Representative Tim Turner

R

District 15

Hi, I'm Tim Turner and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 15th District.

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Sep 22, 2026
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Turner Studies Child-Sensitive Arrest Policies and Practices in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY –The House Criminal Judiciary Committee on Tuesday held an interim study by Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, examining child-sensitive policies and practices when children are present during the arrest of a parent or caregiver Turner, who served more than two decades in law enforcement, including as a sheriff and narcotics officer, said the intent of the study was to examine current Oklahoma law enforcement policies, practices, training and data collection efforts while identifying practical opportunities to strengthen officer training, cross-system collaboration, and available resources that support public safety and improve outcomes for children and families. "Law enforcement officers are asked to make difficult decisions in rapidly evolving situations where officer and public safety must always remain the highest priority," Turner said. "The purpose of this discussion is not to change that mission. Officers must maintain the ability to do their jobs. But we also must consider children who are present when an arrest takes place and the impact that may have on them." Turner said it was his intent during the study to learn how many Oklahoma children are affected by parental arrest in their presence; what procedures and resources are in place and available to help officers and affected children; what happens to those children after an arrest to make sure they are safe and supported; and ways to make this process better and safer so children are protected while not compromising law enforcement officers and public safety. The study was requested by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY), through its legislatively mandated Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) Advisory Committee. OCCY Executive Director Annette Wisk Jacobi gave an overview of the commission's work to improve services and outcomes for Oklahoma's children, youth and families. She said the commission works across agencies, systems and communities to identify and address issues affecting children and youth and to promote programs that support them. "Our role often places OCCY at the intersection of multiple systems, including child welfare, behavioral health, education and the justice system," Jacobi said. Dr. David McLeod, chair of OCCY's CIP Advisory Committee and a director at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma, spoke about what children may experience when witnessing an arrest of a parent or caregiver. They may feel their safety is threatened, he said, or have caregiver separation anxiety. They'll likely be confused about what happens next. This can create acute or toxic stress and trauma responses. This can later result in emotional and behavioral difficulty, negative family and police perceptions, posttraumatic stress symptoms, physiological stress and can impact school performance and development. McLeod said law enforcement and lawmakers should consider what is preventable, what is already feasible and what data Oklahoma lacks. Some protective factors to consider include having a trusted adult in place to help the child, giving clear information about what is happening now and what will happen next, having a safe caregiver in place who will help the child maintain school and other routine activities, offering follow-up support. Shannon Luper, program director of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars and Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, shared that more than 26,000 Oklahoma children have a parent in prison, and one in 10 have experienced incarceration of a family member. For many children, a parent's arrest is their first interaction with the justice system. "The question is not only what happens to the parent. It is what happens to the child," she said. "Parental arrest is not a single event for the child. It's a journey." Luper included the perspective shared by youth when they were asked what they remembered about the experience of a parent or caregiver being arrested, what helped them, what could have been different and what they would like policymakers to understand. Child-sensitive arrests are just the beginning of the conversation, Luper said. What organizations such as hers do after an arrest is equally if not more important. This may include making sure the child can visit their incarcerated parent to help maintain healthy family relationships, partnering with caregivers to provide support, mentoring the child, teaching leadership and resilience, and supporting the parent with education and opportunities to reconnect with their children. Other presenters who shared lived experiences included Mikayla Woods, a Haskell County resident; and Daryll Savell on the Parent Partnership Board with OCCY. The study also featured a question-and-answer session with law enforcement, featuring Scott Walton, sheriff of Rogers County; Jon Sappington, former Rogers County undersheriff; and Kevin Branscum, an investigator with the District 25 district attorney's office. This study can be viewed on the House website, https://www.okhouse.gov/ , under live proceedings. Search by calendar day, Sept. 22, then for study IS26-082 Child-Sensitive Arrest Policies and Practices in Oklahoma, under Criminal Judiciary starting at 1 p.m.

Sep 18, 2026
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Turner to Pursue Legislation to Ban Kratom

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, announced Friday that he intends to pursue legislation during the 61st Oklahoma Legislature addressing dangerous kratom-derived compounds linked to a growing number of deaths in Oklahoma. Turner said his legislation will seek to place dangerous kratom alkaloids and concentrated or synthetically enhanced compounds, including 7 Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl and Dihydro-7-Hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15), under Schedule I of the Oklahoma Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. Turner, a former sheriff and longtime narcotics officer, said he is particularly concerned that kratom-derived products and highly concentrated compounds are readily available on the counters of convenience stores and other retail locations across Oklahoma. “Our youth are more important than a dollar,” Turner said. “There is no amount of tax revenue, retail sales or industry profit that is worth the life of an Oklahoma child. We have an obligation to protect our kids, and getting these dangerous compounds off store counters is one way we can help save lives. We should not wait until another Oklahoma family receives a devastating phone call before we decide to act.” According to information from the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), from January through June 2026, 38 deaths were reported involving one of the identified compounds alone. Another 73 deaths involved at least one of the compounds in combination with another intoxicating drug or substance. OCME has reported a significant rise in deaths associated with mitragynine alkaloids, both alone and in combination with alcohol or other medications. The agency has identified compounds of concern that include 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl and Dihydro-7-Hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15). According to OCME, these substances can produce potent opioid-like effects and, when taken alone or with other sedating substances, can increase the likelihood of severe respiratory depression and death. OCME has further reported that the increase in associated deaths began during the latter half of 2025 and has escalated in recent months. The agency has cited ease of accessibility, unregulated content, promotion as dietary supplements and vague package labeling as factors that can contribute to misconceptions about product safety. Turner is already working with law enforcement officials and prosecutors to develop the legislation. He intends to work with fellow legislators, medical professionals and affected families as well. Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Director Donnie Anderson said the state’s current law limits his agency’s ability to investigate suppliers of synthetically enhanced kratom products. “I look forward to working with State Representative Tim Turner and the Oklahoma Legislature to enact strict laws that will give my agency the enforcement authority to protect the health and safety of our citizens from these dangerous products,” Anderson said. “Synthetically enhanced Kratom products are contributing to an alarming rise in overdoses and deaths in our state. But, because these products are not listed as Controlled Dangerous Substances in Oklahoma, we currently do not have jurisdiction to investigate and shut down the suppliers.” District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp also emphasized the need for lawmakers to address product safety. “When kratom, particularly in combination with common medications like Benadryl, contributes to a death, we should take notice,” Thorp said. “Reasonable legislation ensuring these products are safe, properly tested, and clearly labeled can help prevent future tragedies.” Turner said he also wants lawmakers to examine avenues for holding manufacturers and distributors accountable when evidence shows their products contributed to deaths or serious injuries. “It is time to stop treating this like just another product on a convenience store shelf,” Turner said. “If companies knowingly manufacture, market, distribute or sell dangerous products that are killing Oklahomans, there needs to be accountability. That accountability should include both criminal and civil consequences where the facts and law support it.” Turner said his more than two decades in law enforcement, including his experience as a sheriff and narcotics officer, shaped his decision to pursue the legislation. “I didn’t come to the Legislature just to sit in a building and watch problems get worse,” Turner said. “It’s time for me to put my training outside this building to use and fight for the safety of Oklahoma families. If we can prevent one child from becoming addicted, overdosing or losing their life, then this effort is worth it.” The bill introduction deadline for the first session of the 61st Oklahoma Legislature is Jan. 14, 2027. The first day of session is Feb. 1. 

May 11, 2026
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Bill Authors Issue Statements on DUI Accountability Measure

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Jonathan Wilk, R-Goldsby, and Tim Turner, R-Kinta, along with Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, issued the following statements on Senate Bill 137 , legislation relating to Oklahoma’s Electronic Monitoring Program for inmates in the custody of the Department of Corrections. "Drunk driving can leave victims and families carrying the consequences for the rest of their lives," Wilk said. "When someone causes great bodily injury while driving under the influence, accountability matters. Victims deserve to know sentences handed down by the courts will be taken seriously and reviewed through the proper judicial process." "The Oklahoma Legislature will continue working to make sure victims receive the justice they deserve," Wilk added. "I also look forward to the Senate considering House Bill 3114 , which follows the grand jury’s recommendation to require offenders to serve at least 20% of their sentence before becoming eligible for the program."  "I am honored to be a small part of the effort to correct this oversight in our laws and make Oklahoma a safer place," said Hamilton. "Every crime eligible for the electronic monitoring program is an offense in which another person is not physically harmed. This bill was a true team effort consisting of input from both chambers, as well as prosecutors, judges, justices and citizens." "Protecting Oklahoma streets matters," Turner said. "When someone chooses to drink and drive and causes great bodily harm, that victim’s life is changed forever. Causing that kind of injury with a vehicle should be treated with the seriousness it deserves."  "Oklahomans deserve safe roads, and they deserve legislators who stand with law enforcement and victims," Turner added. "If someone seriously injures another person in a DUI crash, there should not be special treatment or special privileges that allow them to avoid serving their sentence."  SB137 modifies eligibility requirements for the state’s electronic monitoring program and adds additional restrictions for certain offenders. The measure is authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton in the Senate and Reps. Wilk and Turner in the House. The bill became law without the Governor's signature and takes effect Nov. 1, 2026.