Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2011: Assault and battery; modifying scope of certain offenses. Effective date.

SB 2011 expands Oklahoma's Class B5 criminal offense classification by adding 37 specific crimes, including domestic violence against intimate partners, assaults on police officers, stalking, and certain animal cruelty acts. This change affects individuals convicted of these offenses by subjecting them to the more severe penalties associated with Class B5, a higher-level criminal classification. The bill also updates statutory references to ensure consistency in the law. Introduced in the 2026 Oklahoma Legislature, it was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands Class B5 penalties for domestic violence, assaults on officers, and stalking, increasing criminalization and severity of punishments without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing Violent Crime

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 1325: Protection from Domestic Abuse Act; requiring defendants charged with certain domestic violence offenses to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) device when released on bond. Effective date.

SB 1325 requires courts to mandate GPS monitoring for defendants charged with specific domestic violence offenses - such as domestic abuse by strangulation, with a deadly weapon, or after a prior conviction - when released on bond. Defendants must pay all costs for the GPS device and monitoring, which the Oklahoma Department of Corrections will administer until the case concludes. Victims may also request limited location monitoring (e.g., alerts if the defendant nears specified locations, excluding their home or workplace), but only after a court finds evidence of the defendant’s intent to commit violence. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and GPS devices must be removed if the defendant is acquitted, incarcerated, or the case dismissed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires GPS monitoring for domestic violence offenders on bond, enhancing victim safety and offender accountability - aligns with reform goals to reduce recidivism and improve court oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 731: Oklahoma Evidence Code; modifying certain hearsay exception to include statements by vulnerable adults. Effective date.

SB 731 expands Oklahoma's evidence rules to allow statements from "vulnerable adults" (as defined in state law) to be admitted as evidence in court cases involving abuse, neglect, or sexual contact. The bill specifically permits such statements in juvenile delinquency cases, criminal trials, and related proceedings when the vulnerable adult is a victim or witness to crimes like physical abuse, sexual assault, or domestic violence. These statements can be used without the person testifying in court if they're unavailable or if the court deems the statement non-testimonial. The law applies to cases involving specific crimes listed in Oklahoma statutes, including those against children or vulnerable adults.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands admissibility of vulnerable adult statements in abuse/sexual assault cases, facilitating victim access to justice in criminal proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 813: Victim protective orders; modifying requirements for filing of certain petitions; requiring certain notice. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 813 updates Oklahoma's emergency protective order process for victims of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, rape, or related crimes. It requires peace officers to immediately provide victims with a petition form, assist in completing it, and contact a judge for emergency approval - then give victims a copy of the petition and a written statement confirming approval. The bill also mandates officers attempt to serve the order on the abuser, and if unable, file the petition with the court the next business day, with court clerks prioritizing service and assigning hearing dates. Additionally, it repeals a previous "Stalking Warning Letter" requirement and clarifies notice procedures to ensure victims receive timely information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines victim protective orders for domestic violence/crimes, requiring officer assistance and immediate judicial approval - enhancing victim safety within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Judges

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 607: Oklahoma Evidence Code; providing for admissibility of certain statements in certain proceedings. Effective date.

SB 607 allows statements made by domestic abuse victims to law enforcement within one week of an incident, on protective order applications within one week, or as testimony at protective order hearings to be automatically admissible as evidence in criminal and juvenile domestic abuse cases. This applies to pre-trial hearings, probation revocation hearings, and other related proceedings. The bill directly affects victims seeking legal protection and prosecutors building cases, streamlining the use of timely victim statements without requiring additional verification. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and codifies these admissibility rules in Oklahoma's Evidence Code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines evidence admissibility for domestic abuse victims, improving prosecutorial efficiency and victim access to justice in criminal cases, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 163: Child custody; defining term. Effective date.

SB 163 amends Oklahoma's child custody law to clarify and strengthen requirements for joint custody arrangements. It requires parents seeking joint custody to submit detailed written plans covering living arrangements, child support, medical care, school placement, and visitation, along with signed affidavits agreeing to the plan. The bill creates a strong presumption that joint custody is inappropriate if domestic violence, child abuse, stalking, or harassment has occurred, prioritizing the child's safety. Courts must consider the victim's safety as a primary factor and can modify or terminate joint custody plans if they determine it's not in the child's best interest. The law becomes effective upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prioritizes child safety by presuming joint custody inappropriate in cases of domestic violence, child abuse, or harassment - directly addressing criminal behavior within custody decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 1093: Judicial training; requiring specified amount of annual training for certain judges. Effective date.

SB 1093 requires judges who handle domestic violence cases in Oklahoma to complete eight hours of annual judicial training. The training covers domestic violence dynamics, trauma impacts on victims and children, identifying aggressors, batterer tactics, victim protection orders, victim rights, and evidence-based practices for substance abuse and mental health treatment. This applies specifically to judges presiding over domestic violence cases and is subject to available funding. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates specialized judicial training on domestic violence dynamics, victim protection, and evidence-based practices, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve case handling and victim outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2025

HB 1413: Domestic violence; making certain pleas or finding of guilt to stalking violations constitute a conviction for purposes of sentencing; effective date.

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeTreats stalking pleas as convictions for sentencing, increasing penalties in domestic violence cases, aligning with stricter sentencing policies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1273: Domestic violence; providing for alternative batterers' intervention programs; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates certified alternative batterers' program prioritizing victim safety and offender accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 2802: Professions and occupations; additional terms; effective date.

HB 2802 amends Oklahoma's licensing laws for professions and occupations to limit when criminal history can block a license. It prohibits denial based on sealed/expunged records, arrests without conviction, or convictions over five years old (unless involving specific violent offenses like domestic abuse or sex offenses). Licensing agencies must now consider factors like the offense's relevance to the job, time passed, rehabilitation efforts, and provide written notice with appeal rights if denying a license. This directly affects applicants with criminal records seeking licenses for jobs like nursing, contracting, or childcare, ensuring decisions are based on specific, relevant criteria rather than vague standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves licensing barriers for individuals with past convictions, promoting reentry and rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform principles by reducing recidivism through employment access.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAmends licensing laws to reduce barriers for healthcare professionals (e.g., removing restrictions on sealed records), potentially increasing workforce access and patient care options.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes employment barriers by prohibiting license denial for certain criminal records, expanding workforce access and protecting workers' rights to gainful employment in licensed professions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

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