Req. No. 8662 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) HOUSE BILL 3640 By: Hasenbeck AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to sentencing; creating the Oklahoma Domestic Abuse Survivorship Act; defining terms; directing courts to consider certain mitigating factors during sentencing and pleas; requiring defendants to provide documentary evidence; providing the court the discretion to depart from applica ble sentences; allowing certain persons to make application for sentencing relief; authorizi ng the Court of Criminal Appeals to develop and disseminate standard application form; stating absence of a limitation period when applying for relief; providi ng guidelines for when persons may apply for relief; providing procedures for filing applications ; stating types of documentary evidence necessary for consideration; providing for the filing of applications without costs under certain circumstances; allowi ng the state to obje ct upon showing of certain evidence; prov iding for the dismissal of applicati ons; authorizing courts to grant leave to file amendment applications; authorizing courts to grant certain motion; providing for sentencing review hearings; st ating procedures for hearings; providing sentencing ranges up on finding by the court; providing p rocedures for amending judgment and sentences; establishing restrictions on subsequent applications; allowing amended judgment and sentences to be appealed; stating requirement fo r appeals; requiring certain attorneys to complete annual education and train ing; amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 982, which r elates to presentence investigations; expanding scope of circumstances; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. Req. No. 8662 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPL E OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Domestic Abuse Survivorship Ac t". SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.1 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follo ws: As used in this act: 1. "Conditional release" means a type of release from custody that is not parole but which must comply with conditions such as electronic monitoring; 2. "Deferred sentence" means a type of sentence as provided in Section 991c of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statu tes; 3. "Domestic abuse" means any act of physical harm or the threat of imminent physical harm which is committed by an adult, emancipated minor, or minor child thirteen (13) years of age or older against another adult, emancipated minor or minor child who is currently or was previously an intimate pa rtner or family or household member; Req. No. 8662 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. "Economic-financial control" means any behavior that has a substantial and adverse effect on the abil ity of an individual to: a. acquire, use, or maintain money or other pro perty, b. obtain goods including, but not limited to, food and clothing, or c. obtain services including, but not limited to, utilities. Economic-financial control also includes fraudu lently opening financial accounts an d borrowing money from his or her intimate partner or family or household member; 5. "Physical abuse" means any real or threatened physical injury or damage to the body that is not accidental; 6. "Posttraumatic stress disorder" means the same as such term is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistica l Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5, 2013), and occurred as a result of the victimization of a survivor of domestic abuse; 7. "Psychological abuse" means a pattern of real or threatened mental intimidation, threats, coercive control, economic-financial control, and humiliation that is intended to provoke fear of harm ; and 8. "Sentencing hearing" means a type of postconviction hearing in which the defendant is brought before the court for imposition of the sentence. Req. No. 8662 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.2 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as foll ows: A. During a hearing to: 1. Sentence a person; or 2. Accept a plea of guilty, for a person who is a survivor of domestic abuse, and has been charged with the crime against his or her intimate partner where self-defense could have been raised as an a ffirmative defense, the court shall consider as a mitigati ng factor that the person has been abused physically, sexually, or psychologically by the person the defendant defended himself or herself against, along with any other mitigating or aggravating factors. B. The defendant shall provid e to the court evidence including, but not limited to: 1. Documentary evidence, corroborating that the defendant was, at the time of the offense or within one (1) year prior to the commission of the offense, a victim of domestic abuse, as such term is defined in Section 2 of this act, perpetrated by the person the defendant defended himself or herself against; and 2. At least one piece of documentary evidence shall be a court record, presentence report, social services record, hospital record, sworn statement from a witness to the domestic violence who is not Req. No. 8662 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the defendant, law enforcement record, domestic incident report, or order of protection. Other evidence may include, but sha ll not be limited to, local jail records or records of the Department of Corrections, documentation prepared at or near the time of the commission of the offense or the prosecution thereof tending to support the claims of the defendant, or verification of consultation with a licensed medical care provider or mental health care pro vider, employee of a court acting within the scope of his or her employment, member of the clergy, attorney, social worker, or rape crisis counse lor, or other advocate acting on be half of an agency that assists victims of domestic abuse. Expert testimony from a psychiatrist, psycholog ist, or mental health professional showing that the defendant has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of domestic violence may also be submitted to the court as evidence. C. If the court finds by a preponderance of the e vidence that the defendant is a survivor of domestic abuse within one (1) year prior to or on the date of the offense by the person the defendant defended himself or herself against, then the court shall have the discretion to depart f rom the applicable sentence. Such findings of fact shall be on the record after giving due regard to the evidence submitted to the court by the defendant . Req. No. 8662 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 4. NEW LAW A ne w section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.3 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as fo llows: A. Any person who has been convicted or received a sentence for a crime against his or her intimate partner where self-defense could have been raised as an affirmative defense and the abuse was perpetrated by the person the defendant was defending hi mself or herself against and who claims: 1. That he or she was a victim of domestic abuse, as defined in Section 2 of this act, at the time of the criminal offense or within one (1) year leading up to the criminal offense perpetrated by the person the defendant defend ed himself or herself against; 2. That the aforementioned domestic abuse was substantially related to the commission of th e offense; or 3. That the sentence previously imposed does not serve the means of justice when considering the mitigating evidence of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, may make an application to the court in which the judgment and sentence of the person was imposed. Upon receiving the application, the court shall institute a proceeding to secure the appropriate sentencing relief. The Court of Criminal Appeals shall be authorized to develop and disseminate a standard form for an application in conformity with the provisions of this section. Req. No. 8662 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.4 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads a s follows: A. No period of limitation shall apply to the filing of any application seeking sentencing relief, whether an original application or a subsequent application. B. For those seeking to submit an application after revocation of a suspended sente nce, acceleration of a deferred sentence, or revocation of probation, the person may submit the application once the person has been processed into the custody of the Department of Corrections only if the person did not invoke the mitigati on procedures outlined in Section 3 of this act during or after the revocation hearing. C. For those seeking to submit an application after revocation of parole or conditional release, the person may submit the application once the person has been processed into the Department of Corrections only if the person did not invoke the mitigation procedures outlined in Section 3 of this act during or after the revocation hearing. D. The provisions of this section s hall apply to any application filed on or after the effective dat e of this act. SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.5 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: Req. No. 8662 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 A. A proceeding is commenced by filing a n application for sentencing review with the clerk of the court imposing judgment if an appeal is not pending. When such a proceeding arises from the revocation of parole or conditional release, t he proceeding shall be commenced by filing a n application with the clerk of the court in the county in which the parole or conditional release was revoked. Facts within the personal knowledge of the applicant and the authenticity of all documents and exhi bits included in or attached to the application shall be sworn to be true and correct. The clerk of the court shall docket the application upon its receipt, promptly notify the court, and deliver a copy to the district attorne y. B. A valid application fo r consideration will show by a preponderance of the evidence, includin g but not limited to documentary evidence, corroborating that the applicant: 1. Was, at the time of the offense, or within one (1) year leading up to the commission of the offense, a victim of domestic abuse, as such term is defined in Section 2 of this act, perpetrated by the person the defendant defended himself or herself against; and 2. At least one piece of documentary evidence shall be a court record, presentence report, social services record, ho spital record, sworn statement from a witness to the domestic violence who is not the defendant, law enforcement record, domestic incident report, or order of protection. Other evidence may include, but shall not be limited to, local jail records or recor ds of the Department of Req. No. 8662 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Corrections, documentation pr epared at or near the time of the commission of the offense or the prosecution thereof tending to support the claims of the person, or verification of consultation with a licensed medical care provider o r mental health care provider, employee of a court ac ting within the scope of his or her employment, member of the clergy, attorney, social worker, or rape crisis counselor, or other advocate acting on behalf of an agency that assists victims of domestic a buse. Expert testimony from a psychiatrist, psycholo gist, or mental health professio nal showing that the defendant has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder may also be submitted to the court as evidence. SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new secti on of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.6 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: If the applicant is unable to pay co urt costs and expenses of representation, the applicant shall include an affidavit to that effect with the application, wh ich shall then be filed without costs. Counsel necessary in representation shall be made available to the applicant upon filing the ap plication and a finding by the court that such assistance is necessa ry to provide a fair determination of sentencing reli ef. If an attorney is appointed to represent such an applicant then the fees and expenses of such attorney shall be paid from the court fund. The attorney, if Req. No. 8662 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 appointed, shall be employed by the respec tive county's indigent defense agency. SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Stat utes as Section 1090.7 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. Within thirty (30) days after the docketing of the application, the state may file an objection if the state has evidence that directly controvert s the evidence of abuse submitted by the applicant or evidence that provides additi onal context to the battering relationship . In considering the application, the court shall take account of the substance of the application, regardless of any defects of form. The court may also allow affidavits for good cause shown. Depositions may be employed only when there is no other means of obtaining testimony. B. When a court is satisfied, on the basis of the application, the answer or motion of respondent, and t he record, that the applicant is not entitled to sentencing review and no purpose would be served by any fur ther proceedings, the court shall order the application dismissed or grant lea ve to file an amended application. Where such evidence exis ts in the record, an evidentiary hearing shall be ordered. The judge assigned to the case sho uld not dispose of it on the basis of information within his or her personal knowledge not made a part of the record. Req. No. 8662 Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 C. The court may grant a motion by the state for summary disposition of the application when it appears from the response and pleadings that there is no genuine basis for seeking a senten cing review. An order disposing of an applicatio n without a hearing shall state the findings and conclusions of the court regarding the issues presented. SECTION 9. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.8 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. If the applicant meets the evidentiary burden in the pleadings, the court shall conduct a sentencing review h earing at which time a record shall be made and preserv ed. The court may receive proof by affidavits, depositions, oral testimony, or other evidence and may order the applicant to be brought before the court for the hearing. Any live testimony shall be subject to direct and cross examination. The state may present evidence only if it directly controverts the evidence of abuse offered by the applicant, or evidence that provides additional context to the battering relationship. A judge should not preside at such a hearing if his or her testimony is material. The court shall make speci fic findings of fact regarding whether or not the applicant was a survivor of domestic abuse at the time of the criminal offense or within one (1) year prior to the offense and that the abuse was perpetrated by the person the def endant defended himself or herself Req. No. 8662 Page 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 against. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the applicant is a survivor of domestic abuse, then the new sentencing range for the defendant shall be: 1. If the offense carries up to five (5) years, not more than three (3) years; 2. If the offense carries up to ten (10) years, not more than five (5) years; or 3. If the offense carries up to twenty (20) years, not more than seven (7) years. No matter the range for the offense , an applicant that meets the evidentiary burden by a preponderance of the evidence under this section shall not receive a sentence longer than ten (10) years. B. The court shall amend the judgment and sentence of the applicant to the new sentence. The order issued by the court shall be a final judgment. SECTION 10. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as S ection 1090.9 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as fo llows: If the court finds in the affirmative tha t the applicant was a survivor of domestic abuse at the time of the criminal offense or within one (1) year prior to the offense and that the abuse was perpetrated by the person the defendant defended hi mself or herself against, the court shall amend the judgment and sentence to reflect a new sentence consistent with that provided in Section 9 of this Req. No. 8662 Page 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 act. If the amended sentence reflects less time than the applicant has already served in the custody of the Department of Corrections, then the court shall als o issue an order of discharge for the applicant. The court shall enter any supplementary orders as to time served, custody, bail, discharge, or other matters that may b e necessary and proper. SECTION 11. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.10 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, read s as follows: All grounds for sentencing relief available to an applicant under the provisions of this act , shall be raised in his or her original or amended application. Any ground previously adjudicated or not raised or knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waived in the proceeding that resulted in the conviction or sentence , or in any other proceeding the applicant has taken to secure relief, may not be the basis for a subsequent application. SECTION 12. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.11 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. A denied application or an amended judgment and sentence entered under the provisions of this act may be appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeals by the applicant or the state within thirty (30) days from the entry of the amended judgment and sentence. Req. No. 8662 Page 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. Upon motion of either party on filing a notice of intent to appeal, within ten (10) days of entering the amended judgme nt and sentence, the district cou rt may stay the execution of the amended judgment and sentence pending disposition on appeal; provided, however, the Court of Criminal Appeals may direct the vacation of the order staying the execution prior to final dispos ition of the appeal. SECTION 13. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1090.12 of Title 22, unless there is created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows: A. Any district attorney, assistant district attorney, public defender, assistant public defender, attorney employ ed by or under contract with the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, court -appointed attorney, private defense attorneys, or attorney employed by or under contract with a district court whose duties include domestic violence responsibility shall complete at least three (3) hours of education and training annually in courses relating to the topics described in paragraph 1 of subsection A of this s ection. The education and training requirements may be accomplished through a collaborative effort between the judiciary and others with dome stic violence responsibilities. B. Each judicial district shall be responsible for developing and administering procedures and rules for such courses for attorneys identified in paragraph 1 of this subsection whose duties Req. No. 8662 Page 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 routinely include domestic violen ce responsibilities. The chief judge of each judici al district, or any designee judge with domestic violence case responsibilities, shall carry out this mandate within one (1) year of the effective date of this act. SECTION 14. AMENDATORY 22 O.S. 2021, Section 982, is amended to read as follows: Section 982. A. Whenever a person is convict ed of a violent felony offense whether the c onviction is for a single offense or part of any combination of offenses, except when the death sentence is available as punishment for the of fense, the court may, before imposing the sentence, require a presente nce investigation be made of the offender by the Department of Corrections. The court shal l order the defendant to pay a fee to the Department of Corrections of not less than Fifty Doll ars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the pres entence investigation. In hardship cases, the court may reduce the amount of the fee and e stablish a payment schedule. B. Whenever a person has a prior felony conviction and enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony offense other than a violent felony offense, without an agreement by the district attorney regarding the sentence to be imposed, the court may order a presentence investigation be made by the Department of Corre ctions. The fee provided in subsection A of this section shall apply to persons subject to this subsection. Req. No. 8662 Page 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 C. Whenever a person has entered a plea of not guil ty to a nonviolent felony offense and is found guilty by a court following a non-jury trial, the court may require a presentence investigati on be made by the Department of Corrections. The fee provided in subsection A of this section shall apply to person s subject to this subsection. D. When conducting a presentence investigation, the Department shall inquire into the circumstances of the of fense and the characteristics of the offender. The information obtai ned from the investigation shall include, but n ot be limited to, a voluntary statement from each victim of the offense concerning the nature o f the offense and the impact of the offense o n the victim and the immediate family of the victim, the amount of th e loss suffered or incurred by the victim as a result of the criminal conduct of the offender, and the age, marital status, living arrangement s, financial obligations, income, family hist ory and education, prior juvenile and criminal records, prior abusive relationships, prior sexual assaults, prior ex perience as a victim of human trafficking, associations with other persons convicted of a felony offense, social history, indications of a p redisposition to violence or substance abuse, remorse or g uilt about the offense or the harm to the victim, job skills and employment history of the offender. The Department shall make a report of information from such investigation to the court, includin g a recommendation detail ing the Req. No. 8662 Page 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 punishment which is deeme d appropriate for both the offense and the offender, and specifically a recommendation for or against probation or suspended sentence. The report of the investigation shall be presented to the judg e within a reasonable tim e, and upon failure to present the report, the judge may proceed with sentencing. Whenever, in the opinion of the court or the Department, it is desirable, the investigation shall include a physical and mental examination or eithe r a physical or mental ex amination of the offender. E. The district attorney may have a presentence investigation made by the Department on each person charged with a violent felony offense and entering a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere as part of or in exchange for a plea agreement for a violent fel ony offense. The presentence investigation shall be complete d before the terms of the plea agreement are finalized. The court shall not approve the terms of any plea agreement without reviewing th e presentence investigati on report to determine whether or not the terms of the sentence are appropriate for both the o ffender and the offense. The fee provided in subsection A of this section shall apply to persons subject to this subsection and shall be a condition of the plea agreement and sentence. F. The presentence investigation reports specified in this section shall not be referred to, or be considered, in any appeal proceedings. Before imposing a sentence, the court shall advise the Req. No. 8662 Page 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 defendant, counsel for the defendant, and the district attorney of the factual contents and conclusions of the presentence investigation report. The court shall afford the offender a fair opportunity to controvert the findings and conclusions of the reports at the time of sentencing. If eit her the defendant or the district attorney desires, a hearing shall be set by the court to allow both parties an opportunity to offer evidence proving or disproving any finding contained in a report, which shall be a hearing in mitigation or aggravation of punishment. G. The required pre sentence investigation and report may be waived upon written waiver by the district attorney and the defendant and upon approval by the Court. H. As used in this section, "violent felony offense " means: 1. Arson in the first degree; 2. Assault with a da ngerous weapon, battery with a dangerous weapon or assault an d battery with a dangerous weapon; 3. Aggravated assault and battery on a police officer, sheriff, highway patrol officer, or any other officer of the law; 4. Assault with intent to kill, or sh ooting with intent to kill; 5. Assault with intent to commit a felony, or use of a firearm to commit a felony; 6. Assault while masked or disguised; 7. Burglary in the first degree or burglary wi th explosives; Req. No. 8662 Page 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 8. Child beating or maiming; 9. Forcible sodomy; 10. Kidnapping, or kidnapping for extortion; 11. Lewd or indecent proposition or lewd or indecent acts with a child; 12. Manslaughter in the first or second degrees; 13. Murder in the fi rst or second degrees; 14. Rape in the first or second de grees, or rape by instrumentation; 15. Robbery in the first or second degrees, or robbery by two or more persons, or robbery with a dangerous weapon; or 16. Any attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit any of the above enumerated offenses. Req. No. 8662 Page 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 15. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024. 59-2-8662 GRS 01/16/24