Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association last week applauded legislators involved in amending Senate Bill 1835, the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act. SB 1835 passed the House floor May 20 and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk.

The legislation, authored by House Floor Leader Jon Echols and Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat, creates an evidentiary process by which a Court must consider prior domestic abuse and requires resentencing when it can be shown that the abuse was a substantial contributing factor to the crime.

SB 1835 follows SB 1470, the original OSA bill, which was vetoed earlier this legislative session by Governor J. Kevin Stitt due to the potential for habitual criminals to seek new sentences by exploiting language within that legislation.

“For the past two years, the District Attorneys Association has offered support for a survivorship act that protects victims of domestic abuse while not allowing career-criminals to take advantage of the justice system. We are grateful to Governor Stitt, Secretary Tricia Everest, Speaker Charles McCall, Rep. Echols, Sen. Treat, and others who worked to close some of the loopholes in the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act.” ODAA President Christopher Boring said. “As these new procedures are implemented, we stand ready to combat any additional unintended consequences that may still arise. The District Attorneys Association remains dedicated to creating and supporting legislation that will aid in the fight against domestic violence and support victims of domestic abuse.”

Earlier this year, the Oklahoma District Attorneys request bill, Senate Bill 1211 (authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson and Rep. John George) was signed by the Governor. SB 1211 increased the range of punishment for criminals convicted of committing Domestic Abuse by Strangulation. SB 1211 will take effect Nov. 1.