Criminal Justice

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 54: Motor vehicles; modifying scope and sentencing provisions for certain offenses. Effective date.

SB 54 modifies Oklahoma's driving under the influence (DUI) law to expand what constitutes a violation, including driving under the influence of any controlled substance (like marijuana) or combined alcohol and drugs, and applies the law to private roads accessing homes. It creates tiered penalties: first offenses are misdemeanors (up to 1 year jail, $1,000 fine), while repeat offenses become felonies with escalating sentences (1-5 years for second offenses, up to 20 years for fourth offenses). Key provisions require mandatory substance abuse evaluations, treatment at the defendant's expense, ignition interlock devices for 30-90 days, and community service for repeat offenders. The bill directly affects anyone convicted of DUI/DWI, particularly those with prior convictions, by increasing penalties and adding treatment and device requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands DUI definition to include marijuana/combined substances, increases penalties for repeat offenses, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1689: Crimes and punishments; making certain acts unlawful; effective date.

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses (e.g., retail cart removal) and increasing penalties for property crimes, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 549: Crimes and punishments; modifying provisions and expanding applicability of offenses related to aiding suicide or an attempt at suicide. Effective date.

SB 549 modifies Oklahoma law to make aiding suicide and aiding an attempt at suicide felony offenses with specific penalties. It increases penalties for aiding suicide (7+ years in prison, up to $5,000 fine) and aiding an attempt (up to 2 years, $1,000 fine), while expanding applicability to cases where a person's actions under anti-harassment communications laws (Section 1172) cause a suicide or attempted suicide. The bill also updates penalties for repeated threatening communications online or via electronic devices, raising third offenses to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It repeals outdated sections that previously set lower penalties for these acts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for aiding suicide (7+ years felony), expanding criminalization under stricter sentencing - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher punishments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 562: Crimes and Punishment; Bus Passenger Safety Act; expanding scope of unlawful acts. Emergency.

SB 562 strengthens Oklahoma's Bus Passenger Safety Act by expanding criminal penalties for violence targeting buses and passengers. It defines "bus" broadly to include vans, railcars, and other public transit vehicles, and makes it a felony to seize control of any bus (up to 20 years in prison), intimidate drivers/passengers (up to 10 years), or use deadly weapons during such acts (up to 20 years). The bill also prohibits discharging firearms in buses or terminals without valid self-defense justification (up to 5 years). These provisions directly affect bus passengers, drivers, and transit staff by increasing legal consequences for threats and violence against them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by increasing felony penalties (up to 20 years) for bus-related violence, directly opposing reform-focused justice through harsher sentencing.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStrengthens public transit safety by criminalizing violence against buses/passengers, enhancing passenger protection in transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Public Transit

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1968: Pardon and Parole Board; authorizing the Pardon and Parole Board to employ alternate members; establishing compensation; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehabilitation-focused training for parole board members, aligning with criminal justice reform goals through staff qualifications and intervention methods.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 946: Detention facilities; modifying provisions related to standards of certain facilities. Effective date.

SB 946 updates standards for juvenile detention facilities and city/county jails in Oklahoma. It requires facilities to provide specific records to the State Department of Health, notify the health department within 24 hours when holding juveniles, and comply with revised safety and staffing standards during construction or remodeling. The bill modifies requirements for cell space, staff availability, and report submissions while prohibiting public disclosure of certain complaint details. These changes directly affect juvenile detention centers, city/county jails housing minors, and the State Department of Health oversight role. The bill also updates statutory language governing facility inspections and corrections.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates juvenile/jail facility standards for health compliance, safety, and staffing, enhancing oversight and conditions per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 673: Asset forfeiture; requiring forfeiture proceedings follow related criminal convictions. Effective date.

SB 673 (Oklahoma Senate Bill 673) requires that asset forfeiture proceedings for property used in criminal offenses must follow a related criminal conviction. It amends Oklahoma statutes (21 O.S. §1738 and 63 O.S. §2-506) to clarify that property seized under forfeiture laws cannot be forfeited until after a criminal conviction for the related offense is secured. The bill mandates that prosecutors must file forfeiture actions within 90 days of a conviction, or the property must be returned to the owner. This applies to assets seized in cases involving crimes like human trafficking, theft of livestock, or property used in violent offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires criminal conviction before asset forfeiture, protecting civil rights and due process in forfeiture proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 594: Child abuse; modifying scope and penalty of certain offenses. Effective date.

SB 594 amends Oklahoma law to expand admissible testimony in child abuse cases and elevate penalties for specific offenses. It updates rules allowing statements from children under 16, disabled youth, or incapacitated persons describing abuse, neglect, sexual contact, or witnessing harm to be used in court. The bill also classifies "child abuse" (under §843.5) and "failure to protect a child from abuse" as Class A3 felonies - the highest penalty tier - effective upon enactment. These changes directly affect child abuse victims, their witnesses, and individuals charged with these offenses, streamlining legal proceedings while increasing penalties for perpetrators.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeElevates child abuse penalties to Class A3 felonies (highest tier) and expands admissible testimony, strengthening legal accountability in criminal justice cases.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 1860: Confidential records; requiring certain victim photographs submitted to the Pardon and Parole Board be kept confidential; clemency; Open Records Act; clemency hearing packets; effective date.

HB 1860 requires that crime scene and autopsy photographs of victims submitted to Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board for clemency hearings be kept confidential and not released to the public. It directly affects victims and their families whose images are used in such hearings, ensuring their privacy. The bill amends Oklahoma's Open Records Act to explicitly list these victim photographs as confidential records under Section 24A.5(p), preventing public disclosure. It also mandates that these photographs be included in a separate hearing packet for the Board, separate from other case materials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects victim privacy in clemency hearings by mandating confidentiality of victim photos, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1786: Victim protective orders; directing peace officers to complete return of service when filing petition; effective date.

HB 1786 requires peace officers to make every effort to serve protective order subjects and complete service documentation when filing petitions with the court. If immediate service isn't possible, officers must file the petition the next business day, and court clerks must prioritize service through county sheriffs. This affects victims seeking emergency protective orders (for domestic violence, stalking, or related offenses) and the law enforcement/court staff handling these cases. The bill streamlines the process to ensure timely court review while clarifying procedures for service attempts and filing deadlines. It amends Oklahoma statutes to standardize how protective order petitions are processed after emergency requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires officers to complete protective order service documentation and prioritize victim cases, enhancing victim safety and procedural efficiency in domestic violence criminal justice cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

Track