Senate committee passes three bills addressing domestic violence

Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, passed three measures out of the Public Safety Committee Monday that aim to tighten sentences for domestic violence offenders, increase accountability for their actions and further protect their victims.

Senate Bill 1103 cracks down on offenders of assault and battery with intent to cause great bodily harm by strangulation or attempted strangulation. According to the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention, strangulation victims are 750 percent more likely to be killed than victims who have never been strangled.

The measure increases the penalties associated with strangulation or attempted strangulation by removing the mandatory minimum sentence of one year for a person found to have committed these crimes and increases the maximum term of imprisonment to 10 years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Additionally, the measure increases the maximum fine from $3,000 to $5,000 and increases the maximum sentence from 10 to 20 years of imprisonment.

“Strangulation is a gateway offense that can lead to grim outcomes for victims,” Standridge said. “I’m glad my fellow colleagues in the Public Safety Committee are joining me to take a stand against this crime. We have to hold offenders who use strangulation accountable for their crimes before it progresses to homicide.”

The committee also passed SB 1104 and SB 1105.

SB 1104 adds the crime of domestic assault and battery against a known pregnant woman resulting in miscarriage to the list of 85 percent crimes, meaning a person convicted of this offense must serve 85 percent of his or her sentence before receiving consideration for parole.

SB 1105 adds domestic assault and battery that results in great bodily injury to the list of 85 percent crimes, defines it as a violent crime and modifies the crime’s prison sentence. 

“Domestic assault must not be tolerated in Oklahoma,” Standridge said. “I’m proud to stand up for the victims that experience the trauma associated with these horrific events and look forward to presenting all three of these bills on the Senate floor.”

All three measures now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

For more information, contact: Sen. Rob Standridge at 405-521-5535, or email Rob.Standridge@oksenate.gov

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