In 2024, Oklahoma made historic investments in treatment and continued efforts to reform the criminal legal system, advancing landmark legislation. Building on the momentum of previous years, 2024 has been a great year for bipartisan collaboration, and community-focused solutions. With new legislation addressing critical issues from felony reclassification to cost warrant reform, Oklahoma is shaping a more equitable and effective justice system that works for all Oklahomans.
In April of 2024, a diverse coalition of business and community leaders from across the state joined OCJR, the Arnall Family Foundation, the Vera Institute For Justice, and Governor Stitt at a business leader’s roundtable. This event epitomized the innovative and effective power of Oklahoma’s reform coalition. None of Oklahoma’s recent policy wins would have been possible without the dedication of regular voters from across the political spectrum, united in the resolve to fix a criminal legal system that is failing Oklahoma. In response to this public advocacy this year, state leaders passed several transformative bills:
$25 Million Invested in SQ781 Fund:
Lawmakers have added another 12.5 million dollars in funds to the SQ781 fund in 2024 bringing the total amount invested up to $25 million. This money is already making an impact in Oklahoma communities. Counties across the state can now access this vital diversion funding to reduce crime and save lives.
Tulsa’s treatment court has added a new housing navigator, making it easier for individuals seeking treatment to obtain stable housing. Likewise, new diversion opportunities are cropping up across the State thanks to this investment. Whether it is a new misdemeanor diversion program in Adair County or expansions to the Veterans Court in Comanche County, lawmakers have chosen to invest in ensuring that all Oklahomans can get adequate mental health and substance abuse treatment.
HB1792 - Felony Reclassification:
The fact is Oklahoma has a higher crime rate than Kansas, despite imposing nearly double the average sentence length for common property crimes. Many other states pay less for incarceration and see better results than Oklahoma. This fact underscores the need for smarter, not harsher, approaches to public safety. The impact of outdated policies is far-reaching: Oklahoma incarcerates its 55+ population at one of the highest rates in the nation, overcrowding prisons with individuals who often pose little threat to public safety.
This crisis also exacts a heavy economic toll. Over 1.2 million Oklahomans—more than one in four—face barriers to jobs, housing, and education because of a criminal record, costing the state an estimated $4 billion annually in lost wages. Recognizing the need for systemic change, HB 1792, championed by Rep. Osburn and Sen. Rader, aims to set a new course for Oklahoma’s justice system.
HB 1792 establishes a comprehensive felony classification system, grouping crimes into clear categories based on their severity and assigning standardized sentencing ranges. This reform replaces a patchwork criminal code that had gone untouched for over 30 years, bringing Oklahoma in line with neighboring states like Kansas and Texas. More than an administrative update, this legislation streamlines sentencing to reduce trial inconsistencies and curtail unnecessarily long and costly proceedings—all at the taxpayers’ expense. In order to fully feel the benefit of these changes, we must match this update of the criminal code with further investments in diversion and treatment.
Rural communities, long burdened by the lack of resources to address root causes of crime, stand to benefit significantly. Studies reveal that sentencing in rural areas is disproportionately influenced by extra-legal factors, often due to limited access to substance abuse or mental health services. HB 1792 addresses these inequities by creating fairer, more predictable sentencing structures.
SB1770 - Clean Slate Update:
Just two years ago - Oklahoma was celebrating the passage of a new Clean Slate law, which would make criminal record expungements automatic for qualifying individuals. In 2024, through SB1770 authored by Sen. Pugh and Rep. Nicole Miller, lawmakers decided to expand on that landmark reform and add to the list of eligible individuals. Now, people exiting incarceration through pardons can have their Clean Slate eligible cases expunged automatically as well. This bill also cleans up language surrounding the expungement process, making it clear that one petition can resolve multiple expungement-eligible cases. Finally, the bill creates a new process for sending DNA exonerations automatically to OSBI for expungement purposes.
Clean Slate laws have numerous benefits. For example, it is estimated that the United States loses 87 billion dollars in GDP annually from keeping those with criminal records out of the workforce. According to a Stanford University study, the benefits of expungement, in the form of increased tax revenue and decreased spending on public assistance, outweigh the costs at a rate of $5,800 per person every year. In fact, if not for mass incarceration and the financial difficulties of having a criminal record, the nation’s poverty rate would have dropped by 20% from 1980 to 2004, saving millions in public assistance costs. SB1770 is poised to enhance economic opportunities for thousands of Oklahomans, reduce recidivism, and strengthen communities statewide.
Other Important Criminal Justice Bills
SB1835: Survivors Justice Act
Senate Bill 1835 creates procedures for sentence mitigation for individuals who have been previous victims of family violence. The court must find by clear and convincing evidence that the previous abuse was related to and a substantial factor in the crime committed. Incarcerated individuals can apply for this mitigation. Additionally, the bill allows District Attorneys to file motions to vacate sentences if there is clear and convincing evidence of the individual's innocence.
SB11: Removes Ban on State Tuition Aid for Incarcerated Students
Senate Bill 11 eliminates the ban on incarcerated students receiving state tuition aid grants. Incarcerated students can now apply for aid if the program is not primarily virtual and if they are within five years of their release date.
HB3863: Includes Tribal Domestic Violence Shelters for Utility Exemptions
House Bill 3863 expands the list of entities that can attest to the presence of domestic violence for the exemption of a public utility’s initial credit and deposit requirements to include domestic violence shelters run by federally recognized Indian Tribes.
SB1711: Allows Arraignment by Videoconference
Senate Bill 1711 explicitly allows for arraignment by videoconference when an individual is in custody in another county. This measure is designed to reduce pretrial detention times by reducing the need for transport between counties.
HB1629: Restores Voting Rights
House Bill 1629 ensures that individuals who receive commutations, pardons, and other sentence discharges have their voting rights restored.
HB3546: Mandates Release on Cost Warrants
House Bill 3546 mandates release after 72 hours on a cost warrant and provides the possibility for early release if $100 is sent to each jurisdiction where costs are owed.
A Focus on Rural Oklahoma:
This year, Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) published an eye-opening report on the intersection of poverty, crime, and public health in rural Oklahoma. Contrary to common misconceptions, rural economies are not static or isolated but have undergone significant shifts, with declining agricultural and manufacturing sectors leading to rising poverty and job insecurity. These economic changes have contributed to increased crime rates, substance abuse, and family violence. The report highlights disparities in law enforcement, where rural areas face disproportionate arrests for drug offenses, often impacting Native American and African American populations. Additionally, limited access to mental health and substance abuse treatment exacerbates these challenges, leaving jails overwhelmed with individuals needing support rather than incarceration.
The report advocates for transformative interventions to break these cycles of poverty and violence. Key recommendations include expanding rural mental health and substance abuse treatment options, enhancing access to specialized courts, and creating economic opportunities through job programs and tax incentives. Addressing systemic disparities in policing and supporting victims of family violence are also critical. OCJR’s findings emphasize that investing in rural communities—through better healthcare, economic stability, and equitable policies—can reduce crime and improve overall community well-being, paving the way for a safer and more just Oklahoma.
Conclusion:
Oklahoma’s 2024 criminal justice reforms reflect a deep commitment to building a more just and compassionate society. From reclassifying low-level felonies to addressing the collateral consequences of system involvement, these efforts are transforming lives and strengthening communities. As we celebrate these successes, we remain dedicated to furthering reform, ensuring that Oklahoma continues to serve as a beacon of hope and progress in the face of national challenges.
