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Statutes: Oklahoma

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Current with legislation of the First Regular Session and the First Extraordinary Session of the 59th Legislature (2023). Please check to make sure there have been no changes since this time. You will find these and additional statutes online at: The Oklahoma State Courts Network.

Title 10. Children

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 22.1. Legislative findings and intent--Foster care by grandparents or other relative

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. The Oklahoma Legislature recognizes that:

1. Children who have been abused, who are dependent or neglected, or whose parents, for whatever reason, may be unable or unwilling to provide care for their children, are best served when they can be cared for by grandparents or other suitable relatives instead of placing those children in foster care with the State of Oklahoma; and

2. While grandparents or other relatives are often willing to provide for the care of children who can no longer remain with their parents, there may exist financial obstacles to the provision of such care, or there may be a need for other services to enable the children to remain with their grandparents or other relatives in order to prevent the entry of those children into the foster care system.

B. It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature in enacting this section to:

1. Recognize family relationships in which a grandparent or other relative within the third degree of relationship to the child is the head of a household that includes a child otherwise at risk of foster care placement by the Department of Human Services;

2. Enhance family preservation and stability by recognizing that most children in placements with grandparents and other relatives within the third degree of relationship to the child do not need intensive supervision of the placement by the courts or by the Department;

3. Provide additional placement options and incentives that will achieve permanency and stability for many children who are otherwise at risk of foster care placement by the Department because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, but who may successfully be able to reside in the care of relatives within the third degree of relationship to the child; and

4. Reserve the limited casework and supervisory resources of the Department and the courts expended to care for children in state custody for those cases in which children do not have the option for safe, stable care within their immediate family.

C. The Department of Human Services shall establish and operate a relative support program pursuant to eligibility guidelines established in this section and by rules of the Department promulgated thereto which will divert children from the foster care program operated by the Department. The relative support program shall provide assistance to relatives within the third degree of relationship to a child who are caring for the child on a full-time basis, regardless of whether there is a court order granting custody of the child to the relative.

D. Grandparents or other such relatives who qualify for and participate in the relative support program are not required to be certified as foster parents or to meet the foster care requirements but shall be capable of providing a physically safe environment and a stable, supportive home for the children under their care.

E. Upon request by grandparents or other relatives who are caring for a child on a full-time basis, the Department shall complete a needs assessment on such grandparents or other relatives to determine the appropriate services and support needed by the child and the grandparents or other such relatives.

F. Within available funding specified by this section, the relative support program may provide grandparents or other suitable relatives with:

1. Case management services;

2. Monthly stipends or other financial assistance, family support and preservation services;

3. Flexible funds to enable the grandparents or other relatives to meet unusual or crisis expenditures, including but not limited to, making housing deposits, utility deposits, or to purchase beds, clothing and food;

4. Subsidized child care and after school care;

5. Respite care;

6. Transportation;

7. Counseling;

8. Support groups;

9. Assistance in accessing parental child support payments;

10. Aid in accessing food stamps, Social Security and other public benefits;

11. Information about legal options for relative caregivers;

12. Assistance for establishing a relative guardianship or relative custodianship for the child;

13. Available volunteer attorney services;

14. Mediation/family group conferencing; and

15. Community-based services and state or federal programs available to the child and relatives to support the child’s safety, growth and health development.

G. Children living with grandparents or other relatives within the third degree of relationship to the child who are receiving assistance pursuant to this section shall be eligible for Medicaid coverage.

H. Subject to availability of funding, and as may be permitted by federal law or regulations governing the Department of Human Services’ block grant for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Department is specifically authorized to provide funding assistance from such block grant or other available funds for the development and operation of the relative support program by providing available funds which are not otherwise committed to or necessary for the provision of the Statewide Temporary Assistance Responsibility System. In addition, the Department may use any other state, federal or private funds available to the Department for such purposes to implement the provisions of this section.

I. 1. In order to qualify for the receipt of any monthly stipend, the grandparent or other relative shall meet any eligibility criteria determined by the Department of Human Services.

2. Within limits of available funding, monthly stipends may be paid to grandparents or other relatives with the third degree of relationship to the child who have physical full-time custody of a child who would be unable to serve in that capacity without a monthly stipend because of inadequate financial resources, thus exposing the child to the trauma of potential placement in a shelter or in foster care placement by the Department of Human Services. The statewide average monthly rate for children in the legal custody of grandparents or other relatives who are not certified as foster homes shall not exceed the cost of providing foster care.

J. Additional assistance may be made available to qualified grandparents or other relatives within the third degree of relationship and children, based upon specific needs of the grandparent or other relative of the child and the specific needs of the child. Such assistance shall also be subject to available funding.

K. The relative support program established by the Department pursuant to this section may receive referrals from district courts of this state, from social service or child advocate agencies, from any other agency of this state, or other states or federal programs. In addition, the relative support program may be accessed directly by the grandparents or other relatives of the affected children by application made to the Department of Human Services.

L. The Department of Human Services may provide any services necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section by contract with any person or with any public or private entity.

M. The provisions of this section shall also be available to a legal guardian of a child who is within the fifth degree of relation to the child.

N. The Department of Human Services shall, pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, [FN1] promulgate any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

O. As a part of the relative support program, the Department shall develop, publish, and distribute an informational brochure for grandparents and other relatives who provide full-time care for children. The information provided under the program authorized by this section may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. The benefits available to children and grandparents or other relatives pursuant to this section providing full-time care;

2. The procedures to access the relative support program;

3. A list of support groups and resources located throughout the state;

4. Such other information deemed necessary by the Department; and

5. The brochure may be distributed through municipal and district courts, hospitals, public health nurses, child protective services, medical professional offices, county health departments, elementary and secondary schools, senior citizens centers, public libraries, local, city, county and state offices and community action agencies selected by the Department.

P. The Department of Human Services shall submit a report of the outcomes associated with the relative support program established pursuant to this section to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate on or before January 15, 2002.

Chapter 77. Uniform Parentage Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Article 3. Acknowledgment of Paternity

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 7700-301. Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

The mother of a child and a man claiming to be the genetic father of the child may sign an acknowledgment of paternity with intent to establish the man’s paternity.

Title 10A. Children and Juvenile Code

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Article 1. Oklahoma Children's Code

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 1. General Provisions and Definitions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1-1-102. Recognition of duties, rights and interests--Legislative intent

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. For the purposes of the Oklahoma Children’s Code, the Legislature recognizes that:

1. Parents have a natural, legal, and moral right, as well as a duty, to care for and support their children and such rights are protected by state and federal laws as well as the Constitution. To that end, it is presumed that the best interests of a child are ordinarily served by leaving the child in the custody of the parents, who are expected to have the strongest bond of love and affection and to be best able to provide a child those needed qualities that make a child’s life safe and secure. Nevertheless, this presumption may be rebutted where there is evidence of abuse and neglect or threat of harm;

2. A child has a right to be raised by the mother and father of the child as well as a right to be raised free from physical and emotional abuse or neglect. When it is necessary to remove a child from a parent, the child is entitled to a permanent home and to be placed in the least restrictive environment to meet the needs of the child; and

3. Because the state has an interest in its present and future citizens as well as a duty to protect those who, because of age, are unable to protect themselves, it is the policy of this state to provide for the protection of children who have been abused or neglected and who may be further threatened by the conduct of persons responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of such children. To this end, where family circumstances threaten the safety of a child, the state’s interest in the welfare of the child takes precedence over the natural right and authority of the parent to the extent that it is necessary to protect the child and assure that the best interests of the child are met.

B. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Oklahoma Children’s Code provide the foundation and process for state intervention into the parent-child relationship whenever the circumstances of a family threaten the safety of a child and to properly balance the interests of the parties stated herein. To this end, it is the purpose of the laws relating to children alleged or found to be deprived to:

1. Intervene in the family only when necessary to protect a child from harm or threatened harm;

2. Provide expeditious and timely judicial and agency procedures for the protection of the child;

3. Preserve, unify, and strengthen the family ties of the child whenever possible when in the best interests of the child to do so;

4. Recognize that the right to family integrity, preservation or reunification is limited by the right of the child to be protected from abuse and neglect;

5. Make reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for the removal of a child from the home and make reasonable efforts to return the child to the home unless otherwise prescribed by the Oklahoma Children’s Code;

6. Recognize that permanency is in the best interests of the child;

7. Ensure that when family rehabilitation and reunification are not possible, the child will be placed in an adoptive home or other permanent living arrangement in a timely fashion; and

8. Secure for each child the permanency, care, education, and guidance as will best serve the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health, safety, and welfare of the child.

C. Whenever it is necessary for a child to be placed outside the home pursuant to the Oklahoma Children’s Code, it is the intent of the Legislature that:

1. Each child shall be assured the care, guidance, and supervision in a permanent home or foster home that will serve the best interests of the child including, but not limited to, the development of the moral, emotional, spiritual, mental, social, educational, and physical well-being of the child;

2. When a child is placed in foster care, the foster parent shall be allowed to consider the child as part of the family;

3. Whenever possible siblings shall be placed together and when it is not possible efforts shall be made to preserve the relationships through visitation and other methods of communication; and

4. Permanent placement is achieved as soon as possible.

D. A foster parent or group home where a child is placed has a recognizable interest in the familial relationship that the foster parent or group home establishes with a foster child and shall therefore be considered an essential participant with regard to decisions related to the care, supervision, guidance, rearing, and other foster care services to the child.

E. It is the intent of the Legislature that the paramount consideration in all proceedings within the Oklahoma Children’s Code is the best interests of the child.

Chapter 4. Court Proceedings

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Part 2. Protective and Emergency Custody

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1-4-201. Circumstances authorizing taking a child into custody--Joint response by Department of Human Services, law enforcement, and district courts--Safety Evaluation

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Pursuant to the provisions of this section, a child may be taken into custody prior to the filing of a petition:

1. By a peace officer or employee of the court, without a court order if the officer or employee has reasonable suspicion that:

a. the child is in need of immediate protection due to an imminent safety threat,

b. the circumstances or surroundings of the child are such that continuation in the child’s home or in the care or custody of the parent, legal guardian, or custodian would present an imminent safety threat to the child, or

c. the child, including a child with a disability, is unable to communicate effectively about abuse, neglect or other safety threat or is in a vulnerable position due to the inability to communicate effectively and the child is in need of immediate protection due to an imminent safety threat; or

2. By an order of the district court issued upon the application of the office of the district attorney. The application presented by the district attorney may be supported by a sworn affidavit which may be based upon information and belief. The application shall state facts sufficient to demonstrate to the court that a continuation of the child in the home or with the caretaker of the child is contrary to the child’s welfare and there is reasonable suspicion that:

a. the child is in need of immediate protection due to an imminent safety threat,

b. the circumstances or surroundings of the child are such that continuation in the child’s home or in the care or custody of the parent, legal guardian, or custodian would present an imminent safety threat to the child, or

c. the child, including a child with a disability, is unable to communicate effectively about abuse, neglect or other safety threat or is in a vulnerable position due to the inability to communicate effectively and the child is in need of immediate protection due to an imminent safety threat.

The application and order may be verbal and upon being advised by the district attorney or the court of the verbal order, law enforcement shall act on such order. If verbal, the district attorney shall submit a written application and proposed order to the district court within one (1) judicial day from the issuance of the verbal order. Upon approval, the application and order shall be filed with the court clerk; or

3. By order of the district court when the child is in need of medical or behavioral health treatment in order to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the child and the parent, legal guardian, or custodian of the child is unwilling or unavailable to consent to such medical or behavioral health treatment or other action, the court shall specifically include in the emergency order authorization for such medical or behavioral health evaluation or treatment as it deems necessary.

B. 1. By January 1, 2010, the Department in consultation with law enforcement and the district courts shall develop and implement a system for joint response when a child is taken into protective custody by a peace officer pursuant to paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section. The system shall include:

a. designation of persons to serve as contact points for peace officers, including at least one backup contact for each initial contact point,

b. a protocol for conducting a safety evaluation at the scene where protective custody is assumed to determine whether the child faces an imminent safety threat and, if so, whether the child can be protected through placement with relatives or others without the Department assuming emergency custody,

c. the development of reception centers for accepting protective custody of children from peace officers when the Department is unable to respond at the scene within a reasonable time period,

d. a protocol for conducting a safety evaluation at the reception center within twenty-three (23) hours of the assumption of protective custody of a child to determine whether the child faces an imminent safety threat and, if so, whether the child can be protected through placement with relatives or others without the Department assuming emergency custody, and

e. a protocol, when the child cannot safely be left in the home, for transporting a child to the home of a relative, kinship care home, an emergency foster care home, a shelter, or any other site at which the Department believes the child can be protected, provided that the Department shall utilize a shelter only when the home of a relative, kinship care home, or emergency foster care home is unavailable or inappropriate.

2. Beginning January 1, 2010, no child taken into protective custody under paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section shall be considered to be in the emergency custody of the Department until the Department has completed a safety evaluation and has concluded that the child faces an imminent safety threat and the court has issued an order for emergency custody.

3. If the safety evaluation performed by the Department of a child taken into protective custody under paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section indicates that the child does not face an imminent safety threat, the Department shall restore the child to the custody and control of the parent, legal guardian, or custodian of the child.

C. When an order issued by the district court pursuant to subsection A of this section places the child in the emergency custody of the Department of Human Services pending further hearing specified by Section 1-4-203 of this title, an employee of the Department may execute such order and physically take the child into custody in the following limited circumstance:

1. The child is located in a hospital, school, or day care facility; and

2. It is believed that assumption of the custody of the child from the facility can occur without risk to the child or the employee of the Department.

Otherwise, the order shall be executed and the child taken into custody by a peace officer or employee of the court.

D. The court shall not enter a prepetition emergency custody order removing a child from the home of the child unless the court makes a determination:

1. That an imminent safety threat exists and continuation in the home of the child is contrary to the welfare of the child; and

2. Whether reasonable efforts have been made to prevent the removal of the child from the child’s home; or

3. An absence of efforts to prevent the removal of the child from the home of the child is reasonable because the removal is due to an emergency and is for the purpose of providing for the safety and welfare of the child.

E. Whenever a child is taken into custody pursuant to this section:

1. The child may be taken to a kinship care home or an emergency foster care home designated by the Department, or if no such home is available, to a children’s shelter located within the county where protective or emergency custody is assumed or, if there is no children’s shelter within the county, to a children’s shelter designated by the court;

2. Unless otherwise provided by administrative order entered pursuant to subsection F of this section, the child may be taken before a judge of the district court or the court may be contacted verbally for the purpose of obtaining an order for emergency custody. The court may place the child in the emergency custody of the Department or some other suitable person or entity pending further hearing specified by Section 1-4-203 of this title;

3. The child may be taken directly to or retained in a health care facility for medical treatment, when the child is in need of emergency medical treatment to maintain the child’s health, or as otherwise directed by the court; or

4. The child may be taken directly to or retained in a behavioral health treatment facility for evaluation or inpatient treatment, in accordance with the provisions of the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act, when the child is in need of behavioral health care to preserve the child’s health, or as otherwise directed by the court; and

5. Unless otherwise provided by administrative order entered pursuant to subsection F of this section, the district court of the county where the custody is assumed shall be immediately notified, verbally or in writing, that the child has been taken into custody. If notification is verbal, written notification shall be sent to the district court within one (1) judicial day of such verbal notification.

F. The court may provide, in an administrative order issued pursuant to this section, for the disposition of children taken into custody and notification of the assumption of such custody.

1. Such order or rule shall be consistent with the provisions of subsection E of this section and may include a process for release of a child prior to an emergency custody hearing. The administrative order shall not include a provision to modify protective custody of a child to emergency custody of the Department upon admission of a child to a shelter; and

2. The administrative order may require joint training of peace officers and Department staff deemed necessary by the court to carry out the provisions of the administrative order.

G. No child taken into custody pursuant to this section shall be confined in any jail, adult lockup, or adult or juvenile detention facility.

H. When a determination is made by the Department that there is a significant risk of abuse or neglect, but there is not an imminent safety threat to the child, the Department may recommend a court-supervised and Department-monitored in-home placement. The Department shall assist the family in obtaining the services necessary to maintain the in-home care and correct the conditions leading to the risk determination.

I. Any peace officer, employee of the court, or employee of the Department is authorized to transport a child when acting pursuant to this section. Such persons and any other person acting under the direction of the court, who in good faith transports any child or carries out duties pursuant to this section, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability that may result by reason of such act. For purposes of any proceedings, civil or criminal, the good faith of any such person shall be presumed. This provision shall not apply to damage or injury caused by the willful, wanton or gross negligence or misconduct of a person.

J. A parent or person responsible for the child who is arrested on a charge or warrant other than child abuse or neglect or an act of child endangerment may designate another person to take physical custody of the child. Upon this request, the peace officer may release the child to the physical custody of the designated person.

Part 7. Dispositional Hearings

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1-4-705. Religious preference in placement--Placement of child--Restriction on placement in home of felon or sex offender

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. In placing a child in the custody of an individual, a private agency, or institution, the court and the Department of Human Services shall, if possible, select a person, agency, or institution governed by persons of the same religious faith as that of the parents of the child, or in case of a difference in the religious faith of the parents, then of the religious faith of the child.

B. Except as otherwise provided by this section or by law, it shall be left to the discretion of the judge to place the custody of children where their total needs will best be served. If an individual meets the minimum required age for placement purposes, the age of an otherwise eligible individual shall not be a reason for denying the individual placement or custody of a child.

C. A prospective foster or adoptive parent shall not be an approved placement for a child if the prospective foster or adoptive parent or any other person residing in the home of the prospective foster or adoptive parent has been convicted of any of the following felony offenses:

1. Within the five-year period preceding the application date, a physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense;

2. Child abuse or neglect;

3. Domestic abuse;

4. A crime against a child, including, but not limited to, child pornography; or

5. A crime involving violence, including, but not limited to, rape, sexual assault or homicide, but excluding those crimes specified in paragraph 1 of this subsection.

D. 1. Under no circumstances shall a child be placed with or in the custody of an individual subject to the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act [FN1] or an individual who is married to or living with an individual subject to the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act.

2. In addition, prior to the court placing a child in the custody of an individual, the court shall inquire as to whether the individual has been previously convicted of any felony or relevant misdemeanor or has any felony or misdemeanor charges pending.

3. Prior to the custody order being entered, the individual seeking custody shall provide an Oklahoma criminal history record obtained pursuant to Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes to the court.

4. For purposes of this subsection the terms:

a. “relevant misdemeanor” may include assault and battery, alcohol- or drug-related offenses, domestic violence or other offenses involving the use of physical force or violence against the person or property of another, and

b. “individual” shall not include a parent or legal guardian of the child.

E. The provisions of this section shall not apply in any paternity or domestic relations case, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

§ 1-4-707. Dispositional orders--Determinations

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. The following kinds of dispositional orders may be made and shall be in accordance with the best interests of the child:

1. a. The court may place the child under protective supervision by the Department of Human Services in the home of the child with the parent or legal guardian with whom the child was residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdiction of the court, subject to such conditions as the court may prescribe that would reasonably prevent the child from continuing to be deprived.

b. The court may place the child with the noncustodial parent, if available, upon completion of a home assessment, unless the court finds that the placement would not be in the best interests of the child. Any party with knowledge of the facts may present evidence to the court regarding whether the placement is in the best interests of the child. If the court places the child with the parent, it may do either of the following:

(1) order that the noncustodial parent assume sole custodial responsibilities for the child. The court may also order reasonable visitation and the payment of child support by the child’s other parent. The court may then terminate its jurisdiction by entering a final permanency order. The final order entered determining custody, visitation and child support from the deprived action:

(a) shall remain in full force and effect and shall control over any custody or child support order entered in an administrative or district court action initiated prior to or during the pendency of the deprived action until such time as it is modified by a subsequent order of the district court, and

(b) may be docketed and filed in the prior existing or pending administrative or district court action; provided, however, if there is no administrative or district court action then in existence, the surviving order may be used as the sole basis for opening a new administrative or district court action in the same county where the deprived action was pending or in the county where the legal custodian of the child resides. When applicable, the clerk of the juvenile court shall transmit the surviving order to the clerk of the district court of the county where the order is to be filed along with the names and last-known addresses of the parents of the child. The clerk of the district court shall immediately upon receipt open a file without a filing fee, assign a new case number and, when applicable, file the order and send by first-class mail a copy of the order with the new or prior existing case number back to the juvenile court and to the parents of the child at their last-known address. The order shall not be confidential and may be enforced or modified after being docketed and filed in the prior existing or new administrative or district court action, or

(2) order that the noncustodial parent assume custody of the child under protective supervision by the Department. The court may order that:

(a) reunification services be provided to the parent or legal guardian from whom the child has been or is being removed,

(b) services be provided solely to the parent who is assuming physical custody of the child in order to allow that parent to later obtain legal custody without court supervision, or

(c) services be provided to both parents, in which case the court shall determine, at a subsequent review hearing, which parent, if either, shall have custody of the child.

c. If the court orders the child into the home of a father whose paternity has not been established, the alleged father must cooperate in establishing paternity as a condition for the child’s continued placement in the alleged father’s home.

d. If the court issues an order for protective supervision of the child in the home of a parent, the court may order any of the following:

(1) that a party or other person living in the home vacate the child’s home indefinitely or for a specified period of time within forty-eight (48) hours of issuing the order, and

(2) that a party, a parent, or a legal guardian of the child prevent a particular person from having contact with the child.

e. At any time during the deprived child proceedings, the court may issue an order specifying the conduct to be followed by any person living in the home that the court determines would be in the best interests of the child. The conduct specified shall be such as would reasonably prevent the child from continuing to be deprived.

f. The order placing the child under supervision by the Department in the child’s own home shall remain in effect for a period of one (1) year. In appropriate circumstances, the court may extend or reduce the period of supervision by the Department.

2. a. If the court is unable to place the child in the home of a parent, the court shall give a preference for placing temporary custody of the child with a relative as specified in Section 1-4-204 of this title, subject to the best interests of the child and the conditions and restrictions specified in Section 1-4-705 of this title. In determining whether to place temporary custody of the child with a relative, the court may consider the following factors:

(1) the physical, psychological, educational, medical, and emotional needs of the child,

(2) the wishes of the parent, the relative, and child, if appropriate,

(3) whether placement of the siblings and half-siblings can be made in the same home, if that placement is found to be in the best interest of each child,

(4) the background information of the relative and any other person living in the home, including whether any such person has a prior history of violence, acts of child abuse or neglect, or any other background that would render the home unsuitable,

(5) the nature and duration of the relationship between the child and the relative, and the relative’s desire to care for and to provide long-term permanency for the child if reunification is unsuccessful, and

(6) the ability of the relative to do the following:

(a) provide a safe, secure, and stable environment for the child,

(b) exercise proper and effective care and control of the child,

(c) provide a home and the necessities of life for the child,

(d) protect the child from his or her parents,

(e) facilitate court-ordered reunification efforts with the parent,

(f) facilitate visitation with the child’s siblings and other relatives, and

(g) arrange for appropriate and safe child care, if necessary.

b. If more than one appropriate relative requests preferential consideration pursuant to this section, each relative shall be evaluated under the factors enumerated in this paragraph. However, whenever a new temporary custody order regarding the child must be entered, consideration shall again be given as described in this section to relatives who have been found to be suitable and who will fulfill the permanency needs of the child.

c. If the court does not place temporary custody of the child with a relative pursuant to this subsection, the court shall state for the record the reasons placement with that relative was denied.

3. a. The court may place the child in the custody of a private institution or agency, including any institution established and operated by the county, authorized to care for children or to place them in family homes.

b. In placing a child in a private institution or agency, the court shall select one that is licensed by the Department or any other state department supervising or licensing private institutions and agencies; or, if such institution or agency is in another state, by the analogous department of that state.

c. Whenever the court shall place a child in any institution or agency, it shall transmit with the order of commitment a summary of its information concerning the child, and such institution or agency shall give to the court such information concerning the child as the court may at any time require.

4. The court may place the child in the custody of the Department.

a. In selecting a placement for a child in its custody, the Department shall make an individualized determination based upon the child’s best interests and permanency plan regarding the following placement options:

(1) a home or facility that meets the preferences specified by the state and federal Indian Child Welfare Acts1 when applicable,

(2) the home of a noncustodial parent,

(3) the home of a relative approved by the Department,

(4) the home of a nonrelative kinship family approved by the Department,

(5) an approved foster home in which the child has been previously placed,

(6) a suitable nonkinship foster family or family-style living program approved by the Department,

(7) a suitable licensed group home for children, or

(8) an independent living program.

b. (1) Unless the child is placed with relatives or in accord with the federal and state Indian Child Welfare Acts, the child shall be placed, when possible, in the county of residence of the child’s parent or legal guardian in order to facilitate reunification of the family.

(2) If an appropriate placement is not available in the county of residence of the parent or legal guardian, the child shall be placed in an appropriate home in the nearest proximity to the resident county of the parent or legal guardian.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that the child’s placements shall correspond in frequency to changes of residence by the parent or legal guardian. In determining whether the child should be moved, the Department shall take into consideration the potential harmful effects of disrupting the placement of the child and the reason of the parent or legal guardian for the move.

c. If the child is part of a sibling group, it shall be presumed that placement of the entire sibling group in the same placement is in the best interests of the child and siblings unless the presumption is rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary.

5. The court may order the Department to coordinate the provision of services provided by other agencies in order that the court-approved permanency plan may be achieved.

6. a. If the court determines that reunification services are appropriate for the child and a parent, the court shall allow reasonable visitation with the parent or legal guardian from whose custody the child was removed, unless visitation is not in the best interest of the child, taking into consideration:

(1) protection of the physical safety of the child,

(2) protection of the life of the child,

(3) protection of the child from being traumatized by contact with the parent, and

(4) the child’s expressed wishes.

b. A court may not deny visitation based solely on the failure of a parent to prove that the parent has not used legal or illegal substances or complied with an aspect of the court-ordered individualized service plan.

7. The court may order a permanent guardianship to be established as more fully set forth in Section 1-4-709 of this title.

8. Except as otherwise provided by law, the court may dismiss the petition and terminate its jurisdiction at any time for good cause shown when doing so is in the best interests of the child.

B. Any order entered pursuant to this section shall include:

1. A statement informing the child’s parent that the consequences of noncompliance with the requirement of the court may include termination of the parent’s rights with respect to the child; or

2. A statement informing the child’s legal guardian or custodian that the consequences of noncompliance with the requirement of the court may include removal of the child from the custody of the legal guardian or custodian.

C. 1. In any dispositional order removing a child from the home of the child, the court shall make a determination as to whether, in accordance with the best interests and the health, safety, or welfare of the child, reasonable efforts have been made to provide for the safe return of the child to the child’s own home.

2. If reasonable efforts are required for the safe return of the child to the child’s home, the court shall allow the parent of the child not less than three (3) months to correct the conditions which led to the adjudication of the child as a deprived child; however, the time period for reunification services may not exceed seventeen (17) months from the date that the child was initially removed from the child’s home, absent a finding of compelling reasons to the contrary.

3. If the court finds that continuation of reasonable efforts to return the child home are inconsistent with the permanency plan for a child, the court shall determine whether reasonable efforts have been made to complete the steps necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.

4. Reasonable efforts to reunite the child with the child’s family shall not be required pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-4-809 of this title.

D. In any dispositional order involving a child sixteen (16) years of age or older, the court shall make a determination, where appropriate, of the services needed to assist the child to make the transition from out-of-home care to independent living.

E. In accordance with the safety or well-being of any child, the court shall determine in any dispositional order whether reasonable efforts have been made to:

1. Place siblings, who have been removed, together in the same foster care, guardianship, or adoptive placement; and

2. Provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction in the case of siblings who have been removed and who are not placed together.

Part 9. Termination of Parental Rights

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1-4-904. Termination of parental rights in certain situations

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A court shall not terminate the rights of a parent to a child unless:

1. The child has been adjudicated to be deprived either prior to or concurrently with a proceeding to terminate parental rights; and

2. Termination of parental rights is in the best interests of the child.

B. The court may terminate the rights of a parent to a child based upon the following legal grounds:

1. Upon the duly acknowledged written consent of a parent, who voluntarily agrees to termination of parental rights.

a. The voluntary consent for termination of parental rights shall be signed under oath and recorded before a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction and accompanied by the judge’s certificate that the terms and consequences of the consent were fully explained in detail in English and were fully understood by the parent or that the consent was translated into a language that the parent understood.

b. A voluntary consent for termination of parental rights is effective when it is signed and may not be revoked except upon clear and convincing evidence that the consent was executed by reason of fraud or duress.

c. However, notwithstanding the provisions in this paragraph, in any proceeding for a voluntary termination of parental rights to an Indian child, the consent of the parent may be withdrawn for any reason at any time prior to the entry of a final decree of termination. Any consent given prior to, or within ten (10) days after, the birth of an Indian child shall not be valid;

2. A finding that a parent who is entitled to custody of the child has abandoned the child;

3. A finding that the child is an abandoned infant;

4. A finding that the parent of a child:

a. has voluntarily placed physical custody of the child with the Department of Human Services or with a child-placing agency for out-of-home placement,

b. has not complied with the placement agreement, and

c. has not demonstrated during such period a firm intention to resume physical custody of the child or to make permanent legal arrangements for the care of the child;

5. A finding that:

a. the parent has failed to correct the condition which led to the deprived adjudication of the child, and

b. the parent has been given at least three (3) months to correct the condition;

6. A finding that:

a. the rights of the parent to another child have been terminated, and

b. the conditions that led to the prior termination of parental rights have not been corrected;

7. A finding that a parent who does not have custody of the child has, for at least six (6) out of the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the filing of the petition or motion for termination of parental rights, willfully failed or refused or has neglected to contribute to the support of the child:

a. as specified by an order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating the duty, amount and manner of support, or

b. where an order of child support does not exist, according to the financial ability of the parent to contribute to the child’s support.

Incidental or token support shall not be construed or considered in establishing whether a parent has maintained or contributed to the support of the child;

8. A finding that the parent has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction in any state of any of the following acts:

a. permitting a child to participate in pornography,

b. rape, or rape by instrumentation,

c. lewd molestation of a child under sixteen (16) years of age,

d. child abuse or neglect,

e. enabling child abuse or neglect,

f. causing the death of a child as a result of the physical or sexual abuse or chronic abuse or chronic neglect of the child,

g. causing the death of a sibling of the child as a result of the physical or sexual abuse or chronic abuse or chronic neglect of the child’s sibling,

h. murder of any child or aiding or abetting, attempting, conspiring, or soliciting to commit murder of any child,

i. voluntary manslaughter of any child,

j. a felony assault that has resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or another child of the parents, or

k. murder or voluntary manslaughter of the child’s parent or aiding or abetting, attempting, conspiring, or soliciting to commit murder of the child’s parent;

9. A finding that the parent has abused or neglected any child or failed to protect any child from abuse or neglect that is heinous or shocking;

10. A finding that the parent has previously abused or neglected the child or a sibling of the child or failed to protect the child or a sibling of the child from abuse or neglect and the child or a sibling of the child has been subjected to subsequent abuse;

11. A finding that the child was conceived as a result of rape perpetrated by the parent whose rights are sought to be terminated;

12. A finding that the parent whose rights are sought to be terminated is incarcerated, and the continuation of parental rights would result in harm to the child based on consideration of the following factors, among others:

a. the duration of incarceration and its detrimental effect on the parent/child relationship,

b. any previous convictions resulting in involuntary confinement in a secure facility,

c. the parent’s history of criminal behavior, including crimes against children,

d. the age of the child,

e. any evidence of abuse or neglect or failure to protect from abuse or neglect of the child or siblings of the child by the parent,

f. the current relationship between the parent and the child, and

g. the manner in which the parent has exercised parental rights and duties in the past.

Provided, that the incarceration of a parent shall not in and of itself be sufficient to deprive a parent of parental rights;

13. A finding that all of the following exist:

a. the parent has a diagnosed cognitive disorder, an extreme physical incapacity, or a medical condition, including behavioral health, which renders the parent incapable of adequately and appropriately exercising parental rights, duties, and responsibilities within a reasonable time considering the age of the child, and

b. allowing the parent to have custody would cause the child actual harm or harm in the near future.

A parent’s refusal or pattern of noncompliance with treatment, therapy, medication, or assistance from outside the home can be used as evidence that the parent is incapable of adequately and appropriately exercising parental rights, duties, and responsibilities.

A finding that a parent has a diagnosed cognitive disorder, an extreme physical incapacity, or a medical condition, including behavioral health or substance dependency, shall not in and of itself deprive the parent of parental rights;

14. A finding that:

a. the condition that led to the deprived adjudication has been the subject of a previous deprived adjudication of this child or a sibling of this child, and

b. the parent has been given an opportunity to correct the conditions which led to the determination of the initial deprived child;

15. A finding that there exists a substantial erosion of the relationship between the parent and child caused at least in part by the parent’s serious or aggravated neglect of the child, physical or sexual abuse or exploitation of the child, a prolonged and unreasonable absence of the parent from the child or an unreasonable failure by the parent to visit or communicate in a meaningful way with the child;

16. A finding that a child four (4) years of age or older at the time of placement has been placed in foster care by the Department of Human Services for fifteen (15) of the most recent twenty-two (22) months preceding the filing of the petition or motion for termination of parental rights and the child cannot, at the time of the filing of the petition or motion, be safely returned to the home of the parent. For purposes of this paragraph, a child shall be considered to have entered foster care on the earlier of:

a. the adjudication date, or

b. the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which the child is removed from the home; and

17. A finding that a child younger than four (4) years of age at the time of placement has been placed in foster care by the Department of Human Services for at least six (6) of the twelve (12) months preceding the filing of the petition or motion for termination of parental rights and the child cannot be safely returned to the home of the parent.

a. For purposes of this paragraph, a child shall be considered to have entered foster care on the earlier of:

(1) the adjudication date, or

(2) the date that is sixty (60) days after the date on which the child is removed from the home.

b. For purposes of this paragraph, the court may consider:

(1) circumstances of the failure of the parent to develop and maintain a parental bond with the child in a meaningful, supportive manner, and

(2) whether allowing the parent to have custody would likely cause the child actual serious psychological harm or harm in the near future as a result of the removal of the child from the substitute caregiver due to the existence of a strong, positive bond between the child and caregiver.

C. An order directing the termination of parental rights is a final appealable order.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to adoption proceedings and actions to terminate parental rights which do not involve a petition for deprived status of the child. Such proceedings and actions shall be governed by the Oklahoma Adoption Code.1

Title 12. Civil Procedure

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 14. Costs

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 922. Affidavit in forma pauperis

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

The affidavit provided for in the preceding section [FN1] shall be in the form following, and attached to the petition, viz.:

State [of Oklahoma, ____________ County, ____________,] in the district court of said county: I do solemnly swear that the cause of action set forth in the petition hereto prefixed is just, and I (or we) do further swear that by reason of my (or our) poverty, I am unable to give security for costs.

Chapter 36. Small Claims Procedure Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1751. Suits authorized under small claims procedure

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. The following suits may be brought under the small claims procedure:

1. Actions for the recovery of money based on contract or tort, including subrogation claims, but excluding libel or slander, in which the amount sought to be recovered, exclusive of attorney fees and other court costs, does not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00);

2. Actions to replevy personal property the value of which does not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). If the claims for possession of personal property and to recover money are pled in the alternative, the joinder of claims is permissible if neither the value of the property nor the total amount of money sought to be recovered, exclusive of attorney fees and other costs, exceeds Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00); and

3. Actions in the nature of interpleader, as provided for in Section 2022 of this title, in which the value of the money which is the subject of such action does not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).

B. No action may be brought under the small claims procedure by any collection agency, collection agent, or assignee of a claim, except that an action may be brought against an insurer or third-party administrator by a health care provider as that term is defined in Section 6552 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes, who is an assignee of benefits available under an accident and health insurance policy, trust, plan, or contract.

C. In those cases which are uncontested:

1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, the amount of attorney fees allowed shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the judgment;

2. Upon application to the court supported by sufficient documentation, the court may award attorney fees not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the judgment.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the amount of attorney fees awarded in contested cases. Further, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit an award of attorney fees for the defense of an action brought under the small claims procedure.

D. No action may be brought under the small claims procedure for any alleged claim against any city, county or state agency, or employee of a city, county or state agency, if the claim alleges matters arising from incarceration, probation, parole or community supervision.

E. No action by a plaintiff who is currently incarcerated in any jail or prison in the state may be brought against any person or entity under the small claims procedure.

F. A small claims affidavit shall include a statement acknowledging that the plaintiff is disclaiming a right to a trial by jury on the merits of the case.

Title 21. Crimes and Punishment

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Part I. In General

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 2. General Provisions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Oklahoma Victim's Rights Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 142A-3. Informing victim of rights

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

 

A. Upon the preliminary investigation of a violent crime, it shall be the duty of the peace officer who interviews the victim of such crime to inform the victim, or a responsible adult if the victim is a minor child or an incompetent person, or the family member who receives death notification in the case of a homicide, in writing, of their rights as a crime victim. Written notification shall consist of handing the victim, responsible adult, if the victim is a minor child or an incompetent person, or family member receiving death notification, a preprinted card or brochure that, at a minimum, includes the following information:

1. A statement that reads, “As a victim of crime, you have certain rights”;

2. Telephone and address information for the local District Attorney Victim-Witness Coordinator; and

3. The website address where victims can access a full list of their rights, additional information, and how to apply for crime victim compensation assistance.

B. A victim of domestic abuse has the right to be informed by the first peace officer who interviews the victim of domestic abuse of the twenty-four-hour statewide telephone communication service established by Section 18p-5 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes and to give notice to the victim of certain rights. The notice shall consist of handing such victim the following statement:

“As a victim of domestic abuse, you have certain rights. These rights are as follows:

1. The right to request that charges be pressed against your assailant;

2. The right to request protection from any harm or threat of harm arising out of your cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts as far as facilities are available and to be provided with information on the level of protection available;

3. The right to be informed of financial assistance and other social services available as a result of being a victim including information on how to apply for the assistance and services; and

4. The right to file a petition for a protective order or, when the domestic abuse occurs when the court is not open for business, to request an emergency temporary protective order.”

C. The victim of sexual assault, as defined in Section 142.20 of this title, has the right to be informed by the peace officer who interviews the victim of sexual assault, or a responsible adult if the victim is a minor child or an incompetent person, of the twenty-four-hour statewide telephone communication service established by the Office of the Attorney General for victims of sexual assault pursuant to Section 18p-5 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes and to give notice to the victim or such responsible adult of certain rights of the victim. The notice shall consist of handing such victim or responsible adult a written statement in substantially the following form:

“As a victim of sexual assault, you have certain rights. These rights are as follows:

1. The right to request that charges be pressed against your assailant;

2. The right to request protection from any harm or threat of harm arising out of your cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts as far as facilities are available and to be provided with information on the level of protection available;

3. The right to be informed of financial assistance and other social services available to victims including information on how to apply for the assistance and services;

4. The right to a free forensic medical examination;

5. The right to be informed by the district attorney of other victim’s rights available pursuant to Section 142A-2 of this title;

6. The right to speak with a sexual assault victims’ advocate;

7. The right to request and receive the status and results of the analysis of the sexual assault forensic evidence; and

8. The right to request a copy of the police report.”

D. Upon the preliminary investigation of a domestic violence crime involving intimate partner violence, the first peace officer who interviews the victim of domestic abuse shall assess the potential for danger by asking a series of questions provided on a lethality assessment form available on the Oklahoma Attorney General website. The lethality assessment form shall include the following questions:

1. Has the person ever used a weapon against the victim or threatened the victim with a weapon?

2. Has the person threatened to kill the victim or children of the victim?

3. Does the victim think the person will try to kill the victim?

4. Has the person ever tried to choke the victim?

5. Is the person violently or constantly jealous or does the person control most of the daily activities of the victim?

6. Has the victim left or separated from the person after living together or being married?

7. Is the person unemployed?

8. Has the person ever tried to kill himself or herself?

9. Does the victim have a child that the person knows is not his or her own child?

10. Does the person follow or spy on the victim or leave the victim threatening messages?

11. Is there anything else that worries the victim about his or her safety and if so, what worries the victim?

E. If the results of the lethality assessment indicate a referral is suggested, the assessing officer shall implement the protocol referral process to a domestic violence advocate from a certified or tribal program as follows:

1. Advise the victim of the results of the assessment;

2. Advise the victim that based on the results of the assessment the officer will call the domestic violence hotline to allow the victim to speak with an advocate;

3. If the victim does not want to speak with an advocate, the officer shall document the refusal on the form.F. Regardless of the results of the lethality assessment, referral information for shelters, domestic violence programs and other social services shall be provided to the victim.

Part II. Crimes Against Public Justice

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 19. Other Crimes Against Public Justice

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 567A. Violation of child custody order--Affirmative defense--Emergency or protective custody

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any parent or other person who violates an order of any court of this state granting the custody of a child under the age of eighteen (18) years to any person, agency, institution, or other facility, with the intent to deprive the lawful custodian of the custody of the child, shall be guilty of a felony. The fine for a violation of this subsection shall not exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

B. The offender shall have an affirmative defense if the offender reasonably believes that the act was necessary to preserve the child from physical, mental, or emotional danger to the child’s welfare and the offender notifies the local law enforcement agency nearest to the location where the custodian of the child resides.

C. If a child is removed from the custody of the child’s lawful custodian pursuant to the provisions of this section any law enforcement officer may take the child into custody without a court order and, unless there is a specific court order directing a law enforcement officer to take the child into custody and release or return the child to a lawful custodian, the child shall be held in emergency or protective custody pursuant to the provisions of Section 1-4-201 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Part III. Crimes Against the Person

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 20. Assault and Battery

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 641. Assault defined

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

An assault is any willful and unlawful attempt or offer with force or violence to do a corporal hurt to another.

§ 642. Battery defined

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A battery is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.

§ 644. Assault--Assault and battery--Domestic abuse

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Assault shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding thirty (30) days, or by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

B. Assault and battery shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding ninety (90) days, or by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

C. Any person who commits any assault and battery against a current or former intimate partner or a family or household member as defined by Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be guilty of domestic abuse. Upon conviction, the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense, the person shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than four (4) years, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. The provisions of Section 51.1 of this title shall apply to any second or subsequent offense.
 

D. 1. Any person who, with intent to do bodily harm and without justifiable or excusable cause, commits any assault, battery, or assault and battery upon an intimate partner or a family or household member as defined by Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes with any sharp or dangerous weapon, upon conviction, is guilty of domestic assault or domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon which shall be a felony and punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding ten (10) years, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year. The provisions of Section 51.1 of this title shall apply to any second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this paragraph.
 

2. Any person who, without such cause, shoots an intimate partner or a family or household member as defined by Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes by means of any deadly weapon that is likely to produce death shall, upon conviction, be guilty of domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon which shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life. The provisions of Section 51.1 of this title shall apply to any second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this paragraph.
 

E. Any person convicted of domestic abuse committed against a pregnant woman with knowledge of the pregnancy shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year.
 

Any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of domestic abuse against a pregnant woman with knowledge of the pregnancy shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than ten (10) years.
 

Any person convicted of domestic abuse committed against a pregnant woman with knowledge of the pregnancy and a miscarriage occurs or injury to the unborn child occurs shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than twenty (20) years.
 

F. Any person convicted of domestic abuse as defined in subsection C of this section that results in great bodily injury to the victim shall be guilty of a felony and punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than ten (10) years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year. The provisions of Section 51.1 of this title shall apply to any second or subsequent conviction of a violation of this subsection.
 

G. Any person convicted of domestic abuse as defined in subsection C of this section that was committed in the presence of a child shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent domestic abuse as defined in subsection C of this section that was committed in the presence of a child shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or by a fine not exceeding Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. The provisions of Section 51.1 of this title shall apply to any second or subsequent offense. For every conviction of a domestic abuse crime in violation of any provision of this section committed against an intimate partner or a family or household member as defined by Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the court shall:
 

1. Specifically order as a condition of a suspended or deferred sentence that a defendant participate in counseling or undergo treatment to bring about the cessation of domestic abuse as specified in paragraph 2 of this subsection;
 

2. a. The court shall require the defendant to complete an assessment and follow the recommendations of a batterers’ intervention program certified by the Attorney General. If the defendant is ordered to participate in a batterers’ intervention program, the order shall require the defendant to attend the program for a minimum of fifty-two (52) weeks, complete the program, and be evaluated before and after attendance of the program by program staff. Three unexcused absences in succession or seven unexcused absences in a period of fifty-two (52) weeks from any court-ordered batterers’ intervention program shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of the conditions of probation for the district attorney to seek acceleration or revocation of any probation entered by the court.
 

b. A program for anger management, couples counseling, or family and marital counseling shall not solely qualify for the counseling or treatment requirement for domestic abuse pursuant to this subsection. The counseling may be ordered in addition to counseling specifically for the treatment of domestic abuse or per evaluation as set forth below. If, after sufficient evaluation and attendance at required counseling sessions, the domestic violence treatment program or licensed professional determines that the defendant does not evaluate as a perpetrator of domestic violence or does evaluate as a perpetrator of domestic violence and should complete other programs of treatment simultaneously or prior to domestic violence treatment, including but not limited to programs related to the mental health, apparent substance or alcohol abuse or inability or refusal to manage anger, the defendant shall be ordered to complete the counseling as per the recommendations of the domestic violence treatment program or licensed professional;
 

3. a. The court shall set a review hearing no more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the defendant is ordered to participate in a domestic abuse counseling program or undergo treatment for domestic abuse to assure the attendance and compliance of the defendant with the provisions of this subsection and the domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements. The court may suspend sentencing of the defendant until the defendant has presented proof to the court of enrollment in a program of treatment for domestic abuse by an individual licensed practitioner or a domestic abuse treatment program certified by the Attorney General and attendance at weekly sessions of such program. Such proof shall be presented to the court by the defendant no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the defendant is ordered to such counseling or treatment. At such time, the court may complete sentencing, beginning the period of the sentence from the date that proof of enrollment is presented to the court, and schedule reviews as required by subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph and paragraphs 4 and 5 of this subsection. Three unexcused absences in succession or seven unexcused absences in a period of fifty-two (52) weeks from any court-ordered domestic abuse counseling or treatment program shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of the conditions of probation for the district attorney to seek acceleration or revocation of any probation entered by the court.
 

b. The court shall set a second review hearing after the completion of the counseling or treatment to assure the attendance and compliance of the defendant with the provisions of this subsection and the domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements. The court shall retain continuing jurisdiction over the defendant during the course of ordered counseling through the final review hearing;
 

4. The court may set subsequent or other review hearings as the court determines necessary to assure the defendant attends and fully complies with the provisions of this subsection and the domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements;
 

5. At any review hearing, if the defendant is not satisfactorily attending individual counseling or a domestic abuse counseling or treatment program or is not in compliance with any domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements, the court may order the defendant to further or continue counseling, treatment, or other necessary services. The court may revoke all or any part of a suspended sentence, deferred sentence, or probation pursuant to Section 991b of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes and subject the defendant to any or all remaining portions of the original sentence;
 

6. At the first review hearing, the court shall require the defendant to appear in court. Thereafter, for any subsequent review hearings, the court may accept a report on the progress of the defendant from individual counseling, domestic abuse counseling, or the treatment program. There shall be no requirement for the victim to attend review hearings; and
 

7. If funding is available, a referee may be appointed and assigned by the presiding judge of the district court to hear designated cases set for review under this subsection. Reasonable compensation for the referees shall be fixed by the presiding judge. The referee shall meet the requirements and perform all duties in the same manner and procedure as set forth in Sections 1-8-103 and 2-2-702 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes pertaining to referees appointed in juvenile proceedings.
 

The defendant may be required to pay all or part of the cost of the counseling or treatment, in the discretion of the court.
 

H. As used in subsection G of this section, “in the presence of a child” means in the physical presence of a child; or having knowledge that a child is present and may see or hear an act of domestic violence. For the purposes of subsections C and G of this section, “child” may be any child whether or not related to the victim or the defendant.
 

I. For the purposes of subsections C and G of this section, any conviction for assault and battery against an intimate partner or a family or household member as defined by Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall constitute a sufficient basis for a felony charge:
 

1. If that conviction is rendered in any state, county or parish court of record of this or any other state; or
 

2. If that conviction is rendered in any municipal court of record of this or any other state for which any jail time was served; provided, no conviction in a municipal court of record entered prior to November 1, 1997, shall constitute a prior conviction for purposes of a felony charge.
 

J. Any person who commits any assault and battery by strangulation or attempted strangulation against an intimate partner or a family or household member as defined by Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall, upon conviction, be guilty of domestic abuse by strangulation and shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period of not less than one (1) year nor more than three (3) years, or by a fine of not more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Upon a second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this section, the defendant shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period of not less than three (3) years nor more than ten (10) years, or by a fine of not more than Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. The provisions of Section 51.1 of this title shall apply to any second or subsequent conviction of a violation of this subsection. As used in this subsection, “strangulation” means any form of asphyxia; including, but not limited to, asphyxia characterized by closure of the blood vessels or air passages of the neck as a result of external pressure on the neck or the closure of the nostrils or mouth as a result of external pressure on the head.
 

K. Any district court of this state and any judge thereof shall be immune from any liability or prosecution for issuing an order that requires a defendant to:
 

1. Attend a treatment program for domestic abusers certified by the Attorney General;
 

2. Attend counseling or treatment services ordered as part of any suspended or deferred sentence or probation; and
 

3. Attend, complete, and be evaluated before and after attendance by a treatment program for domestic abusers, certified by the Attorney General.
 

L. There shall be no charge of fees or costs to any victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault in connection with the prosecution of a domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault offense in this state.
 

M. In the course of prosecuting any charge of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, rape, or violation of a protective order, the prosecutor shall provide the court, prior to sentencing or any plea agreement, a local history and any other available history of past convictions of the defendant within the last ten (10) years relating to domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, rape, violation of a protective order, or any other violent misdemeanor or felony convictions.
 

N. Any plea of guilty or finding of guilt for a violation of subsection C, F, G, I or J of this section shall constitute a conviction of the offense for the purpose of this act or any other criminal statute under which the existence of a prior conviction is relevant for a period of ten (10) years following the completion of any court imposed probationary term; provided, the person has not, in the meantime, been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a felony.
 

O. For purposes of subsection F of this section, “great bodily injury” means bone fracture, protracted and obvious disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part, organ or mental faculty, or substantial risk of death.
 

P. Any pleas of guilty or nolo contendere or finding of guilt to a violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a conviction of the offense for the purpose of any subsection of this section under which the existence of a prior conviction is relevant for a period of ten (10) years following the completion of any sentence or court imposed probationary term.

§ 644.1. Domestic abuse with a prior pattern of physical abuse

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any person who commits domestic abuse, as defined by subsection C of Section 644 of this title, and has a prior pattern of physical abuse shall be guilty of a felony, upon conviction, punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than ten (10) years or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. For purposes of this section, “prior pattern of physical abuse” means two or more separate incidences, including the current incident, occurring on different days and each incident relates to an act constituting assault and battery or domestic abuse committed by the defendant against a current or former spouse, a present spouse of a former spouse, parents, a foster parent, a child, a person otherwise related by blood or marriage, a person with whom the defendant is in a dating relationship, an individual with whom the defendant has had a child, a person who formerly lived in the same household as the defendant, a person living in the same household as the defendant, a current intimate partner or former intimate partner, or any combination of such persons, where proof of each incident prior to the present incident is established by the sworn testimony of a third party who was a witness to the alleged physical abuse or by other admissible direct evidence that is independent of the testimony of the victim.

§ 645. Assault, battery, or assault and battery with dangerous weapon

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Every person who, with intent to do bodily harm and without justifiable or excusable cause, commits any assault, battery, or assault and battery upon the person of another with any sharp or dangerous weapon, or who, without such cause, shoots at another, with any kind of firearm, air gun, conductive energy weapon or other means whatever, with intent to injure any person, although without the intent to kill such person or to commit any felony, upon conviction is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding ten (10) years, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year.

§ 646. Aggravated assault and battery defined

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. An assault and battery becomes aggravated when committed under any of the following circumstances:
 

1. When great bodily injury is inflicted upon the person assaulted; or
 

2. When committed by a person of robust health or strength upon one who is aged, decrepit, or incapacitated, as defined in Section 641 of this title.
 

B. For purposes of this section “great bodily injury” means bone fracture, protracted and obvious disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part, organ or mental faculty, or substantial risk of death.

§ 647. Punishment for aggravated assault and battery

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Aggravated assault and battery shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.

Chapter 21. Attempts to Kill

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 652. Shooting or discharging firearm with intent to kill--Use of vehicle to facilitate discharge of weapon in conscious disregard of safety of others--Assault and battery with deadly weapon, etc.

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Every person who intentionally and wrongfully shoots another with or discharges any kind of firearm, with intent to kill any person, including an unborn child as defined in Section 1-730 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall upon conviction be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding life.
 

B. Every person who uses any vehicle to facilitate the intentional discharge of any kind of firearm, crossbow or other weapon in conscious disregard for the safety of any other person or persons, including an unborn child as defined in Section 1-730 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall upon conviction be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not less than two (2) years nor exceeding life.
 

C. Any person who commits any assault and battery upon another, including an unborn child as defined in Section 1-730 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, by means of any deadly weapon, or by such other means or force as is likely to produce death, or in any manner attempts to kill another, including an unborn child as defined in Section 1-730 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or in resisting the execution of any legal process, shall upon conviction be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding life.
 

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
 

1. Acts which cause the death of an unborn child if those acts were committed during a legal abortion to which the pregnant woman consented; or
 

2. Acts which are committed pursuant to usual and customary standards of medical practice during diagnostic testing or therapeutic treatment.
 

E. Under no circumstances shall the mother of the unborn child be prosecuted for causing the death of the unborn child unless the mother has committed a crime that caused the death of the unborn child.

Chapter 25. Kidnapping

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 741. Kidnapping defined

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Any person who, without lawful authority, seizes, confines, inveigles, decoys, kidnaps, abducts, or carries away another, with intent, either:

1. To cause such other person to be confined or imprisoned in this state against the will of the other person; or

2. To cause such other person to be sent out of this state against the will of the other person; or

3. To cause such person to be sold as a slave, or in any way held to service against the will of such person,

shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceeding twenty (20) years. Upon any trial for a violation of this section, the consent thereto of the person kidnapped or confined, shall not be a defense, unless it appears satisfactorily to the jury, that such person was above the age of twelve (12) years, and that such consent was not extorted by threat, or by duress.

Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, on and after the effective date of this act, any person sentenced to imprisonment for a violation of this section and the offense involved sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment.

Chapter 30. Miscellaneous Offenses Against the Person

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Abuse of Elderly or Disabled Persons

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 843.1. Caretakers--Abuse, financial neglect, neglect, sexual abuse or exploitation of charge

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. 1. No caretaker or other person shall abuse, commit financial neglect, neglect, commit sexual abuse, or exploit any person entrusted to the care of such caretaker or other person in a nursing facility or other setting, or knowingly cause, secure, or permit any of these acts to be done.
 

2. For purposes of this section, the terms, “abuse”, “financial neglect”, “neglect”, “sexual abuse”, and “exploit” shall have the same meaning as such terms are defined and clarified in Section 10-103 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
 

B. 1. Any person convicted of a violation of this section, except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, shall be guilty of a felony. The violator, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed ten (10) years, and by a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment, and in addition, the person shall be subject to the Elderly and Incapacitated Victim’s Protection Act.1 Such person’s term shall further be subject to the provisions of Section 13.1 of this title for mandatory minimum sentencing.
 

2. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section by committing sexual abuse shall be guilty of a felony. The person convicted of sexual abuse shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed fifteen (15) years, and by a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment, and in addition, the person shall be subject to the Elderly and Incapacitated Victim’s Protection Act. Such person’s imprisonment term imposed pursuant to this section shall further be subject to the provisions of Section 13.1 of this title for mandatory minimum sentencing.
 

C. Consent shall not be a defense for any violation of this section.
 

D. Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, any person sentenced to imprisonment for two (2) years or more for a violation of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment.

§ 843.2. Verbal abuse of charge

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. No caretaker shall verbally abuse any person entrusted to the care of the caretaker, or knowingly cause, secure, or permit an act of verbal abuse to be done. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The violator, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000. 00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

B. For the purpose of this section, “verbal abuse” means the repeated use of words, sounds, or other forms of communication by a caretaker, including but not limited to, language, gestures, actions or behaviors, that are calculated to humiliate or intimidate or cause fear, embarrassment, shame, or degradation to the person entrusted to the care of the caretaker.

§ 843.3. Abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, or neglect of vulnerable adult

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any person who engages in abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, as defined in Section 10-103 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall be guilty of a felony. The person, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or be imprisoned in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than two (2) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

B. Any person who has a responsibility to care for a vulnerable adult as defined by Section 10-103 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes who purposely, knowingly or recklessly neglects the vulnerable adult shall be guilty of a felony. The person, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or be imprisoned in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than two (2) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

C. In addition the court shall consider any provision of the Elderly and Incapacitated Victim’s Protection Act1 when the victim is an elderly or incapacitated person as defined by Section 991a-15 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

§ 843.4. Exploitation of elderly or disabled adult

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. As used in this section, “exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult” means:
 

1. Knowingly, by deception or intimidation, obtaining or using, or endeavoring to obtain or use, an elderly person’s or disabled adult’s funds, assets, or property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the elderly person or disabled adult of the use, benefit, or possession of the funds, assets, or property, or to benefit someone other than the elderly person or disabled adult, by a person who:
 

a. stands in a position of trust and confidence with the elderly person or disabled adult, or
 

b. has a business relationship with the elderly person or disabled adult, or
 

2. Obtaining or using, endeavoring to obtain or use, or conspiring with another to obtain or use an elderly person’s or disabled adult’s funds, assets, or property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the elderly person or disabled adult of the use, benefit, or possession of the funds, assets, or property, or to benefit someone other than the elderly person or disabled adult, by a person who knows or reasonably should know that the elderly person or disabled adult lacks the capacity to consent.
 

B. 1. If the funds, assets, or property involved in the exploitation of the elderly person or disabled adult are valued at One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or more, the violator commits a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not more than fifteen (15) years and by a fine in an amount not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
 

2. If the funds, assets, or property involved in the exploitation of the elderly person or disabled adult are valued at less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), the violator commits a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not more than ten (10) years and by a fine in an amount not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
 

C. For purposes of this section, “elderly person” means any person sixty-two (62) years of age or older.

§ 843.5. Child abuse--Child neglect--Child sexual abuse--Child sexual exploitation--Enabling--Penalties

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any person who shall willfully or maliciously engage in child abuse, as defined in this section, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

B. Any person responsible for the health, safety or welfare of a child who shall willfully or maliciously engage in enabling child abuse, as defined in this section, shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

C. Any person responsible for the health, safety or welfare of a child who shall willfully or maliciously engage in child neglect, as defined in this section, shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

D. Any parent or other person who shall willfully or maliciously engage in enabling child neglect shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

E. Any person responsible for the health, safety or welfare of a child who shall willfully or maliciously engage in child sexual abuse, as defined in this section, shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 51.1a of this title or as otherwise provided in subsection F of this section for a child victim under twelve (12) years of age. Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, any person sentenced to imprisonment for two (2) years or more for a violation of this subsection shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment.
 

F. Any person responsible for the health, safety or welfare of a child who shall willfully or maliciously engage in child sexual abuse, as defined in this section, to a child under twelve (12) years of age shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than twenty-five (25) years nor more than life imprisonment, and by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
 

G. Any parent or other person who shall willfully or maliciously engage in enabling child sexual abuse shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

H. Any person who shall willfully or maliciously engage in child sexual exploitation, as defined in this section, shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment except as provided in subsection I of this section for a child victim under twelve (12) years of age. Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, any person sentenced to imprisonment for two (2) years or more for a violation of this subsection shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment.
 

I. Any person who shall willfully or maliciously engage in child sexual exploitation, as defined in this section, of a child under twelve (12) years of age shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than twenty-five (25) years nor more than life imprisonment, and by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
 

J. Any person responsible for the health, safety or welfare of a child who shall willfully or maliciously engage in enabling child sexual exploitation, as defined in this section, shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.
 

K. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person convicted of forcible anal or oral sodomy, rape, rape by instrumentation, or lewd molestation of a child under fourteen (14) years of age subsequent to a previous conviction for any offense of forcible anal or oral sodomy, rape, rape by instrumentation, or lewd molestation of a child under fourteen (14) years of age shall be punished by death or by imprisonment for life without parole.
 

L. Provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall prohibit any parent or guardian from using reasonable and ordinary force pursuant to Section 844 of this title.
 

M. Consent shall not be a defense for any violation provided for in this section.
 

N. Notwithstanding the age requirements of other statutes referenced within this section, this section shall apply to any child under eighteen (18) years of age.
 

O. As used in this section:
 

1. “Child abuse” means:
 

a. the willful or malicious harm or threatened harm or failure to protect from harm or threatened harm to the health, safety or welfare of a child under eighteen (18) years of age by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare, or
 

b. the act of willfully or maliciously injuring, torturing or maiming a child under eighteen (18) years of age by any person;
 

2. “Child neglect” means the willful or malicious neglect, as defined by Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, of a child under eighteen (18) years of age by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare;
 

3. “Child sexual abuse” means the willful or malicious sexual abuse of a child under eighteen (18) years of age by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare and includes, but is not limited to:
 

a. sexual intercourse,
 

b. penetration of the vagina or anus, however slight, by an inanimate object or any part of the human body not amounting to sexual intercourse,
 

c. sodomy,
 

d. incest, or
 

e. a lewd act or proposal, as defined in this section;
 

4. “Child sexual exploitation” means the willful or malicious sexual exploitation of a child under eighteen (18) years of age by another and includes, but is not limited to:
 

a. human trafficking, as provided for in Section 748 of this title, if the offense involved child trafficking for commercial sex,
 

b. trafficking in children, as provided for in Section 866 of this title, if the offense was committed for the sexual gratification of any person,
 

c. procuring or causing the participation of a minor in child pornography, as provided for in Section 1021.2 of this title,
 

d. purchase, procurement or possession of child pornography, as provided for in Section 1024.2 of this title,
 

e. engaging in or soliciting prostitution, as provided for in Section 1029 of this title, if the offense involved child prostitution,
 

f. publication, distribution or participation in the preparation of obscene material, as provided for in Section 1040.8 of this title, if the offense involved child pornography,
 

g. aggravated possession of child pornography, as provided for in Section 1040.12a of this title,
 

h. sale or distribution of obscene material, as provided for in Section 1040.13 of this title,
 

i. soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology, as provided for in Section 1043.13a of this title,
 

j. offering or transporting a child for purposes of prostitution, as provided for in Section 1087 of this title, and
 

k. child prostitution, as provided for in Section 1088 of this title;
 

5. “Enabling child abuse” means the causing, procuring or permitting of child abuse by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare;
 

6. “Enabling child neglect” means the causing, procuring or permitting of child neglect by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare;
 

7. “Enabling child sexual abuse” means the causing, procuring or permitting of child sexual abuse by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare;
 

8. “Enabling child sexual exploitation” means the causing, procuring or permitting of child sexual exploitation by a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare;
 

9. “Incest” means marrying, committing adultery or fornicating with a child by a person responsible for the health, safety or welfare of a child;
 

10. “Lewd act or proposal” means:
 

a. making any oral, written or electronic or computer-generated lewd or indecent proposal to a child for the child to have unlawful sexual relations or sexual intercourse with any person,
 

b. looking upon, touching, mauling or feeling the body or private parts of a child in a lewd or lascivious manner or for the purpose of sexual gratification,
 

c. asking, inviting, enticing or persuading any child to go alone with any person to a secluded, remote or secret place for a lewd or lascivious purpose,
 

d. urinating or defecating upon a child or causing, forcing or requiring a child to defecate or urinate upon the body or private parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification,
 

e. ejaculating upon or in the presence of a child,
 

f. causing, exposing, forcing or requiring a child to look upon the body or private parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification,
 

g. causing, forcing or requiring any child to view any obscene materials, child pornography or materials deemed harmful to minors as such terms are defined in Sections 1024.1 and 1040.75 of this title,
 

h. causing, exposing, forcing or requiring a child to look upon sexual acts performed in the presence of the child for the purpose of sexual gratification, or
 

i. causing, forcing or requiring a child to touch or feel the body or private parts of the child or another person for the purpose of sexual gratification;
 

11. “Permit” means to authorize or allow for the care of a child by an individual when the person authorizing or allowing such care knows or reasonably should know that the child will be placed at risk of the conduct or harm proscribed by this section;
 

12. “Person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare” for purposes of this section shall include, but not be limited to:
 

a. the parent of the child,
 

b. the legal guardian of the child,
 

c. the custodian of the child,
 

d. the foster parent of the child,
 

e. a person eighteen (18) years of age or older with whom the parent of the child cohabitates, who is at least three (3) years older than the child,
 

f. any other person eighteen (18) years of age or older residing in the home of the child, who is at least three (3) years older than the child,
 

g. an owner, operator, agent, employee or volunteer of a public or private residential home, institution, facility or day treatment program, as defined in Section 175.20 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, that the child attended,
 

h. an owner, operator, agent, employee or volunteer of a child care facility, as defined in Section 402 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, that the child attended,
 

i. an intimate partner of the parent of the child, as defined in Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or
 

j. a person who has voluntarily accepted responsibility for the care or supervision of a child;
 

13. “Sexual intercourse” means the actual penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anus by the penis; and
 

14. “Sodomy” means:
 

a. penetration, however slight, of the mouth of the child by a penis,
 

b. penetration, however slight, of the vagina of a person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare, by the mouth of a child,
 

c. penetration, however slight, of the mouth of the person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare by the penis of the child, or
 

d. penetration, however slight, of the vagina of the child by the mouth of the person responsible for a child’s health, safety or welfare.

Malicious Intimidation or Harassment

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 850. Malicious intimidation or harassment because of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability--Standardized reporting system

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. No person shall maliciously and with the specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability:

1. Assault or batter another person;

2. Damage, destroy, vandalize or deface any real or personal property of another person; or

3. Threaten, by word or act, to do any act prohibited by paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection if there is reasonable cause to believe that such act will occur.

B. No person shall maliciously and with specific intent to incite or produce, and which is likely to incite or produce, imminent violence, which violence would be directed against another person because of that person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability, make or transmit, cause or allow to be transmitted, any telephonic, computerized, or electronic message.

C. No person shall maliciously and with specific intent to incite or produce, and which is likely to incite or produce, imminent violence, which violence would be directed against another person because of that person’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability, broadcast, publish, or distribute, cause or allow to be broadcast, published or distributed, any message or material.

D. Any person convicted of violating any provision of subsections A, B or C of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor on a first offense and a felony punishable by not more than ten (10) years incarceration in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a second or subsequent offense. The fine for a felony violation of this section shall not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). Furthermore, said person shall be civilly liable for any damages resulting from any violation of this section.

E. Upon conviction, any person guilty of a misdemeanor in violation of this section shall be punishable by the imposition of a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

F. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall develop a standard system for state and local law enforcement agencies to report incidents of crime which are apparently directed against members of racial, ethnic, religious groups or other groups specified by this section. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation shall promulgate rules, regulations and procedures necessary to develop, implement and maintain a standard system for the collection and reporting of hate crime data. All state, county, city and town law enforcement agencies shall submit a monthly report to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation on forms prescribed by the Bureau. The report shall contain the number and nature of the offenses committed within their respective jurisdictions, the disposition of such matters and any other information the Bureau may require, respecting information relating to the cause and prevention of crime, recidivism, the rehabilitation of criminals and the proper administration of criminal justice.G. No person, partnership, company or corporation that installs telephonic, computerized, or electronic message equipment shall be required to monitor the use of such equipment for possible violations of this section, nor shall such person, partnership, company or corporation be held criminally or civilly liable for the use by another person of the equipment in violation of this section, unless the person, partnership, company or corporation that installed the equipment had prior actual knowledge that the equipment was to be used in violation of this section.

Part IV. Crimes Against Public Decency and Morality

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 31. Abandonment and Neglect of Wife or Children

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 851. Desertion of children under age of ten a felony

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any parent of any child or children under the age of ten (10) years, and every person to whom such child or children have been confided for nurture or education, who deserts such child or children within this state, or takes such child or children without this state, with the intent wholly to abandon it shall be deemed guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for any period of time not less than one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years.
 

B. It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that a parent voluntarily delivered a child under the age of thirty (30) days to and left the child with, or voluntarily arranged for another person to deliver a child to and leave the child with, a medical services provider or child rescuer as provided in Section 1-2-109 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

§ 852. Omission to provide for a child--Penalties

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Unless otherwise provided for by law, any parent, guardian, or person having custody or control of a child as defined in Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes who willfully omits, without lawful excuse, to furnish necessary food, clothing, shelter, monetary child support, medical attendance, payment of court-ordered day care or payment of court-ordered medical insurance costs for such child which is imposed by law, upon conviction, is guilty of a misdemeanor; provided, any person obligated to make child support payments who willfully and without lawful excuse becomes delinquent in said child support payments after September 1, 1993, and such delinquent child support accrues without payment by the obligor for a period of one (1) year, or exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a felony which is punishable in the same manner as any subsequent conviction pursuant to the provisions of this section. Any subsequent conviction pursuant to this section shall be a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than four (4) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections or by the imposition of a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. As used in this section, the duty to furnish medical attendance shall mean that the parent or person having custody or control of a child must furnish medical treatment in such manner and on such occasions as an ordinarily prudent person, solicitous for the welfare of a child, would provide; such parent or person having custody or control of a child is not criminally liable for failure to furnish medical attendance for every minor or trivial complaint with which the child may be afflicted.
 

B. Any person who leaves the state to avoid providing necessary food, clothing, shelter, court-ordered monetary child support, or medical attendance for such child, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than four (4) years in the custody of the Department of Corrections or by the imposition of a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean a child is endangered for the sole reason the parent, guardian or person having custody or control of a child, in good faith, selects and depends upon spiritual means alone through prayer, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination, for the treatment or cure of disease or remedial care of such child; provided, that medical care shall be provided where permanent physical damage could result to such child; and that the laws, rules, and regulations relating to communicable diseases and sanitary matters are not violated.
 

D. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent a court from immediately assuming custody of a child and ordering whatever action may be necessary, including medical treatment, to protect the health or welfare of the child.
 

E. Psychiatric and psychological testing and counseling are exempt from the provisions of this section.
 

F. If any parent of a child in cases in which the Department of Human Services is providing services pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes is determined by the Department to be willfully violating the provisions of this section, the Department may refer the case to the proper district attorney for prosecution. The Department shall provide assistance to the district attorneys in such prosecutions. Any child support or arrears payments made pursuant to this section shall be made payable to the Department and paid through the Centralized Support Registry pursuant to Section 413 of Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
 

G. Except for a third or subsequent conviction, all felony convictions herein shall be administered under the provisions of the Community Sentencing Act.1
 

H. It is the duty of any parent having legal custody of a child who is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person, as such terms are defined by Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, to provide for the treatment, as such term is defined by Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, of such child. Any parent having legal custody of a child who is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person who without having made a reasonable effort fails or willfully omits to provide for the treatment of such child shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. For the purpose of this subsection, the duty to provide for such treatment shall mean that the parent having legal custody of a child must provide for the treatment in such manner and on such occasions as an ordinarily prudent person, solicitous for the welfare of a child, would provide.
 

I. Venue is proper in prosecutions for violations of this section in:
 

1. Any county where the child resides;
 

2. The county in which the court-ordered support was entered or registered pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act;2 or
 

3. The county in which the defendant resides.

§ 852.1. Child endangerment--Knowingly permitting physical or sexual abuse--Good faith reliance on spiritual healing--Penalties

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A person who is the parent, guardian, or person having custody or control over a child as defined in Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, commits child endangerment when the person:
 

1. Knowingly permits physical or sexual abuse of a child;
 

2. Knowingly permits a child to be present at a location where a controlled dangerous substance is being manufactured or attempted to be manufactured as defined in Section 2-101 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
 

3. Knowingly permits a child to be present in a vehicle when the person knows or should have known that the operator of the vehicle is impaired by or is under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating substance; or
 

4. Is the driver, operator, or person in physical control of a vehicle in violation of Section 11-902 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes while transporting or having in the vehicle such child or children.
 

However, it is an affirmative defense to this paragraph if the person had a reasonable apprehension that any action to stop the physical or sexual abuse or deny permission for the child to be in the vehicle with an intoxicated person would result in substantial bodily harm to the person or the child.
 

Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the prosecution of a person pursuant to the provisions of Section 11-902 or 11-904 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
 

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any parent, guardian or other person having custody or control of a child for the sole reason that the parent, guardian or other person in good faith selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer for the treatment or cure of disease or remedial care for such child. This subsection shall in no way limit or modify the protections afforded said child in Section 852 of this title or Section 1-4-904 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
 

C. Any person convicted of violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than four (4) years, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

§ 853. Desertion of wife or child under 15 a felony

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Every person who shall without good cause abandon his wife in destitute or necessitous circumstances and neglect and refuse to maintain or provide for her, or who shall abandon his or her minor child or children under the age of fifteen (15) years and willfully neglect or refuse to maintain or provide for such child or children, shall be deemed guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for any period of time not less than one (1) year or more than ten (10) years.

Chapter 34. Bigamy, Incest and Sodomy

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 888. Forcible sodomy

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any person who forces another person to engage in the detestable and abominable crime against nature, pursuant to Section 886 of this title, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period of not more than twenty (20) years. Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, any person sentenced to imprisonment for two (2) years or more for a violation of this subsection shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment. Any person convicted of a second violation of this section, where the victim of the second offense is a person under sixteen (16) years of age, shall not be eligible for probation, suspended or deferred sentence. Any person convicted of a third or subsequent violation of this section, where the victim of the third or subsequent offense is a person under sixteen (16) years of age, shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of life or life without parole, in the discretion of the jury, or in case the jury fails or refuses to fix punishment then the same shall be pronounced by the court. Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection after having been twice convicted of a violation of subsection A of Section 1114 of this title, a violation of Section 1123 of this title or sexual abuse of a child pursuant to Section 843.5 of this title, or of any attempt to commit any of these offenses or any combination of the offenses, shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of life or life without parole.

B. The crime of forcible sodomy shall include:

1. Sodomy committed by a person over eighteen (18) years of age upon a person under sixteen (16) years of age;

2. Sodomy committed upon a person incapable through mental illness or any unsoundness of mind of giving legal consent regardless of the age of the person committing the crime;

3. Sodomy accomplished with any person by means of force, violence, or threats of force or violence accompanied by apparent power of execution regardless of the age of the victim or the person committing the crime;

4. Sodomy committed by a state, county, municipal or political subdivision employee or a contractor or an employee of a contractor of the state, a county, a municipality or political subdivision of this state upon a person who is under the legal custody, supervision or authority of a state agency, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision of this state, or the subcontractor or employee of a subcontractor of the contractor of the state or federal government, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision of this state;

5. Sodomy committed upon a person who is at least sixteen (16) years of age but less than twenty (20) years of age and is a student of any public or private secondary school, junior high or high school, or public vocational school, with a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is employed by a school system;

6. Sodomy committed upon a student at a secondary school who is concurrently enrolled at an institution of higher education by an employee of the institution of higher education of which the student is enrolled;

7. Sodomy committed upon a person who is at the time unconscious of the nature of the act, and this fact should be known to the accused; or

8. Sodomy committed upon a person where the person is intoxicated by a narcotic or anesthetic agent administered by or with the privity of the accused as a means of forcing the person to submit.

C. “Employee of an institution of higher education”, for purposes of this section, means faculty, adjunct faculty, instructors, volunteers, or an employee of a business contracting with an institution of higher education who may exercise, at any time, institutional authority over the victim. Employee of an institution of higher education shall not include an enrolled student who is not more than three (3) years of age or older than the concurrently enrolled student and who is employed or volunteering, in any capacity, for the institution of higher education.

Chapter 35. Child Stealing

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 891. Child stealing--Penalty

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Whoever maliciously, forcibly or fraudulently takes or entices away any child under the age of sixteen (16) years, with intent to detain or conceal such child from its parent, guardian or other person having the lawful charge of such child or to transport such child from the jurisdiction of this state or the United States without the consent of the person having lawful charge of such child shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not exceeding ten (10) years.

Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, any person sentenced to imprisonment for two (2) years or more for a violation of this section and the offense involved sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment.

Chapter 39. Oklahoma Law on Obscenity and Child Pornography

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1040.13b. Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. As used in this section:

1. “Image” includes a photograph, film, videotape, digital recording or other depiction or portrayal of an object, including a human body;

2. “Intimate parts” means the fully unclothed, partially unclothed or transparently clothed genitals, pubic area or female adult nipple; and

3. “Sexual act” means sexual intercourse including genital, anal or oral sex.

B. A person commits nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images when he or she:

1. Intentionally disseminates an image of another person:

a. who is at least eighteen (18) years of age,

b. who is identifiable from the image itself or information displayed in connection with the image, and

c. who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed, in whole or in part;

2. Disseminates the image with the intent to harass, intimidate or coerce the person, or under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that dissemination of the image would harass, intimidate or coerce the person;

3. Obtains the image under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private; and

4. Knows or a reasonable person should have known that the person in the image has not consented to the dissemination.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the intentional dissemination of an image of another identifiable person who is engaged in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed when:

1. The dissemination is made for the purpose of a criminal investigation that is otherwise lawful;

2. The dissemination is for the purpose of, or in connection with, the reporting of unlawful conduct;

3. The images involve voluntary exposure in public or commercial settings; or

4. The dissemination serves a lawful purpose.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impose liability upon the following entities solely as a result of content or information provided by another person:

1. An interactive computer service, as defined in 47 U.S.C., Section 230(f)(2);

2. A wireless service provider, as defined in Section 332(d) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C., Section 151 et seq., Federal Communications Commission rules, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, Pub. L. No. 103-66; or

3. A telecommunications network or broadband provider.

E. A person convicted under this section is subject to the forfeiture provisions in Section 1040.54of this title.

F. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one (1) year or by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both such fine and imprisonment.

G. Any person who violates the provisions of this section and who gains or attempts to gain financially or who gains or attempts to gain anything of value as a result of the nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than four (4) years. A second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than ten (10) years and the offender shall be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offenders Registration Act.1

H. The state shall not have the discretion to file a misdemeanor charge, pursuant to Section 234 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for a violation pursuant to subsection G of this section.

I. The court shall have the authority to order the defendant to remove the disseminated image should the court find it is in the power of the defendant to do so.

Chapter 45. Rape, Abduction, Carnal Abuse of Children and Seduction

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1111. Rape defined

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Rape is an act of sexual intercourse involving vaginal or anal penetration accomplished with a male or female who is not the spouse of the perpetrator and who may be of the same or the opposite sex as the perpetrator under any of the following circumstances:

1. Where the victim is under sixteen (16) years of age;

2. Where the victim is incapable through mental illness or any other unsoundness of mind, whether temporary or permanent, of giving legal consent;

3. Where force or violence is used or threatened, accompanied by apparent power of execution to the victim or to another person;

4. Where the victim is intoxicated by a narcotic or anesthetic agent, administered by or with the privity of the accused as a means of forcing the victim to submit;

5. Where the victim is at the time unconscious of the nature of the act and this fact is known to the accused;

6. Where the victim submits to sexual intercourse under the belief that the person committing the act is a spouse, and this belief is induced by artifice, pretense, or concealment practiced by the accused or by the accused in collusion with the spouse with intent to induce that belief. In all cases of collusion between the accused and the spouse to accomplish such act, both the spouse and the accused, upon conviction, shall be deemed guilty of rape;

7. Where the victim is under the legal custody or supervision of a state agency, a federal agency, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision and engages in sexual intercourse with a state, federal, county, municipal or political subdivision employee or an employee of a contractor of the state, the federal government, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision that exercises authority over the victim, or the subcontractor or employee of a subcontractor of the contractor of the state or federal government, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision that exercises authority over the victim;

8. Where the victim is at least sixteen (16) years of age and is less than twenty (20) years of age and is a student, or under the legal custody or supervision of any public or private elementary or secondary school, junior high or high school, or public vocational school, and engages in sexual intercourse with a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is an employee of a school system;

9. Where the victim is nineteen (19) years of age or younger and is in the legal custody of a state agency, federal agency or tribal court and engages in sexual intercourse with a foster parent or foster parent applicant; or

10. Where the victim is a student at a secondary school, is concurrently enrolled at an institution of higher education, and engages in acts pursuant to this subsection with a perpetrator who is an employee of the institution of higher education of which the victim is enrolled.

B. “Employee of an institution of higher education”, for purposes of this section, means faculty, adjunct faculty, instructors, volunteers, or an employee of a business contracting with an institution of higher education who may exercise, at any time, institutional authority over the victim. Employee of an institution of higher education shall not include an enrolled student who is not more than three (3) years of age or older than the concurrently enrolled student and who is employed or volunteering, in any capacity, for the institution of higher education.C. Rape is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a male or female who is the spouse of the perpetrator if force or violence is used or threatened, accompanied by apparent power of execution to the victim or to another person.

§ 1111.1. Rape by instrumentation

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Rape by instrumentation is an act within or without the bonds of matrimony in which any inanimate object or any part of the human body, not amounting to sexual intercourse is used in the carnal knowledge of another person without his or her consent and penetration of the anus or vagina occurs to that person.

B. Provided, further, that at least one of the circumstances specified in Section 1111 of this title has been met; further, where the victim is :

1. At least sixteen (16) years of age and is less than twenty (20) years of age and is a student, or under the legal custody or supervision of any public or private elementary or secondary school, junior high or high school, or public vocational school, and engages in conduct prohibited by this section of law with a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and is an employee of a school system;

2. Under the legal custody or supervision of a state or federal agency, county, municipal or a political subdivision and engages in conduct prohibited by this section of law with a federal, state, county, municipal or political subdivision employee or an employee of a contractor of the state, the federal government, a county, a municipality or a political subdivision that exercises authority over the victim, consent shall not be an element of the crime;

3. Nineteen (19) years of age or younger and in the legal custody of a state agency, federal agency or tribal court and engages in conduct prohibited by this section of law with a foster parent or foster parent applicant; or

4. A student at a secondary school, is concurrently enrolled at an institution of higher education, and engages in acts pursuant to this section with a perpetrator who is an employee of the institution of higher education of which the student is enrolled.

C. “Employee of an institution of higher education”, for purposes of this section, means faculty, adjunct faculty, instructors, volunteers, or an employee of a business contracting with an institution of higher education who may exercise, at any time, institutional authority over the victim. Employee of an institution of higher education shall not include an enrolled student who is not more than three (3) years of age or older than the concurrently enrolled student and who is employed or volunteering, in any capacity, for the institution of higher education.

D. Except for persons sentenced to life or life without parole, any person sentenced to imprisonment for two (2) years or more for a violation of this section shall be required to serve a term of post-imprisonment supervision pursuant to subparagraph f of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 991a of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes under conditions determined by the Department of Corrections. The jury shall be advised that the mandatory post-imprisonment supervision shall be in addition to the actual imprisonment.

§ 1114. Rape in first degree--Second degree

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Rape or rape by instrumentation in the first degree shall include:
1. Rape committed by a person over eighteen (18) years of age upon a person under fourteen (14) years of age;
2. Rape committed upon a person incapable through mental illness or any unsoundness of mind of giving legal consent regardless of the age of the person committing the crime;
3. Rape accomplished where the victim is intoxicated by a narcotic or anesthetic agent, administered by or with the privity of the accused as a means of forcing the victim to submit;
4. Rape accomplished where the victim is at the time unconscious of the nature of the act and this fact is known to the accused;
5. Rape accomplished with any person by means of force, violence, or threats of force or violence accompanied by apparent power of execution regardless of the age of the person committing the crime; or
6. Rape by instrumentation regardless of the age of the victim or the age of the person committing the crime.
B. In all other cases, rape is rape in the second degree.

Chapter 47A. General and Miscellaneous Provisions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1171. Peeping Tom--Use of photographic, electronic or video equipment--Offenses and punishment--Definition

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Every person who hides, waits or otherwise loiters in the vicinity of any private dwelling house, apartment building, any other place of residence, or in the vicinity of any locker room, dressing room, restroom or any other place where a person has a right to a reasonable expectation of privacy, with the unlawful and willful intent to watch, gaze, or look upon any person in a clandestine manner, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor. The violator shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than one (1) year, or by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

B. Every person who uses photographic, electronic or video equipment in a clandestine manner for any illegal, illegitimate, prurient, lewd or lascivious purpose with the unlawful and willful intent to view, watch, gaze or look upon any person without the knowledge and consent of such person when the person viewed is in a place where there is a right to a reasonable expectation of privacy, or who publishes or distributes any image obtained from such act, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony. The violator shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than five (5) years, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

C. Every person who uses photographic, electronic or video equipment in a clandestine manner for any illegal, illegitimate, prurient, lewd or lascivious purpose with the unlawful and willful intent to view, watch, gaze or look upon any person and capture an image of a private area of a person without the knowledge and consent of such person and knowingly does so under circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that the private area of the person would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether the person is in a public or private place shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor. The violator shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
 

D. As used in this section, the phrase “private area of the person” means the naked or undergarment-clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or any portion of the areola of the female breast of that individual.

§ 1172. Obscene, threatening or harassing telecommunication or other electronic communications--Penalty

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. It shall be unlawful for a person who, by means of a telecommunication or other electronic communication device, willfully either:

1. Makes any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent;

2. Makes a telecommunication or other electronic communication including text, sound or images with intent to terrify, intimidate or harass, or threaten to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or property of that person;

3. Makes a telecommunication or other electronic communication, whether or not conversation ensues, with intent to put the party called in fear of physical harm or death;

4. Makes a telecommunication or other electronic communication, including text, sound or images whether or not conversation ensues, without disclosing the identity of the person making the call or communication and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person at the called number;

5. Knowingly permits any telecommunication or other electronic communication under the control of the person to be used for any purpose prohibited by this section; and

6. In conspiracy or concerted action with other persons, makes repeated calls or electronic communications or simultaneous calls or electronic communications solely to harass any person at the called number(s).

B. As used in this section, “telecommunication” and “electronic communication” mean any type of telephonic, electronic or radio communications, or transmission of signs, signals, data, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by telephone, including cellular telephones, wire, cable, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system or the creation, display, management, storage, processing, transmission or distribution of images, text, voice, video or data by wire, cable or wireless means, including the Internet. The term includes:

1. A communication initiated by electronic mail, instant message, network call, or facsimile machine including text, sound or images;

2. A communication made to a pager; or

3. A communication including text, sound or images posted to a social media or other public media source.

C. Use of a telephone or other electronic communications facility under this section shall include all use made of such a facility between the points of origin and reception. Any offense under this section is a continuing offense and shall be deemed to have been committed at either the place of origin or the place of reception.

D. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, any person who is convicted of the provisions of subsection A of this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

E. Any person who is convicted of a second offense under this section shall be guilty of a felony.

§ 1173. Stalking--Penalties

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

1. Would cause a reasonable person or a member of the immediate family of that person as defined in subsection F of this section to feel frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested; and

2. Actually causes the person being followed or harassed to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of the crime of stalking, which is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed three (3) years, or by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of a second violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed six (6) years, or by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of a third or subsequent violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed twelve (12) years, or by a fine not to exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection A of this section when:

1. There is a permanent or temporary restraining order, a protective order, an emergency ex parte protective order, or an injunction in effect prohibiting the behavior described in subsection A of this section against the same party, when the person violating the provisions of subsection A of this section has actual notice of the issuance of such order or injunction;

2. Said person is on probation or parole, a condition of which prohibits the behavior described in subsection A of this section against the same party or under the conditions of a community or alternative punishment; or

3. Said person, within ten (10) years preceding the violation of subsection A of this section, completed the execution of sentence for a conviction of a crime involving the use or threat of violence against the same party, or against any member of the immediate family of such party,

 

shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed fifteen (15) years, or by a fine not to exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

C. Any person who:

1. Commits a second act of stalking within ten (10) years of the completion of sentence for a prior conviction of stalking; or

2. Has a prior conviction of stalking and, after being served with a protective order that prohibits contact with an individual, knowingly makes unconsented contact with the same individual,

 

shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years, or by a fine not to exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

D. Any person who commits an act of stalking within ten (10) years of the completion of execution of sentence for a prior conviction under subsection B or C of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not to exceed twenty-five (25) years, or by a fine not to exceed Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

E. Evidence that the defendant continued to engage in a course of conduct involving repeated unconsented contact, as defined in subsection F of this section, with the victim after having been requested by the victim to discontinue the same or any other form of unconsented contact, and to refrain from any further unconsented contact with the victim, shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption that the continuation of the course of conduct caused the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested.

F. For purposes of determining the crime of stalking, the following definitions shall apply:

1. “Harasses” means a pattern or course of conduct directed toward another individual that includes, but is not limited to, repeated or continuing unconsented contact, that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress, and that actually causes emotional distress to the victim. Harassment shall include harassing or obscene phone calls as prohibited by Section 1172 of this title and conduct prohibited by Section 850 of this title. Harassment does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose;

2. “Course of conduct” means a series of two or more separate acts over a period of time, however short or long, evidencing a continuity of purpose, including any of the following:

a. maintaining a visual or physical proximity to the victim,

b. approaching or confronting the victim in a public place or on private property,

c. appearing at the workplace of the victim or contacting the employer or coworkers of the victim,

d. appearing at the home of the victim or contacting the neighbors of the victim,

e. entering onto or remaining on property owned, leased, or occupied by the victim,

f. contacting the victim by telephone, text message, electronic message, electronic mail, or other means of electronic communication or causing the telephone or electronic device of the victim or the telephone or electronic device of any other person to ring or generate notifications repeatedly or continuously, regardless of whether a conversation ensues,

g. photographing, videotaping, audiotaping, or, through any other electronic means, monitoring or recording the activities of the victim. This subparagraph applies regardless of where the act occurs,

h. sending to the victim any physical or electronic material or contacting the victim by any means, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application,

i. sending to a family member or member of the household of the victim, or any current or former employer of the victim, or any current or former coworker of the victim, or any friend of the victim, any physical or electronic material or contacting such person by any means, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application, for the purpose of obtaining information about, disseminating information about, or communicating with the victim,

j. placing an object on or delivering an object to property owned, leased, or occupied by the victim,

k. delivering an object to a family member or member of the household of the victim, or an employer, coworker, or friend of the victim, or placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property owned, leased, or occupied by such a person with the intent that the object be delivered to the victim, or

l. causing a person to engage in any of the acts described in subparagraphs a through k of this paragraph.

 

Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of “course of conduct”;

3. “Emotional distress” means significant mental suffering or distress that may, but does not necessarily require, medical or other professional treatment or counseling;

4. “Unconsented contact” means any contact with another individual that is initiated or continued without the consent of the individual, or in disregard of that individual’s expressed desire that the contact be avoided or discontinued. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of unconsented contact. Unconsented contact includes but is not limited to any of the following:

a. following or appearing within the sight of that individual,

b. approaching or confronting that individual in a public place or on private property,

c. appearing at the workplace or residence of that individual,

d. entering onto or remaining on property owned, leased, or occupied by that individual,

e. contacting that individual by telephone,

f. sending mail or electronic communications to that individual, and

g. placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property owned, leased, or occupied by that individual;

5. “Member of the immediate family”, for the purposes of this section, means any spouse, parent, child, person related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity or any other person who regularly resides in the household or who regularly resided in the household within the prior six (6) months; and6. “Following” shall include the tracking of the movement or location of an individual through the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) device or other monitoring device by a person, or person who acts on behalf of another, without the consent of the individual whose movement or location is being tracked; provided, this shall not apply to the lawful use of a GPS device or other monitoring device or to the use by a new or used motor vehicle dealer or other motor vehicle creditor of a GPS device or other monitoring device, including a device containing technology used to remotely disable the ignition of a motor vehicle, in connection with lawful action after default of the terms of a motor vehicle credit sale, loan or lease, and with the express written consent of the owner or lessee of the motor vehicle.

§ 1173.1. Stalking Warning Letter

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Whenever a law enforcement agency receives a complaint of stalking and finds that such conduct has occurred, the law enforcement agency shall be required to provide a copy of a Stalking Warning Letter to the accused provided that the victim does not otherwise request that such letter not be served upon the accused. The Stalking Warning Letter shall be served upon the accused in the same manner as a bench warrant. If the service is to be in another county, the court clerk may issue service to the sheriff by facsimile or other electronic transmission for service by the sheriff and may receive the return of service from the sheriff in the same manner.

B. The following statutory form of the Stalking Warning Letter, as required by the provisions of subsection A of this section, shall be utilized by law enforcement agencies throughout the state:

 

COUNTY, STATE OF OKLAHOMA

CITY OF 

 

RE:

 

(COMPLAINANT)

Stalking Warning Letter served to:

 

 

(HOME ADDRESS)

 

(DATE OF BIRTH)

The

 

has recently investigated a complaint

(LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY)

about your behavior towards the above-named individual.

The behavior you have engaged in could be interpreted as “stalking” as provided for in Section 1173 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Stalking can be described as intentionally engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person under the same circumstances to suffer serious emotional distress, or place the specific person in reasonable fear of bodily injury. Your behavior has induced such fear or distress in the above-named individual.

Oklahoma law makes stalking a crime. The 

 

(LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY)

takes this law very seriously.

Please consider this a formal warning that any future conduct by you towards the above-named individual could result in arrest by law enforcement and prosecution by the ______________________ County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Print name of Chief of Law Enforcement Agency

 

Signature of Chief of Law Enforcement Agency

Served in hand 

 

by 

 

(DATE)

(NAME OF OFFICER)

On behalf of the 

 

(LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY)

at 

 

(LOCATION)

Chapter 53. Manufacturing, Selling and Wearing Weapons

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1273. Allowing minors to possess firearms

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. It shall be unlawful for any person within this state to sell or give to any child any of the arms or weapons designated in Section 1272 of this title; provided, the provisions of this section shall not prohibit a parent of a child or legal guardian of a child, or a person acting with the permission of the parent of the child or legal guardian of the child, from giving the child a firearm for participation in hunting animals or fowl, hunter safety classes, education and training in the safe use and handling of firearms, target shooting, skeet, trap or other sporting events or competitions, except as provided in subsection B of this section.

B. It shall be unlawful for any parent or guardian to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permit his or her child to possess any of the arms or weapons designated in Section 1272 of this title, including any firearm, if such parent is aware of a substantial risk that the child will use the weapon to commit a criminal offense or if the child has either been adjudicated a delinquent or has been convicted as an adult for any criminal offense that contains as an element the threat or use of physical force against the person of another.

C. It shall be unlawful for any child to possess any of the arms or weapons designated in Section 1272 of this title, except firearms used for participation in hunting animals or fowl, hunter safety classes, education and training in the safe use and handling of firearms, target shooting, skeet, trap or other sporting events or competitions. Provided, this section shall not authorize the possession of such weapons by any person who is subject to the provisions of Section 1283 of this title.

D. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided in Section 1276 of this title, and, any child violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to adjudication as a delinquent. In addition, any person violating the provisions of subsection A or B of this section shall be liable for civil damages for any injury or death to any person and for any damage to property, as provided in Section 10 of Title 23 of the Oklahoma Statutes, resulting from any discharge of a firearm by the child or use of any other weapon that the person had given to the child or permitted the child to possess. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section after having been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act1 may be liable for an administrative violation as provided in Section 1276 of this title.

E. As used in this section, “child” means a person under eighteen (18) years of age.

§ 1283. Convicted felons and delinquents

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person convicted of any felony in any court of this state or of another state or of the United States to have in his or her possession or under his or her immediate control, or in any vehicle which the person is operating, or at the residence where the convicted person resides, any pistol, imitation or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle, or any other firearm.

B. Any person who has previously been convicted of a nonviolent felony in any court of this state or of another state or of the United States, and who has received a full and complete pardon from the proper authority and has not been convicted of any other felony offense which has not been pardoned, shall have restored the right to possess any firearm or other weapon prohibited by subsection A of this section, the right to apply for and carry a handgun, concealed or unconcealed, pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act1 or as otherwise permitted by law, and have the right to perform the duties of a peace officer, gunsmith, and for firearms repair.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person serving a term of probation for any felony in any court of this state or of another state or of the United States or under the jurisdiction of any alternative court program to have in his or her possession or under his or her immediate control, or at his or her residence, or in any passenger vehicle which the person is operating, any pistol, shotgun or rifle including any imitation or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, toy shotgun or toy rifle, while such person is subject to supervision, probation, parole or inmate status.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person previously adjudicated as a delinquent child or a youthful offender for the commission of an offense, which would have constituted a felony offense if committed by an adult, to have in the possession of the person or under the immediate control of the person, or have in any vehicle which he or she is driving, or at the residence of the person, any pistol, imitation or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle, or any other dangerous or deadly firearm within ten (10) years after such adjudication; provided, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the placement of the person in a home with a full-time duly appointed peace officer who is certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) pursuant to the provisions of Section 3311 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

E. It shall be unlawful for any person who is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States to have in the possession of the person or under the immediate control of the person, or in any vehicle the person is operating, or at the residence where the person resides, any pistol, imitation or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, shotgun, rifle or any other dangerous or deadly firearm; provided, that nothing in this subsection applies to prohibit the transport or detention of the person by law enforcement officers or federal immigration authorities. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00).

F. Any person having been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and who knowingly or intentionally allows a convicted felon or adjudicated delinquent or a youthful offender as prohibited by the provisions of subsection A, C, or D of this section to possess or have control of any firearm authorized by the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). In addition, the person shall have the handgun license revoked by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation after a hearing and determination that the person has violated the provisions of this section.

G. Any convicted or adjudicated person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable as provided in Section 1284 of this title.

H. For purposes of this section, “sawed-off shotgun” or “sawed-off rifle” shall mean any shotgun or rifle which the barrel or barrels have been illegally shortened in length.

I. For purposes of this section, “altered toy pistol” shall mean any toy weapon which has been altered from its original manufactured state to resemble a real weapon.

J. For purposes of this section, “altered air pistol” shall mean any air pistol manufactured to propel projectiles by air pressure which has been altered from its original manufactured state.K. For purposes of this section, “alternative court program” shall mean any drug court, Anna McBride or mental health court, DUI court or veterans court.

§ 1284. Penalty for 1283

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Any previously convicted or adjudicated person who violates any provision of Section 1283 of this title shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a period not less than one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years.

§ 1290.10. Mandatory preclusions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

MANDATORY PRECLUSIONS

In addition to the requirements stated in Section 1290.9 of this title, the conditions stated in this section shall preclude a person from eligibility for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The occurrence of any one of the following conditions shall deny the person the right to have a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. Prohibited conditions are:

1. Ineligible to possess a pistol due to any felony conviction or adjudication as a delinquent as provided by Section 1283 of this title, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title;

2. Any felony conviction pursuant to any law of another state, a felony conviction pursuant to any provision of the United States Code, or any conviction pursuant to the laws of any foreign country, provided such foreign conviction would constitute a felony offense in this state if the offense had been committed in this state, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title;

3. Adjudication as a mentally incompetent person pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Mental Health Law, or an adjudication of incompetency entered in another state pursuant to any provision of law of that state, unless the person has been granted relief from the disqualifying disability pursuant to Section 1290.27 of this title;

4. Any false or misleading statement on the application for a handgun license as provided by paragraph 5 of subsection A of Section 1290.12 of this title;

5. Conviction of any one of the following misdemeanor offenses in this state or in any other state:

a. any assault and battery which caused serious physical injury to the victim, or any second or subsequent assault and battery conviction,

b. any aggravated assault and battery,

c. any stalking pursuant to Section 1173 of this title, or a similar law of another state,

d. a violation relating to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act or any violation of a victim protection order of another state,

e. any conviction relating to illegal drug use or possession, or

f. an act of domestic abuse as defined by Section 644 of this title or an act of domestic assault and battery or any comparable acts under the laws of another state.

The preclusive period for a misdemeanor conviction related to illegal drug use or possession shall be ten (10) years from the date of completion of a sentence. For purposes of this subsection, “date of completion of a sentence” shall mean the day an offender completes all incarceration, probation, and parole pertaining to such sentence;

6. An attempted suicide or other condition relating to or indicating mental instability or an unsound mind which occurred within the preceding ten-year period from the date of the application for a license to carry a concealed firearm or that occurs during the period of licensure;

7. Currently undergoing treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder. For purposes of this paragraph, “currently undergoing treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder” means the person has been diagnosed by a licensed physician as being afflicted with a substantial disorder of thought, mood, perception, psychological orientation, or memory that significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life;

8. Significant character defects of the applicant as evidenced by a criminal record indicating habitual criminal activity;

9. Ineligible to possess a pistol due to any provision of law of this state or the United States Code, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title;

10. Failure to pay an assessed fine or surrender the handgun license as required by a decision by the administrative hearing examiner pursuant to authority of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act;

11. Being subject to an outstanding felony warrant issued in this state or another state or the United States; or

12. Adjudication as a delinquent as provided by Section 1283 of this title, except as provided in subsection B of Section 1283 of this title.

§ 1290.11. Other preclusions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

OTHER PRECLUSIONS

A. The following conditions shall preclude a person from being eligible for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act1 for a period of time as prescribed in each of the following paragraphs:

1. An arrest for an alleged commission of a felony offense or a felony charge pending in this state, another state or pursuant to the United States Code. The preclusive period shall be until the final determination of the matter;

2. The person is subject to the provisions of a deferred sentence or deferred prosecution in this state or another state or pursuant to federal authority for the commission of a felony offense. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years and shall begin upon the final determination of the matter;

3. Any involuntary commitment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder pursuant to the provisions of Section 5-410 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes or any involuntary commitment in another state pursuant to any provisions of law of that state. The preclusive period shall be permanent as provided by Title 18 of the United States Code Section 922(g)(4) unless the person has been granted relief from the disqualifying disability pursuant to Section 1290.27 of this title;

4. The person has previously undergone treatment for a mental illness, condition, or disorder which required medication or supervision as defined by paragraph 7 of Section 1290.10 of this title. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the last date of treatment or upon presentation of a certified statement from a licensed physician stating that the person is either no longer disabled by any mental or psychiatric illness, condition, or disorder or that the person has been stabilized on medication for ten (10) years or more;

5. Inpatient treatment for substance abuse. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the last date of treatment or upon presentation of a certified statement from a licensed physician stating that the person has been free from substance use for twelve (12) months or more preceding the filing of an application for a handgun license;

6. Two or more convictions of public intoxication pursuant to subsection D of Section 6-101 of Title 37A of the Oklahoma Statutes, or a similar law of another state. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the date of the completion of the last sentence;

7. Two or more misdemeanor convictions relating to intoxication or driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance or alcohol. The preclusive period shall be three (3) years from the date of the completion of the last sentence or shall require a certified statement from a licensed physician stating that the person is not in need of substance abuse treatment;

8. A court order for a final Victim Protection Order against the applicant, as authorized by the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, or any court order granting a final victim protection order against the applicant from another state. The preclusive period shall be sixty (60) days from the date an order was vacated, canceled, withdrawn or otherwise no longer in effect;

9. An adjudicated delinquent or convicted felon residing in the residence of the applicant which may be a violation of Section 1283 of this title. The preclusive period shall be thirty (30) days from the date the person no longer resides in the same residence as the applicant; or

10. An arrest for an alleged commission of, a charge pending for, or the person is subject to the provisions of a deferred prosecution for any one or more of the following misdemeanor offenses in this state or another state:

a. any assault and battery which caused serious physical injury to the victim or any second or subsequent assault and battery,

b. any aggravated assault and battery,

c. any stalking pursuant to Section 1173 of this title, or a similar law of another state,

d. any violation of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act or any violation of a victim protection order of another state,

e. any violation relating to illegal drug use or possession, or

f. an act of domestic abuse as defined by Section 644 of this title or an act of domestic assault and battery or any comparable acts under the law of another state.

The preclusive period shall be until the final determination of the matter. The preclusive period for a person subject to the provisions of a deferred sentence for the offenses mentioned in this paragraph shall be three (3) years and shall begin upon the final determination of the matter.

B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a full investigation of the applicant by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Part VII. Crimes Against Property

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 61. False Pretenses, False Personations, Cheats, and Frauds

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

False Personation

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 1533.1. Identity theft--Penalties--Civil action

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. It is unlawful for any person to willfully and with fraudulent intent obtain the name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, place of business or employment, debit, credit or account numbers, driver license number or any other personal identifying information of another person, living or dead, with intent to use, sell or allow any other person to use or sell such personal identifying information to obtain or attempt to obtain money, credit, goods, property or service in the name of the other person without the consent of that person.

B. It is unlawful for any person to use with fraudulent intent the personal identity of another person, living or dead, or any information relating to the personal identity of another person, living or dead, to obtain or attempt to obtain credit or anything of value.

C. It is unlawful for any person with fraudulent intent to lend, sell, or otherwise offer the use of such person’s own name, address, Social Security number, date of birth or any other personal identifying information or document to any other person with the intent to allow such other person to use the personal identifying information or document to obtain or attempt to obtain any identifying document in the name of such other person.

D. It is unlawful for any person to willfully create, modify, alter or change any personal identifying information of another person with fraudulent intent to obtain any money, credit, goods, property, service or any benefit or thing of value, or to control, use, waste, hinder or encumber another person’s credit, accounts, goods, property, title, interests, benefits or entitlements without the consent of that person.

E. Any person convicted of violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of identity theft. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection A, B or D of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or a fine not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection A, B or D of this section, and the victim is an individual who is less than eighteen (18) years of age, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years, or a fine not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection C of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed one (1) year, or a fine not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment. Restitution to the victim may be ordered in addition to any criminal penalty imposed by the court. The victim of identity theft may bring a civil action for damages against any person participating in furthering the crime or attempted crime of identity theft.

Title 22. Criminal Procedure

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Chapter 2. Prevention of Public Offenses

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Victim of Rape, Forcible Sodomy, or Domestic Abuse

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 40. Definitions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

As used in Sections 40 through 40.3 of this title:

1. “Assault and battery with a deadly weapon” means assault and battery with a deadly weapon or other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm as provided in Section 652 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2. “Forcible sodomy” means the act of forcing another person to engage in the detestable and abominable crime against nature pursuant to Sections 886 and 887 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes that is punishable under Section 888 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3. “Kidnapping” means kidnapping or kidnapping for purposes of extortion as provided in Sections 741 and 745 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

4. “Member of the immediate family” means the spouse, a child by birth or adoption, a stepchild, a parent by birth or adoption, a stepparent, a grandparent, a grandchild, a sibling or a stepsibling of a victim of first-degree murder;

5. “Rape” means an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person pursuant to Sections 1111, 1111.1 and 1114 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

6. “Sex offense” means the following crimes:

a. sexual assault as provided in Section 681 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

b. human trafficking for commercial sex as provided in Section 748 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

c. sexual abuse or sexual exploitation by a caretaker as provided in Section 843.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

d. child sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation as provided in Section 843.5 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

e. permitting sexual abuse of a child as provided in Section 852.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

f. incest as provided in Section 885 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

g. forcible sodomy as provided in Section 888 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

h. child stealing for purposes of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation as provided in Section 891 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

i. indecent exposure or solicitation of minors as provided in Section 1021 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

j. procuring, producing, distributing or possessing child pornography as provided in Sections 1021.2 and 1024.2 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

k. parental consent to child pornography as provided in Section 1021.3 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

l. aggravated possession of child pornography as provided in Section 1040.12a of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

m. distributing obscene material or child pornography as provided in Section 1040.13 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

n. offering or soliciting sexual conduct with a child as provided in Section 1040.13a of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

o. procuring a child for prostitution or other lewd acts as provided in Section 1087 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

p. inducing a child to engage in prostitution as provided in Section 1088 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and

q. lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child or sexual battery as provided in Section 1123 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

§ 40.2. Victim protection order--Victims not to be discouraged from pressing charges--Rape or forcible sodomy

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A victim protection order for any victim of rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, kidnapping or assault and battery with a deadly weapon shall be substantially similar to a protective order in domestic abuse cases pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.1

B. A member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder may seek a victim protection order against the following persons:

1. The person who was charged and subsequently convicted as the principal in the crime of murder in the first degree; or

2. The person who was charged and subsequently convicted of being an accessory to the crime of murder in the first degree.

A victim protection order for a member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder shall be substantially similar to a protective order in domestic abuse cases pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.

C. No peace officer shall discourage a victim of rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, kidnapping or assault and battery with a deadly weapon from pressing charges against any assailant of the victim.

§ 40.3. Emergency temporary order of protection--Domestic violence, stalking, harassment, rape or forcible sodomy

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. When the court is not open for business, the victim of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, kidnapping or assault and battery with a deadly weapon or member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder may request a petition for an emergency temporary order of protection. The peace officer making the preliminary investigation shall:

1. Provide the victim or member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder with a petition for an emergency temporary order of protection and, if necessary, assist the victim or member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder in completing the petition form. The petition shall be in substantially the same form as provided by Section 60.2 of this title for a petition for protective order in domestic abuse cases;

2. Immediately notify, by telephone or otherwise, a judge of the district court of the request for an emergency temporary order of protection and describe the circumstances. The judge shall inform the peace officer of the decision to approve or disapprove the emergency temporary order;

3. Inform the victim or member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder whether the judge has approved or disapproved the emergency temporary order. If an emergency temporary order has been approved, the officer shall provide the victim, or a responsible adult if the victim is a minor child or an incompetent person or member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder, with a copy of the petition and a written statement signed by the officer attesting that the judge has approved the emergency temporary order of protection; and

4. Notify the person subject to the emergency temporary protection order of the issuance and conditions of the order, if known. Notification pursuant to this paragraph may be made personally by the officer upon arrest or, upon identification of the assailant, notice shall be given by any law enforcement officer. A copy of the petition and the statement of the officer attesting to the order of the judge shall be made available to the person.

B. The forms utilized by law enforcement agencies in carrying out the provisions of this section may be substantially similar to those used under Section 60.2 of this title.

Protection from Domestic Abuse Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 60. Short Title

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Protection from Domestic Abuse Act”.

§ 60.1. Definitions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

As used in the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act and in the Domestic Abuse Reporting Act,1 Sections 40.5 through 40.7 of this title, and Section 150.12B of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes:

1. “Dating relationship” means intimate association, primarily characterized by affectionate or sexual involvement. For purposes of this act,2 a casual acquaintance or ordinary fraternization between persons in a business or social context shall not constitute a dating relationship;

2. “Domestic abuse” means any act of physical harm or the threat of imminent physical harm which is committed by an adult, emancipated minor, or minor child thirteen (13) years of age or older against another adult, emancipated minor or minor child who is currently or was previously an intimate partner or family or household member;

3. “Family or household members” means:

a. parents, including grandparents, stepparents, adoptive parents and foster parents,

b. children, including grandchildren, stepchildren, adopted children and foster children,

c. persons otherwise related by blood or marriage living in the same household, and

d. persons otherwise related by blood or marriage;

4. “Foreign protective order” means any valid order of protection issued by a court of another state or a tribal court;

5. “Harassment” means a knowing and willful course or pattern of conduct by a family or household member or an individual who is or has been involved in a dating relationship with the person, directed at a specific person which seriously alarms or annoys the person, and which serves no legitimate purpose. The course of conduct must be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress and must actually cause substantial distress to the person. “Harassment” shall include, but not be limited to, harassing or obscene telephone calls in violation of Section 1172 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes and fear of death or bodily injury;

6. “Intimate partner” means:

a. current or former spouses,

b. persons who are or were in a dating relationship,

c. persons who are the biological parents of the same child, regardless of their marital status or whether they have lived together at any time, and

d. persons who currently or formerly lived together in an intimate way, primarily characterized by affectionate or sexual involvement. A sexual relationship may be an indicator that a person is an intimate partner, but is never a necessary condition;

7. “Mutual protective order” means a final protective order or orders issued to both a plaintiff who has filed a petition for a protective order and a defendant included as the defendant in the plaintiff’s petition restraining the parties from committing domestic violence, stalking, harassment or rape against each other. If both parties allege domestic abuse, violence, stalking, harassment or rape against each other, the parties shall do so by separate petition pursuant to Section 60.4 of this title;

8. “Rape” means rape and rape by instrumentation in violation of Sections 1111 and 1111.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

9. “Stalking” means the willful, malicious, and repeated following or harassment of a person by an adult, emancipated minor, or minor thirteen (13) years of age or older, in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to feel frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested and actually causes the person being followed or harassed to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested. Stalking also means a course of conduct composed of a series of two or more separate acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose or unconsented contact with a person that is initiated or continued without the consent of the individual or in disregard of the expressed desire of the individual that the contact be avoided or discontinued. Unconsented contact or course of conduct includes, but is not limited to:

a. maintaining a visual or physical proximity to the individual,

b. approaching or confronting that individual in a public place or on private property,

c. appearing at the workplace of the individual or contacting the employer or coworkers of the individual,

d. appearing at the residence of the individual or contacting the neighbors of the individual,

e. entering onto or remaining on property owned, leased or occupied by the individual,

f. contacting the individual by telephone, text message, electronic message, electronic mail, or other means of electronic communication or causing the telephone or electronic device of the individual or the telephone or electronic device of any other person to ring or generate notifications repeatedly or continuously, regardless of whether a conversation ensues,

g. photographing, videotaping, audiotaping, or, through any other electronic means, monitoring or recording the activities of the individual. This subparagraph applies regardless of where the act occurs,

h. sending any physical or electronic material or contacting the individual by any means, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application,

i. sending to a family member or member of the household of the individual, or any current or former employer of the individual, or any current or former coworker of the individual, or any friend of the individual, any physical or electronic material or contacting such person by any means, including any message, comment, or other content posted on any Internet site or web application, for the purpose of obtaining information about, disseminating information about, or communicating with the individual,

j. placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property owned, leased or occupied by the individual,

k. delivering an object to a family member or member of the household of the individual, or an employer, coworker, or friend of the individual, or placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property owned, leased, or occupied by such a person with the intent that the object be delivered to the individual, or

l. causing a person to engage in any of the acts described in subparagraphs a through k of this paragraph; and10. “Victim support person” means a person affiliated with a domestic violence, sexual assault or adult human sex trafficking program, certified by the Attorney General or operating under a tribal government, who provides support and assistance for a person who files a petition under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.

§ 60.2. Protective order--Petition--Complaint requirement for certain stalking victims--Fees

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A victim of domestic abuse, a victim of stalking, a victim of harassment, a victim of rape, any adult or emancipated minor household member on behalf of any other family or household member who is a minor or incompetent, any minor age sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years, or any adult victim of a crime may seek relief under the provisions of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.
 

1. The person seeking relief may file a petition for a protective order with the district court in the county in which the victim resides, the county in which the defendant resides, or the county in which the domestic violence occurred. If the person seeking relief is not a family or household member or an individual who is or has been in a dating relationship with the defendant, the person seeking relief must file a complaint against the defendant with the proper law enforcement agency before filing a petition for a protective order with the district court. The person seeking relief shall provide a copy of the complaint that was filed with the law enforcement agency at the full hearing if the complaint is not available from the law enforcement agency. Failure to provide a copy of the complaint filed with the law enforcement agency shall constitute a frivolous filing and the court may assess attorney fees and court costs against the plaintiff pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection C of this section. The filing of a petition for a protective order shall not require jurisdiction or venue of the criminal offense if either the plaintiff or defendant resides in the county. If a petition has been filed in an action for divorce or separate maintenance and either party to the action files a petition for a protective order in the same county where the action for divorce or separate maintenance is filed, the petition for the protective order may be heard by the court hearing the divorce or separate maintenance action if:
 

a. there is no established protective order docket in such court, or
 

b. the court finds that, in the interest of judicial economy, both actions may be heard together; provided, however, the petition for a protective order, including, but not limited to, a petition in which children are named as petitioners, shall remain a separate action and a separate order shall be entered in the protective order action. Protective orders may be dismissed in favor of restraining orders in the divorce or separate maintenance action if the court specifically finds, upon hearing, that such dismissal is in the best interests of the parties and does not compromise the safety of any petitioner.
 

If the defendant is a minor child, the petition shall be filed with the court having jurisdiction over juvenile matters.
 

2. When the abuse occurs when the court is not open for business, such person may request an emergency temporary order of protection as authorized by Section 40.3 of this title.
 

B. The petition forms shall be provided by the clerk of the court. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop a standard form for the petition.
 

C. 1. Except as otherwise provided by this section, no filing fee, service of process fee, attorney fees or any other fee or costs shall be charged the plaintiff or victim at any time for filing a petition for a protective order whether a protective order is granted or not granted. The court may assess court costs, service of process fees, attorney fees, other fees and filing fees against the defendant at the hearing on the petition, if a protective order is granted against the defendant; provided, the court shall have authority to waive the costs and fees if the court finds that the party does not have the ability to pay the costs and fees.
 

2. If the court makes specific findings that a petition for a protective order has been filed frivolously and no victim exists, the court may assess attorney fees and court costs against the plaintiff.
 

D. The person seeking relief shall prepare the petition or, at the request of the plaintiff, the court clerk or the victim-witness coordinator, victim support person, and court case manager shall prepare or assist the plaintiff in preparing the petition.
 

E. The person seeking a protective order may further request the exclusive care, possession, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either the petitioner, defendant or minor child residing in the residence of the petitioner or defendant. The court may order the defendant to make no contact with the animal and forbid the defendant from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, molesting, attacking, striking, threatening, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal.
 

F. A court may not require the victim to seek legal sanctions against the defendant including, but not limited to, divorce, separation, paternity or criminal proceedings prior to hearing a petition for protective order.
 

G. A victim of rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, kidnapping, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, child abuse, or member of the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder, as such terms are defined in Section 40 of this title, may petition, or have a petition filed on the victim’s behalf if the victim is a minor, for an emergency temporary order or emergency ex parte order regardless of any relationship or scenario pursuant to the provisions of this section. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall modify the petition forms as necessary to effectuate the provisions of this subsection.

§ 60.3. Emergency ex parte order and hearing--Emergency temporary ex parte order of protection

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. If a plaintiff requests an emergency ex parte order pursuant to Section 60.2 of this title, the court shall hold an ex parte hearing on the same day the petition is filed, if the court finds sufficient grounds within the scope of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act stated in the petition to hold such a hearing. The court may, for good cause shown at the hearing, issue any emergency ex parte order that it finds necessary to protect the victim from immediate and present danger of domestic abuse, stalking, or harassment. The emergency ex parte order shall be in effect until after the full hearing is conducted. Provided, if the defendant, after having been served, does not appear at the hearing, the emergency ex parte order shall remain in effect until the defendant is served with the permanent order. If the terms of the permanent order are the same as those in the emergency order, or are less restrictive, then it is not necessary to serve the defendant with the permanent order. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop a standard form for emergency ex parte protective orders.

B. An emergency ex parte protective order authorized by this section shall include the name, sex, race, date of birth of the defendant, and the dates of issue and expiration of the protective order.

C. If a plaintiff requests an emergency temporary ex parte order of protection as provided by Section 40.3 of this title, the judge who is notified of the request by a peace officer may issue such order verbally to the officer or in writing when there is reasonable cause to believe that the order is necessary to protect the victim from immediate and present danger of domestic abuse. When the order is issued verbally the judge shall direct the officer to complete and sign a statement attesting to the order. The emergency temporary ex parte order shall be in effect until the court date that was assigned by the court during the approval of the order. Emergency temporary ex parte orders shall be heard within fourteen (14) days after issuance. The court shall provide a list of available court dates for hearings.

D. If an action for divorce, separate maintenance, guardianship, adoption or any other proceeding involving custody or visitation has been filed and is pending in a county different than the county in which the emergency ex parte order was issued, the hearing on the petition for a final protective order shall be transferred and held in the same county in which the action for divorce, separate maintenance, guardianship, adoption or any other proceeding involving custody or visitation is pending.

§ 60.4. Service of emergency ex parte order, petition for protective order and notice of hearing--Full hearing--Final protective order

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. 1. A copy of a petition for a protective order, any notice of hearing and a copy of any emergency temporary order or emergency ex parte order issued by the court shall be served upon the defendant in the same manner as a bench warrant. In addition, if the service is to be in another county, the court clerk may issue service to the sheriff by facsimile or other electronic transmission for service by the sheriff and receive the return of service from the sheriff in the same manner. Any fee for service of a petition for protective order, notice of hearing, and emergency ex parte order shall only be charged pursuant to subsection C of Section 60.2 of this title and, if charged, shall be the same as the sheriff’s service fee plus mileage expenses.

2. Emergency temporary orders, emergency ex parte orders and notice of hearings shall be given priority for service and can be served twenty-four (24) hours a day when the location of the defendant is known. When service cannot be made upon the defendant by the sheriff, the sheriff may contact another law enforcement officer or a private investigator or private process server to serve the defendant.

3. An emergency temporary order, emergency ex parte order, a petition for protective order, and a notice of hearing shall have statewide validity and may be transferred to any law enforcement jurisdiction to effect service upon the defendant. The sheriff may transmit the document by electronic means.

4. The return of service shall be submitted to the sheriff’s office or court clerk in the court where the petition, notice of hearing or order was issued.

5. When the defendant is a minor child who is ordered removed from the residence of the victim, in addition to those documents served upon the defendant, a copy of the petition, notice of hearing and a copy of any temporary order or ex parte order issued by the court shall be delivered with the child to the caretaker of the place where such child is taken pursuant to Section 2-2-101 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

B. 1. Within fourteen (14) days of the filing of the petition for a protective order, the court shall schedule a full hearing on the petition, if the court finds sufficient grounds within the scope of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act stated in the petition to hold such a hearing, regardless of whether an emergency temporary order or ex parte order has been previously issued, requested or denied. Provided, however, when the defendant is a minor child who has been removed from the residence pursuant to Section 2-2-101 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, the court shall schedule a full hearing on the petition within seventy-two (72) hours, regardless of whether an emergency temporary order or ex parte order has been previously issued, requested or denied.

2. The court may schedule a full hearing on the petition for a protective order within seventy-two (72) hours when the court issues an emergency temporary order or ex parte order suspending child visitation rights due to physical violence or threat of abuse.

3. If service has not been made on the defendant at the time of the hearing, the court shall, at the request of the petitioner, issue a new emergency order reflecting a new hearing date and direct service to issue.

4. A petition for a protective order shall, upon the request of the petitioner, renew every fourteen (14) days with a new hearing date assigned until the defendant is served. A petition for a protective order shall not expire unless the petitioner fails to appear at the hearing or fails to request a new order. A petitioner may move to dismiss the petition and emergency or final order at any time; however, a protective order must be dismissed by court order.

5. Failure to serve the defendant shall not be grounds for dismissal of a petition or an ex parte order unless the victim requests dismissal or fails to appear for the hearing thereon.

6. A final protective order shall be granted or denied within six (6) months of service on the defendant unless all parties agree that a temporary protective order remain in effect; provided, a victim shall have the right to request a final protective order hearing at any time after the passage of six (6) months.

C. 1. At the hearing, the court may impose any terms and conditions in the protective order that the court reasonably believes are necessary to bring about the cessation of domestic abuse against the victim or stalking or harassment of the victim or the immediate family of the victim but shall not impose any term and condition that may compromise the safety of the victim including, but not limited to, mediation, couples counseling, family counseling, parenting classes or joint victim-offender counseling sessions. The court may order the defendant to obtain domestic abuse counseling or treatment in a program certified by the Attorney General at the expense of the defendant pursuant to Section 644 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

2. If the court grants a protective order and the defendant is a minor child, the court shall order a preliminary inquiry in a juvenile proceeding to determine whether further court action pursuant to the Oklahoma Juvenile Code should be taken against a juvenile defendant.

D. Final protective orders authorized by this section shall be on a standard form developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

E. 1. After notice and hearing, protective orders authorized by this section may require the defendant to undergo treatment or participate in the court-approved counseling services necessary to bring about cessation of domestic abuse against the victim pursuant to Section 644 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes but shall not order any treatment or counseling that may compromise the safety of the victim including, but not limited to, mediation, couples counseling, family counseling, parenting classes or joint victim-offender counseling sessions.

2. The defendant may be required to pay all or any part of the cost of such treatment or counseling services. The court shall not be responsible for such cost.

3. Should the plaintiff choose to undergo treatment or participate in court-approved counseling services for victims of domestic abuse, the court may order the defendant to pay all or any part of the cost of such treatment or counseling services if the court determines that payment by the defendant is appropriate.

F. When necessary to protect the victim and when authorized by the court, protective orders granted pursuant to the provisions of this section may be served upon the defendant by a peace officer, sheriff, constable, or policeman or other officer whose duty it is to preserve the peace, as defined by Section 99 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

G. 1. Any protective order issued on or after November 1, 2012, pursuant to subsection C of this section shall be:

a. for a fixed period not to exceed a period of five (5) years unless extended, modified, vacated or rescinded upon motion by either party or if the court approves any consent agreement entered into by the plaintiff and defendant; provided, if the defendant is incarcerated, the protective order shall remain in full force and effect during the period of incarceration. The period of incarceration, in any jurisdiction, shall not be included in the calculation of the five-year time limitation, or

b. continuous upon a specific finding by the court of one of the following:

(1) the person has a history of violating the orders of any court or governmental entity,

(2) the person has previously been convicted of a violent felony offense,

(3) the person has a previous felony conviction for stalking as provided in Section 1173 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

(4) a court order for a final Victim Protection Order has previously been issued against the person in this state or another state, or

(5) the victim provides proof that a continuous protective order is necessary for his or her protection.

 

Further, the court may take into consideration whether the person has a history of domestic violence or a history of other violent acts. The protective order shall remain in effect until modified, vacated or rescinded upon motion by either party or if the court approves any consent agreement entered into by the plaintiff and defendant. If the defendant is incarcerated, the protective order shall remain in full force and effect during the period of incarceration.

2. The court shall notify the parties at the time of the issuance of the protective order of the duration of the protective order.

3. Upon the filing of a motion by either party to modify, extend, or vacate a protective order, a hearing shall be scheduled and notice given to the parties. At the hearing, the issuing court may take such action as is necessary under the circumstances.

4. If a child has been removed from the residence of a parent or custodial adult because of domestic abuse committed by the child, the parent or custodial adult may refuse the return of such child to the residence unless, upon further consideration by the court in a juvenile proceeding, it is determined that the child is no longer a threat and should be allowed to return to the residence.

H. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and willfully seek a protective order against a spouse or ex-spouse pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act for purposes of harassment, undue advantage, intimidation, or limitation of child visitation rights in any divorce proceeding or separation action without justifiable cause.

2. The violator shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding one (1) year or by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

3. A second or subsequent conviction under this subsection shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed two (2) years, or by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

I. 1. A protective order issued under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act shall not in any manner affect title to real property, purport to grant to the parties a divorce or otherwise purport to determine the issues between the parties as to child custody, visitation or visitation schedules, child support or division of property or any other like relief obtainable pursuant to Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, except child visitation orders may be temporarily suspended or modified to protect from threats of abuse or physical violence by the defendant or a threat to violate a custody order. Orders not affecting title may be entered for good cause found to protect an animal owned by either of the parties or any child living in the household.

2. When granting any protective order for the protection of a minor child from violence or threats of abuse, the court shall allow visitation only under conditions that provide adequate supervision and protection to the child while maintaining the integrity of a divorce decree or temporary order.

J. 1. In order to ensure that a petitioner can maintain an existing wireless telephone number or household utility account, the court, after providing notice and a hearing, may issue an order directing a wireless service provider or public utility provider to transfer the billing responsibility for and rights to the wireless telephone number or numbers of any minor children in the care of the petitioning party or household utility account to the petitioner if the petitioner is not the wireless service or public utility account holder.

2. The order transferring billing responsibility for and rights to the wireless telephone number or numbers or household utility account to the petitioner shall list the name and billing telephone number of the account holder, the name and contact information of the person to whom the telephone number or numbers or household utility account will be transferred and each telephone number or household utility to be transferred to that person. The court shall ensure that the contact information of the petitioner is not provided to the account holder in proceedings held under this subsection.

3. Upon issuance, a copy of the final order of protection shall be transmitted, either electronically or by certified mail, to the registered agent of the wireless service provider or public utility provider listed with the Secretary of State or Corporation Commission of Oklahoma or electronically to the email address provided by the wireless service provider or public utility provider. Such transmittal shall constitute adequate notice for the wireless service provider or public utility provider.

4. If the wireless service provider or public utility provider cannot operationally or technically effectuate the order due to certain circumstances, the wireless service provider or public utility provider shall notify the petitioner. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

a. the account holder has already terminated the account,

b. the differences in network technology prevent the functionality of a mobile device on the network, or

c. there are geographic or other limitations on network or service availability.

5. Upon transfer of billing responsibility for and rights to a wireless telephone number or numbers or household utility account to the petitioner under the provisions of this subsection by a wireless service provider or public utility provider, the petitioner shall assume all financial responsibility for the transferred wireless telephone number or numbers or household utility account, monthly service and utility billing costs and costs for any mobile device associated with the wireless telephone number or numbers. The wireless service provider or public utility provider shall have the right to pursue the original account holder for purposes of collecting any past due amounts owed to the wireless service provider or public utility provider.

6. The provisions of this subsection shall not preclude a wireless service provider or public utility provider from applying any routine and customary requirements for account establishment to the petitioner as part of this transfer of billing responsibility for a household utility account or for a wireless telephone number or numbers and any mobile devices attached to that number including, but not limited to, identification, financial information and customer preferences.

7. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect the ability of the court to apportion the assets and debts of the parties as provided for in law or the ability to determine the temporary use, possession and control of personal property.

8. No cause of action shall lie against any wireless service provider or public utility provider, its officers, employees or agents for actions taken in accordance with the terms of a court order issued under the provisions of this subsection.

9. As used in this subsection:

a. “wireless service provider” means a provider of commercial mobile service under Section 332(d) of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996,1

b. “public utility provider” means every corporation organized or doing business in this state that owns, operates or manages any plant or equipment for the manufacture, production, transmission, transportation, delivery or furnishing of water, heat or light with gas or electric current for heat, light or power, for public use in this state, and

c. “household utility account” shall include utility services for water, heat, light, power or gas that are provided by a public utility provider.

K. 1. A court shall not issue any mutual protective orders.

2. If both parties allege domestic abuse by the other party, the parties shall do so by separate petitions. The court shall review each petition separately in an individual or a consolidated hearing and grant or deny each petition on its individual merits. If the court finds cause to grant both motions, the court shall do so by separate orders and with specific findings justifying the issuance of each order.

3. The court may only consolidate a hearing if:

a. the court makes specific findings that:

(1) sufficient evidence exists of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment or rape against each party, and

(2) each party acted primarily as aggressors,

b. the defendant filed a petition with the court for a protective order no less than three (3) days, not including weekends or holidays, prior to the first scheduled full hearing on the petition filed by the plaintiff, and

c. the defendant had no less than forty-eight (48) hours of notice prior to the full hearing on the petition filed by the plaintiff.L. The court may allow a plaintiff or victim to be accompanied by a victim support person at court proceedings. A victim support person shall not make legal arguments; however, a victim support person who is not a licensed attorney may offer the plaintiff or victim comfort or support and may remain in close proximity to the plaintiff or victim.

§ 60.5. Access to protective orders by law enforcement agencies

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Within twenty-four (24) hours of the return of service of any emergency temporary, ex parte or final protective order, the clerk of the issuing court shall send certified copies thereof to all appropriate law enforcement agencies designated by the plaintiff. A certified copy of any extension, modification, vacation, cancellation or consent agreement concerning a final protective order shall be sent within twenty-four (24) hours by the clerk of the issuing court to those law enforcement agencies receiving the original orders pursuant to this section and to any law enforcement agencies designated by the court.

B. Any law enforcement agency receiving copies of the documents listed in subsection A of this section shall be required to ensure that other law enforcement agencies have access twenty-four (24) hours a day to the information contained in the documents which may include entry of information about the emergency temporary, ex parte or final protective order in the National Crime Information Center database.

§ 60.6. Violation of ex parte or final protective order or foreign protective order--Penalties

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Except as otherwise provided by this section, any person who:

1. Has been served with an emergency temporary, ex parte or final protective order or foreign protective order and is in violation of such protective order, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by a term of imprisonment in the county jail of not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and

2. After a previous conviction of a violation of a protective order, is convicted of a second or subsequent offense pursuant to the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not less than one (1) year nor more than three (3) years, or by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. 1. Any person who has been served with an emergency temporary, ex parte or final protective order or foreign protective order who violates the protective order and causes physical injury or physical impairment to the plaintiff or to any other person named in said protective order shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in the county jail for not less than twenty (20) days nor more than one (1) year. In addition to the term of imprisonment, the person may be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

2. Any person who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of a protective order which causes physical injury or physical impairment to a plaintiff or to any other person named in the protective order shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or by a fine of not less than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

3. In determining the term of imprisonment required by this section, the jury or sentencing judge shall consider the degree of physical injury or physical impairment to the victim.

4. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect the applicability of Sections 644, 645, 647 and 652 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C. The minimum sentence of imprisonment issued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 2 of subsection A and paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section shall not be subject to statutory provisions for suspended sentences, deferred sentences or probation, provided the court may subject any remaining penalty under the jurisdiction of the court to the statutory provisions for suspended sentences, deferred sentences or probation.

D. In addition to any other penalty specified by this section, the court shall require a defendant to undergo the treatment or participate in the counseling services necessary to bring about the cessation of domestic abuse against the victim or to bring about the cessation of stalking or harassment of the victim. For every conviction of violation of a protective order:

1. The court shall specifically order as a condition of a suspended sentence or probation that a defendant participate in counseling or undergo treatment to bring about the cessation of domestic abuse as specified in paragraph 2 of this subsection;

2. a. The court shall require the defendant to participate in counseling or undergo treatment for domestic abuse by an individual licensed practitioner or a domestic abuse treatment program certified by the Attorney General. If the defendant is ordered to participate in a domestic abuse counseling or treatment program, the order shall require the defendant to attend the program for a minimum of fifty-two (52) weeks, complete the program, and be evaluated before and after attendance of the program by a program counselor or a private counselor.

b. A program for anger management, couples counseling, or family and marital counseling shall not solely qualify for the counseling or treatment requirement for domestic abuse pursuant to this subsection. The counseling may be ordered in addition to counseling specifically for the treatment of domestic abuse or per evaluation as set forth below. If, after sufficient evaluation and attendance at required counseling sessions, the domestic violence treatment program or licensed professional determines that the defendant does not evaluate as a perpetrator of domestic violence or does evaluate as a perpetrator of domestic violence and should complete other programs of treatment simultaneously or prior to domestic violence treatment, including but not limited to programs related to the mental health, apparent substance or alcohol abuse or inability or refusal to manage anger, the defendant shall be ordered to complete the counseling as per the recommendations of the domestic violence treatment program or licensed professional;

3. a. The court shall set a review hearing no more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the defendant is ordered to participate in a domestic abuse counseling program or undergo treatment for domestic abuse to assure the attendance and compliance of the defendant with the provisions of this subsection and the domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements.

b. The court shall set a second review hearing after the completion of the counseling or treatment to assure the attendance and compliance of the defendant with the provisions of this subsection and the domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements. The court may suspend sentencing of the defendant until the defendant has presented proof to the court of enrollment in a program of treatment for domestic abuse by an individual licensed practitioner or a domestic abuse treatment program certified by the Attorney General and attendance at weekly sessions of such program. Such proof shall be presented to the court by the defendant no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the defendant is ordered to such counseling or treatment. At such time, the court may complete sentencing, beginning the period of the sentence from the date that proof of enrollment is presented to the court, and schedule reviews as required by subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph and paragraphs 4 and 5 of this subsection. The court shall retain continuing jurisdiction over the defendant during the course of ordered counseling through the final review hearing;

4. The court may set subsequent or other review hearings as the court determines necessary to assure the defendant attends and fully complies with the provisions of this subsection and the domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements;

5. At any review hearing, if the defendant is not satisfactorily attending individual counseling or a domestic abuse counseling or treatment program or is not in compliance with any domestic abuse counseling or treatment requirements, the court may order the defendant to further or continue counseling, treatment, or other necessary services. The court may revoke all or any part of a suspended sentence, deferred sentence, or probation pursuant to Section 991b of this title and subject the defendant to any or all remaining portions of the original sentence;

6. At the first review hearing, the court shall require the defendant to appear in court. Thereafter, for any subsequent review hearings, the court may accept a report on the progress of the defendant from individual counseling, domestic abuse counseling, or the treatment program. There shall be no requirement for the victim to attend review hearings; and

7. If funding is available, a referee may be appointed and assigned by the presiding judge of the district court to hear designated cases set for review under this subsection. Reasonable compensation for the referees shall be fixed by the presiding judge. The referee shall meet the requirements and perform all duties in the same manner and procedure as set forth in Sections 1-8-103 and 2-2-702 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes pertaining to referees appointed in juvenile proceedings.

E. Emergency temporary, ex parte and final protective orders shall include notice of these penalties.

F. When a minor child violates the provisions of any protective order, the violation shall be heard in a juvenile proceeding and the court may order the child and the parent or parents of the child to participate in family counseling services necessary to bring about the cessation of domestic abuse against the victim and may order community service hours to be performed in lieu of any fine or imprisonment authorized by this section.

G. Any district court of this state and any judge thereof shall be immune from any liability or prosecution for issuing an order that requires a defendant to:

1. Attend a treatment program for domestic abusers certified by the Attorney General;

2. Attend counseling or treatment services ordered as part of any final protective order or for any violation of a protective order; and

3. Attend, complete, and be evaluated before and after attendance by a treatment program for domestic abusers certified by the Attorney General.

H. At no time, under any proceeding, may a person protected by a protective order be held to be in violation of that protective order. Only a defendant against whom a protective order has been issued may be held to have violated the order.

I. In addition to any other penalty specified by this section, the court may order a defendant to use an active, real-time, twenty-four-hour Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring device as a condition of a sentence. The court may further order the defendant to pay costs and expenses related to the GPS device and monitoring.

§ 60.7. Statewide and nationwide validity of orders

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

All orders issued pursuant to the provisions of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, Section 60 et seq. of this title, shall have statewide and nationwide validity, unless specifically modified or terminated by a judge of the district courts.


§ 60.8. Seizure and forfeiture of weapons used to commit act of domestic abuse

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Each peace officer of this state shall seize any weapon or instrument when such officer has probable cause to believe such weapon or instrument has been used to commit an act of domestic abuse as defined by Section 60.1 of this title, provided an arrest is made, if possible, at the same time.

B. After any such seizure, the District Attorney shall file a notice of seizure and forfeiture as provided in this section within ten (10) days of such seizure, or any weapon or instrument seized pursuant to this section shall be returned to the owner.

C. The seizure and forfeiture provisions of Section 991a-19 of this title shall be followed for any seizure and forfeiture of property pursuant to this section. No weapon or instrument seized pursuant to this section or monies from the sale of any such seized weapon or instrument shall be turned over to the person from whom such property was seized if a forfeiture action has been filed within the time required by subsection B of this section, unless authorized by this section. Provided further, the owner may prove at the forfeiture hearing that the conduct giving rise to the seizure was justified, and if the owner proves justification, the seized property shall be returned to the owner. Any proceeds gained from this seizure shall be placed in the Crime Victims Compensation Revolving Fund.

§ 60.9. Warrantless arrest

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Pursuant to paragraph 7 of Section 196 of this title, a peace officer, without a warrant, shall arrest and take into custody a person if the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that:

1. An emergency ex parte or final protective order has been issued and served upon the person, pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act;

2. A true copy and proof of service of the order has been filed with the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of the area in which the plaintiff or any family or household member named in the order resides or a certified copy of the order and proof of service is presented to the peace officer as provided in subsection D of this section;

3. The person named in the order has received notice of the order and has had a reasonable time to comply with such order; and

4. The person named in the order has violated the order or is then acting in violation of the order.

B. A peace officer, without a warrant, shall arrest and take into custody a person if the following conditions have been met:

1. The peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that a foreign protective order has been issued, pursuant to the law of the state or tribal court where the foreign protective order was issued;

2. A certified copy of the foreign protective order has been presented to the peace officer that appears valid on its face; and

3. The peace officer has reasonable cause to believe the person named in the order has violated the order or is then acting in violation of the order.

C. A person arrested pursuant to this section shall be brought before the court within twenty-four (24) hours after arrest to answer to a charge for violation of the order pursuant to Section 60.8 of this title, at which time the court shall do each of the following:

1. Set a time certain for a hearing on the alleged violation of the order within seventy-two (72) hours after arrest, unless extended by the court on the motion of the arrested person;

2. Set a reasonable bond pending a hearing of the alleged violation of the order; and

3. Notify the party who has procured the order and direct the party to appear at the hearing and give evidence on the charge.

The court may also consider the safety of any and all alleged victims that are subject to the protection of the order prior to the court setting a reasonable bond pending a hearing of the alleged violation of the order.

D. A copy of a protective order shall be prima facie evidence that such order is valid in this state when such documentation is presented to a law enforcement officer by the plaintiff, defendant, or another person on behalf of a person named in the order. Any law enforcement officer may rely on such evidence to make an arrest for a violation of such order, if there is reason to believe the defendant has violated or is then acting in violation of the order without justifiable excuse. When a law enforcement officer relies upon the evidence specified in this subsection, such officer and the employing agency shall be immune from liability for the arrest of the defendant if it is later proved that the evidence was false.

E. Any person who knowingly and willfully presents any false or materially altered protective order to any law enforcement officer to effect an arrest of any person shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed two (2) years, or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and shall, in addition, be liable for any civil damages to the defendant.

§ 60.11. Protective order--Statement required--Validity

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

In addition to any other provisions required by the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, or otherwise required by law, each ex parte or final protective order issued pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act shall have a statement printed in bold-faced type or in capital letters containing the following information:

1. The filing or nonfiling of criminal charges and the prosecution of the case shall not be determined by a person who is protected by the protective order, but shall be determined by the prosecutor;

2. No person, including a person who is protected by the order, may give permission to anyone to ignore or violate any provision of the order. During the time in which the order is valid, every provision of the order shall be in full force and effect unless a court changes the order;

3. The order shall be in effect for a fixed period of five (5) years unless extended, modified, vacated or rescinded by the court or shall be continuous upon a specific finding by the court as provided in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection G of Section 60.4 of this title unless modified, vacated or rescinded by the court;

4. The order shall be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database;

5. A violation of the order is punishable by a fine of up to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for up to one (1) year in the county jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment. A violation of the order which causes injury is punishable by imprisonment for twenty (20) days to one (1) year in the county jail or a fine of up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment;

6. Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a defendant while an order is in effect may subject the defendant to prosecution for a violation of federal law even if the order does not specifically prohibit the defendant from possession of a firearm or ammunition;

7. The defendant must avoid the residence of the petitioner or any premises temporarily occupied by the petitioner;

8. The defendant must avoid contact that harasses or intimidates the petitioner. Contact includes, but is not limited to, contact at the home, work, or school of the petitioner, public places, in person, by phone, in writing, by electronic communication or device, or in any other manner;

9. The defendant shall not impersonate or adopt the personification of the petitioner by pretending to be the petitioner, ordering items, posting information or making inquiries, or publishing photographs of the petitioner, by use of social media, or by use of computer, telephone, texting, emailing, or by use of any electronic means;

10. The defendant must refrain from removing, hiding, damaging, harming, mistreating, or disposing of a household pet;

11. The defendant must allow the petitioner or a family member or household member of the petitioner acting on his or her behalf to retrieve a household pet;

12. The defendant must avoid contacting the petitioner or causing any person other than an attorney for the petitioner or law enforcement officer to contact the petitioner unless the petitioner consents in writing; and

13. The sheriff will accompany the petitioner and assist in placing the petitioner in physical possession of his or her residence, if requested.

§ 60.12. Foreign protective orders--Presumption of validity--Peace officers immune from liability

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. It is the intent of the Legislature that all foreign protective orders shall have the rebuttable presumption of validity, even if the foreign protective order contains provisions which could not be contained in a protective order issued by an Oklahoma court. The validity of a foreign protective order shall only be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Until a foreign protective order is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction it shall be given full faith and credit by all peace officers and courts in the State of Oklahoma.

B. A peace officer of this state shall be immune from liability for enforcing provisions of a foreign protective order.

 

§ 60.14. Address confidentiality program

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. The Legislature finds that persons attempting to escape from actual or threatened domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction, frequently establish new addresses in order to prevent their assailants or probable assailants from finding them. The purpose of this section is to enable state and local agencies to respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction, to enable interagency cooperation with the Attorney General in providing address confidentiality for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction, and to enable state and local agencies to accept an address designated by the Attorney General by a program participant as a substitute mailing address.

B. As used in this section:

1. “Address” means a residential street address, school address, or work address of an individual, as specified on the application of an individual to be a program participant under this section;

2. “Program participant” means a person certified as a program participant under this section;

3. “Domestic abuse” means an act as defined in Section 60.1 of this title and includes a threat of such acts committed against an individual in a domestic situation, regardless of whether these acts or threats have been reported to law enforcement officers;

4. “Stalking” means an act as defined in Section 60.1 of this title regardless of whether the acts have been reported to law enforcement;

5. “Human trafficking” means human trafficking, human trafficking for labor, and human trafficking for commercial sex as defined in paragraphs 4 through 6 of subsection A of Section 748 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

6. “Child abduction” means the abduction of a person pursuant to Section 1119 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C. The Address Confidentiality Program shall be staffed by unclassified employees, who have been subjected to a criminal history records search.

D. 1. An adult person, a parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor, or a guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated person, as defined by Section 1-111 of Title 30 of the Oklahoma Statutes, may apply to the Attorney General to have an address designated by the Attorney General serve as the address of the person or the address of the minor or incapacitated person. The Attorney General shall approve an application if it is filed in the manner and on the form prescribed by the Attorney General and if it contains:

a. a sworn statement by the applicant that the applicant has good reason to believe:

(1) that the applicant, or the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made, is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction, and

(2) that the applicant fears for the safety of self or children, or the safety of the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made,

b. a designation of the Attorney General as agent for purposes of service of process and for the purpose of receipt of mail,

c. the mailing address where the applicant can be contacted by the Attorney General, and the phone number or numbers where the applicant can be called by the Attorney General,

d. the new address or addresses that the applicant requests not be disclosed for the reason that disclosure will increase the risk of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction, and

e. the signature of the applicant and application assistant who assisted in the preparation of the application, and the date on which the applicant signed the application.

2. An adult or minor child who resides with the applicant who also needs to be a program participant in order to ensure the safety of the applicant may apply. Each adult living in the household must complete a separate application. An adult may apply on behalf of a minor.

3. Applications shall be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.

4. Upon filing a properly completed application, the Attorney General shall certify the applicant as a program participant. Applicants shall be certified for four (4) years following the date of filing unless the certification is withdrawn or invalidated before that date. The Attorney General shall by rule establish a renewal procedure.

5. A person who falsely attests in an application that disclosure of the address of the applicant would endanger the safety of the applicant or the safety of the children of the applicant or the minor or incapacitated person on whose behalf the application is made, or who knowingly provides false or incorrect information upon making an application, may be found guilty of perjury under Sections 500 and 504 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

E. 1. If the program participant obtains a name change, the participant loses certification as a program participant.

2. The Attorney General may cancel the certification of a program participant if there is a change in the residential address, unless the program participant provides the Attorney General notice no later than seven (7) days after the change occurs.

3. The Attorney General may cancel certification of a program participant if mail forwarded by the Attorney General to the address of the program participant is returned as nondeliverable.

4. The Attorney General shall cancel certification of a program participant who applies using false information.

F. 1. A program participant may request that state and local agencies use the address designated by the Attorney General as the address of the participant. When creating a new public record, state and local agencies shall accept the address designated by the Attorney General as a substitute address for the program participant, unless the Attorney General has determined that:

a. the agency has a bona fide statutory or administrative requirement for the use of the address which would otherwise be confidential under this section, and

b. this address will be used only for those statutory and administrative purposes.

2. A program participant may use the address designated by the Attorney General as a work address.

3. The Office of the Attorney General shall forward all first class, certified and registered mail to the appropriate program participants for no charge. The Attorney General shall not be required to track or otherwise maintain records of any mail received on behalf of a participant unless the mail is certified or registered mail.

G. The Attorney General may not make any records in a file of a program participant available for inspection or copying, other than the address designated by the Attorney General, except under the following circumstances:

1. If directed by a court order, to a person identified in the order; or

2. To verify the participation of a specific program participant to a state or local agency, in which case the Attorney General may only confirm information supplied by the requester.

 

No employee of a state or local agency shall knowingly and intentionally disclose a program participant’s actual address unless disclosure is permitted by law.

H. The Attorney General shall designate state and local agencies, federal government, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit agencies to assist persons in applying to be program participants. A volunteer or employee of a designated entity that provides counseling, referral, shelter, or other services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or child abduction, and has been trained by the Attorney General shall be known as an application assistant. Any assistance and counseling rendered by the Office of the Attorney General or an application assistant to applicants shall in no way be construed as legal advice.

I. The Attorney General may enter into agreements with the federal government and federally recognized tribes in this state or other entities for purposes of the implementation of the Address Confidentiality Program including the use and acceptance of the substitute address designated by the Attorney General.

J. Effective July 1, 2008, all administrative rules promulgated by the Office of the Secretary of State to implement this program shall be transferred to and become part of the administrative rules of the Office of the Attorney General. The Office of Administrative Rules in the Office of the Secretary of State shall provide adequate notice in “The Oklahoma Register” of the transfer of such rules, and shall place the transferred rules under the Administrative Code section of the Attorney General. Such rules shall continue in force and effect as rules of the Office of the Attorney General from and after July 1, 2008, and any amendment, repeal or addition to the transferred rules shall be under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall adopt and promulgate rules to implement this program, as applicable.

K. Beginning July 1, 2008, the Director of the Address Confidentiality Program shall cease to be a position within the Office of the Secretary of State. All unexpended funds, property, records, personnel, and outstanding financial obligations and encumbrances related to the position and the Office of Address Confidentiality Program with the Office of the Secretary of State shall be transferred to the Office of the Attorney General. All personnel shall retain their employment position and status as unclassified employees, any leave, sick and annual time earned, and any retirement and longevity benefits which have accrued during tenure with the Office of the Secretary of State.

§ 60.16. Domestic abuse victims not to be discouraged from pressing charges--Warrantless arrests of certain persons--Emergency temporary order of protection

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A peace officer shall not discourage a victim of domestic abuse from pressing charges against the assailant of the victim.

B. 1. A peace officer may arrest without a warrant a person anywhere, including a place of residence, if the peace officer has probable cause to believe the person within the preceding seventy-two (72) hours has committed an act of domestic abuse as defined by Section 60.1 of this title, although the assault did not take place in the presence of the peace officer. A peace officer may not arrest a person pursuant to this section without first observing a recent physical injury to, or an impairment of the physical condition of, the alleged victim.

2. An arrest, when made pursuant to this section, shall be based on an investigation by the peace officer of the circumstances surrounding the incident, past history of violence between the parties, statements of any children present in the residence, and any other relevant factors. A determination by the peace officer shall be made pursuant to the investigation as to which party is the dominant aggressor in the situation. A peace officer may arrest the dominant aggressor.

C. When the court is not open for business, the victim of domestic abuse may request a petition for an emergency temporary order of protection. The peace officer making the preliminary investigation shall:

1. Provide the victim with a petition for an emergency temporary order of protection and, if necessary, assist the victim in completing the petition form. The petition shall be in substantially the same form as provided by Section 60.2 of this title for a petition for protective order;

2. Immediately notify, by telephone or otherwise, a judge of the district court of the request for an emergency temporary order of protection and describe the circumstances. The judge shall inform the peace officer of the decision to approve or disapprove the emergency temporary order;

3. Inform the victim whether the judge has approved or disapproved the emergency temporary order. If an emergency temporary order has been approved, the officer shall provide the victim, or a responsible adult if the victim is a minor child or an incompetent person, with a copy of the petition and a written statement signed by the officer attesting that the judge has approved the emergency temporary order of protection and notify the victim that the emergency temporary order shall be effective only until the close of business on the next day that the court is open for business;

4. Notify the person subject to the emergency temporary protection order of the issuance and conditions of the order. Notification pursuant to this paragraph may be made personally by the officer or in writing. A copy of the petition and the statement of the officer attesting to the order of the judge shall be made available to such person; and

5. File a copy of the petition and the statement of the officer with the district court of the county immediately upon the opening of the court on the next day the court is open for business.

D. The forms utilized by law enforcement agencies in carrying out the provisions of this section may be substantially similar to those used under Section 60.2 of this title.

 

§ 60.17. Consideration of certain victims' safety prior to release of defendant on bond--Emergency protective and restraining orders--GPS monitoring

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

The court shall consider the safety of any and all alleged victims of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, sexual assault, or forcible sodomy where the defendant is alleged to have violated a protective order, committed domestic assault and battery, stalked, sexually assaulted, or forcibly sodomized the alleged victim or victims prior to the release of the alleged defendant from custody on bond. The court, after consideration and to ensure the safety of the alleged victim or victims, may issue an emergency protective order pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. The court may also issue to the alleged victim or victims an order restraining the alleged defendant from any activity or action from which they may be restrained under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. The court shall not consider a “no contact order as condition of bond” as a factor when determining whether the petitioner is eligible for relief. The protective order shall remain in effect until either a plea has been accepted, sentencing has occurred in the case, the case has been dismissed, or until further order of the court dismissing the protective order. In conjunction with any protective order or restraining order authorized by this section, the court may order the defendant to use an active, real-time, twenty-four-hour Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring device for such term as the court deems appropriate. Upon application of the victim, the court may authorize the victim to monitor the location of the defendant. Such monitoring by the victim shall be limited to the ability of the victim to make computer or cellular inquiries to determine if the defendant is within a specified distance of locations, excluding the residence or workplace of the defendant, or to receive a computer- or a cellular-generated signal if the defendant comes within a specified distance of the victim. The court shall conduct an annual review of the monitoring order to determine if such order to monitor the location of the defendant is still necessary. Before the court orders the use of a GPS device, the court shall find that the defendant has a history that demonstrates an intent to commit violence against the victim, including, but not limited to, prior conviction for an offense under the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act or any other violent offense, or any other evidence that shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is likely to commit violence against the victim. The court may further order the defendant to pay costs and expenses related to the GPS device and monitoring.

 

§ 60.18. Expungement of victim protective orders

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Persons authorized to file a motion for expungement of victim protective orders (VPOs) issued pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act in this state must be within one of the following categories:

1. An ex parte order was issued to the plaintiff but later terminated due to dismissal of the petition before the full hearing, or denial of the petition upon full hearing, or failure of the plaintiff to appear for full hearing, and at least ninety (90) days have passed since the date set for full hearing;

2. The plaintiff filed an application for a victim protective order and failed to appear for the full hearing and at least ninety (90) days have passed since the date last set by the court for the full hearing, including the last date set for any continuance, postponement or rescheduling of the hearing;

3. The plaintiff or defendant has had the order vacated and three (3) years have passed since the order to vacate was entered; or

4. The plaintiff or defendant is deceased.

B. For purposes of this section:

1. “Expungement” means the sealing of victim protective order (VPO) court records from public inspection, but not from law enforcement agencies, the court or the district attorney;

2. “Plaintiff” means the person or persons who sought the original victim protective order (VPO) for cause; and

3. “Defendant” means the person or persons to whom the victim protective order (VPO) was directed.

C. 1. Any person qualified under subsection A of this section may petition the district court of the district in which the protective order pertaining to the person is located for the expungement and sealing of the court records from public inspection. The face of the petition shall state whether the defendant in the protective order has been convicted of any violation of the protective order and whether any prosecution or complaint is pending in this state or any other state for a violation or alleged violation of the protective order that is sought to be expunged. The petition shall further state the authority pursuant to subsection A of this section for eligibility for requesting the expungement. The other party to the protective order shall be mailed a copy of the petition by certified mail within ten (10) days of filing the petition. A written answer or objection may be filed within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice and petition.

2. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall set a date for a hearing and shall provide at least a thirty-day notice of the hearing to all parties to the protective order, the district attorney, and any other person or agency whom the court has reason to believe may have relevant information related to the sealing of the victim protective order (VPO) court record.

3. Without objection from the other party to the victim protective order (VPO) or upon a finding that the harm to the privacy of the person in interest or dangers of unwarranted adverse consequences outweigh the public and safety interests of the parties to the protective order in retaining the records, the court may order the court record, or any part thereof, to be sealed from public inspection. Any order entered pursuant to this section shall not limit or restrict any law enforcement agency, the district attorney or the court from accessing said records without the necessity of a court order. Any order entered pursuant to this subsection may be appealed by any party to the protective order or by the district attorney to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in accordance with the rules of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

4. Upon the entry of an order to expunge and seal from public inspection a victim protective order (VPO) court record, or any part thereof, the subject official actions shall be deemed never to have occurred, and the persons in interest and the public may properly reply, upon any inquiry in the matter, that no such action ever occurred and that no such record exists with respect to the persons.

5. Inspection of the protective order court records included in the expungement order issued pursuant to this section may thereafter be permitted only upon petition by the persons in interest who are the subjects of the records, or without petition by the district attorney or a law enforcement agency in the due course of investigation of a crime.

6. Employers, educational institutions, state and local government agencies, officials, and employees shall not require, in any application or interview or otherwise, an applicant to disclose any information contained in sealed protective order court records. An applicant need not, in answer to any question concerning the records, provide information that has been sealed, including any reference to or information concerning the sealed information and may state that no such action has ever occurred. The application may not be denied solely because of the refusal of the applicant to disclose protective order court records information that has been sealed.

7. The provisions of this section shall apply to all protective order court records existing in the district courts of this state on, before and after the effective date of this section.

8. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the physical destruction of any court records, except as otherwise provided by law for records no longer required to be maintained by the court.

9. For the purposes of this section, sealed materials which are recorded in the same document as unsealed material may be recorded in a separate document, and sealed, then obliterated in the original document.

10. For the purposes of this act, district court index reference of sealed material shall be destroyed, removed or obliterated.

11. Any record ordered to be sealed pursuant to this section may be obliterated or destroyed at the end of the ten-year period.

12. Nothing herein shall prohibit the introduction of evidence regarding actions sealed pursuant to the provisions of this section at any hearing or trial for purposes of impeaching the credibility of a witness or as evidence of character testimony pursuant to Section 2608 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Orders Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 60.23. Judicial enforcement of foreign protection order

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A person authorized by the law of this state to seek enforcement of a protection order may seek enforcement of a valid foreign protection order in a tribunal of this state. The tribunal shall enforce the terms of the order, including terms that provide relief that a tribunal of this state would lack power to provide but for this section. The tribunal shall enforce the order, whether the order was obtained by independent action or in another proceeding, if it is an order issued in response to a complaint, petition, or motion filed by or on behalf of an individual seeking protection. In a proceeding to enforce a foreign protection order, the tribunal shall follow the procedures of this state for the enforcement of protection orders.

B. A tribunal of this state may not enforce a foreign protection order issued by a tribunal of a state that does not recognize the standing of a protected individual to seek enforcement of the order.

C. A tribunal of this state shall enforce the provisions of a valid foreign protection order which govern custody and visitation, if the order was issued in accordance with the jurisdictional requirements governing the issuance of custody and visitation orders in the issuing state.

D. A foreign protection order is valid if it:

1. Identifies the protected individual and the respondent;

2. Is currently in effect;

3. Was issued by a tribunal that had jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter under the law of the issuing state; and

4. Was issued after the respondent was given reasonable notice and had an opportunity to be heard before the tribunal issued the order or, in the case of an order ex parte, the respondent was given notice and has had or will have an opportunity to be heard within a reasonable time after the order was issued, in a manner consistent with the rights of the respondent to due process.

E. A foreign protection order valid on its face is prima facie evidence of its validity.

F. Absence of any of the criteria for validity of a foreign protection order is an affirmative defense in an action seeking enforcement of the order.

G. A tribunal of this state may enforce provisions of a mutual foreign protection order which favor a respondent only if:

1. The respondent filed a written pleading seeking a protection order from the tribunal of the issuing state; and

2. The tribunal of the issuing state made specific findings in favor of the respondent.

§ 60.25. Registration of foreign orders--Certified copy--Inaccurate orders--Affidavits--Fee

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any individual may register a foreign protection order in this state. To register a foreign protection order, an individual shall:

1. Present a certified copy of the order to the Secretary of State; or

2. Present a certified copy of the order to a law enforcement officer and request that the order be registered with the Secretary of State.

B. Upon receipt of a foreign protection order, the Secretary of State shall register the order in accordance with this section. After the order is registered, the Secretary of State shall furnish to the individual registering the order a certified copy of the registered order.

C. The Secretary of State shall register an order upon presentation of a copy of a protection order which has been certified by the issuing state. A registered foreign protection order that is inaccurate or is not currently in effect must be corrected or removed from the registry in accordance with the law of this state.

D. An individual registering a foreign protection order shall file an affidavit by the protected individual stating that, to the best of the protected individual’s knowledge, the order is currently in effect.

E. A foreign protection order registered under this act [FN1] may be entered in any existing state or federal registry of protection orders, in accordance with applicable law.

F. A fee may not be charged for the registration of a foreign protection order.

Chapter 16. Judgment and Execution

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Elderly and Incapacitated Victim's Protection Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 991a-19. Seizure of property--Forfeiture for sale--Notice and hearing--Petition for return--Release of property

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Any peace officer of this state shall seize any property, except property exempt under Section 1 of Title 31 of the Oklahoma Statutes, to be held until a forfeiture for sale has been declared or release ordered.

B. Within ten (10) days from the time the property is seized, notice of seizure and intended forfeiture proceeding shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the district court for the county in which the property is seized and shall be given all owners and parties in interest.

C. Notice shall be given by the party seeking forfeiture and sale according to the following methods:

1. Upon each owner or party in interest whose right, title or interest is of record at the Tax Commission, by mailing a copy of the notice by certified mail to the address shown upon the records of the Tax Commission;

2. Upon each owner or party in interest whose name and address is known to the attorney or the party seeking the action to recover unpaid restitution, by mailing a copy of the notice by registered mail to the last-known address; and

3. Upon all other owners or interested parties, whose addresses are unknown, but who are believed to have an interest in the property, by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the seizure was made.

D. Within sixty (60) days after the mailing and publication of the notice, the owner of the property and any other party in interest or claimant may file a verified answer and claim to the property described in the notice.

E. If at the end of sixty (60) days after the notice has been mailed or published there is no verified answer on file, the court shall hear evidence upon the fact of exemption under Section 1 of Title 31 of the Oklahoma Statutes and shall order the property forfeited and sold to pay restitution, if such property is not proved exempt.

F. If a verified answer is filed, the forfeiture for sale proceeding shall be set for hearing not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the filing of the answer.

G. At a hearing on the forfeiture, the evidence of ownership and exemption under Section 1 of Title 31 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be satisfied by a preponderance of the evidence.

H. The claimant of any right, title or interest in the property may prove a lien, mortgage or conditional sales contract to be a bona fide ownership interest by a preponderance of the evidence.

I. In the event of such proof, the court shall order the property released to the bona fide owner, lienholder, mortgagee or vendor if the amount due such party is equal to, or in excess of, the value of the property as of the date of the seizure, it being the intention of this section to forfeit only the right, title or interest of the offender.

J. If the amount due to such person is less than the value of the property, or if no bona fide claim is established, the property shall be forfeited and sold under judgment of the court, as on sale upon execution.

K. Property taken or detained under this section shall not be repleviable, but shall be deemed to be in the custody of the office of the district attorney of the county in which the property was seized, subject only to the orders and decrees of the court having jurisdiction thereof.

L. The proceeds of the sale of any property shall be distributed as follows, in the order indicated:

1. To the bona fide purchaser, conditional sales vendor or mortgagee of the property, if any, up to the amount of such party’s interest in the property, when the court declaring the forfeiture orders a distribution to such person;

2. To the payment of the actual expenses of storing the property;

3. To the payment of court costs and costs of the sheriff in conducting the sale;

4. To the payment of restitution to the victim; and

5. The balance of the proceeds of such sale shall be paid to the defendant.

M. If the court finds that the party seeking the forfeiture failed to satisfy the requirements provided for in subsection G of this section, the court shall order the property released to the owner or owners.

N. Upon failure to give the notice of seizure and intended forfeiture as provided in subsections B and C of this section, any owner or party in interest may petition the court for return of the property. The court shall schedule a hearing within ten (10) days of the filing of the petition for return of the property. The petitioner shall be required to prove ownership interest or other claim to the property, and the court shall return the property if the claim is proved by a preponderance of the evidence and the property is not otherwise required as evidence in a criminal prosecution. Failure to give the notice of seizure and intended forfeiture shall not be construed to prohibit, deny, void or dismiss any criminal prosecution or serve as grounds for any motion to suppress evidence.

O. In addition to other provisions of this section, seized property shall be released upon the following conditions:

1. Dismissal of a forfeiture proceeding;

2. Failure to file criminal charges within ninety (90) days from the date of seizure, provided the property is held as evidence and not forfeited to the state or returned to an owner or party in interest as provided in subsection N of this section. Provided, however, the district attorney may request the court to grant an extension beyond the ninety-day limitation for filing charges if a criminal investigation may result in charges being filed after that time. If an extension to file criminal charges is granted, the seized property may be held until the court orders the property released; or

3. Dismissal or acquittal of criminal charges, provided the property is held as evidence and not forfeited to the state or returned to an owner or party in interest as provided in subsection N of this section.

Title 43. Marriage and Family

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Divorce and Alimony

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 101. Grounds for divorce

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

The district court may grant a divorce for any of the following causes:

First. Abandonment for one (1) year.

Second. Adultery.

Third. Impotency.

Fourth. When the wife at the time of her marriage was pregnant by another than her husband.

Fifth. Extreme cruelty.

Sixth. Fraudulent contract.

Seventh. Incompatibility. Provided, however, where the interest of a child under eighteen (18) years of age is involved, the adult parties shall attend an educational program concerning the impact of divorce on children as provided in subsection B of Section 107.2 of this title.

Eighth. Habitual drunkenness.

Ninth. Gross neglect of duty.

Tenth. Imprisonment of the other party in a state or federal penal institution under sentence thereto for the commission of a felony at the time the petition is filed.

Eleventh. The procurement of a final divorce decree without this state by a husband or wife which does not in this state release the other party from the obligations of the marriage.

Twelfth. Insanity for a period of five (5) years, the insane person having been an inmate of a state institution for the insane in the State of Oklahoma, or inmate of a state institution for the insane in some other state for such period, or of a private sanitarium, and affected with a type of insanity with a poor prognosis for recovery; provided, that no divorce shall be granted because of insanity until after a thorough examination of such insane person by three physicians, one of whom shall be a superintendent of the hospital or sanitarium for the insane in which the insane defendant is confined, and the other two to be appointed by the court before whom the action is pending, and any two of such physicians shall agree that such insane person, at the time the petition in the divorce action is filed, has a poor prognosis for recovery; provided, further, however, that no divorce shall be granted on this ground to any person whose husband or wife is an inmate of a state institution in any other than the State of Oklahoma, unless the person applying for such divorce shall have been a resident of the State of Oklahoma for at least five (5) years prior to the commencement of an action; and provided further, that a decree granted on this ground shall not relieve the successful party from contributing to the support and maintenance of the defendant. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the insane defendant, which appointment shall be made at least ten (10) days before any decree is entered.

§ 102. Residence of plaintiff or defendant

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Except as otherwise provided by subsection B of this section, the petitioner or the respondent in an action for divorce or annulment of a marriage must have been an actual resident, in good faith, of the state, for six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.

B. Any person who has been a resident of any United States army post or military reservation within the State of Oklahoma, for six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, may bring action for divorce or annulment of a marriage or may be sued for divorce or annulment of a marriage.

§ 107.3. Appointment of guardian ad litem--Referral to mediation or counseling--Definitions--False accusations of child abuse or neglect

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. 1. In any proceeding when the custody or visitation of a minor child or children is contested by any party, the court may appoint an attorney at law as guardian ad litem upon motion of the court or upon application of any party to appear for and represent the minor children.

2. The guardian ad litem may be appointed to objectively advocate on behalf of the child and act as an officer of the court to investigate all matters concerning the best interests of the child. In addition to other duties required by the court and as specified by the court, a guardian ad litem shall have the following responsibilities:

a. review documents, reports, records and other information relevant to the case, meet with and observe the child in appropriate settings, and interview parents, caregivers and health care providers and any other person with knowledge relevant to the case including, but not limited to, teachers, counselors and child care providers,

b. advocate for the best interests of the child by participating in the case, attending any hearings in the matter and advocating for appropriate services for the child when necessary,

c. monitor the best interests of the child throughout any judicial proceeding,

d. present written factual reports to the parties and court prior to trial or at any other time as specified by the court on the best interests of the child, which determination is solely the decision of the court, and

e. the guardian ad litem shall, as much as possible, maintain confidentiality of information related to the case and is not subject to discovery pursuant to the Oklahoma Discovery Code.1

3. Expenses, costs, and attorney fees for the guardian ad litem may be allocated among the parties as determined by the court.

4. The Oklahoma Bar Association shall develop a standard operating manual for guardians ad litem which shall include, but not be limited to, legal obligations and responsibilities, information concerning child abuse, child development, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and parent and child behavioral health and management including best practices. After publication of the manual, all guardians ad litem shall certify to the court in which he or she is appointed as a guardian ad litem that the manual has been read and all provisions contained therein are understood. The guardian ad litem shall also certify that he or she agrees to follow the best practices described within the standard operating manual. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide public access to the standard operating manual by providing a link to the manual on the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) website.

B. When property, separate maintenance, or custody is at issue, the court:

1. May refer the issue or issues to mediation if feasible unless a party asserts or it appears to the court that domestic violence or child abuse has occurred, in which event the court shall halt or suspend professional mediation unless the court specifically finds that:

a. the following three conditions are satisfied:

(1) the professional mediator has substantial training concerning the effects of domestic violence or child abuse on victims,

(2) a party who is or alleges to be the victim of domestic violence is capable of negotiating with the other party in mediation, either alone or with assistance, without suffering an imbalance of power as a result of the alleged domestic violence, and

(3) the mediation process contains appropriate provisions and conditions to protect against an imbalance of power between parties resulting from the alleged domestic violence or child abuse, or

b. in the case of domestic violence involving parents, the parent who is or alleges to be the victim requests mediation and the mediator is informed of the alleged domestic violence; and

2. When custody is at issue, the court may order, in addition to or in lieu of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this subsection, that each of the parties undergo individual counseling in a manner that the court deems appropriate, if the court finds that the parties can afford the counseling.

C. As used in this section:

1. “Child abuse or neglect” shall have the same meaning as “abuse” or “neglect” as defined by Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes or shall mean the child has been adjudicated deprived as a result of the actions or omission of either parent pursuant to the Oklahoma Children’s Code;2 and

2. “Domestic violence” shall have the same meaning as such term is defined by the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.3

D. During any proceeding concerning child custody, should it be determined by the court that a party has intentionally made a false or frivolous accusation to the court of child abuse or neglect against the other party, the court shall proceed with any or all of the following:

1. Find the accusing party in contempt for perjury and refer for prosecution;

2. Consider the false allegations in determining custody; and

3. Award the obligation to pay all court costs and legal expenses encumbered by both parties arising from the allegations to the accusing party.

§ 107.4. Motion for an emergency custody hearing

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. In a court proceeding concerning child custody or visitation, a motion for an emergency custody hearing shall include an independent report, if available, to include but not be limited to, a police report or a report from the Department of Human Services, that demonstrates that the child is in surroundings which endanger the safety of the child and that if such conditions continue, the child would likely be subject to irreparable harm. If there is no such report, the motion shall include a notarized affidavit from an individual with personal knowledge that the child is in surroundings which endanger the safety of the child and that not granting the motion would likely cause irreparable harm to the child. Upon receipt of the motion for emergency custody with supporting documentation, the court shall have seventy-two (72) hours to conduct a hearing. If the court fails to conduct a hearing within such time, the movant may present such motion to the presiding judge of the judicial district, who shall conduct an emergency custody hearing within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the motion.

B. If the court finds that any relevant information provided to the court upon which the court relied to make its emergency custody decision to be false, the court shall assess against the movant all costs, attorney fees, and other expenses incurred as a result of such emergency custody hearing. The movant shall pay all such costs, fees and expenses within thirty (30) days. Failure to make such payment shall be grounds for contempt, punishable by six (6) months in the county jail, a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both such imprisonment and fine.

§ 109. Awarding custody or appointing guardian--Joint custody--Domestic violence, stalking, or harassment--Court considerations

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. In awarding the custody of a minor unmarried child or in appointing a general guardian for said child, the court shall consider what appears to be in the best interests of the physical and mental and moral welfare of the child.

B. The court, pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section, may grant the care, custody, and control of a child to either parent or to the parents jointly.

For the purposes of this section, the terms joint custody and joint care, custody, and control mean the sharing by parents in all or some of the aspects of physical and legal care, custody, and control of their children.

C. If either or both parents have requested joint custody, said parents shall file with the court their plans for the exercise of joint care, custody, and control of their child. The parents of the child may submit a plan jointly, or either parent or both parents may submit separate plans. Any plan shall include but is not limited to provisions detailing the physical living arrangements for the child, child support obligations, medical and dental care for the child, school placement, and visitation rights. A plan shall be accompanied by an affidavit signed by each parent stating that said parent agrees to the plan and will abide by its terms. The plan and affidavit shall be filed with the petition for a divorce or legal separation or after said petition is filed.

D. The court shall issue a final plan for the exercise of joint care, custody, and control of the child or children, based upon the plan submitted by the parents, separate or jointly, with appropriate changes deemed by the court to be in the best interests of the child. The court also may reject a request for joint custody and proceed as if the request for joint custody had not been made.

E. The parents having joint custody of the child may modify the terms of the plan for joint care, custody, and control. The modification to the plan shall be filed with the court and included with the plan. If the court determines the modifications are in the best interests of the child, the court shall approve the modifications.

F. The court also may modify the terms of the plan for joint care, custody, and control upon the request of one parent. The court shall not modify the plan unless the modifications are in the best interests of the child.

G. 1. The court may terminate a joint custody decree upon the request of one or both of the parents or whenever the court determines said decree is not in the best interests of the child.

2. Upon termination of a joint custody decree, the court shall proceed and issue a modified decree for the care, custody, and control of the child as if no such joint custody decree had been made.

H. In the event of a dispute between the parents having joint custody of a child as to the interpretation of a provision of said plan, the court may appoint an arbitrator to resolve said dispute. The arbitrator shall be a disinterested person knowledgeable in domestic relations law and family counseling. The determination of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the parties to the proceedings until further order of the court.

If a parent refuses to consent to arbitration, the court may terminate the joint custody decree.

I. 1. In every proceeding in which there is a dispute as to the custody of a minor child, a determination by the court that domestic violence, stalking, or harassment has occurred raises a rebuttable presumption that sole custody, joint legal or physical custody, or any shared parenting plan with the perpetrator of domestic violence, harassing or stalking behavior is detrimental and not in the best interest of the child, and it is in the best interest of the child to reside with the parent who is not a perpetrator of domestic violence, harassing or stalking behavior.

2. For the purposes of this subsection:

a. “domestic violence” means the threat of the infliction of physical injury, any act of physical harm or the creation of a reasonable fear thereof, or the intentional infliction of emotional distress by a parent or a present or former member of the household of the child, against the child or another member of the household, including coercive control by a parent involving physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, economic or financial abuse,

b. “stalking” means the willful course of conduct by a parent who repeatedly follows or harasses another person as defined in Section 1173 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and

c. “harassment” means a knowing and willful course or pattern of conduct by a parent directed at another parent which seriously alarms or is a nuisance to the person, and which serves no legitimate purpose including, but not limited to, harassing or obscene telephone calls or conduct that would cause a reasonable person to have a fear of death or bodily injury.

3. If a parent is absent or relocates as a result of an act of domestic violence by the other parent, the absence or relocation shall not be a factor that weighs against the parent in determining custody or visitation.

4. The court shall consider, as a primary factor, the safety and well-being of the child and of the parent who is the victim of domestic violence or stalking behavior, in addition to other facts regarding the best interest of the child.

5. The court shall consider the history of the parent causing physical harm, bodily injury, assault, verbal threats, stalking, or harassing behavior, or the fear of physical harm, bodily injury, or assault to another person, including the minor child, in determining issues regarding custody and visitation.

§ 109.1. Custody during parents' separation

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

If the parents of a minor unmarried child are separated without being divorced, the judge of the district court, upon application of either parent, may issue any civil process necessary to inquire into the custody of said minor unmarried child. The court may award the custody of said child to either party or both, in accordance with the best interests of the child, for such time and pursuant to such regulations as the case may require. The decision of the judge shall be guided by the rules prescribed in Section 2 of this act. [FN1]

§ 109.3. Custody, guardianship or visitation cases--Evidence of domestic abuse

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

In every case involving the custody of, guardianship of or visitation with a child, the court shall consider evidence of domestic abuse, stalking and/or harassing behavior properly brought before it. If the occurrence of domestic abuse, stalking or harassing behavior is established by a preponderance of the evidence, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interest of the child to have custody, guardianship, or unsupervised visitation granted to the person against whom domestic abuse, stalking or harassing behavior has been established.

§ 109.4. Grandparental visitation rights

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. 1. Pursuant to the provisions of this section, any grandparent of an unmarried minor child may seek and be granted reasonable visitation rights to the child which visitation rights may be independent of either parent of the child if:

a. the district court deems it to be in the best interest of the child pursuant to subsection E of this section, and

b. there is a showing of parental unfitness, or the grandparent has rebutted, by clear and convincing evidence, the presumption that the fit parent is acting in the best interests of the child by showing that the child would suffer harm or potential harm without the granting of visitation rights to the grandparent of the child, and

c. the intact nuclear family has been disrupted in that one or more of the following conditions has occurred:

(1) an action for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment involving the grandchild’s parents is pending before the court, and the grandparent had a preexisting relationship with the child that predates the filing of the action for divorce, separate maintenance or annulment,

(2) the grandchild’s parents are divorced, separated under a judgment of separate maintenance, or have had their marriage annulled,

(3) the grandchild’s parent who is a child of the grandparent is deceased, and the grandparent had a preexisting relationship with the child that predates the death of the deceased parent unless the death of the mother was due to complications related to the birth of the child,

(4) except as otherwise provided in subsection C or D of this section, legal custody of the grandchild has been given to a person other than the grandchild’s parent, or the grandchild does not reside in the home of a parent of the child,

(5) one of the grandchild’s parents has had a felony conviction and been incarcerated in the Department of Corrections and the grandparent had a preexisting relationship with the child that predates the incarceration,

(6) grandparent had custody of the grandchild, whether or not the grandparent had custody under a court order, and there exists a strong, continuous grandparental relationship between the grandparent and the child,

(7) the grandchild’s parent has deserted the other parent for more than one (1) year and there exists a strong, continuous grandparental relationship between the grandparent and the child,

(8) except as otherwise provided in subsection D of this section, the grandchild’s parents have never been married, are not residing in the same household and there exists a strong, continuous grandparental relationship between the grandparent and the child, or

(9) except as otherwise provided by subsection D of this section, the parental rights of one or both parents of the child have been terminated, and the court determines that there is a strong, continuous relationship between the child and the parent of the person whose parental rights have been terminated.

2. The right of visitation to any grandparent of an unmarried minor child shall be granted only so far as that right is authorized and provided by order of the district court.

B. Under no circumstances shall any judge grant the right of visitation to any grandparent if the child is a member of an intact nuclear family and both parents of the child object to the granting of visitation.

C. If one natural parent is deceased and the surviving natural parent remarries, any subsequent adoption proceedings shall not terminate any preexisting court-granted grandparental rights belonging to the parents of the deceased natural parent unless the termination of visitation rights is ordered by the court having jurisdiction over the adoption after opportunity to be heard, and the court determines it to be in the best interest of the child.

D. 1. If the child has been born out of wedlock and the parental rights of the father of the child have been terminated, the parents of the father of the child shall not have a right of visitation authorized by this section to the child unless:

a. the father of the child has been judicially determined to be the father of the child, and

b. the court determines that a previous grandparental relationship existed between the grandparent and the child.

2. If the child is born out of wedlock and the parental rights of the mother of the child have been terminated, the parents of the mother of the child shall not have a right of visitation authorized by this section to the child unless the court determines that a previous grandparental relationship existed between the grandparent and the child.

3. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the district court shall not grant to any grandparent of an unmarried minor child, visitation rights to that child:

a. subsequent to the final order of adoption of the child; provided however, any subsequent adoption proceedings shall not terminate any prior court-granted grandparental visitation rights unless the termination of visitation rights is ordered by the court after opportunity to be heard and the district court determines it to be in the best interest of the child, or

b. if the child had been placed for adoption prior to attaining six (6) months of age.

E. 1. In determining the best interest of the minor child, the court shall consider and, if requested, shall make specific findings of fact related to the following factors:

a. the needs of and importance to the child for a continuing preexisting relationship with the grandparent and the age and reasonable preference of the child pursuant to Section 113 of this title,

b. the willingness of the grandparent or grandparents to encourage a close relationship between the child and the parent or parents,

c. the length, quality and intimacy of the preexisting relationship between the child and the grandparent,

d. the love, affection and emotional ties existing between the parent and child,

e. the motivation and efforts of the grandparent to continue the preexisting relationship with the grandchild,

f. the motivation of parent or parents denying visitation,

g. the mental and physical health of the grandparent or grandparents,

h. the mental and physical health of the child,

i. the mental and physical health of the parent or parents,

j. whether the child is in a permanent, stable, satisfactory family unit and environment,

k. the moral fitness of the parties,

l. the character and behavior of any other person who resides in or frequents the homes of the parties and such person’s interactions with the child,

m. the quantity of visitation time requested and the potential adverse impact the visitation will have on the customary activities of the child, and

n. if both parents are dead, the benefit in maintaining the preexisting relationship.

2. For purposes of this subsection:

a. “harm or potential harm” means a showing that without court-ordered visitation by the grandparent, the child’s emotional, mental or physical well-being could reasonably or would be jeopardized,

b. “intact nuclear family” means a family consisting of the married father and mother of the child,

c. “parental unfitness” includes, but is not limited to, a showing that a parent of the child or a person residing with the parent:

(1) has a chemical or alcohol dependency, for which treatment has not been sought or for which treatment has been unsuccessful,

(2) has a history of violent behavior or domestic abuse,

(3) has an emotional or mental illness that demonstrably impairs judgment or capacity to recognize reality or to control behavior,

(4) has been shown to have failed to provide the child with proper care, guidance and support to the actual detriment of the child. The provisions of this division include, but are not limited to, parental indifference and parental influence on his or her child or lack thereof that exposes such child to unreasonable risk, or

(5) demonstrates conduct or condition which renders him or her unable or unwilling to give a child reasonable parental care. Reasonable parental care requires, at a minimum, that the parent provides nurturing and protection adequate to meet the child’s physical, emotional and mental health.

The determination of parental unfitness pursuant to this subparagraph shall not be that which is equivalent for the termination of parental rights, and

d. “preexisting relationship” means occurring or existing prior to the filing of the petition for grandparental visitation.

F. 1. The district courts are vested with jurisdiction to issue orders granting grandparental visitation rights and to enforce visitation rights, upon the filing of a verified petition for visitation rights or enforcement thereof. Notice as ordered by the court shall be given to the person or parent having custody of the child. The venue of such action shall be in the court where there is an ongoing proceeding that involves the child, or if there is no ongoing proceeding, in the county of the residence of the child or parent.

2. When a grandparent of a child has been granted visitation rights pursuant to this section and those rights are unreasonably denied or otherwise unreasonably interfered with by any parent of the child, the grandparent may file with the court a motion for enforcement of visitation rights. Upon filing of the motion, the court shall set an initial hearing on the motion. At the initial hearing, the court shall direct mediation and set a hearing on the merits of the motion.

3. After completion of any mediation pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection, the mediator shall submit the record of mediation termination and a summary of the parties’ agreement, if any, to the court. Upon receipt of the record of mediation termination, the court shall enter an order in accordance with the parties’ agreement, if any.

4. Notice of a hearing pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3 of this subsection shall be given to the parties at their last-known address or as otherwise ordered by the court, at least ten (10) days prior to the date set by the court for hearing on the motion. Provided, the court may direct a shorter notice period if the court deems such shorter notice period to be appropriate under the circumstances.

5. Appearance at any court hearing pursuant to this subsection shall be a waiver of the notice requirements prior to such hearing.

6. If the court finds that visitation rights of the grandparent have been unreasonably denied or otherwise unreasonably interfered with by the parent, the court shall enter an order providing for one or more of the following:

a. a specific visitation schedule,

b. compensating visitation time for the visitation denied or otherwise interfered with, which time may be of the same type as the visitation denied or otherwise interfered with, including but not limited to holiday, weekday, weekend, summer, and may be at the convenience of the grandparent,

c. posting of a bond, either cash or with sufficient sureties, conditioned upon compliance with the order granting visitation rights, or

d. assessment of reasonable attorney fees, mediation costs, and court costs to enforce visitation rights against the parent.

7. If the court finds that the motion for enforcement of visitation rights has been unreasonably filed or pursued by the grandparent, the court may assess reasonable attorney fees, mediation costs, and court costs against the grandparent.

G. In addition to any other remedy authorized by this section or otherwise provided by law, any party violating an order of the court made pursuant to this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be guilty of contempt of court.

H. Any transportation costs or other costs arising from any visitation ordered pursuant to this section shall be paid by the grandparent or grandparents requesting such visitation.

I. In any action for grandparental visitation pursuant to this section, the court may award attorney fees and costs, as the court deems equitable.

J. For the purposes of this section, the term “grandparent” shall include “great-grandparent”.

§ 109.6. Certain information and records to be available to both custodial and noncustodial parent

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Any information or any record relating to a minor child which is available to the custodial parent of the child, upon request, shall also be provided the noncustodial parent of the child. Provided, however, that this right may be restricted by the court, upon application, if such action is deemed necessary in the best interests of the child. For the purpose of this section, “information” and “record” shall include, but not be limited to, information and records kept by the school, physician and medical facility of the minor child.

§ 110.2. Blood, saliva, urine or any other tests--Child custody or visitation

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

In any action in which the custody of or the visitation with a child is a relevant fact and at issue, the court may order the mother, the child or father to submit to blood, saliva, urine or any other test deemed necessary by the court in determining that the custody of or visitation with the child will be in the best interests of the child. If so ordered and any party or child refuses to submit to such tests, the court may enforce its order if the rights of others and the interests of justice so require unless such individual is found to have good cause for refusing to cooperate.

§ 111.1. Minimum visitation between noncustodial parent and child--Domestic violence or stalking--Failure to pay child support--Enforcement of visitation order

Updated: 
November 18, 2022
A. 1. Any order providing for the visitation of a noncustodial parent with any of the children of such noncustodial parent shall provide a specified minimum amount of visitation between the noncustodial parent and the child unless the court determines otherwise.
2. Except for good cause shown and when in the best interests of the child, the order shall encourage additional visitations of the noncustodial parent and the child and in addition encourage liberal telephone communications between the noncustodial parent and the child.
3. The court may award visitation by a noncustodial parent who was determined to have committed domestic violence or engaged in stalking behavior as defined in Section 109 of this title, if the court is able to provide for the safety of the child and the parent who is the victim of that domestic violence.
4. In a visitation order, the court shall provide for the safety of the minor child and victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment as defined in Section 109 of this title, and subject to the provisions of Section 109 of this title, may:
a. order the exchange of a child to be facilitated by a third party where the parents do not have any contact with each other,
b. order an exchange of a child to occur in a protected setting,
c. order visitation supervised by another person or agency,
d. order the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent to pay a fee to help defray the costs of supervised visitation or other costs of child exchanges, including compensating third parties,
e. order the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent to attend and complete, to the satisfaction of the court, an intervention program for batterers certified by the Office of the Attorney General,
f. prohibit unsupervised or overnight visitation until the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent has successfully completed a specialized program for abusers and the parent has neither threatened nor exhibited violence for a substantial period of time,
g. order the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent to abstain from the possession or consumption of alcohol or controlled substances during the visitation and for twenty-four (24) hours preceding visitation,
h. order the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent to complete a danger/lethality assessment by a qualified mental health professional, and
i. impose any other condition that is deemed necessary to provide for the safety of the child, the victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassing behavior, or another household member.
5. The court shall not order a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment to be present during child visitation exchange if the victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment objects to being present.
6. Visitation shall be terminated if:
a. the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent repeatedly violates the terms and conditions of visitation,
b. the child becomes severely distressed in response to visitation, including the determination by a mental health professional or certified domestic violence specialist that visitation with the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent is causing the child severe distress which is not in the best interest of the child, or
c. there are clear indications that the abusive, stalking, or harassing parent has threatened to either harm or flee with the child, or has threatened to harm the custodial parent.
7. Whether or not visitation is allowed, the court shall order the address of the child and the victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassing behavior to be kept confidential if requested.
a. The court may order that the victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassing behavior participate in the address confidentiality program available pursuant to Section 60.14 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
b. The abusive, stalking, or harassing parent may be denied access to the medical and educational records of the child if those records may be used to determine the location of the child.
B. 1. Except for good cause shown, when a noncustodial parent who is ordered to pay child support and who is awarded visitation rights fails to pay child support, the custodial parent shall not refuse to honor the visitation rights of the noncustodial parent.
2. When a custodial parent refuses to honor the visitation rights of the noncustodial parent, the noncustodial parent shall not fail to pay any ordered child support or alimony.
C. 1. Violation of an order providing for the payment of child support or providing for the visitation of a noncustodial parent with any of the children of such noncustodial parent may be prosecuted as indirect civil contempt pursuant to Section 566 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the court.
2. Any person complying in good faith with the provisions of Section 852.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, by refusing to allow his or her child to be transported by an intoxicated driver, shall have an affirmative defense to a contempt of court proceeding in a divorce or custody action.
3. Unless good cause is shown for the noncompliance, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover court costs and attorney fees expended in enforcing the order and any other reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the denied child support or denied visitation as authorized by the court.

§ 112. Care and custody of children

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A petition or cross-petition for a divorce, legal separation, or annulment must state whether or not the parties have minor children of the marriage. If there are minor children of the marriage, the court:

1. Shall make provision for guardianship, custody, medical care, support and education of the children;

2. Unless not in the best interests of the children, may provide for the visitation of the noncustodial parent with any of the children of the noncustodial parent; and

3. May modify or change any order whenever circumstances render the change proper either before or after final judgment in the action; provided, that the amount of the periodic child support payment shall not be modified retroactively or payment of all or a portion of the past due amount waived, except by mutual agreement of the obligor and obligee, or if the obligee has assigned child support rights to the Department of Human Services or other entity, by agreement of the Department or other entity. Unless the parties agree to the contrary, a completed child support computation form provided for in Section 120 of this title shall be required to be filed with the child support order.

The social security numbers of both parents and the child shall be included on the child support order summary form provided for in Section 120 of this title, which shall be submitted to the Central Case Registry as provided for in Section 112A of this title with all child support or paternity orders.

B. In any action in which there are minor unmarried children in awarding or modifying the custody of the child or in appointing a general guardian for the child, the court shall be guided by the provisions of Section 112.5 of this title and shall consider what appears to be in the best interests of the child.

C. 1. When it is in the best interests of a minor unmarried child, the court shall:

a. assure children of frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage, and

b. encourage parents to share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing in order to effect this policy.

2. There shall be neither a legal preference nor a presumption for or against joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or sole custody.

3. When in the best interests of the child, custody shall be awarded in a way which assures the frequent and continuing contact of the child with both parents. When awarding custody to either parent, the court:

a. shall consider, among other facts, which parent is more likely to allow the child or children frequent and continuing contact with the noncustodial parent, and

b. shall not prefer a parent as a custodian of the child because of the gender of that parent.

4. In any action, there shall be neither a legal preference or a presumption for or against private or public school or home-schooling in awarding the custody of a child, or in appointing a general guardian for the child.

5. Notwithstanding any custody determination made pursuant to the Oklahoma Children’s Code, when a parent of a child is required to be separated from a child due to military service, the court shall not enter a final order modifying an existing custody order until such time as the parent has completed the term of duty requiring separation. For purposes of this paragraph:

a. in the case of a parent who is a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, the term “military service” means a combat deployment, contingency operation, or natural disaster requiring the use of orders that do not permit any family member to accompany the member,

b. in the case of a parent who is a member of the National Guard, the term “military service” means service under a call to active service authorized by the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense for a period of more than thirty (30) consecutive days under 32 U.S.C. 502(f) for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the President and supported by federal funds. “Military service” shall include any period during which a member is absent from duty on account of sickness, wounds, leave or other lawful cause, and

c. the court may enter a temporary custody or visitation order pursuant to the requirements of the Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act.

6. In making an order for custody, the court shall require compliance with Section 112.3 of this title.

D. 1. Except for good cause shown, a pattern of failure to allow court-ordered visitation may be determined to be contrary to the best interests of the child and as such may be grounds for modification of the child custody order.

2. For any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section which the court determines to be contrary to the best interests of the child, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover court costs, attorney fees and any other reasonable costs and expenses incurred with the action.

E. Except as otherwise provided by Section 112.1A of this title, any child shall be entitled to support by the parents until the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age. If a child is regularly enrolled in and attending high school, as set forth in Section 11-103.6 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, other means of high school education, or an alternative high school education program as a full-time student, the child shall be entitled to support by the parents until the child graduates from high school or until the age of twenty (20) years, whichever occurs first. Full-time attendance shall include regularly scheduled breaks from the school year. No hearing or further order is required to extend support pursuant to this subsection after the child reaches the age of eighteen (18) years.

F. In any case in which provision is made for the custody or support of a minor child or enforcement of such order and before hearing the matter or signing any orders, the court shall inquire whether public assistance money or medical support has been provided by the Department of Human Services, hereafter referred to as the Department, for the benefit of each child. If public assistance money, medical support, or child support services under the state child support plan as provided in Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes have been provided for the benefit of the child, the Department shall be a necessary party for the adjudication of the debt due to the State of Oklahoma, as defined in Section 238 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and for the adjudication of paternity, child support, and medical insurance coverage for the minor children in accordance with federal regulations. When an action is filed, the petitioner shall give the Department notice of the action according to Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The Department shall not be required to intervene in the action to have standing to appear and participate in the action. When the Department is a necessary party to the action, any orders concerning paternity, child support, medical support, or the debt due to the State of Oklahoma shall be approved and signed by the Department.

G. In any case in which a child support order or custody order or both is entered, enforced or modified, the court may make a determination of the arrearages of child support.

§ 112.2. Evidence of ongoing domestic abuse or child abuse--Determinations relating to convicted sex offenders--Presumption

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. In every case involving the custody of, guardianship of or visitation with a child, the court shall consider for determining the custody of, guardianship of or the visitation with a child whether any person seeking custody or who has custody of, guardianship of or visitation with a child.

1. Is or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act [FN1] or any similar act in any other state;

2. Has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act [FN2] or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3. Is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person as established by clear and convincing evidence and who can be expected in the near future to inflict or attempt to inflict serious bodily harm to himself or herself or another person as a result of such dependency;

4. Has been convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years;

5. Is residing with an individual who is or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;

6. Is residing with a person who has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes; or

7. Is residing with a person who has been convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years.

B. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interests of the child to have custody or guardianship granted to a person who:

1. Is subject to or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;

2. Has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3. Is an alcohol-dependent person or a drug-dependent person as established by clear and convincing evidence and who can be expected in the near future to inflict or attempt to inflict serious bodily harm to himself or herself or another person as a result of such dependency;

4. Has been convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years;

5. Is residing with a person who is or has been subject to the registration requirements of the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act or any similar act in any other state;

6. Is residing with a person who has been convicted of a crime listed in the Oklahoma Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Act or in Section 582 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes; or

7. Is residing with a person convicted of domestic abuse within the past five (5) years.

C. Custody of, guardianship of, or visitation with a child shall not be granted to any person if it is established that the custody, guardianship or visitation will likely expose the child to a foreseeable risk of material harm.

D. Except as otherwise provided by the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program, court-ordered supervised visitation shall be governed by the Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program.

E. For purposes of this section:

1. “Alcohol-dependent person” has the same meaning as such term is defined in Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2. “Domestic abuse” has the same meaning as such term is defined in Section 60.1 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

3. “Drug-dependent person” has the same meaning as such term is defined in Section 3-403 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

4. “Supervised visitation” means a program established pursuant to Section 5 of this act. [FN3]

§ 112.2A. Parent's right to change child's residence

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A parent entitled to the custody of a child has a right to change his residence, subject to the power of the district court to restrain a removal which would prejudice the rights or welfare of the child.

§ 112.3. Notice of proposed relocation or change of residence

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. As used in this section:

1. “Change of residence address” means a change in the primary residence of an adult;

2. “Child” means a child under the age of eighteen (18) who has not been judicially emancipated;

3. “Person entitled to custody of or visitation with a child” means a person so entitled by virtue of a court order or by an express agreement that is subject to court enforcement;

4. “Principal residence of a child” means:

a. the location designated by a court to be the primary residence of the child,
b. in the absence of a court order, the location at which the parties have expressly agreed that the child will primarily reside, or
c. in the absence of a court order or an express agreement, the location, if any, at which the child, preceding the time involved, lived with the child’s parents, a parent, or a person acting as parent for at least six (6) consecutive months and, in the case of a child less than six (6) months old, the location at which the child lived from birth with any of the persons mentioned. Periods of temporary absence of any of the named persons are counted as part of the six-month or other period; and

5. “Relocation” means a change in the principal residence of a child over seventy-five (75) miles from the child’s principal residence for a period of sixty (60) days or more, but does not include a temporary absence from the principal residence.

B. 1. Except as otherwise provided by this section, a person who has the right to establish the principal residence of the child shall notify every other person entitled to visitation with the child of a proposed relocation of the child’s principal residence as required by this section.

2. Except as otherwise provided by this section, an adult entitled to visitation with a child shall notify every other person entitled to custody of or visitation with the child of an intended change in the primary residence address of the adult as required by this section.

C. 1. Except as provided by this section, notice of a proposed relocation of the principal residence of a child or notice of an intended change of the primary residence address of an adult must be given:

a. by mail to the last-known address of the person to be notified, and
b. no later than:
(1) the sixtieth day before the date of the intended move or proposed relocation, or
(2) the tenth day after the date that the person knows the information required to be furnished pursuant to this subsection, if the person did not know and could not reasonably have known the information in sufficient time to comply with the sixty-day notice, and it is not reasonably possible to extend the time for relocation of the child.

2. Except as provided by this section, the following information, if available, must be included with the notice of intended relocation of the child or change of primary residence of an adult:

a. the intended new residence, including the specific address, if known,
b. the mailing address, if not the same,
c. the home telephone number, if known,
d. the date of the intended move or proposed relocation,
e. a brief statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of a child, if applicable,
f. a proposal for a revised schedule of visitation with the child, if any, and
g. a warning to the nonrelocating parent that an objection to the relocation must be made within thirty (30) days or the relocation will be permitted.

3. A person required to give notice of a proposed relocation or change of residence address under this subsection has a continuing duty to provide a change in or addition to the information required by this subsection as that information becomes known.

D. After the effective date of this act, [FN1] an order issued by a court directed to a person entitled to custody of or visitation with a child shall include the following or substantially similar terms:

“You, as a party in this action, are ordered to notify every other party to this action in writing of a proposed relocation of the child, change of your primary residence address, and the following information:

1. The intended new residence, including the specific address, if known;

2. The mailing address, if not the same;

3. The home telephone number, if known;

4. The date of the intended move or proposed relocation;

5. A brief statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of a child, if applicable; and

6. A proposal for a revised schedule of visitation with the child, if any.

You are further ordered to give written notice of the proposed relocation or change of residence address on or before the sixtieth day before a proposed change. If you do not know and could not have reasonably known of the change in sufficient time to provide a sixty-day notice, you are ordered to give written notice of the change on or before the tenth day after the date that you know of the change.

Your obligation to furnish this information to every other party continues as long as you, or any other person, by virtue of this order, are entitled to custody of or visitation with a child covered by this order.

Your failure to obey the order of this court to provide every other party with notice of information regarding the proposed relocation or change of residence address may result in further litigation to enforce the order, including contempt of court.

In addition, your failure to notify of a relocation of the child may be taken into account in a modification of custody of, visitation with, possession of or access to the child. Reasonable costs and attorney fees also may be assessed against you if you fail to give the required notice.

If you, as the nonrelocating parent, do not file a proceeding seeking a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice of the intent of the other party to relocate the residence of the child, relocation is authorized.”

E. 1. On a finding by the court that the health, safety, or liberty of a person or a child would be unreasonably put at risk by the disclosure of the required identifying information in conjunction with a proposed relocation of the child or change of residence of an adult, the court may order that:

a. the specific residence address and telephone number of the child or of the adult and other identifying information shall not be disclosed in the pleadings, other documents filed in the proceeding, or the final order, except for an in camera disclosure,
b. the notice requirements provided by this article be waived to the extent necessary to protect confidentiality and the health, safety or liberty of a person or child, and
c. any other remedial action that the court considers necessary to facilitate the legitimate needs of the parties and the best interest of the child.

2. If appropriate, the court may conduct an ex parte hearing pursuant to this subsection.

F. 1. The court may consider a failure to provide notice of a proposed relocation of a child as provided by this section as:

a. a factor in making its determination regarding the relocation of a child,
b. a factor in determining whether custody or visitation should be modified,
c. a basis for ordering the return of the child if the relocation has taken place without notice, and
d. sufficient cause to order the person seeking to relocate the child to pay reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred by the person objecting to the relocation.

2. In addition to the sanctions provided by this subsection, the court may make a finding of contempt if a party violates the notice requirement required by this section and may impose the sanctions authorized for contempt of a court order.

G. 1. The person entitled to custody of a child may relocate the principal residence of a child after providing notice as provided by this section unless a parent entitled to notice files a proceeding seeking a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice.

2. A parent entitled by court order or written agreement to visitation with a child may file a proceeding objecting to a proposed relocation of the principal residence of a child and seek a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation.

3. If relocation of the child is proposed, a nonparent entitled by court order or written agreement to visitation with a child may file a proceeding to obtain a revised schedule of visitation, but may not object to the proposed relocation or seek a temporary or permanent order to prevent the relocation.

4. A proceeding filed pursuant to this subsection must be filed within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of a proposed relocation.

H. 1. The court may grant a temporary order restraining the relocation of a child, or ordering return of the child if a relocation has previously taken place, if the court finds:

a. the required notice of a proposed relocation of a child as provided by this section was not provided in a timely manner and the parties have not presented an agreed-upon revised schedule for visitation with the child for the court’s approval,
b. the child already has been relocated without notice, agreement of the parties, or court approval, or
c. from an examination of the evidence presented at the temporary hearing there is a likelihood that on final hearing the court will not approve the relocation of the primary residence of the child.

2. The court may grant a temporary order permitting the relocation of the child pending final hearing if the court:

a. finds that the required notice of a proposed relocation of a child as provided by this section was provided in a timely manner and issues an order for a revised schedule for temporary visitation with the child, and
b. finds from an examination of the evidence presented at the temporary hearing there is a likelihood that on final hearing the court will approve the relocation of the primary residence of the child.

I. A proposed relocation of a child may be a factor in considering a change of custody.

J. 1. In reaching its decision regarding a proposed relocation, the court shall consider the following factors:

a. the nature, quality, extent of involvement, and duration of the child’s relationship with the person proposing to relocate and with the nonrelocating person, siblings, and other significant persons in the child’s life,
b. the age, developmental stage, needs of the child, and the likely impact the relocation will have on the child’s physical, educational, and emotional development, taking into consideration any special needs of the child,
c. the feasibility of preserving the relationship between the nonrelocating person and the child through suitable visitation arrangements, considering the logistics and financial circumstances of the parties,
d. the child’s preference, taking into consideration the age and maturity of the child,
e. whether there is an established pattern of conduct of the person seeking the relocation, either to promote or thwart the relationship of the child and the nonrelocating person,
f. whether the relocation of the child will enhance the general quality of life for both the custodial party seeking the relocation and the child, including but not limited to financial or emotional benefit or educational opportunity,
g. the reasons of each person for seeking or opposing the relocation, and
h. any other factor affecting the best interest of the child.

2. The court may not:

a. give undue weight to the temporary relocation as a factor in reaching its final decision, if the court has issued a temporary order authorizing a party seeking to relocate a child to move before final judgment is issued, or
b. consider whether the person seeking relocation of the child has declared that he or she will not relocate if relocation of the child is denied.

K. The relocating person has the burden of proof that the proposed relocation is made in good faith. If that burden of proof is met, the burden shifts to the nonrelocating person to show that the proposed relocation is not in the best interest of the child.

L. 1. After notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond, the court may impose a sanction on a person proposing a relocation of the child or objecting to a proposed relocation of a child if it determines that the proposal was made or the objection was filed:

a. to harass a person or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation,
b. without being warranted by existing law or was based on frivolous argument, or
c. based on allegations and other factual contentions which had no evidentiary support or, if specifically so identified, could not have been reasonably believed to be likely to have evidentiary support after further investigation.

2. A sanction imposed under this subsection shall be limited to what is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated. The sanction may include directives of a nonmonetary nature, an order to pay a penalty into court, or, if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment to the other party of some or all of the reasonable attorney fees and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation.

M. If the issue of relocation is presented at the initial hearing to determine custody of and visitation with a child, the court shall apply the factors set forth in this section in making its initial determination.

N. 1. The provisions of this section apply to an order regarding custody of or visitation with a child issued:

a. after the effective date of this act, and
b. before the effective date of this act, if the existing custody order or enforceable agreement does not expressly govern the relocation of the child or there is a change in the primary residence address of an adult affected by the order.

2. To the extent that a provision of this section conflicts with an existing custody order or enforceable agreement, this section does not apply to the terms of that order or agreement that govern relocation of the child or a change in the primary residence address of an adult.

§ 112.6. Awarding of attorney fees and costs--Victim of domestic violence or stalking

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

In a dissolution of marriage or separate maintenance or custody proceeding, a victim of domestic violence or stalking shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs after the filing of a petition, upon application and a showing by a preponderance of evidence that the party is currently being stalked or has been stalked or is the victim of domestic abuse. The court shall order that the attorney fees and costs of the victimized party for the proceeding be substantially paid for by the abusing party prior to and after the entry of a final order.

§ 112.7. Modification of custody--Military deployment

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A military deployment shall not be used as evidence of a substantial, material and permanent change of circumstances to warrant a permanent modification of custody.

§ 113. Preference of child--Record of interview

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. In any action or proceeding in which a court must determine custody or limits to or periods of visitation, the child may express a preference as to which of the parents the child wishes to have custody or limits to or periods of visitation.

B. The court shall first determine whether the best interest of the child will be served by allowing the child to express a preference as to which parent should have custody or limits to or periods of visitation with either parent. If the court so finds, then the child may express such preference or give other testimony.

C. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a child who is twelve (12) years of age or older is of a sufficient age to form an intelligent preference.

D. If the child is of a sufficient age to form an intelligent preference, the court shall consider the expression of preference or other testimony of the child in determining custody or limits to or periods of visitation. Interviewing the child does not diminish the discretion of the court in determining the best interest of the child. The court shall not be bound by the child’s choice or wishes and shall take all factors into consideration in awarding custody or limits of or period of visitation.

E. If the child is allowed to express a preference or give testimony, the court may conduct a private interview with the child in chambers without the parents, attorneys or other parties present. However, if the court has appointed a guardian ad litem for the child, the guardian ad litem shall be present with the child in chambers. The parents, attorneys or other parties may provide the court with questions or topics for the court to consider in its interview of the child; however, the court shall not be bound to ask any question presented or explore any topic requested by a parent, attorney or other party.

F. At the request of either party, a record shall be made of any child interview conducted in chambers. If the proceeding is transcribed, the parties shall be entitled to access to the transcript only if a parent or the parents appeal the custody or visitation determination.

§ 118. Child support guidelines

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. There shall be a rebuttable presumption in any judicial or administrative proceeding for the award of child support, that the amount of the award which would result from the application of the following guidelines is the correct amount of child support to be awarded.

B. The Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations [FN1] assumes that all families incur certain child-rearing expenses and includes in the basic child support obligation an average amount to cover these expenses for various levels of the parents’ combined income and number of children, comprised of housing, food, transportation, basic public educational expenses, clothing, and entertainment.

§ 118B. Computation of gross income--Imputed income--Self-employment income--Fringe benefits--Social Security Title II benefits

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. As used in Section 118 et seq. of this title:

1. “Gross income” includes earned and passive income from any source, except as excluded in this section;

2. “Earned income” is defined as income received from labor or the sale of goods or services and includes, but is not limited to, income from:

a. salaries,

b. wages,

c. tips,

d. commissions,

e. bonuses,

f. severance pay, and

g. military pay including hostile fire or imminent danger pay, combat pay, family separation pay, or hardship duty location pay; and

3. “Passive income” is defined as all other income and includes, but is not limited to, income from:

a. dividends,

b. pensions,

c. rent,

d. interest income,

e. trust income,

f. support alimony being received from someone other than the other parent in this case,

g. annuities,

h. social security benefits,

i. workers’ compensation benefits,

j. unemployment insurance benefits,

k. disability insurance benefits,

l. gifts,

m. prizes,

n. gambling winnings,

o. lottery winnings, and

p. royalties.

B. Income specifically excluded is:

1. Actual child support received for children not before the court;

2. Adoption Assistance subsidy paid by the Department of Human Services;

3. Benefits received from means-tested public assistance programs including, but not limited to:

a. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),

b. Supplemental Security Income (SSI),

c. Food Stamps, and

d. General Assistance and State Supplemental Payments for Aged, Blind and the Disabled;

4. The income of the child from any source including, but not limited to, trust income and social security benefits drawn on the disability of the child; and

5. Payments received by the parent for the care of foster children.

C. Determining gross income.

1. For purposes of computing gross income of the parents, gross income shall include for each parent whichever is the most equitable of:

a. all current monthly gross income described in this section, plus such overtime and supplemental income as the court deems appropriate,

b. the average of the gross monthly income for the time actually employed during the previous year, or

c. gross monthly income imputed as set forth in paragraph 3 of this subsection.

2. If a parent is permanently physically or mentally incapacitated or incarcerated for more than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days, the child support obligation shall be computed on the basis of current monthly gross income. For purposes of computing gross income of the parents in such circumstances, gross income shall not be imputed as set forth in paragraph 3 of this subsection unless the obligor’s incarceration is a result of indirect contempt of court for failure to pay child support, the crime of omission to provide child support or for any offense for which the obligee’s dependent child or the obligee was a victim.

3. Imputed income. If evidence of current or average income of a parent is not available or not the most equitable, the court may consider the following factors to impute the parent’s monthly gross income:

a. the average wages and hours worked in the parent’s particular industry and geographic area and the parent’s education, training, work experience and ability to work,

b. wages the parent could earn consistent with the minimum wage rate of not less than twenty-five (25) hours per week,

c. whether a parent has been determined by the court to be willfully or voluntarily underemployed or unemployed including whether unemployment or underemployment for the purpose of pursuing additional training or education is reasonable in light of the obligation of the parent to support his or her children or other voluntary action to reduce a parent’s income,

d. the lifestyle of the parent including ownership of valuable assets and resources, whether in the name of the parent or the current spouse of the parent, that appears inappropriate or unreasonable for the income claimed by the parent,

e. the role of the parent as caretaker of a handicapped or seriously ill child of that parent, or any other handicapped or seriously ill relative for whom that parent has assumed the role of caretaker which eliminates or substantially reduces the ability of the parent to work outside the home, and the need of that parent to continue in that role in the future, or

f. any additional factors deemed relevant to the particular circumstances of the case.

D. Self-employment income.

1. Income from self-employment includes income from, but not limited to, business operations, work as an independent contractor or consultant, sales of goods or services, and rental properties, less ordinary and reasonable expenses necessary to produce such income.

2. A determination of business income for tax purposes shall not control for purposes of determining a child support obligation. Amounts allowed by the Internal Revenue Service for accelerated depreciation or investment tax credits shall not be considered reasonable expenses.

3. The district or administrative court shall deduct from self-employment gross income an amount equal to the employer contribution for F.I.C.A. tax which an employer would withhold from an employee’s earnings on an equivalent gross income amount.

E. Fringe benefits.

1. Fringe benefits for inclusion as income or in-kind remuneration received by a parent in the course of employment, or operation of a trade or business, shall be counted as income if they significantly reduce personal living expenses.

2. Such fringe benefits might include, but are not limited to, per diem or other allowance, company car, housing, or room and board.

3. Basic Allowance for Housing, Basic Allowance for Subsistence, and Variable Housing Allowances for service members are considered income for the purposes of determining child support.

4. Fringe benefits do not include employee benefits that are typically added to the salary, wage, or other compensation that a parent may receive as a standard added benefit, such as employer contributions to portions of health insurance premiums or employer contributions to a retirement or pension plan.

F. Social Security Title II benefits.

1. Social Security Title II benefits received by a child shall be included as income to the parent on whose account the benefit of the child is drawn and applied against the support obligation ordered to be paid by that parent. If the benefit of the child is drawn from the disability of the child, the benefit of the child is not added to the income of either parent and not deducted from the obligation of either parent.

2. Child support greater than social security benefit.

If the child support award due after calculating the child support guidelines is greater than the social security benefit received on behalf of the child, the obligor shall be required to pay the amount exceeding the social security benefit as part of the child support award in the case.

3. Child support equal to or less than social security benefits.

a. If the child support award due after calculating the child support guidelines is less than or equal to the social security benefit received on behalf of the child, the child support obligation of that parent is met and no additional child support amount must be paid by that parent.

b. Any social security benefit amounts which are greater than the support ordered by the court shall be retained by the caretaker for the benefit of the child and shall not be used as a reason for decreasing the child support order or reducing arrearages.

c. The child support computation form shall include a notation regarding the use of social security benefits as offset.

4. a. Calculation of child support as provided in subsection F of this section shall be effective no earlier than the date on which the motion to modify was filed.

b. The court may determine if, under the circumstances of the case, it is appropriate to credit social security benefits paid to the custodial person prior to a modification of child support against the past-due child support obligation of the noncustodial parent.

c. The noncustodial parent shall not receive credit for any social security benefits paid directly to the child.

d. Any credit granted by the court pursuant to subparagraph b of this paragraph shall be limited to the time period during which the social security benefit was paid, or the time period covered by a lump sum for past social security benefits.

G. Veterans disability compensation benefits received by a child shall be treated in the same manner as Social Security Title II benefits as provided in subsection F of this section.

§ 120.1. Parenting Coordinator Act--Short title

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Sections 120.1 through 120.5 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the “Parenting Coordinator Act”.

§ 120.2. Definitions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

As used in the Parenting Coordinator Act:

1. “Parenting coordinator” means an impartial third party qualified pursuant to subsection A of Section 120.6 of this title appointed by the court to assist parties in resolving issues and deciding disputed issues pursuant to the provisions of the Parenting Coordinator Act relating to parenting and other family issues in any action for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, or guardianship where a minor child is involved; and

2. “High-conflict case” means any action for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, or guardianship where minor children are involved and the parties demonstrate a pattern of ongoing:

a. litigation,

b. anger and distrust,

c. verbal abuse,

d. physical aggression or threats of physical aggression,

e. difficulty in communicating about and cooperating in the care of their children, or

f. conditions that in the discretion of the court warrant the appointment of a parenting coordinator.

§ 120.3. Appointment of parenting coordinator--Party agreement--Authority--Meetings--Parental rights--Removal

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. In any action for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, or guardianship where minor children are involved, the court may, upon its own motion, or by motion or agreement of the parties, appoint a parenting coordinator to assist the parties in resolving issues and decide disputed issues pursuant to the provisions of the Parenting Coordinator Act related to parenting or other family issues in the case except as provided in subsection B of this section, and subsection A of Section 120.5 of this title.

B. The court shall not appoint a parenting coordinator if any party objects, unless:

1. The court makes specific findings that the case is a high-conflict case; and

2. The court makes specific findings that the appointment of a parenting coordinator is in the best interest of any minor child in the case.

C. 1. The authority of a parenting coordinator shall be specified in the order appointing the parenting coordinator and limited to matters that will aid the parties in:

a. identifying disputed issues,

b. reducing misunderstandings,

c. clarifying priorities,

d. exploring possibilities for compromise,

e. developing methods of collaboration in parenting, and

f. complying with the court’s order of custody, visitation, or guardianship.

2. The appointment of a parenting coordinator shall not divest the court of its exclusive jurisdiction to determine fundamental issues of custody, visitation, and support, and the authority to exercise management and control of the case.

3. The parenting coordinator shall not make any modification to any order, judgment or decree; however, the parenting coordinator may allow the parties to make minor temporary departures from a parenting plan if authorized by the court to do so. The appointment order should specify those matters which the parenting coordinator is authorized to determine. The order shall specify which determinations will be immediately effective and which will require an opportunity for court review prior to taking effect.

D. The parties may limit the decision-making authority of the parenting coordinator to specific issues or areas if the parenting coordinator is being appointed pursuant to agreement of the parties.

E. Meetings between the parenting coordinator and the parties need not follow any specific procedures and the meetings may be informal. All communication between the parties and the parenting coordinator shall not be confidential.

F. Nothing in the Parenting Coordinator Act shall abrogate the custodial or noncustodial parent’s rights or any court-ordered visitation given to grandparents or other persons except as specifically addressed in the order appointing the parenting coordinator.

G. 1. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the court shall reserve the right to remove the parenting coordinator in its own discretion.

2. The court may remove the parenting coordinator upon the request and agreement of both parties. Upon the motion of either party and good cause shown, the court may remove the parenting coordinator.

§ 120.4. Report of decision

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. A report of the decisions and recommendations made by the parenting coordinator shall be filed with the court within twenty (20) days, with copies of the report provided to the parties or their counsel. There shall be no ex parte communication with the court.

B. Any decisions made by the parenting coordinator authorized by the court order and issued pursuant to the provisions of the Parenting Coordinator Act shall be binding on the parties until further order of the court.

C. 1. Any party may file with the court and serve on the parenting coordinator and all other parties an objection to the parenting coordinator’s report within ten (10) days after the parenting coordinator provides the report to the parties, or within another time as the court may direct.

2. Responses to the objections shall be filed with the court and served on the parenting coordinator and all other parties within ten (10) days after the objection is served.

D. The court shall review any objections to the report and any responses submitted to those objections to the report and shall thereafter enter appropriate orders.

§ 120.5 Fees

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. 1. No parenting coordinator shall be appointed unless the court finds that the parties have the means to pay the fees of the parenting coordinator.

2. This state shall assume no financial responsibility for payment of fees to the parenting coordinator; except that, in cases of hardship, the court, if feasible, may appoint a parenting coordinator to serve on a volunteer basis.

B. 1. The fees of the parenting coordinator shall be allocated between the parties with the relative percentages determined pursuant to the child support guidelines.

2. The court may allocate the fees between the parties differently upon a finding of good cause by the court or good cause set forth in the parenting coordinator’s report.

§ 120.6. Qualifications

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. Each judicial district shall adopt local rules governing the qualifications of a parenting coordinator; provided, however, the qualifications adopted shall not exceed the qualifications established in subsection B of this section.

B. To be qualified as a parenting coordinator, a person shall:

1. Have a master’s degree in a mental health or behavioral health field, shall have training and experience in family mediation and shall be a certified mediator under the laws of this state; or

2. Be a licensed mental health professional or licensed attorney practicing in an area related to families.

C. Parenting coordinators who are not licensed attorneys shall not be considered as engaging in the unauthorized practice of law while performing actions within the scope of his or her duties as a parenting coordinator.

§ 121. Restoration of maiden or former name--Alimony--Division of property

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. When a dissolution of marriage is granted, the decree shall restore:

1. To the wife her maiden or former name, if her name was changed as a result of the marriage and if she so desires;

2. To the husband his former name, if his name was changed as a result of the marriage and if he so desires.

B. The court shall enter its decree confirming in each spouse the property owned by him or her before marriage and the undisposed-of property acquired after marriage by him or her in his or her own right. Either spouse may be allowed such alimony out of real and personal property of the other as the court shall think reasonable, having due regard to the value of such property at the time of the dissolution of marriage. Alimony may be allowed from real or personal property, or both, or in the form of money judgment, payable either in gross or in installments, as the court may deem just and equitable. As to such property, whether real or personal, which has been acquired by the parties jointly during their marriage, whether the title thereto be in either or both of said parties, the court shall, subject to a valid antenuptial contract in writing, make such division between the parties as may appear just and reasonable, by a division of the property in kind, or by setting the same apart to one of the parties, and requiring the other thereof to be paid such sum as may be just and proper to effect a fair and just division thereof. The court may set apart a portion of the separate estate of a spouse to the other spouse for the support of the children of the marriage where custody resides with that spouse.

C. A servicemember’s portion of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) awarded by or from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected loss or loss of use of specific organs or extremities shall be separate property, not divisible as a marital asset nor as community property. For purposes of identifying SMC, it is the sole responsibility of the servicemember to prove with competent evidence what amount of his or her disability compensation is SMC.

D. A servicemember’s portion of Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) shall be separate property, not divisible as a marital asset nor as community property, if a specific dollar amount of CRSC can be proved by the servicemember as compensation for combat-related loss of limb or loss of bodily function and the CRSC award was applied for and established prior to the date of the filing of the dissolution of marriage action.

E. Pursuant to the federal Uniformed Services Former Spouses’ Protection Act, 10 U.S.C., Section 1408, a court may treat disposable retired or retainer pay payable to a military member either as property solely of the member or as property of the member and the spouse of the member. If a state court determines that the disposable retired or retainer pay of a military member is the sole and separate property of the military member, the court shall submit clear and concise written findings of such determination to be included in the decree or final order. If a state court determines that the disposable retired or retainer pay of a military member is marital property, the court shall submit clear and concise written findings of such determination to be included in the decree or final order and shall award an amount consistent with the rank, pay grade, and time of service of the member at the date of the filing of the petition, unless the court finds a more equitable date due to the economic separation of the parties.

F. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, any division of an active duty military member’s retirement or retainer pay shall use the following language:

“The former spouse is awarded a percentage of the member’s disposable military retired pay, to be computed by multiplying fifty percent (50%) times a fraction, the numerator of which is ____x____ months of marriage during the member’s creditable military service, divided by the member’s total number of months of creditable military service.”

G. In the case of a member’s retiring from reserve duty, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, any division of a reservist’s retirement or retainer pay shall use the following language:

“The former spouse is awarded a percentage of the member’s disposable military retired pay, to be computed by multiplying fifty percent (50%) times a fraction, the numerator of which is __x____ reserve retirement points earned during the period of the marriage, divided by the member’s total number of reserve retirement points earned.”

§ 129. Alimony without divorce

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

The wife or husband may obtain alimony from the other without a divorce, in an action brought for that purpose in the district court, for any of the causes for which a divorce may be granted. Either may make the same defense to such action as he might to an action for divorce, and may, for sufficient cause, obtain a divorce from the other in such action.

§ 135. Lien for arrearage in child support payments

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. An arrearage in payment of child support reduced to an order of the court or administrative order of the Department of Human Services or any past due payment or installment of child support that is a judgment and lien by operation of law may be a lien against the real and personal property of the person ordered to make the support payments.

B. Past due amounts of child support shall become a lien by operation of law upon the real and personal property of the person ordered to make the payments at the time they become past due.

C. 1. A judgment or order providing for the payment of current support or an arrearage of child support shall be a lien upon real property owned by the person obligated to pay support or upon any real property which may be acquired by the person prior to the release of the lien. Notice of the lien on real property shall be given by the filing of a statement of judgment pursuant to Section 706 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes with the county clerk of the county where the property is located.

2. If child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the amount reflected in the official records of the Centralized Support Registry provided for in Section 413 of this title shall constitute the amount of the lien on the obligor’s real property, regardless of the amount reflected in the statement of judgment.

3. The judgment or order shall not become a lien for any sums prior to the date they severally become due and payable. A child support judgment shall become dormant as a lien upon real property five (5) years from the date the statement of judgment is filed of record with the county clerk unless the judgment lien is extended in accordance with subsection C of Section 759 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D. A judgment providing for the payment of an arrearage of child support or pursuant to which a past due amount has accrued shall become a lien upon benefits payable as a lump sum received from a personal injury, wrongful death or workers’ compensation claim of the person ordered to pay the support and shall not be subject to the exemptions from attachment of Section 1 of Title 31 of the Oklahoma Statutes or as otherwise provided by law. The lien shall be effective upon the filing of a notice of lien with the court in which a proceeding for personal injury, wrongful death or workers’ compensation has been initiated by or on behalf of the obligor. If a proceeding has not been initiated, a notice of lien shall be served by mail upon the entity responsible for paying monies to the person ordered to pay support. A court or the entity responsible for satisfying the lien may request a certified copy of the judgment or order be attached to the lien.

E. The provisions of this section shall be available to an agency of another state responsible for implementing the child support enforcement program set forth in Title IV-D, of the Social Security Act [FN1] seeking to enforce a judgment for child support.

F. The provisions of this section shall not authorize a forced sale of any real property to enforce a lien which is otherwise exempted by state law.

G. A lien shall be released upon the full payment of the amount of the arrearage.

H. The person entitled to support or the Department of Human Services on behalf of its clients and recipients is authorized to enforce the liens created pursuant to this section and to execute releases or partial releases of the liens.

§ 139.1. Revocation, suspension, nonissuance, or nonrenewal of license or placement of obligor on probation as remedy for noncompliance with support order

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. As used in this section and Section 6-201.1 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes:

1. “Licensing board” means any bureau, department, division, board, agency or commission of this state or of a municipality in this state that issues a license;

2. “Noncompliance with an order for support” means that the obligor has failed to make child support payments required by a child support order in an amount equal to the child support payable for at least ninety (90) days or has failed to make full payments pursuant to a court-ordered payment plan for at least ninety (90) days or has failed to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage as required by an order for support for at least ninety (90) days or has failed, after receiving appropriate notice to comply with subpoenas or orders relating to paternity or child support proceedings or has failed to comply with an order to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity;

3. “Order for support” means any judgment or order for the support of dependent children or an order to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity issued by any court of this state or other state or any judgment or order issued in accordance with an administrative procedure established by state law that affords substantial due process and is subject to judicial review;

4. “License” means any recreational license or permit including, but not limited to, a hunting and fishing license or other authorization issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code, or certificates of title for vessels and motors and other licenses or registrations issued pursuant to the Oklahoma Vessel and Motor Registration Act;

5. “Obligor” means the person who is required to make payments or comply with other provisions of an order for support;

6. “Oklahoma Child Support Services (OCSS)” means the state agency designated to administer a statewide plan for child support pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

7. “Person entitled” means:

a. a person to whom a support debt or support obligation is owed,

b. the OCSS or a public agency of another state that has the right to receive current or accrued support payments or that is providing support enforcement services, or

c. a person designated in a support order or as otherwise specified by the court; and

8. “Payment plan” includes, but is not limited to, a plan approved by the court that provides sufficient security to ensure compliance with a support order and/or that incorporates voluntary or involuntary income assignment or a similar plan for periodic payment on an arrearage and, if applicable, current and future support.

B. 1. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the district courts of this state are hereby authorized to order the revocation, suspension, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license or the placement of the obligor on probation who is in noncompliance with an order for support.

2. The remedy under this section is in addition to any other enforcement remedy available to the court.

C. 1. At any hearing involving the support of a child, if the district court finds evidence presented at the hearing that an obligor is in noncompliance with an order for support and the obligor is licensed by any licensing board, the court, in addition to any other enforcement action available, may suspend or revoke the license of the obligor who is in noncompliance with the order of support or place the obligor on probation pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection.

2. a. To be placed on probation, the obligor shall agree to a payment plan to:

(1) make all future child support payments as required by the current order during the period of probation, and

(2) pay the full amount of the arrearage:

(a) by lump sum by a date certain, if the court determines the obligor has the ability, or

(b) by making monthly payments in addition to the monthly child support amount pursuant to Section 137 of this title.

b. The payments required to be made pursuant to this section shall continue until the child support arrearage and interest which was the subject of the license revocation action have been paid in full.

3. If the court orders probation, the appropriate licensing board shall not be notified and no action is required of that board.

4. Probation shall be conditioned upon full compliance with the order. If the court grants probation, the probationary period shall not exceed three (3) years.

5. If the obligor is placed on probation, the obligee or OCSS may request a hearing at any time to review the status of the obligor’s compliance with the payment plan and to request immediate suspension or revocation of the obligor’s license. The obligor shall be served with notice of the hearing by regular mail to the obligor’s address of record pursuant to Section 112A of this title.

6. If, by the completion of time allotted for the probationary period, the obligor has failed to fully comply with the terms of probation, the licenses of the obligor shall be automatically suspended or revoked without further hearing. If the licenses of the obligor are suspended or revoked, the obligor may thereafter apply for reinstatement in compliance with subsection D or E of this section.

D. When all support due is paid in full and the obligor has complied with all other provisions of the order for support, the obligor, the obligee or OCSS may file a motion with the court for reinstatement of the obligor’s licenses or termination of probation and the motion shall be set for hearing. If the court finds the obligor has paid all support due in full and has complied with all other provisions of the order for support, the court shall reinstate the obligor’s licenses or terminate the probation.

E. 1. An obligor whose licenses have been suspended or revoked may file a motion with the court for reinstatement of the licenses of the obligor prior to payment in full of all support due and the motion shall be set for hearing.

2. The court may reinstate the licenses of the obligor if the obligor has:

a. paid the current child support and the monthly arrearage payments each month for the current month and two (2) months immediately preceding, or paid an amount equivalent to three (3) months of child support and arrearage payments which satisfies the current child support and monthly arrearage payments for the current month and two (2) months immediately preceding,

b. disclosed all information regarding health insurance availability and obtained and maintained health insurance coverage required by an order for support,

c. complied with all subpoenas and orders relating to paternity or child support proceedings,

d. complied with all orders to submit to genetic testing to determine paternity, and

e. disclosed all employment and address information.

3. If the court terminates the order of suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal, it shall place the obligor on probation, conditioned upon compliance with any payment plan and the provisions of the order for support.

4. If the obligor fails to comply with the terms of probation, the court may refuse to reinstate the licenses of the obligor unless the obligor makes additional payments in an amount determined by the court to be sufficient to ensure future compliance, and the obligor complies with the other terms set by the court.

F. The obligor shall serve on the custodian or the state a copy of the motion for reinstatement of the licenses of the obligor and notice of hearing pursuant to Section 2005 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or if there is an address of record, by regular mail to the address of record on file with the central case registry pursuant to Section 112A of this title. When child support services are being provided pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the obligor shall serve a copy of the motion for reinstatement of the licenses of the obligor on OCSS.

G. If the court orders termination of the order of suspension or revocation, the obligor shall send a copy of the order reinstating the licenses of the obligor to the licensing board, the custodian and OCSS when child support services are being provided pursuant to Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

H. Entry of this order does not limit the ability of the court to issue a new order requiring the licensing board to revoke or suspend the license of the same obligor in the event of another delinquency or failure to comply.

I. Upon receipt of a court order to suspend or revoke the license of an obligor, the licensing board shall comply with the order by:

1. Determining if the licensing board has issued a license to the individual whose name appears on the order for support;

2. Notifying the obligor of the suspension or revocation;

3. Demanding surrender of the license, if required;

4. Entering the suspension or revocation of the license on the appropriate records; and

5. Reporting the suspension or revocation of the license as appropriate.

J. Upon receipt of a court order to not issue or not renew the license of an obligor, the licensing board shall implement by:

1. Determining if the licensing board has received an application for issuance or renewal of a license from the individual whose name appears on the order of support;

2. Notifying the obligor of the nonissuance or nonrenewal; and

3. Entering the nonissuance or nonrenewal of the license as appropriate.

K. An order, issued by the court, directing the licensing board to suspend, revoke, not issue or not renew the license of the obligor shall be processed and implemented by the licensing board without any additional review or hearing and shall continue until the court or appellate court advises the licensing board by order that the suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal is terminated.

L. The licensing board has no jurisdiction to modify, remand, reverse, vacate, or stay the order of the court for the suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license.

M. In the event of suspension, revocation, nonissuance or nonrenewal of a license, any funds paid by the obligor to the licensing board for costs related to issuance, renewal, or maintenance of a license shall not be refunded to the obligor.

N. A licensing board may charge the obligor a fee to cover the administrative costs incurred by the licensing board to administer the provisions of this section. Fees collected pursuant to this section by a licensing board which has an agency revolving fund shall be deposited in the agency revolving fund for the use by the licensing board to pay the costs of administering this section.Otherwise, the administrative costs shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund of the state.

O. Each licensing board shall promulgate rules necessary for the implementation and administration of this section.

P. The licensing board is exempt from liability to the obligor for activities conducted in compliance with Section 139 et seq. of this title.

Q. A final order entered pursuant to this section may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma pursuant to Section 990A of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Centralized Support Registry Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 413. Payment of support through registry

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

A. The Department of Human Services shall maintain a Centralized Support Registry to receive, allocate and distribute support payments. All child support, spousal support, and related support payments shall be paid through the Registry as follows:

1. In all cases in which child support services are being provided under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

2. In all other cases in which support is being paid by income withholding.

B. When child support enforcement services are being provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, all monies owed for child support shall continue to be paid through the Registry until child support is no longer owed.

C. Any party desiring child support, spousal support, or related support payments to be paid through the Registry may request the court to order the payments to be made through the Registry. Upon such request the court shall order payments to be made through the Registry.

D. The Registry shall maintain the following information on all cases in which support is paid through the Registry. This information shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Names, social security numbers and dates of birth for both parents and the children for whom support is ordered;

2. The amount of periodic support owed under the order;

3. Case identification numbers; and

4. Payment address.

E. In all cases, except those being enforced under the state child support plan as provided under Section 237 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes, employers shall provide the Registry with a copy of the notice of income assignment specified in Section 1171.3 of Title 12 and Section 240.2 of Title 56 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Employers, parties, and obligees to an order, upon request, shall provide additional information necessary for the Registry to identify and properly allocate and distribute payments.

F. An obligee, pursuant to a judgment, decree, or order in which payment of support is required by this section to be paid through the Registry or whose support is being paid through the Registry, shall provide information as directed by the Department of Human Services necessary to properly allocate and distribute the payments.

G. All payments made through the Registry shall be allocated and distributed in accordance with Department of Human Services’ policy and federal regulations.

H. The Department of Human Services shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

Article 1. General Provisions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 551-101. Short title

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

SHORT TITLE

This act [FN1] may be cited as the “Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act”.

§ 551-102. Definitions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

DEFINITIONS

In this act: [FN1]

1. “Abandoned” means left without provision for reasonable and necessary care or supervision;

2. “Child” means an individual who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age;

3. “Child custody determination” means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child. The term includes a permanent, temporary, initial, and modification order. The term does not include an order relating to child support or other monetary obligation of an individual;

4. “Child custody proceeding” means a proceeding in which legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child is an issue. The term includes a proceeding for divorce, separation, neglect, abuse, dependency, guardianship, paternity, termination of parental rights, and protection from domestic violence, in which the issue may appear. The term does not include a proceeding involving juvenile delinquency, contractual emancipation, or enforcement under Article 3 of this act;

5. “Commencement” means the filing of the first pleading in a proceeding;

6. “Court” means an entity authorized under the law of a state to establish, enforce, or modify a child custody determination;

7. “Home state” means the state in which a child lived with a parent or a person acting as a parent for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding. In the case of a child less than six (6) months of age, the term means the state in which the child lived from birth with the parent or person acting as a parent. A period of temporary absence of the parent or person acting as a parent is part of the period;

8. “Initial determination” means the first child custody determination concerning a particular child;

9. “Issuing court” means the court that makes a child custody determination for which enforcement is sought under this act;

10. “Issuing state” means the state in which a child custody determination is made;

11. “Modification” means a child custody determination that changes, replaces, supersedes, or is otherwise made after a previous determination concerning the same child, whether or not it is made by the court that made the previous determination;

12. “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, including any governmental subdivision, agency, instrumentality, or public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity;

13. “Person acting as a parent” means a person, other than a parent, who:

a. has physical custody of the child or has had physical custody for a period of six (6) consecutive months, including any temporary absence, within one (1) year immediately before the commencement of a child custody proceeding, and
b. has been awarded legal custody by a court or claims a right to legal custody under the law of this state;

14. “Physical custody” means the physical care and supervision of a child;

15. “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States;

16. “Tribe” means an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan Native village, which is recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state; and

17. “Warrant” means an order issued by a court authorizing law enforcement officers to take physical custody of a child.

§ 551-103. Proceedings governed by other law

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

PROCEEDINGS GOVERNED BY OTHER LAW

This act [FN1] does not apply to an adoption proceeding or a proceeding pertaining to the authorization of emergency medical care for a child.

§ 551-104. Application to Indian tribes

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

APPLICATION TO INDIAN TRIBES

A. A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act, [FN1] is not subject to this act [FN2] to the extent that it is governed by the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Act.

B. A court of this state shall treat a tribe as if it were a state of the United States for purposes of applying Articles 1 and 2 of this act. [FN3]

C. A child custody determination made by a tribe under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this act must be recognized and enforced under Article 3 of this act. [FN4]

§ 551-105. International application of act

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION OF ACT

A. A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the United States for purposes of applying Articles 1 and 2 of this act. [FN1]

B. Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, a child custody determination made in a foreign country under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this [FN2] act must be recognized and enforced under Article 3 of this act. [FN3]

C. A court of this state need not apply this act if the child custody law of a foreign country violates fundamental principles of human rights.

§ 551-106. Effect of child custody determination

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

EFFECT OF CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION

A child custody determination made by a court of this state that had jurisdiction under this act [FN1] binds all persons who have been served in accordance with the laws of this state or notified in accordance with Section 8 of this act [FN2] or who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, and who have been given an opportunity to be heard. As to those persons the determination is conclusive as to all decided issues of law and fact except to the extent the determination is modified.

§ 551-107. Priority

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

PRIORITY

If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under this act [FN1] is raised in a child custody proceeding, the question, upon request of a party, must be given priority on the court’s calendar and handled expeditiously.

§ 551-108. Notice to persons outside state

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

NOTICE TO PERSONS OUTSIDE STATE

A. Notice required for the exercise of jurisdiction when a person is outside this state may be given in the manner provided in Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes or by the law of the state in which the service is made. Notice must be given in a manner reasonably calculated to give actual notice but may be by publication if other means are not effective.

B. Proof of service may be made in the manner provided in Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes or by the law of the state in which the service is made.

C. Notice is not required for the exercise of jurisdiction with respect to a person who submits to the jurisdiction of the court.

§ 551-109. Appearance and limited immunity

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

APPEARANCE AND LIMITED IMMUNITY

A. A party to a child custody proceeding, including a modification proceeding, or a petitioner or respondent in a proceeding to enforce or register a child custody determination is not subject to personal jurisdiction in this state for another proceeding or purpose solely by reason of having participated, or having been physically present for the purpose of participating, in the proceeding.

B. A person who is subject to personal jurisdiction in this state on a basis other than physical presence is not immune from service of process in this state. A party present in this state who is subject to the jurisdiction of another state is not immune from service of process allowable under the laws of that state.

C. The immunity granted by subsection A of this section does not extend to civil litigation based on acts unrelated to the participation in a proceeding under this act [FN1] committed by an individual while present in this state.

§ 551-110. Communication between courts

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COURTS

A. A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a proceeding arising under this act. [FN1]

B. The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. If the parties are not able to participate in the communication, they must be given the opportunity to present facts and legal arguments before a decision on jurisdiction is made.

C. Communication between courts on schedules, calendars, court records, and similar matters may occur without informing the parties. A record need not be made of the communication.

D. Except as otherwise provided in subsection C of this section, a record must be made of a communication under this section. The parties must be informed promptly of the communication and granted access to the record.

E. For the purposes of this section, “record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

§ 551-111. Taking testimony in another state

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

TAKING TESTIMONY IN ANOTHER STATE

A. In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a child custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony taken in another state. The court on its own motion may order that the testimony of a person be taken in another state and may prescribe the manner in which and the terms upon which the testimony is to be taken.

B. A court of this state may permit an individual residing in another state to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual, or other electronic means before a designated court or at another location in that state. A court of this state shall cooperate with courts of other states in designating an appropriate location for the deposition or testimony.

C. Documentary evidence transmitted from another state to a court of this state by technological means that do not produce an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

§ 551-112. Cooperation between courts--Preservation of records

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

COOPERATION BETWEEN COURTS; PRESERVATION OF RECORDS

A. A court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to:

1. Hold an evidentiary hearing;

2. Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to procedures of that state;

3. Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the custody of a child involved in a pending proceeding;

4. Forward to the court of this state a certified copy of the transcript of the record of the hearing, the evidence otherwise presented, and any evaluation prepared in compliance with the request; and

5. Order a party to a child custody proceeding or any person having physical custody of the child to appear in the proceeding with or without the child.

B. Upon request of a court of another state, a court of this state may hold a hearing or enter an order described in subsection A of this section.

C. Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under subsections A and B of this section may be assessed against the parties according to the laws of this state.

D. A court of this state shall preserve the pleadings, orders, decrees, records of hearings, evaluations, and other pertinent records with respect to a child custody proceeding until the child attains eighteen (18) years of age. Upon appropriate request by a court or law enforcement official of another state, the court shall forward a certified copy of those records.

Article 2. Jurisdiction

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 551-201. Initial child custody jurisdiction

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

INITIAL CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION

A. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, [FN1] a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial child custody determination only if:

1. This state is the home state of the child on the date of the commencement of the proceeding, or was the home state of the child within six (6) months before the commencement of the proceeding and the child is absent from this state, but a parent or person acting as a parent continues to live in this state;

2. A court of another state does not have jurisdiction under paragraph 1 of this subsection, or a court of the home state of the child has declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that this state is the more appropriate forum under Section 19 or 20 of this act, [FN2] and:

a. the child and the child’s parents, or the child and at least one parent or a person acting as a parent, have a significant connection with this state other than mere physical presence, and
b. substantial evidence is available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships;

3. All courts having jurisdiction under paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection have declined to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that a court of this state is the more appropriate forum to determine the custody of the child under Section 19 or 20 of this act; or

4. No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in paragraph 1, 2, or 3 of this subsection.

B. Subsection A of this section is the exclusive jurisdictional basis for making a child custody determination by a court of this state.

C. Physical presence of, or personal jurisdiction over, a party or a child is not necessary or sufficient to make a child custody determination.

§ 551-202. Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

EXCLUSIVE, CONTINUING JURISDICTION

A. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, [FN1] a court of this state which has made a child custody determination consistent with Section 13 or 15 of this act [FN2] has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until:

1. A court of this state determines that neither the child, the child and one parent, nor the child and a person acting as a parent have a significant connection with this state and that substantial evidence is no longer available in this state concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships; or

2. A court of this state or a court of another state determines that the child, the child’s parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in this state.

B. A court of this state which has made a child custody determination and does not have exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under this section may modify that determination only if it has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under Section 13 of this act. [FN3]

§ 551-203. Jurisdiction to modify determination

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

JURISDICTION TO MODIFY DETERMINATION

Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, [FN1] a court of this state may not modify a child custody determination made by a court of another state unless a court of this state has jurisdiction to make an initial determination under paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection A of Section 13 of this act [FN2] and:

1. The court of the other state determines it no longer has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction under Section 14 of this act [FN3] or that a court of this state would be a more convenient forum under Section 19 of this act; [FN4] or

2. A court of this state or a court of the other state determines that the child, the child’s parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the other state.

§ 551-204. Temporary emergency jurisdiction

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

TEMPORARY EMERGENCY JURISDICTION

A. A court of this state has temporary emergency jurisdiction if the child is present in this state and the child has been abandoned or it is necessary in an emergency to protect the child because the child, or a sibling or parent of the child, is subjected to or threatened with mistreatment or abuse.

B. If there is no previous child custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this act [FN1] and a child custody proceeding has not been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, [FN2] a child custody determination made under this section remains in effect until an order is obtained from a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act. If a child custody proceeding has not been or is not commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, a child custody determination made under this section becomes a final determination, if it so provides and this state becomes the home state of the child.

C. If there is a previous child custody determination that is entitled to be enforced under this act, or a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, any order issued by a court of this state under this section must specify in the order a period that the court considers adequate to allow the person seeking an order to obtain an order from the state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act. The order issued in this state remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other state within the period specified or the period expires.

D. A court of this state which has been asked to make a child custody determination under this section, upon being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made by, a court of a state having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act, shall immediately communicate with the other court. A court of this state which is exercising jurisdiction pursuant to Sections 13 through 15 of this act, upon being informed that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in, or a child custody determination has been made by, a court of another state under a statute similar to this section shall immediately communicate with the court of that state to resolve the emergency, protect the safety of the parties and the child, and determine a period for the duration of the temporary order.

§ 551-205. Notice--Opportunity to be heard--Joinder

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

NOTICE; OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD; JOINDER

A. Before a child custody determination is made under this act, [FN1] notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act [FN2] must be given to all persons entitled to notice under the law of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state, any parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated, and any person having physical custody of the child.

B. This act does not govern the enforceability of a child custody determination made without notice or an opportunity to be heard.

C. The obligation to join a party and the right to intervene as a party in a child custody proceeding under this act are governed by the law of this state as in child custody proceedings between residents of this state.

§ 551-206. Simultaneous proceedings

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

SIMULTANEOUS PROCEEDINGS

A. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, [FN1] a court of this state may not exercise its jurisdiction under this article [FN2] if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this act, [FN3] unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this state is a more convenient forum under Section 19 of this act. [FN4]

B. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act, a court of this state, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to Section 21 of this act. [FN5] If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this act, the court of this state shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state. If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this act does not determine that the court of this state is a more appropriate forum, the court of this state shall dismiss the proceeding.

C. In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a court of this state shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may:

1. Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying, or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement;

2. Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or

3. Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate.

§ 551-207. Inconvenient forum

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

INCONVENIENT FORUM

A. A court of this state which has jurisdiction under this act [FN1] to make a child custody determination may decline to exercise its jurisdiction at any time if it determines that it is an inconvenient forum under the circumstances and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum. The issue of inconvenient forum may be raised upon the motion of a party, the court’s own motion, or request of another court.

B. Before determining whether it is an inconvenient forum, a court of this state shall consider whether it is appropriate for a court of another state to exercise jurisdiction. For this purpose, the court shall allow the parties to submit information and shall consider all relevant factors, including:

1. Whether domestic violence has occurred and is likely to continue in the future and which state could best protect the parties and the child;

2. The length of time the child has resided outside this state;

3. The distance between the court in this state and the court in the state that would assume jurisdiction;

4. The relative financial circumstances of the parties;

5. Any agreement of the parties as to which state should assume jurisdiction;

6. The nature and location of the evidence required to resolve the pending litigation, including testimony of the child;

7. The ability of the court of each state to decide the issue expeditiously and the procedures necessary to present the evidence; and

8. The familiarity of the court of each state with the facts and issues in the pending litigation.

C. If a court of this state determines that it is an inconvenient forum and that a court of another state is a more appropriate forum, it shall stay the proceedings upon condition that a child custody proceeding be promptly commenced in another designated state and may impose any other condition the court considers just and proper.

D. A court of this state may decline to exercise its jurisdiction under this act if a child custody determination is incidental to an action for divorce or another proceeding while still retaining jurisdiction over the divorce or other proceeding.

§ 551-208. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

JURISDICTION DECLINED BY REASON OF CONDUCT

A. Except as otherwise provided in Section 16 of this act [FN1] or by another law of this state, if a court of this state has jurisdiction under this act [FN2] because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:

1. The parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction;

2. A court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act [FN3] determines that this state is a more appropriate forum under Section 19 of this act; [FN4] or

3. No court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Sections 13 through 15 of this act.

B. If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection A of this section, it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under Sections 13 through 15 of this act.

C. If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection A of this section, it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this state unless authorized by law other than this act.

§ 551-209. Information to be submitted to court

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED TO COURT

A. In a child custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child’s present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last five (5) years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period. The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party:

1. Has participated, as a party or witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the date of the child custody determination, if any;

2. Knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions, and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding; and

3. Knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons.

B. If the information required by subsection A of this section is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished.

C. If the declaration as to any of the items described in paragraphs 1 through 3 of subsection A of this section is in the affirmative, the declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court. The court may examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters pertinent to the court’s jurisdiction and the disposition of the case.

D. Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other state that could affect the current proceeding.

E. If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information must be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice.

§ 551-210. Appearance of parties and child

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

APPEARANCE OF PARTIES AND CHILD

A. In a child custody proceeding in this state, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this state to appear before the court in person with or without the child. The court may order any person who is in this state and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child.

B. If a party to a child custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this state, the court may order that a notice given pursuant to Section 8 of this act [FN1] include a statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party.

C. The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section.

D. If a party to a child custody proceeding who is outside this state is directed to appear under subsection B of this section or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child.

Article 3. Enforcement

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 551-301. Definitions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

DEFINITIONS

In this article:

1. “Petitioner” means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.

2. “Respondent” means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child custody determination.

§ 551-302. Enforcement under Hague Convention

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

ENFORCEMENT UNDER HAGUE CONVENTION

Under this article [FN1] a court of this state may enforce an order for the return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction as if it were a child custody determination.

§ 551-303. Duty to enforce

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

DUTY TO ENFORCE

A. A court of this state shall recognize and enforce a child custody determination of a court of another state if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this act [FN1] or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this act and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this act.

B. A court of this state may utilize any remedy available under other laws of this state to enforce a child custody determination made by a court of another state. The remedies provided in this article are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child custody determination.

§ 551-304. Temporary visitation

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

TEMPORARY VISITATION

A. A court of this state which does not have jurisdiction to modify a child custody determination, may issue a temporary order enforcing:

1. A visitation schedule made by a court of another state; or

2. The visitation provisions of a child custody determination of another state that does not provide for a specific visitation schedule.

B. If a court of this state makes an order under paragraph 2 of subsection A of this section, it shall specify in the order a period of time that it considers adequate to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court having jurisdiction under the criteria specified in Article 2 of this act. [FN1] The order remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other court or the time period expires.

§ 551-305. Registration of child custody determination

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

REGISTRATION OF CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION

A. A child custody determination issued by a court of another state may be registered in this state, with or without a simultaneous request for enforcement, by sending to the appropriate court in this state:

1. A letter or other document requesting registration;

2. Two copies, including one certified copy, of the determination sought to be registered, and a statement under penalty of perjury that to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person seeking registration the order has not been modified; and

3. Except as otherwise provided in Section 21 of this act, [FN1] the name and address of the person seeking registration and any parent or person acting as a parent who has been awarded custody or visitation in the child custody determination sought to be registered.

B. On receipt of the documents required by subsection A of this section, the registering court shall:

1. Cause the determination to be filed as a foreign judgment, together with one copy of any accompanying documents and information, regardless of their form; and

2. Serve notice upon the persons named pursuant to paragraph 3 subsection A of this section and provide them with an opportunity to contest the registration in accordance with this section.

C. The notice required by paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section must state that:

1. A registered determination is enforceable as of the date of the registration in the same manner as a determination issued by a court of this state;

2. A hearing to contest the validity of the registered determination must be requested within twenty (20) days after service of notice; and

3. Failure to contest the registration will result in confirmation of the child custody determination and preclude further contest of that determination with respect to any matter that could have been asserted.

D. A person seeking to contest the validity of a registered order must request a hearing within twenty (20) days after service of the notice. At that hearing, the court shall confirm the registered order unless the person contesting registration establishes that:

1. The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 of this act; [FN2]

2. The child custody determination sought to be registered has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act; or

3. The person contesting registration was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act, [FN3] in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which registration is sought.

E. If a timely request for a hearing to contest the validity of the registration is not made, the registration is confirmed as a matter of law and the person requesting registration and all persons served must be notified of the confirmation.

F. Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.

§ 551-306. Enforcement of registered determination

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

ENFORCEMENT OF REGISTERED DETERMINATION

A. A court of this state may grant any relief normally available under the laws of this state to enforce a registered child custody determination made by a court of another state.

B. A court of this state shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in accordance with Article 2 of this act, [FN1] a registered child custody determination of a court of another state.

§ 551-307. Simultaneous proceedings

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

SIMULTANEOUS PROCEEDINGS

If a proceeding for enforcement under this article [FN1] is commenced in a court of this state and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the determination is pending in a court of another state having jurisdiction to modify the determination under Article 2 of this act, [FN2] the enforcing court shall immediately communicate with the modifying court. The proceeding for enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the modifying court, stays or dismisses the proceeding.

§ 551-308. Expedited enforcement of child custody determination

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

EXPEDITED ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD CUSTODY DETERMINATION

A. A petition under this article [FN1] must be verified. Certified copies of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original.

B. A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state:

1. Whether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was;

2. Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this act and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;

3. Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding;

4. The present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known;

5. Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorney’s fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and

6. If the child custody determination has been registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act, [FN2] the date and place of registration.

C. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing must be held on the judicial day after service of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the petitioner.

D. An order issued under subsection C of this section must state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs, and expenses under Section 34 of this act, [FN3] and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears and establishes that:

1. The child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act and that:

a. the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 of this act, [FN4]
b. the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act, or
c. the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or

2. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act.

§ 551-309. Service of petition and order

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

SERVICE OF PETITION AND ORDER

Except as otherwise provided in Section 33 of this act, [FN1] the petition and order shall be served upon the respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child in the manner provided in Section 2004 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

§ 551-310. Hearing and order

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

HEARING AND ORDER

A. Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order pursuant to Section 16 of this act, [FN1] upon a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child unless the respondent establishes that:

1. The child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act [FN2] and that:

a. the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under Article 2 of this act, [FN3]
b. the child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act, or
c. the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of Section 8 of this act, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or

2. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under Section 27 of this act, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act.

B. The court shall award the fees, costs, and expenses authorized under Section 34 of this act [FN4] and may grant additional relief, including a request for the assistance of law enforcement officials, and set a further hearing to determine whether additional relief is appropriate.

C. If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the court may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.

D. A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child may not be invoked in a proceeding under this article. [FN5]

§ 551-311. Warrant to take physical custody of child

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

WARRANT TO TAKE PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF CHILD

A. Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state.

B. If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this state it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child. The petition must be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The application for the warrant must include the statements required by subsection B of Section 30 of this act. [FN1]

C. A warrant to take physical custody of a child must:

1. Recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based;

2. Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and

3. Provide for the placement of the child pending final relief.

D. The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant, and order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody.

E. A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this state. If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour.

F. The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the child and the child’s custodian.

§ 551-312. Costs, fees, and expenses

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

COSTS, FEES, AND EXPENSES

A. The court shall award the prevailing party, including a state, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs, communication expenses, attorney’s fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes that the award would be clearly inappropriate.

B. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against a state unless authorized by laws other than this act. [FN1]

§ 551-313. Recognition and enforcement

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT

A court of this state shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued by another state and consistent with this act [FN1] which enforces a child custody determination by a court of another state unless the order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under Article 2 of this act. [FN2]

§ 551-314. Appeals

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

APPEALS

An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this article [FN1] in accordance with appellate procedures in other civil cases. Unless the court enters a temporary emergency order under Section 16 of this act, [FN2] the enforcing court may not stay an order enforcing a child custody determination pending appeal.

§ 551-315. Role of district attorney

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

ROLE OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY

A. In a case arising under this act [FN1] or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the district attorney may take any lawful action, including resorting to a proceeding under this article [FN2] or any other available civil proceeding, to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child custody determination if there is:

1. An existing child custody determination;

2. A request to do so from a court in a pending child custody proceeding;

3. A reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or

4. A reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

B. A district attorney acting under this section acts on behalf of the court and may not represent any party.

§ 551-316. Role of law enforcement

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

At the request of a district attorney acting under Section 37 of this act, [FN1] a law enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to locate a child or a party and assist the district attorney with responsibilities under Section 37 of this act.

§ 551-317. Costs and expenses

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

COSTS AND EXPENSES

If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess against the respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the district attorney and law enforcement officer under Section 37 or 38 of this act. [FN1]

Article 4. Miscellaneous Provisions

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

§ 551-401. Application and construction

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION

In applying and construing this Uniform Act, [FN1] consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.

§ 551-402. Transitional provision

Updated: 
November 18, 2022

TRANSITIONAL PROVISION

A motion or other request for relief made in a child custody proceeding or to enforce a child custody determination which was commenced before the effective date of this act [FN1] is governed by the law in effect at the time the motion or other request was made.