Senate Bill No. 551 amends Section 843.5 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to child abuse and related offenses. The bill modifies the penalties for various unlawful acts involving child abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation. Notably, it updates the statutory language and removes the phrase "of" from the fine provisions, which now state that individuals convicted of these offenses may face fines ranging from Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for post-imprisonment supervision for individuals sentenced to two years or more for certain offenses, ensuring that the jury is informed of this mandatory supervision.

The bill also clarifies definitions related to child abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation, including the terms "enabling child abuse," "enabling child neglect," and "enabling child sexual exploitation." It specifies that consent is not a defense for violations under this section and expands the definition of a child to include anyone under eighteen years of age. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, following its passage through the Committee on Public Safety.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-843.5
Floor (Senate): 21-843.5