Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB2789 Latest Draft

Bill / Engrossed Version Filed 03/07/2023

                             
 
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ENGROSSED HOUSE 
BILL NO. 2789 	By: Stinson of the House 
 
   and 
 
  Pugh of the Senate 
 
 
 
 
An Act relating to protective orders and stalking; 
amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 60.2, as ame nded by 
Section 6, Chapter 318, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 
2022, Section 60.2), which relates to the Protection 
from Domestic Abuse Act; clarifying who is authorized 
to seek relief under the Protection from Domestic 
Abuse Act; amending 28 O.S. 2021, Sectio n 153, as 
amended by Section 2, Chapter 237, O.S.L. 2022 (28 
O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 153), which relates to fees 
in criminal cases; providi ng sheriff's fee for 
serving stalking warning letter; and providing an 
effective date. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: 
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     22 O.S. 2021, Section 60.2, as 
amended by Section 6, Chapter 318, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 2022, 
Section 60.2), is amended to read as follows: 
Section 60.2 A.  A victim of domestic abuse, a vic tim of 
stalking, a victim of harassment, a victim of rape, any adult or 
emancipated minor household member on behalf of any other family or 
household member who is a minor or incompetent , any minor age 
sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years, or any adult victim of a crime   
 
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with a need to preve nt further victimization, may seek relief under 
the provisions of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act. 
1.  The person seeking relief may file a petition for a 
protective order with the dist rict court in the county in which the 
victim resides, the county in which the defendant resides, or the 
county in which the domestic violence occurred.  If the person 
seeking relief is not a family or household member or an indivi dual 
who is or has been in a dating relationship with t he defendant, the 
person seeking relief must file a complaint against the de fendant 
with the proper law enforcement agency before filing a petition for 
a protective order with the district court .  The person seeking 
relief shall provide a copy of the compl aint that was filed with the 
law enforcement agency at the full hearing if t he complaint is not 
available from the law enforcement agency.  Failure to provide a 
copy of the complaint filed with the law enforcement agency shall 
constitute a frivolous filing and the court may assess attorney fees 
and court costs against the plaintif f pursuant to paragraph 2 of 
subsection C of this section.  The filing of a petition for a 
protective order shall not require jurisdiction or venue of the 
criminal offense if eithe r the plaintiff or defendant resides in the 
county. If a petition has been filed in an action for divorce or 
separate maintenance and either party to the action files a petition 
for a protective order in the same county where the action for 
divorce or separate maintenance is filed, the pet ition for the   
 
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protective order may be hea rd by the court hearing the divorce or 
separate maintenance action if: 
a. there is no established protective order docket in 
such court, or 
b. the court finds that, in the interest of judicial 
economy, both actions may be heard together; provided, 
however, the petition for a protective order, 
including, but not limited to, a petition in which 
children are named as petitioners, shall remain a 
separate action and a separate order shal l be entered 
in the protective order action.  Protective orders may 
be dismissed in favor of restraining orders in the 
divorce or separate maintenance action if the court 
specifically finds, upon hea ring, that such dismissal 
is in the best interests of the parties and does not 
compromise the safety of any petitioner. 
If the defendant is a minor child, the petition shall be filed 
with the court having jurisdiction over juvenile matters. 
2.  When the abuse occurs when the court is not open for 
business, such person may request an emergency tem porary order of 
protection as authorized by Section 40.3 of this title. 
B.  The petition forms shall be provided by the clerk of the 
court.  The Administrative O ffice of the Courts shall develop a 
standard form for the pe tition.   
 
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C.  1.  Except as otherwise provided by this section, no filing 
fee, service of process fee, attorney fees or any other fee or costs 
shall be charged the plaintiff or victim at any time f or filing a 
petition for a protective order whether a protect ive order is 
granted or not granted .  The court may assess court costs, serv ice 
of process fees, attorney fees, other fees and filing fees against 
the defendant at the hearing on the petition, if a protective order 
is granted against the defendant; provide d, the court shall have 
authority to waive the costs and fees if the court f inds that the 
party does not have the ability to pay the costs and fees. 
2.  If the court makes specific findings that a petition for a 
protective order has been filed frivolously and no victim exists, 
the court may assess attorney fees and court costs aga inst the 
plaintiff. 
D. The person seeking relief shall prepare the petition or, at 
the request of the plaintiff, the court clerk or the victim-witness 
coordinator, victim support person, and court case manager shal l 
prepare or assist the plaintiff in prep aring the petition. 
E.  The person seeking a protective order may further request 
the exclusive care, possession, or control of any animal owned, 
possessed, leased, kept, or held b y either the petitioner, defendant 
or minor child residing in the residence of the petitioner or 
defendant.  The court may order the defendant to make no contact 
with the animal and forbid the defendant from taking, transferring,   
 
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encumbering, concealing, m olesting, attacking, striking, 
threatening, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal. 
F.  A court may not require the victim to seek legal sanctions 
against the defendant including, but not limited to, divor ce, 
separation, paternity or criminal procee dings prior to hearing a 
petition for protective order. 
G.  A victim of rape, forcible sodomy, a sex offense, 
kidnapping, assault and battery with a deadly weapon or member of 
the immediate family of a victim of first-degree murder, as such 
terms are defined in Section 40 of this title, may petition for an 
emergency temporary orde r or emergency ex parte order regardless of 
any relationship or scenario pursuant to the provisions of this 
section.  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall modify the 
petition forms as necessary to effectuat e the provisions of this 
subsection. 
SECTION 2.     AMENDATORY    28 O.S. 2021, Section 153, as 
amended by Section 2, Chapter 237, O.S.L. 2022 (28 O.S. Supp. 2022, 
Section 153), is amended to read as follo ws: 
Section 153. A.  The clerks of the courts shall collect as 
costs in every criminal case for each o ffense of which the defendant 
is convicted, irrespect ive of whether or not the sentence is 
deferred, the following flat c harges and no more, except for 
standing and parking violations and for charges otherwise provided 
for by law, which fee shall cover doc keting of the case, filing of   
 
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all papers, issuance of process, warrants, orders, and other 
services to the date of judgme nt: 
1.  For each defendant convicted of 
exceeding the speed limit by at least 
one (1) mile per hour but n ot more than 
ten (10) miles per hour, whether charged 
individually or conjointly wi th others...............$77.00 
2.  For each defendant convic ted of a 
misdemeanor traffic violation other than 
an offense provided for in paragraph 1 
or 5 of this subsection, whether charg ed 
individually or conjointly with others...............$98.00 
3.  For each defendant convicted o f a 
misdemeanor, other than for driving 
under the influence of alcoh ol or other 
intoxicating substance or an offense 
provided for in paragraph 1 or 2 of this 
subsection, whether charged individually 
or conjointly with others ............................ $93.00 
4.  For each defendant c onvicted of a 
felony, other than for driving u nder the 
influence of alcohol or other 
intoxicating substance, whether charged 
individually or conjointly with others..............$103.00   
 
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5.  For each defendant convicte d of the 
misdemeanor of driving under the 
influence of alcohol or other 
intoxicating substance, whe ther charged 
individually or conjointly with others..............$433.00 
6.  For each defendant convicted of the 
felony of driving under the influence of 
alcohol or other intoxicating substance, 
whether charged individually or 
conjointly with others .............................. $433.00 
7.  For the services of a court r eporter at 
each preliminary hearing and trial held 
in the case................................ ..........$20.00 
8.  For each time a jury is request ed.................... $30.00 
9.  A sheriff's fee for serving or 
endeavoring to serve each writ, warran t, 
order, process, command, or notice, or 
stalking warning letter or pursuing any 
fugitive from justice 
a. within the county........................ $50.00, or 
mileage as 
established by the 
Oklahoma Statutes,   
 
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whichever is 
greater, or 
b. outside of the county.................... $50.00, or 
actual, necessary 
expenses, whichever 
is greater 
B.  In addition to the amount collected pursuant to paragraph s 2 
through 6 of subsection A of this section, the sum of Six Dollars 
($6.00) shall be assessed and credited to the Law Library Fund 
pursuant to Section 1201 e t seq. of Title 20 of the Oklahoma 
Statutes. 
C.  In addition to the amount collected pursuant to subsection A 
of this section, the sum of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) shall be 
assessed and collected in every traffic case for each offense other 
than for driving under the influence of alcohol or other 
intoxicating substance; the sum of Thirty Dollars ($30.00 ) shall be 
assessed and collected in every misdemeanor case for each of fense; 
the sum of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall be assessed and collected 
in every misdemeanor case for each offense for driving under the 
influence of alcohol or other intoxicating sub stance; the sum of 
Fifty Dollars ($50.00) shall be assessed and collect ed in every 
felony case for each offense; and the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) 
shall be assessed and collected in every felony case for each   
 
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offense for driving under the influence of alcohol or other 
intoxicating substance. 
D.  In addition to the amounts collected pursuant to subsections 
A and B of this section, the sum of Twenty -five Dollars ($25.00) 
shall be assessed and credited to the Okl ahoma Court Information 
System Revolving Fun d created pursuant to Section 1315 of Title 20 
of the Oklahoma Statutes . 
E.  In addition to the amount collected pursuant to paragraphs 1 
through 6 of subsecti on A of this section, the sum of Ten Dollars 
($10.00) shall be assessed and credited to the Sheri ff's Service Fee 
Account in the county in which the conviction occurred for the 
purpose of enhancing existing or providing additional courthouse 
security. 
F.  In addition to the amounts collected pursuant to para graphs 
1 through 6 of subsection A of this s ection, the sum of Three 
Dollars ($3.00) shall be assessed and credited to the Office of the 
Attorney General Victim Services Unit. 
G.  In addition to the amou nts collected pursuant to paragraphs 
1 through 6 of subsection A of this section, the sum of Thre e 
Dollars ($3.00) shall be assessed and credited to the Child Abuse 
Multidisciplinary Account .  This fee shall not be used for purposes 
of hiring or employing any law enforcement officers. 
H.  In addition to the amount collected pursuant to paragraphs 5 
and 6 of subsection A of this section, the sum of Fifteen Dollars   
 
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($15.00) shall be assessed in every misdemeanor or felony case for 
each offense of driving unde r the influence of alcohol or other 
intoxicating substance and credited to the Oklahoma Impaired Driver 
Database Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 11-902d of Title 
47 of the Oklahoma Statutes . 
I.  Prior to conviction, parties in criminal cases shall not be 
required to pay, advance, or post securit y for the issuance or 
service of process to ob tain compulsory attendance of witnesses. 
J.  The amounts to be assessed a s court costs upon filing of a 
case shall be those am ounts above-stated in paragraph 3 or 4 of 
subsection A and subsection s B, C, D and E of this secti on. 
K.  The fees collected pursu ant to this section shall be 
deposited into the court fund, except the fo llowing: 
1.  A court clerk issuing a misdemeanor warr ant is entitled to 
ten percent (10%) of the sheriff's service fee, provided for in 
paragraph 9 of subsection A of this section, co llected on a warrant 
referred to the contractor for the misdemeanor warra nt notification 
program governed by Sections 514.4 an d 514.5 of Title 19 of the 
Oklahoma Statutes.  This ten-percent sum shall be deposited into the 
issuing Court Clerk's Revolving Fund, created pursuant to Section 
220 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes, of the court clerk issuing 
the warrant with the bala nce of the sheriff's service fee to be 
deposited into the Sheriff 's Service Fee Account, created p ursuant 
to the provisions of Sec tion 514.1 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma   
 
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Statutes, of the sheriff in the co unty in which service is made or 
attempted.  Otherwise, the sheriff's service fee, when co llected, 
shall be deposited in i ts entirety into the Sheriff 's Service Fee 
Account of the sheriff in the county in which service is made or 
attempted; 
2.  The sheriff's fee provided for in Section 153.2 of this 
title; 
3.  The witness fees paid by the dis trict attorney pursuant to 
the provisions of Section 82 of this title which, if collected by 
the court clerk, shall be transferred to the district attorney's 
office in the county where witness attendance was required .  Fees 
transferred pursuant to this par agraph shall be deposited in the 
district attorney's maintenance and operating expense account; 
4.  The fees provided for in subsection C of this section shall 
be forwarded to the District Attorneys Council Revolving Fund to 
defray the costs of prosecutio n; and 
5.  The following amounts of the fees provided for in par agraphs 
2, 3, 5 and 6 of subsect ion A of this section, when collected, shall 
be deposited in the Trauma C are Assistance Revolving Fund, created 
pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 -2530.9 of Title 63 of the 
Oklahoma Statutes: 
a. Ten Dollars ($10.00) of the Ninety-eight-Dollar fee 
provided for in paragraph 2 of subsection A of this 
section,   
 
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b. Ten Dollars ($10.00) of the Ninety-three-Dollar fee 
provided for in paragraph 3 of subsection A o f this 
section, 
c. One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of the Four -Hundred-
Thirty-three-Dollar fee provided for in paragraph 5 of 
subsection A of this section, and 
d. One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of the Four -Hundred-
Thirty-three-Dollar fee provided for in par agraph 6 of 
subsection A of this section . 
L.  As used in this section , "convicted" means any final 
adjudication of guilt, whether pur suant to a plea of guilty or nolo 
contendere or otherwise, and any deferred judgm ent or suspended 
sentence. 
M. A court clerk may accept in payment for any fee, fine, 
forfeiture payment, cost, penalty assessment or other charge or 
collection to be assessed or collected by a court clerk pursuant t o 
this section a nationally recogniz ed credit card or debit card or 
other electronic payment method as provided in paragraph 1 of 
subsection B of Secti on 151 of this title. 
N. Upon receipt of payment of fines and c osts for offenses 
charged prior to July 1 , 1992, the court clerk shall ap portion and 
pay Thirteen Dollars ($13.00) pe r conviction to the court fund. 
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2023. 
   
 
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Passed the House of Represen tatives the 6th day of March, 2023. 
 
 
 
  
 	Presiding Officer of the House 
 	of Representatives 
 
 
Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2023. 
 
 
 
  
 	Presiding Officer of the Senate