Req. No. 1304 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 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) SENATE BILL 917 By: Jett AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to retirement benefits; restricting access to certain benefit by certain public employee following felony charge; directing notice to be provided to retirement system; providing for revocation process; providing for hearings upon certain charges; requiring rejection of certain claim for payment; construing provision; providing for codification; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 24.1A of Title 51, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, rea ds as follows: A. Any state or education employee who is charged with a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction shall forfeit all benefits of the office or employment, including, but not limited to, retirement benefits provided by law. Upon a felony charge, the employee shall forfeit the right to access, withdraw from, or liqu idate the retirement benefits of the member. B. 1. The state prosecutor responsible for the employee ’s charge or charges shall notify the employer and the retirement Req. No. 1304 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 system of which the employee is a member within three (3) days of the filed charge. Upon notification, the system shall immediately implement the requirements of this section. 2. Upon receipt of the notice required by this subsection, the retirement system shall i mmediately suspend all benefits of the employee and notify the employee of his or her right to a hearing to review whether the charge qualifies for forfeiture of benefits under this section. If the charge occurs in federal court or the notice of forfeiture is not forthcoming from the state prosecutor, the retirement system may investigate and gather court documents and contact prosecutors to determine whether the charge qualifies under this section. Upon obtaining sufficient documentation of the charge, the retirement system shall immediately suspend all benefits of the employee and notify the employee of his or her right to a hearing to review whether the charge qualifies for forfeiture of benefits under this section. C. Any claims for payment to a membe r upon being charged with a felony shall be rejected by the system pursuant to this section. D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit access to retirement benefits by a member who is found not guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction. If the member is found not guilty, retirement benefits shall be reinstated, and the member shall regain access to such benefits. No credit shall be accrued for the time that benefits are forfeited. Req. No. 1304 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 SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025. 60-1-1304 RD 1/16/2025 11:14:16 AM