Criminal Justice

SB 39 modifies Oklahoma's handgun licensing rules under the Self-Defense Act to prevent denial of licenses solely due to holding a valid medical marijuana patient license. It amends Section 1290.10 of state law to explicitly state that "an applicant shall not be considered ineligible solely on the basis of being a lawful holder of a medical marijuana patient license." The bill removes a previous barrier for medical marijuana patients seeking handgun licenses while maintaining other eligibility requirements. This change specifically affects individuals with valid Oklahoma medical marijuana licenses who apply for concealed carry permits. The bill does not alter medical marijuana laws or address drug use in relation to firearm possession beyond this licensing provision.

SB 596 requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to make public reports about property seizures (asset forfeiture) on a designated website. It directly affects police departments and sheriff's offices, mandating they submit detailed annual reports on seized items and their disposition. The bill updates existing laws to ensure these reports include specific details about seizures and is designed to increase transparency around how police handle seized property. Public access to these reports aims to allow citizens to review how law enforcement uses asset forfeiture powers.

SB 381 modifies Oklahoma law to restore firearm rights for certain nonviolent convicted felons who have completed their sentences and maintained a 5-year clean record (no new misdemeanor or felony charges). It specifically allows these individuals to possess non-semi-automatic firearms and apply for handgun carry permits under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. However, rights are denied for those convicted of offenses like domestic abuse, sexual assault, child endangerment, or stalking. The bill maintains existing prohibitions for felons under supervision, delinquents, and undocumented immigrants possessing firearms.

SB 456, the "Abolition of Abortion Act," would reclassify most abortion procedures as criminal homicide under Oklahoma law, defining "human being" to include unborn children and applying homicide statutes to abortion-related deaths. It exempts legal abortions with maternal consent, standard medical practices, life-saving procedures for the mother (with steps to save the fetus), and spontaneous miscarriages. The bill also modifies wrongful death claims to include unborn children and expands duress defenses for mothers who undergo abortions under threat. The bill failed in committee in February 2025 and would not take effect if passed, as it is currently pending legislative action.

SB 274 requires landlords receiving certain affordable housing tax credits (under federal or Oklahoma law) to implement a criminal history screening policy for tenant applications. It prohibits blanket denials based on criminal records and mandates an individualized review considering factors like the offense's seriousness, time since conviction, rehabilitation efforts, and relevance to tenant behavior. Landlords must provide applicants with the right to submit supporting documentation during this review process. The policy applies to tax credit awards starting January 1, 2026, and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency will ensure compliance with these requirements.