OklahomaOklahoma law sets felony penalties for assaults on state workers
Starting November 1, 2026, people in state custody who knowingly assault certain workers on the job face felony classifications and related penalties.
What it does
People in state custody who knowingly assault covered workers on the job face Class B6 felony penalties; the Human Services provision covers aggravated assault and battery.
A person in juvenile agency custody who knowingly injures a covered worker on the job faces a Class B5 felony and may also be fined $500 to $5,000.
Argument forCovered workers could have added legal protection because assaults by people in custody while they are on the job can carry felony penalties.
Argument againstPeople in juvenile custody could face a felony conviction and a fine of up to $5,000 for injuring a covered worker, even if they are not jailed.
More detail
The law classifies the listed custody-related assaults as Class B6 felonies. This covers people in state agency custody or incarcerated in a private prison contractor’s institution who assault covered agency employees, specified contractors, or contracted county detention facility workers. The assault must be knowing and without justifiable or excusable cause while the worker is doing their job. The Human Services provision covers aggravated assault and battery. These provisions take effect November 1, 2026.
The law classifies certain assaults causing bodily injury to juvenile-services workers as Class B5 felonies and allows a fine. Covered workers are Office of Juvenile Affairs employees, residential facility employees, and county detention center employees working under contract with that office. The person must be in Office of Juvenile Affairs custody and act knowingly, without justifiable or excusable cause, while the worker is doing their job. The fine may be imposed with or without incarceration. This provision 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: 92 Nays: 0Major
- 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
- Apr 7Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Criminal JudiciaryMinor
- Vote recorded Criminal Judiciary Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Referred to Criminal JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 30Second Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety OversightMinor
- Feb 25First ReadingMinor
- Feb 25Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Feb 24Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Measure passed: Ayes: 47 Nays: 0Passed Senate
- Feb 24General Order, Considered
- Feb 12Placed on General Order
- Feb 10Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Coauthored by Senator Jett
- Feb 10Coauthored by Representative Kerbs (principal House author)
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Stanley
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Criminal Justice