House Bill No. 1594, introduced by George, amends Section 644 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to assault and battery laws. The bill clarifies the scope of unlawful acts related to domestic abuse, specifically addressing offenses against intimate partners and household members. It establishes various penalties for different types of domestic abuse, including enhanced penalties for offenses involving weapons, abuse against pregnant women, and incidents occurring in the presence of a child. The bill also mandates that convicted individuals participate in counseling or treatment programs, with specific requirements for attendance and compliance.

Key insertions in the bill include the addition of "kind of firearm," "air gun," "conductive energy weapon," and "any other means whatever" to the definition of deadly weapons in the context of domestic assault. The bill also emphasizes the importance of treatment programs for offenders, requiring courts to set review hearings to ensure compliance with counseling mandates. Additionally, it stipulates that there will be no fees charged to victims in connection with the prosecution of domestic violence offenses. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-644
House Committee Substitute: 21-644
Floor (House): 21-644
Engrossed: 21-644
Sub Committee OR Policy Committee Recommendations (House) Policy Committee Recommendation: 21-644