As the legislative session closes, a measure reforming Oklahoma’s sentencing for felonies has been sent to the governor. House Bill 1792 creates the Oklahoma Sentencing Modernization Act of 2024 and follows the recommendations of the legislatively created Oklahoma Criminal Justice Reclassification Council.
Currently, Oklahoma does not have a felony classification system organizing felonies into different classes. The bill would organize Oklahoma’s more than 2,000 felony offenses into 14 classes based on severity. It then sets standard sentencing for certain crimes and repeat offenders receiving harsher sentences. Jury instructions would include minimum time served requirements.
Senator Dave Rader carried the HB 1792 in the Senate which passed the measure on Thursday.
“This needed reform creates a uniform and consistent felony classification system while still prioritizing the safety of all Oklahomans,” Rader said. “Thanks to everyone who provided input and played a role in shaping this legislation that will ensure Oklahoma takes a balanced approach to modernizing our justice system and reducing the number of people in our prisons.”
