Bill No. 1413 aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding domestic violence and stalking in Oklahoma by amending existing statutes. It modifies 21 O.S. 2021, Section 1173, to ensure that any guilty pleas or findings of guilt related to stalking violations are treated as convictions for sentencing purposes. Similarly, it amends 22 O.S. 2021, Section 60.6, to classify certain pleas or findings of guilt regarding protective order violations as convictions. This legislative change is designed to impose stricter penalties on offenders, with increased prison terms and fines for repeat offenders, such as a maximum of six years for a second stalking conviction and up to twelve years for a third.

Additionally, the bill introduces several provisions aimed at improving the handling of domestic abuse cases, including requiring defendants to attend initial review hearings and allowing for progress reports from treatment programs without victim attendance. It also mandates that emergency protective orders include notice of penalties and addresses violations by minor children in juvenile proceedings. The bill provides immunity to district courts and judges for requiring defendants to attend treatment programs and clarifies that only defendants can be held accountable for protective order violations. Notably, it includes a provision for active GPS monitoring as a sentencing condition, with defendants responsible for the costs, and establishes that any guilty pleas or findings of guilt will count as a conviction for ten years. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-1173
Floor (House): 21-1173
Floor (Senate): 21-1173
Engrossed: 21-1173