Bill > SB1819

This bill, known as the "Citizen Access to County Facilities Act," aims to create new legal protections for counties in Oklahoma. It defines "county" as a county, its officers, or employees, and "county facilities" as publicly owned spaces like parks, senior centers, barns, and fairgrounds. The act establishes that counties will generally not be held liable for injuries or deaths of participants (anyone other than a county employee) that result from the "inherent risks of an activity using county facilities," which are defined as dangers naturally present in the environment or equipment, or the participant's own negligence. However, counties can still be sued if they act with willful or wanton disregard for safety, or if they know about a dangerous condition and fail to warn participants. To benefit from this protection, counties must post clear warning signs at entrances to facilities and activity sites, and include a similar warning in any contracts for facility use, stating that participants assume the risk of injury. Failure to post these warnings will prevent a county from using these liability protections. The bill also clarifies that Oklahomans' right to use county facilities will not be prohibited, provided activities comply with existing laws and safety regulations, and it sets an effective date of November 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1819&Session=2600