HB 3849 establishes the Oklahoma Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program under the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. It provides one-on-one mentoring services to two specific groups: children in juvenile custody outside the home, and children identified as at risk of entering the juvenile justice system, who have parents in prison. The bill requires the Commission to issue competitive grants every three years to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations meeting strict criteria, including serving ages 6-18, having statewide presence, 3+ years working with this population, and adhering to safety protocols. Grants are capped at $1,500 per mentor-mentee match, with awards to be made by November 1, 2024, for services starting in 2026. The program is effective November 1, 2026.
HB 1739 increases employer contributions to Oklahoma's law enforcement retirement system from 11% to 16.5% over five years, starting July 2025. It changes how retirement benefits are calculated for certain officers by using the highest salary for similar positions (instead of final average salary) to determine payments. The bill directly affects current and future retirees in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, including highway patrol officers, investigators, and other covered law enforcement roles. Benefits will be based on the greater of either the top salary for comparable positions or the member's final average salary, multiplied by 2.5% per year of service.
SB 1584 modifies Oklahoma law regarding sexual assault evidence kits by reducing the deadline for law enforcement to submit kits to crime labs from 20 to 10 days after a sexual assault report is filed, unless the victim requests no testing. It requires crime labs to test kits within 30 days of receipt and mandates that medical providers inform victims of their right to request future testing. The bill also maintains a 50-year retention requirement for untested kits and requires law enforcement to coordinate with the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Task Force (SAFE) on processing guidelines. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, crime laboratories, and sexual assault victims in Oklahoma. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3742 amends Oklahoma's criminal discovery rules to shorten the time limit for completing pre-trial evidence exchanges. It specifically requires prosecutors to disclose detailed information about jailhouse informants - including their criminal history, any deals made with them, and specific statements made to them - 10 days before trial. The bill also mandates district attorneys to maintain centralized records of all cases using jailhouse informants, with annual de-identified reports published by the District Attorneys Council. This directly affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and jailhouse informants in Oklahoma court proceedings by increasing transparency around informant credibility. The changes aim to streamline discovery while improving accountability for informant testimony.
HB 3674 establishes a three-year pilot program for school resource officers (SROs) in Oklahoma schools, requiring participating school districts to prioritize hiring officers with specialized school-based law enforcement training. The bill mandates that all sexual assault reports within schools be directed to law enforcement and requires SROs to complete one hour annually of CLEET-approved training on sexual assault response, trauma-informed practices, and violence prevention. These provisions directly affect school districts, SROs, and law enforcement agencies by updating certification requirements and ensuring SROs receive targeted training to address sexual violence. The bill amends existing laws to integrate these training and reporting standards into Oklahoma’s school safety framework.
SB 1733 requires Oklahoma school employees (including teachers, coaches, and administrators) to report suspected student sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct to law enforcement within 24 hours. It prohibits school investigations or disciplinary actions before reporting and mandates annual attestation forms confirming staff understanding of these duties. The law applies to all public and charter school staff, with confidentiality protections for reporters. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.
SB 1161 allocates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Corrections for the 2026 fiscal year. This funding supports the department's existing legal responsibilities, such as managing correctional facilities and staff operations. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate use of these funds upon approval, bypassing standard budget timelines. It provides specific financial support for current Department of Corrections duties without creating new programs or altering existing laws.
SB 2062 allows low-risk offenders to self-report directly to a correctional facility instead of being transported from county jail, bypassing initial detention and processing. It applies when a sentencing court determines an offender poses low public safety risk based on offense type, criminal history, and community ties. The bill eliminates transportation reimbursement for sheriffs or detention centers in these cases, as the Department of Corrections now handles arrival processing. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3287 requires all Oklahoma hospitals and healthcare facilities to post clear signage in visible and private areas, stating: "If you are a victim of domestic abuse or human trafficking for commercial sex, please notify the staff of this facility immediately." The bill mandates facilities to create protocols for reporting suspected abuse or trafficking cases to law enforcement before a patient's discharge or release, while also including procedures to protect victims from contact with alleged perpetrators during this process. The State Department of Health must establish rules for signage size, placement, and format. This law takes effect on November 1, 2026, directly impacting healthcare providers and supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
SB 1450 allows Oklahoma courts to waive criminal court fines, costs, and fees for eligible individuals who meet specific payment and compliance requirements. It creates two pathways: (1) waiving costs after 24 months of timely monthly payments following release from prison, or (2) waiving costs after 48 months of timely payments within the prior 60 months, both requiring full probation/supervision compliance. The bill excludes restitution to victims and child support from waiver eligibility, and requires individuals released from prison to report to courts 180 days post-release to address outstanding debts. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
