Legislative Update: May 11-18


Legislature Approaches Final Week of Session
 
With the final week of session looming, lawmakers are working to hear all remaining legislation by the Legislature's May 26 deadline.

Legislation that would simplify the emergency protective order process is one step away from becoming law. House Bill 2454, which simplifies the process for stalking victims to obtain an emergency protective order (EPO), passed the full Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The bill removes the current requirement that victims have a physical copy of the police report before an EPO can be issued and allows judges to accept a card signed by authorities indicating a police report has been filed.
Currently, it is often difficult for law enforcement officials to immediately provide victims with a physical copy of a police report and several days of delay occur as a result.

House Bill 2454 will eliminate that time delay allow victims to obtain protective orders as soon as possible.
Currently, the Tulsa Police Department has been issuing signed cards that indicate police reports have been filed, but because current law states that a physical copy of a police report is required before a protection order can be issued, many judges are uneasy about accepting the cards. House Bill 2454 would change the law to allow the cards to be substituted for copies of the police reports.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, one in every 12 women and one in every 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime. About 59 percent of female victims are stalked by a current or former intimate partner and 81 percent of those women will be physically assaulted.
House Bill 2454 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 100-0 vote today and now proceeds to the state Senate for a final vote before going to the governor for his signature.

“Stand Your Ground” Bill Now Law

Oklahomans' right to self-defense has expanded now that the "Stand Your Ground" bill has been signed into law.
House Bill 2615, by state Rep. Kevin Calvey (R-Del City) and state Sen. Harry Coates (R-Seminole), allows citizens to use deadly force to protect themselves in public. Gov. Brad Henry signed the bill into law today and it will go into effect on Nov. 1.

House Bill 2615 amends Oklahoma's "Make My Day" law to allow residents to use deadly force to protect themselves when they believe they are in danger in their cars or in another person's home.
The bill is based on Florida law.
Oklahoma's "Make My Day" law currently provides citizens the right to protect themselves inside their homes, but that right does not extend to other locations.
The major provisions of House Bill 2615 will
· authorize residents to use deadly force, if necessary, to defend themselves against attackers inside their homes or, in some cases, vehicles;
· declare an individual does not need to retreat from danger and "has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force ... if force is necessary to prevent death, great bodily harm or the commission of a forcible felony;"
· and provide immunity from criminal prosecution or civil action for using justifiable deadly force.
The Oklahoma Rifle Association, the state's National Rifle Association (NRA) affiliate, endorsed the bill.

Measure Creating “Global War on Terrorism” Plate Heads to Governor

Oklahomans will be able to show their support for military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan by purchasing a special license plate after a bill by State Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs) passed on the House floor this week.
House Bill 2588 would authorize the Oklahoma Tax Commission to design and sell the “Global War on Terrorism” license plate.

The plate would be designed in consultation with the Oklahoma Military Department and would cost $35 each, with $20 of that fee distributed to the 45th Infantry Division Museum Fund.
HB 2588 passed in the House by a vote of 98-0 and now goes to the Senate for a final vote.

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