders convicted on or after its effective date and amends existing parole statutes (57 O.S. §§ 332.21, 512) to implement these requirements.
HB 2735 modifies Oklahoma's licensing rules for professions by establishing clear criteria for denying licenses based on criminal history. It allows denial only if a conviction "substantially relates" to the job duties and "poses a reasonable threat" to public safety, requiring licensing boards to consider factors like offense severity, time passed, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill explicitly prohibits denial for sealed/expunged records, most convictions older than five years (except for domestic violence, sex offenses, or specific felonies), and vague "good character" claims. Applicants can request pre-licensing determinations about their criminal history within 60-90 days, and boards must provide written notice of denial reasons with appeal options. This directly affects individuals seeking state licenses who have criminal records.
HB 1362 makes it a crime for non-U.S. citizens (defined as "aliens") to enter or remain in Oklahoma without legal authorization to be in the United States. First offenses are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $500 fine; second offenses or offenses committed during other crimes are felonies punishable by up to two years in prison or a $1,000 fine. The law requires convicted individuals to leave Oklahoma within 72 hours and mandates law enforcement to collect biometric data and check federal databases. It also preempts local governments from enacting conflicting immigration policies and creates an alternative to prison: if conditions are met (no prior violent crime, not charged with another felony), courts can order deportation instead of incarceration.
HB 1968 authorizes Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board to appoint five alternate members with specific qualifications, including former prosecutors, public defenders, judges, mental health professionals, and corrections officers. The bill requires all board members and alternates to complete annual training on topics like offender rehabilitation and effective intervention methods. It establishes salaries of $85,000 per year for regular members and $42,500 for alternates, with pay tied to meeting attendance requirements. Additionally, the bill prohibits board members from representing inmates in legal matters to prevent conflicts of interest and mandates disclosure of potential conflicts.
HB 2606 creates a five-year pilot program in Oklahoma counties with over 100,000 residents to provide free domestic violence forensic exams for victims. The program, funded through a state victim compensation fund, covers up to $200 per exam for medical evaluations conducted by trained health professionals (like nurses or physicians who completed a 40-hour course). It directly affects domestic violence victims in qualifying counties who would otherwise pay for these exams, while defining domestic violence broadly to include dating relationships and household members. The bill requires counties to participate and sets clear standards for exam qualifications and fund disbursement.
HCR 1004 is a procedural resolution approving a consent decree resolving a class-action lawsuit against Oklahoma's mental health system. It formally authorizes the Oklahoma Legislature to adopt the court-approved settlement between the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Forensic Center, and a group of individuals alleging inadequate competency restoration treatment for people found incompetent to stand trial. The decree resolves claims about delays in providing required treatment to ensure court competency, avoiding further litigation costs. This resolution does not create new policy but legally ratifies an existing court agreement.
HB 1008 prohibits most abortions in Oklahoma except when necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman facing a medical emergency involving physical disorder, illness, or injury directly related to pregnancy. It defines "medical emergency" as conditions where abortion is required to save the woman's life, and imposes penalties of up to $100,000 or 10 years in prison for violations. The bill explicitly states it does not criminalize women for pregnancy outcomes and preserves access to contraceptives when used before pregnancy detection. The law takes immediate effect as an emergency measure upon passage.
