The bill amends Section 152 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to the statute of limitations for various criminal offenses. It increases the time frame for commencing prosecutions for certain crimes, specifically allowing prosecutions for sexual crimes against children and other specified offenses to be initiated at any time after the commission of the crime, rather than being limited to a specific age or time frame. Additionally, it clarifies that prosecutions for these crimes may proceed if physical evidence is preserved and tested for DNA, or if there is a confession from the accused.

The bill also introduces new language that allows for the prosecution of sexual crimes against victims aged eighteen and older to be initiated at any time, removing previous restrictions that required prosecution within twenty years after the crime's discovery. Furthermore, it establishes that no prosecution can rely solely on repressed memories recovered through psychotherapy unless supported by independent evidence. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-152