Senate Bill No. 497 amends Section 1161 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, focusing on the adjudication of individuals with mental illness or defects. The bill mandates that the Forensic Review Board must notify the district attorney at least 45 days prior to meetings that assess eligibility for therapeutic visits, conditional releases, or discharges for those found not guilty by reason of mental illness. It also updates the procedures for evaluating mental health status, requiring examinations by qualified professionals and the submission of reports to the court. The bill establishes a Forensic Review Board with seven members appointed by the Governor, including licensed mental health professionals and legal experts, and clarifies that its meetings are exempt from the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.

Furthermore, the bill revises the definition of "person requiring treatment" to exclude individuals whose mental processes are impaired due to advanced age, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, intellectual or developmental disabilities, seizure disorders, or traumatic brain injuries. This aims to protect vulnerable populations from being classified as requiring treatment. The bill also permits videoconferencing for related proceedings and is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, following its Senate passage on March 10, 2025.