HB 1148 strengthens whistleblower protections in Oklahoma by prohibiting retaliation against employees who report wrongdoing by state agencies, public entities, or private employers with supervisory roles. It makes retaliation - such as termination, demotion, or intimidation - a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, and civil liability for economic, emotional, and mental harm, including punitive damages. Whistleblowers who successfully sue under this law are entitled to attorney fees and court costs, and violators are barred from holding public office or employment. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1413 amends Oklahoma law to treat certain pleas or findings of guilt for stalking violations as formal convictions for sentencing in domestic violence cases. This change directly affects individuals who commit stalking offenses and later face domestic violence charges, as prior stalking pleas or findings will now count as prior convictions. The bill modifies sentencing provisions under Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Section 1173, ensuring that stalking-related convictions impact sentencing severity for subsequent domestic violence offenses. This policy change standardizes how stalking history is considered in domestic violence sentencing without altering the underlying stalking penalties.
SB 601 creates an immediate moratorium on all death penalty executions in Oklahoma, halting current and future executions, vacating existing execution dates, and suspending all death penalty statutes until the law is repealed. It directly affects all individuals currently sentenced to death in Oklahoma, as well as courts and the Department of Corrections. The bill also establishes a Death Penalty Reform Task Force to study progress on implementing prior recommendations, requiring a final report by November 2026. The moratorium remains in effect until the legislature repeals the law, after which death penalty statutes would resume.
SB 864 modifies Oklahoma's Sex Offenders Registration Act to clarify who must register and strengthen requirements. It requires registration for individuals convicted of specific sex offenses (including child exploitation, sexual assault, and trafficking) who live, work, or attend school in Oklahoma, including those with out-of-state convictions. The bill explicitly prohibits plea agreements that allow offenders to avoid registration and clarifies that deferred convictions still mandate registration. It also states that sealing a criminal record does not remove the obligation to register, applying to both Oklahoma and certain out-of-state convictions.
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.
HB 2127 prohibits imprisoning defendants for inability to pay court fines, fees, or costs in criminal cases. It establishes a court cost compliance program with liaisons to help defendants set up installment payment plans instead of facing jail time. The bill requires courts to accept payments via phone, mail, or online, and mandates that defendants pay all costs (including fines, fees, and assessments) through this structured process. This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes who owe court financial obligations in Oklahoma.
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.
HB 1740 requires Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to create written, individualized service plans within 45 days for people found not guilty by reason of mental illness (NGRI/MI). These plans must be based on comprehensive psychological and psychiatric evaluations, include specific details like treatment history and service schedules, and be written in plain language. The court must approve the plan after reviewing it with input from the individual, their attorney, and treating doctors, and the plan must be updated regularly. The bill also mandates frequent court review hearings - four quarterly in the first year, then two semi-annually - and requires ODMHSAS to provide detailed reports to the court before each hearing.
HB 1693 clarifies Oklahoma's process for determining if a death row inmate is mentally competent to be executed. It requires inmates to file a motion challenging competency within seven days of the state's execution date request, with the court ordering a hearing to assess if the inmate can rationally understand the execution. The law establishes a presumption of competency, meaning inmates must prove incompetence by showing a "substantial doubt" through evidence like medical records. If found incompetent, the court mandates mental health treatment to restore competency within 30 days, with the state providing care until the inmate regains competency or the execution date is rescheduled.
HB 1568 restricts access to grand jury transcripts to prevent misuse. It requires court approval for releasing transcripts to defense attorneys, prosecutors, or witnesses, and prohibits using them in unrelated civil cases. The bill mandates sealed court filings for transcript requests and closed hearings unless public interest outweighs secrecy needs. Violating these rules is a misdemeanor, and the law explicitly bans attorneys from using transcripts to benefit or harm parties in civil cases related to the original investigation. This directly affects legal teams, witnesses, and courts handling criminal and related civil proceedings.
