Legislative News
Posted September 18, 2011
President Anita Alford sent a letter to Governor Fallin stating that the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) supports the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation for commutation of the Life Without Parole Sentence for Larry Yarborough. Click here to read the letter.
Posted August 24, 2011
Message from Kate Richey, Policy Analyst, Oklahoma Policy Institute:
"
We have released the second post in a three-part series by Oklahoma Policy Institute examining the persistence of racial disparities in unemployment, Oklahoma’s Unemployment Gap (Part Two): Why the labor market isn’t colorblind. Part Two explores underlying and immediate causes for the state’s black-white unemployment gap and suggests reasons for its persistence. An excerpt:
Despite a litany of post-election commentary in 2008 and high-profile best-selling books heralding the end of racism in America, scholarly research is unequivocal on the question of hiring discrimination against black applicants: it’s alive and well. Sociologist Devah Pager’s groundbreaking peer-reviewed research has demonstrated that black applicants without a criminal record are less likely to get call-backs from prospective employers than white applicants with a criminal record and just released from prison.
Click here to read the full article. Feel free to forward, share or re-post. Cheers, Kate."
Posted March 11, 2011
Click the link below to read a letter from Brian Bush, J.D., Oklahoma Christian University, regarding HB 2131. This bill was created to promote effective criminal justice strategies that help facilitate breaking the cycle of incarceration. Click here to download letter.
Bills of Interest & Contact Info
(Posted March 19, 2010)
Here's a listing of DOC bills of interest for our members. Should folk want their reps to support or not support a certain measure, the link to the reps are here for easy access.
Find your Legislators http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/default.aspx
House Directory http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/MemberListing.aspx
Senate Directory http://www.oksenate.gov/Senators/directoryalpha.htm
DOC Bills of Interest http://www.ecapitol.net/docreports/All_Monitored_Bills.htm
Bill tracking http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/WebBillStatus/main.html
Legend for Flags
# Amended by the House
@ Amended by the Senate
x Stricken Title
$ Appropriation Bill
c Carryover Bill
e Emergency Clause
d Dormant
s Committee Substitute
/ Stricken Enacting Clause
a Constitutional Amendment
Measure Flags Chamber Status Date Title
HB1298 #cs S REF TO APPR 3/17/2009 Zone of safety for convicted sex offenders-Delete certain age limitation
HB1350 #cs H GENERAL ORDER 2/25/2010 Elections; voter registration; voting rights convicted felons; modify
HB1505 #xcs S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/19/200 Creating Juli's Law-Require DNA testing for certain felonies
HB1662 c S REF TO JUD 3/18/2009 Motor vehicle-Prohibit displaying materials harmful to minors
HB1697 c S REF TO JUD 3/12/2009 Inmate reports-Court clerk to request from Department of Corrections prior to hearing
HB1702 c H GENERAL ORDER 2/24/2009 Forfeiture of property; gang-related offense
HB1748 c S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/19/2009 Criminal Justice Resource Center-Delete duty-Repeal Oklahoma Sentencing Commission
HB1773 c H GENERAL ORDER 2/12/2009 Private prison contractors and vendors; provide documentation to DOC
HB1781 #cs H GENERAL ORDER 2/26/2009 Prisons; housing contract requirements; prison contractors
HB1887 C S REF TO APPR 3/17/2009 Eligible offender-Modifying definition-Community punishments
HB2005 #cs S INTRODUCED 3/11/2010 Penalties for DUI-Specify scope of prohibited acts-Modify penalties
HB2080 #@c H CCR SUBMITTED 5/20/2009 Gangs-Make certain acts unlawful; forfeiture of property
HB2297 # S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010Intoxicating liquors-Increase penalties for underage drinking
HB2313 S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Authorizing filing of juvenile proceedings-Modify definition of sexual battery
HB2604 #s S INTRODUCED 3/8/2010 Criminal procedure-Increase statute of limitations for certain crime
HB2630 #xe S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Sex offenders-Assign certain to active electronic monitoring upon release from custody
HB2729 S REF TO JUD 3/8/2010 Juvenile justice-Authorize use of chemical agents/electroshock weapons under certain circumstances
HB2732 #s S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Spread of infectious diseases-Expand scope of certain prohibited acts
HB2746 #s S INTRODUCED 3/11/2010 Revocation of driving privileges due to certain offenses-Remove requirement
HB2852 #s H REF ENGROSSMENT 3/11/2010 Administrative Procedures Act; emergency rules; modifying procedure
HB2922 S INTRODUCED 3/11/2010 Inmate capacity notification process-Specify
HB2934 # S REF TO JUD 3/8/2010 Sex offenders-Expand information collected
HB2941 # S INTRODUCED 3/11/2010 DNA Index System-Make software and database structures confidential and exempt from disclosure
HB2965 #es S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Sex offenders/child rape-Modify and add penalties
HB2998 #xs S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Authorizing DOC to implement a pilot program for certain inmates
HB3158 S REF TO JUD 3/8/2010 Drug Court Act-Authorize extension of supervision period
HB3225 #s H GENERAL ORDER 2/23/2010 Rape; adding circumstance to rape definition
HB3255 H GENERAL ORDER 2/9/2010 Motor vehicles; negligent homicide
HB3264 S INTRODUCED 3/11/2010 Ignition interlock device standards-Authorize Bd of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence to approve
HB3289 #s S INTRODUCED 3/8/2010 Sentencing powers-Sex offenders-Prohibit residence near victims
HB3378 #x S INTRODUCED 3/10/2010 Prison Industries Program-Modify procedures for purchasing products and services
HB3379 #s S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Prisons-Specify notice require for petitions for jud review-Prohibit court to order attorney fees
HB3380 #x S INTRODUCED 3/10/2010 OK Methamphetamine Offender Registry Act-Create
HB3381 S REF TO AP-PUBSA 3/11/2010 Driver license or identification card-Provide penalty for alteration of designation
HJR1080 #xa S REF TO APPR 3/8/2010 Constitutional amendment-Transfer Pardon and Parole Board to the DOC
SB1141 @xcs H REF TO JUDIC 3/18/2009 Domestic Violence Registration Act-Create
SB1147 @c HREF TO JUDIC 3/18/2009 Sex offender from ice cream truck veding-Prohibit
SB1612 @xe H FIRST READING 3/1/2010 Advisory Council for Children of Incarcerated Parents-creating
SB1645 e H FIRST READING 2/23/2010 Crimes-Apply certain definitions to specified crimes
SB1671 @x S GENERAL ORDER 2/22/2010 Legislative members-Provide penalties for failure to disclose conflict of interest
SB1794 H FIRST READING 3/11/2010 Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults-Require court to inform offender
SB1928 @xe H FIRST READING 3/9/2010 Juveniles and youthful offenders-Modify provisions related to escapes
SB2018 @x H FIRST READING 3/1/2010 Gangs-Increase penalties
SB2022 @ H FIRST READING 3/9/2010 Protection from Domestic Abuse Act-Allow court to authorize victim to monitor location of defendant
SB2064 @e H FIRST READING 3/11/2010 Zones of safety and sex offenders-Modify provisions
SB2150 H FIRST READING 3/11/2010 Domestic abuse offenses-Modiry
SB2215 @es H FIRST READING 3/9/2010 Sex Offenders Registration Act-Expand scope-Modify procedures
SB2219 @x H FIRST READING 3/10/2010 Prisons and reformatories-Authorize certain pilot program
SB2224 @x H FIRST READING 3/3/2010 Private Prison Certificate of Need Act-Create
SB2259 @x H FIRST READING 3/11/2010 Prisons and reformatories-Require reports
SB2263 @s H FIRST READING 3/11/2010 Sex Offenders Registration Act-Provide exception to registration
SB2292 H FIRST READING 3/11/2010 Drug Offenders Sentencing Task Force-Create
SB2301 @xs H FIRST READING 3/4/2010 Tabby's Law-Create
SB2311 S GENERAL ORDER 2/10/2010 Prisons-Modify information required for Sex Offender Registration Act
SB448 @xc H REF TO JUDIC 3/11/2009 Criminal procedure-Incarceration of single custodial parent-Require written findings
SB455 #@xc/ H GENERAL ORDER 4/9/2009 Taxpayer Transparency Act web site-Require to include info on agency or lobbyist request bills
SB647 @xce S GENERAL ORDER 2/17/2009 Criminal Justice Resource Center-Transfer to OK St Bureau of Investigation and Attorney General
Powder vs. Crack Cocaine Legislation
(Posted March 13, 2010)
Here's an interesting New York Times opinion piece about pending bills to end the current disparity in sentencing for these two crimes. Click here to read the article. You might want to contact your legislators about this important issue.
Senator Tom Coburn Link
(Posted March 9, 2010)
http://www.squarestate.net/showDiary.do?diaryId=9438
This link is for informational purposes only. The organization is not making an official statement in favor of or against Senator Coburn, but to keep our membership aware so you may make informed decisions and to encourage you to exercise your right to voice your opinion and express your concerns as a citizen. Review the article and if you agree or disagree, contact Senator Coburn. What is done in Washington affects us in Oklahoma. President Alford
Support Full Funding for the Second Chance Act!
(Posted March 4, 2010)
Faye Tucker, Legislative Liaison for NABCJ-Oklahoma, provided this important notice from Leah Kane, Justice Center, Coucil of State Governments, in Bethesda, Maryland:
Thank you for your interest in and support of the Second Chance Act. Thanks to your support, Second Chance Act grant programs received $100 million in fiscal year 2010. The President has requested $100 million for Second Chance Act grant programs in fiscal year 2011, which begins on October 1, 2010. Congress has begun reviewing the President’s budget, and we now need to demonstrate to Members of Congress the breadth and depth of support for the Second Chance Act in communities across the country. There are two things your organizations can do now to support the Second Chance Act:
1. Sign the attached National Support Letter requesting full funding for the Second Chance Act in FY2011. Any local, state, or national organization involved in reentry is welcome to sign the letter. We collected 270 signatures last spring, and we hope to collect even more this year. If your organization would like to sign the letter, please send me the name of your organization, and the city and state of your organization if it works at the state or local level, by March 22, 2010. Click here to download the Support Letter.
2. Send a letter directly from your organization to the House and Senate members who represent the areas where you provide services. The attached FY11 Information Packet includes a sample letter of support and instructions for contacting Members of Congress. A brief fact sheet about the Second Chance Act is also attached. Click here to download the Information Packet, and click here to download the fact sheet.
Please feel free to forward these materials on to any of your members, colleagues and friends who might be interested. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you!
Leah Kane
Justice Center
Council of State Governments
4630 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 650
Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 482-8585
Let's Support HB2998!
(Posted March 4, 2010)
The House voted 92-0 for passage of HB 2998! Please contact your State Senator(s) now and ask their support for HB 2998!! Please see below article for details. Thanks!(Faye Tucker)
Story reported by KOCO.com 3/2/2010 , 5:57 p.m. ((CST)) copied and brought to OKCURE by LeAnne Jones
HOUSE BILL 2998 ONLY APPLIES TO NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS WITH FAMILIES
OKLAHOMA CITY--- Legislation creates a pilot program that seeks to establish re-entry and diversion programs to allow non-violent offender mothers to receive community-based services in lieu of incarceration unanimously passed the House Monday. House Bill 2998, by Rep Kris Steele, would encourage re-entry and diversion programs as opposed to jail time for non-violent female offenders in allowing them to receive rehabilitative services while maintaining contact with their family.
Oklahoma incarcerates more women then any other state in the nation. It's incarceration rate for women is 131 per 100,000 residents, almost twice that national average of 69 per 100,000. Most women prison inmates, 68 percent are in prison for non-violent offenses. "This bill will give women convicted of non-violent crimes to access rehabilitative services that have proven effective," said Steele.
"As policy-makers, we can be both though and smart on crime. The average prison stay for a non-violent woman is less than a year, but the impact on their children is lifelong and devastating. In-home rehabilitative services will keep these families together and allow Oklahoma women to receive the help they desperately need.
The bill passed the House with a vote of 92-0 and will next be considered by the Senate.