Legislation aimed at strengthening public safety and modernizing courts' tools to identify potentially dangerous offenders before trial has been signed into law.

Senate Bill 1618 creates the Public Protection Act, establishing a more transparent and accountable framework for pretrial release decisions. The measure requires the use of validated risk assessments and public safety reporting to help courts evaluate the likelihood that a defendant will commit additional crimes, fail to appear in court or otherwise threaten public safety.

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, who carried the bill in the House, said the measure prioritizes the safety of Oklahoma families and communities while providing reliable information to judges making release decisions.

"Pretrial release decisions can have significant consequences for victims, communities and defendants alike, and it's critical that courts have access to reliable information when determining if and how an individual should be released.

"When someone is arrested for a crime, one of the first questions should be whether releasing that individual poses a risk to the public," Harris said. "For too long, courts have lacked consistent tools and data to identify high-risk offenders before they're released, which can have significant consequences for victims and communities. The Public Protection Act will protect communities by giving judges better information to make informed decisions and preventing dangerous criminals from slipping through the cracks."

The legislation requires courts to consider evidence-based risk assessments when determining conditions of release and establishes reporting requirements that will provide lawmakers, courts and the public with more information regarding pretrial outcomes and reoffending rates.

"This law prioritizes public safety for Oklahomans and establishes much-needed safeguards before the release of a defendant from custody," said Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, who authored the bill in the Senate. "By using pretrial risk assessments to determine release conditions, we are keeping communities safe while upholding consistent standards that treat defendants fairly under the law. Looking at a defendant's criminal history and the seriousness of their offenses will protect the public and save lives. I appreciate all of Representative Harris' help in getting this bill across the finish line."

SB 1618 takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.