OklahomaOklahoma law provides penalties for abuse children may witness
Starting November 1, 2026, Oklahoma law provides penalties for domestic abuse when a child is present or may see or hear it.
What it does
A first conviction for domestic abuse committed where a child is present carries six months to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. A later conviction is a felony.
Argument forSpecific penalties could make abuse a child sees or hears carry serious consequences, including for people convicted again.
Argument againstA second conviction carries at least one year in state custody, which could limit a judge’s ability to tailor the sentence.
More detail
The law provides penalties for domestic abuse committed in a child’s presence. The penalties apply when domestic abuse is committed against a current or former intimate partner or a family or household member, and a child is physically present or the person knows a child is present and may see or hear the abuse. For a first conviction, the sentence may be six months to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. For a second or later conviction, the offense is a Class B5 felony, punishable by one to five years in state custody, a fine of up to $7,000, or both. The child may be unrelated to both the victim and the person convicted. The act takes effect November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Signed, returned to Senate
- May 6Enrolled, to House
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Signed, returned to Senate
- May 6Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 81 Nays: 2Major
- May 6General Order
- Apr 14CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary And Public Safety Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 31Coauthored by Representative(s) Moore
- Vote recorded Criminal Judiciary Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 31Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Criminal JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 30Referred to Criminal JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 30Second Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety OversightMinor
- Mar 10First ReadingMinor
- Mar 10Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Mar 9Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Measure passed: Ayes: 42 Nays: 3Passed Senate
- Mar 9General Order, Considered
- Feb 19Placed on General Order
- Feb 17Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Coauthored by Representative Pfeiffer (principal House author)
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Coleman
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety