Bill > HB1860

This bill establishes new protections for victims and their families by requiring confidentiality of crime scene and autopsy photographs during clemency hearings before the Pardon and Parole Board. Specifically, the legislation mandates that parties submit two separate clemency hearing packets: one for public view that excludes sensitive photographs, and another for the Board and Governor that includes all materials, including autopsy and crime scene images depicting victims. The bill amends the Oklahoma Open Records Act to add crime scene and autopsy photographs submitted to the Pardon and Parole Board to the list of confidential records that are not accessible to the public. The Pardon and Parole Board is given the authority to seal any materials in the public packet that might infringe on a victim's privacy, as determined by a majority vote of the Board members. The Governor will receive the complete packet with all photographs, while the public packet will be redacted to protect victims' dignity. This legislation aims to balance the public's right to information with the need to protect victims and their families from potentially traumatizing visual evidence during clemency proceedings. The new law is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, giving state agencies time to prepare for implementation.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1860&Session=2600