All Roll Calls
Yes: 274 • No: 85
OklahomaHB 2235Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Wrongful convictions; increasing liability amount for claims of wrongful incarceration; codification.
Sponsored By: Cyndi Munson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More people qualify for wrongful imprisonment compensation
Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying people imprisoned solely because of a felony conviction can seek compensation; a guilty plea alone no longer bars them. A full pardon must include a written finding that they committed neither the offense nor a lesser offense. Alternatively, a court must find innocence by clear and convincing evidence, overturn the conviction, and end further proceedings on those facts. Time served alongside a sentence for an unrelated crime does not count. The law covers exonerations before or after May 28, 2003; prospective coverage remains if a court strikes down retroactive coverage. The Department of Corrections must give people it identifies as wrongfully imprisoned the compensation law and nonprofit assistance contacts. It provides these at release or as soon as practical after it has reason to believe they qualify.
Education waivers for wrongfully imprisoned families
People awarded wrongful-imprisonment compensation and their birth or adopted children receive education cost waivers. Covered Oklahoma public colleges and career technology districts cannot charge them resident or nonresident tuition, room and board, or mandatory fees. The waiver covers up to 120 credit hours.
Bigger payments for people wrongfully imprisoned
Beginning July 1, 2025, eligible claimants get $50,000 per compensable prison year, replacing the former $175,000 maximum. They also get an extra $50,000 per death-row year and $25,000 per year on parole or probation. Partial years count proportionally, but prison time served alongside an unrelated sentence does not count. Awards up to $1 million are paid at once; larger awards pay $1 million at once and the rest in three equal annual payments. Punitive damages—extra money meant to punish the government—are not allowed.
Health coverage for people wrongfully imprisoned
Beginning July 1, 2025, people entitled to wrongful-imprisonment compensation can choose Department of Corrections group health coverage. Coverage can last as long as their time served for the wrongful conviction, including parole or probation. Claimants must pay the same monthly contribution as department employees; spouses and other dependents are not covered. The Legislature must fund coverage costs through the Tort Claims Liability Revolving Fund, and the department can seek reimbursement.
More access to clearing criminal records
People qualifying under either of two specified expungement paths can request a hearing within 30 days after filing their petition. The court must grant that request and give prosecutors, arresting agencies, the state investigation bureau, and relevant parties at least 10 days' notice. An already expunged offense cannot count as a prior offense when deciding whether another offense qualifies for expungement.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Cyndi Munson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Nick Archer
Republican • House
Julie Daniels
Republican • Senate
Jared Deck
Democratic • House
Regina Goodwin
Democratic • Senate
Ellyn Hefner
Democratic • House
Justin Humphrey
Republican • House
Chris Kannady
Republican • House
Robert Manger
Republican • House
Pittman
Affiliation unavailable
Ronald Stewart
Democratic • House
Gabe Woolley
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/15/2025
FOURTH READING
Yes: 51 • No: 32
House vote • 5/15/2025
EMERGENCY
Yes: 41 • No: 37
Senate vote • 5/6/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 42 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Committee vote: Appropriations
Yes: 19 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Committee vote: Judiciary
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 75 • No: 13
House vote • 3/5/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 6 • No: 2
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/19/2025
Amended And Engrossed
5/7/2025
Floor (Senate)
4/17/2025
Senate Committee Report 2
4/16/2025
Senate Committee Report 1
4/8/2025
Engrossed
3/31/2025
Floor (House)
3/7/2025
House Committee Report
3/6/2025
House Committee Substitute
3/6/2025
House Committee Report
2/20/2025
Introduced
1/16/2025
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