Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, passed six bills in the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee. The bills now await consideration to be heard by the full membership of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1322 would create a Persistent Domestic Violence Offenders Registry available online to the public. Anyone convicted in Oklahoma of a second domestic violence offense after Jan. 1, 2027, would be registered through district court clerks on the registry created and maintained by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. House Bill 4104 would add three crimes to the list of those that require registry as a sex offender: second and subsequent offense of watching, gazing or looking upon a person in a clandestine manner for prurient interests; using photographic, electronic or video equipment in clandestine manner for prurient interests; and second or subsequent offense of using such means to capture images of a private area without consent.   "Domestic violence and sex offense crimes are the most repugnant to our society," Ford said. "The public deserves to made aware of when such criminals are in our midst. The hope, of course, is to deter such crimes in the first place." House Bill 4105 would exclude from the definition of "security guard" any person operating unarmed or contracted as an usher queue agent, ticket agent, gate agent, credential verification agent or similar role for any event, concert, festival or sporting event. Ford said the measure is a simple clarification of law. House Bill 4106 would lower the threshold amount for grand larceny from $1,000 to $900. Additionally, a third offense of petty larceny would become a felony offense. Ford said since voters originally voted to increase the threshold for grand larceny from $500 to $1,000 10 years ago, retail theft has increased exponentially. "Professional criminals know the threshold amount and consider the fines involved just part of doing business," Ford said. "While this is a small step to reduce petty larceny, it’s a move in the right direction." House Bill 4107 would make it unlawful to tamper with, activate, attempt to activate or cause to be activated an outdoor warning siren without proper authorization. Punishment would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in the county jail or both. If an unauthorized activation caused a false emergency response or public panic, the offense would become a felony punishable by up to $5,000, up to one year in the county jail or both fine and imprisonment. Ford said such tampering is happening now in his area, and it causes havoc. House Bill 4108 would add the operational area of an airport to the list of places considered critical infrastructure. Those convicted of trespass would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 or imprisonment in a county jail for a term of six months or both. "This will protect our international and other airports as they conduct vital services for our citizens," Ford said. 

Legislation strengthening protections for victims of child sexual abuse passed the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee today. House Bill 4227, known as "Trey's Law," authored by Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, ensures perpetrators can be held accountable for their crimes, no matter how much time has passed. The legislation voids and makes unenforceable any settlement agreement that conceals details related to claims of child sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation. The bill maintains confidentiality for identifying information of victims, while preventing abusers and institutions from hiding behind nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). The measure also provides that prosecutions for sexual crimes against children may be commenced at any time after the commission of the offense. “Trey’s Law is about making sure justice is never silenced,” said Kannady. “For too long, NDAs have been used to shield predators and powerful institutions from accountability. This bill ensures that victims are not legally bound to secrecy while their abusers avoid the consequences of their crimes.” The legislation follows the highly publicized case involving Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church, who pleaded guilty in October to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child and is currently in jail in Osage County. The charges stemmed from abuse that occurred in the 1980s in Hominy, Oklahoma when the victim, Cindy Clemishire, was just 12 years old. The legislation was amended Tuesday to become the "Cindy Clemishire Act." Clemishire publicly testified in support of Trey’s Law in recent months and was in the committee Tuesday when the legislation passed. Decades earlier, she sought legal recourse but refused to sign a nondisclosure agreement that would have permanently barred her from speaking about the abuse. Her decision ultimately allowed her to continue pursuing justice. “My hope is that many victims hear my story and it can help lift their shame and allow them to speak up," said Clemishire said in a statement released to the press after the guilty plea. "I hope that laws continue to change and new ones are written so children and victim’s rights are better protected. I hope that people understand the only way to stop child sexual abuse is to speak up when it happens or is suspected."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking passed unanimously in the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee. Roe, a veteran nurse practitioner and chair of the House Public Health Committee, said the measure is designed to ensure victims can safely seek help while receiving medical care. "Too often, victims are hiding in plain sight, even in places where they should feel safest," Roe said. "I received a note from a survivor of human trafficking about her struggle to find safety, and it is clear we can do more. I have seen how critical those quiet moments are between a patient and a provider. This bill gives victims a voice and a clear path to help when they are ready." House Bill 3287 would require all hospitals and health care facilities in Oklahoma to post signage related to domestic violence and human trafficking in both inconspicuous areas and private spaces intended for patient-provider use. The signage would inform victims that they can notify facility staff if they are experiencing abuse, coercion or trafficking. The measure also requires facilities to establish clear protocols for responding when a victim comes forward. These procedures would include reporting to law enforcement upon a victim’s request and ensuring the victim can be discharged or released safely without alerting or interference from an alleged perpetrator. "Some hospitals are already asking patients if they are victims of domestic violence or human trafficking," Roe said. "I have even seen situations where patients were told to place a red dot on a cup and leave it in a bathroom bin with their name. While those efforts are well-intentioned, this bill ensures every hospital has clear, consistent protocols in place to respond immediately and safely when a victim comes forward." Under the measure, the Oklahoma State Department of Health would be responsible for developing and distributing the required signage, which facilities could request at the cost of printing and postage. Roe said while some hospitals already screen patients for domestic violence or human trafficking, practices vary widely across the state. HB3287 would establish a consistent, statewide standard and ensure facilities are prepared to respond when a victim comes forward, often in the only moments they are safely separated from their abuser. "A hospital visit may be the only chance someone has to ask for help without fear," Roe said. "We have a responsibility to be ready for that moment and to respond in a way that protects their safety and restores their hope." HB3287 is now eligible to be heard on the House Floor.