OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, today, received unanimous approval of Senate Bill 541 on the Senate Floor with a 46-0 vote.
Senate Bill 541 is a significant measure recommended by the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. The legislation is aimed at enhancing protections for victims of domestic violence by imposing stricter penalties on repeat offenders and those who assault pregnant women.
The legislation expands the list of 85% crimes – offenses requiring convicts to serve at least 85% of their prison sentences before eligibility for parole – to include subsequent domestic assault charges and assaults committed against women known by the perpetrator to be pregnant. This legislative action ensures that individuals convicted of these serious crimes face appropriately extended periods of incarceration, reflecting the severity of their actions.
“The unanimous passage of Senate Bill 541 underscores our collective commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Oklahomans,” Senator Gollihare said. “By enforcing longer sentences for repeat domestic violence offenders and those who harm pregnant women, we are taking decisive action to protect some our most vulnerable citizens and deter future acts of violence. This is a pivotal step toward addressing domestic violence, and continued efforts are essential. I view this measure as part of a broader strategy to combat domestic violence in Oklahoma. We must persist in our mission to protect victims and ensure we remove those convicted of these horrific crimes from society.”
According to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, 122 domestic violence-related homicide victims were identified in 2023. This represents the highest number since the board started collecting data in 2002.
Senate Bill 541 will now proceed to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration.
