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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 3977 By: Echols
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
An Act relating to crimes and punishments; amending
21 O.S. 2021, Sections 358 and 359, which relate to
fraudulent claims against the sta te; expanding scope
of certain unlawful acts; making certain acts
unlawful; providing penalties; providing for a
registry to be maintained by the Office of the
Attorney General and available for public inspection;
and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 21 O.S. 2021, Section 358, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 358. A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm,
corporation, association or agency to make, present, or cause to be
presented to any employee or offi cer of the State of Oklahoma, or to
any department or agency thereof, any false, fictitious , or
fraudulent claim for payment of public funds upon or against the
State of Oklahoma, or any department or agency thereof, knowing such
claim to be false, fictitio us, or fraudulent. A violation of this
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subsection shall be punished as provided in subsection A of Section
359 of this title.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person applyin g for employment
with the State of Oklahoma to make a materially false, fictitious ,
or fraudulent statement or representation on an employment
application, knowing such statement or represent ation to be
materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent. A violation of this
subsection shall be punished as provided in subsection B of Section
359 of this title.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person applying for employment
with an employer other than the State of Oklahoma to make a
materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or
representation on an employment application, knowing such statement
or representation to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent.
A violation of this subsectio n shall be punished as provided for in
subsection C of Section 359 of this title.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 21 O.S. 2021, Section 359, is
amended to read as fo llows:
Section 359. A. Any person, firm, corporation, association or
agency found guilty of violating subsection A of Section 358 of this
title shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine not exceeding
Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by impri sonment in the custody
of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceed ing two (2)
years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
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B. Any person found guilty of violating subsection B of Section
358 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punis hable by a
fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by
imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding one (1)
year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
C. Any person found guilty of violating su bsection C of Section
358 of this title shall pay a fine not exceeding One Thousand
Dollars ($1,000.00) and shall have his or her name included on a
registry administered and maintained by the Office of the Attorney
General.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, dated 02/21/2 024 -
DO PASS, As Amended.