Bill > SB871

This bill modifies Oklahoma criminal statutes related to sentencing and penalties, primarily focusing on two key areas. First, the bill updates Section 13.1 to add "causing an accident while eluding or attempting to elude an officer that results in great bodily injury" to the list of serious crimes that require offenders to serve at least 85% of their imposed sentence before being eligible for parole. Second, the bill amends Section 540A regarding vehicle eluding offenses, increasing penalties for repeat offenders and specifically creating a felony charge for causing an accident while eluding police that results in great bodily injury. Under the new provisions, such an offense would be punishable by 5-7 years in the Department of Corrections and a fine up to $5,000. The bill defines "great bodily injury" as bodily harm that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious, permanent disfigurement or protracted loss of bodily function. Additionally, the bill makes some technical changes like replacing "State Penitentiary" with "Department of Corrections" and adjusting language around criminal offense definitions. The legislation is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, providing time for law enforcement and judicial systems to prepare for the new provisions.