Bill No. 657 amends Section 732 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to justifiable homicide by law enforcement officers. The bill clarifies the circumstances under which peace officers and correctional officers are justified in using deadly force. It introduces a new provision that allows an officer whose use of deadly force is deemed unjustified during a pretrial hearing to appeal that ruling to the Court of Criminal Appeals within ten days. The bill mandates that priority be given to these appeals and establishes that proceedings will be stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. Additionally, if the appeal is not filed within the specified timeframe, the officer waives the right to immediate appeal but retains the right to assert the claim during trial or on direct appeal.

The effective date for this legislation is set for November 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide a clearer legal framework for officers regarding the use of deadly force and the subsequent legal recourse available to them in cases where their actions are challenged.