Oklahoma Senate Bill SB83

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Motorcycle profiling; requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt policy, review training, and address issues pertaining to motorcycle profiling. Effective date.

Impact

The bill mandates that every law enforcement agency adopt a written policy to condemn motorcycle profiling, ensuring that such practices are prevented. Additionally, it stipulates that agencies must review their current training and operational procedures to address issues surrounding motorcycle profiling. This could lead to significant changes in how law enforcement interacts with motorcyclists, with a focus on reducing discrimination and fostering fair treatment. The bill also envisions working collaboratively with motorcycle groups to ensure that the concerns of these communities are duly addressed.

Summary

Senate Bill 83 seeks to address issues related to motorcycle profiling by requiring law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma to adopt policies condemning such practices. Motorcycle profiling is defined in the bill as the discriminatory action where an individual is stopped or questioned based primarily on their association with motorcycles, which includes wearing motorcycle-related attire. The bill sets forth mandatory practices that local law enforcement agencies must implement in order to eliminate motorcycle profiling incidents across the state.

Contention

While the intent behind SB83 is to combat discriminatory practices, there may be contention surrounding its implementation and the effectiveness of the proposed policies. Some law enforcement agencies may view these mandates as additional burdens to their operations, questioning the practicality of implementing new training protocols. Community groups and advocates for motorcyclists are likely to support the bill, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and highlighting any historical instances of profiling that warrant legislative action.