OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill protecting domestic violence victims from their abusers after those individuals are released on bail is making its way to the governor’s desk.
Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, on Tuesday secured final passage of legislation that allows courts to require defendants in the most egregious domestic violence cases to wear GPS ankle monitors while out on bail. Senate Bill 1325 passed both legislative chambers unanimously.
“This is one of the most meaningful pieces of legislation I’ve ever worked on because it will be lifesaving for survivors of domestic violence who have already endured so much,” Coleman said. “These GPS-enabled ankle monitors will alert victims when their abuser is nearby, giving them the chance to get to safety before it’s too late. Oklahoma is experiencing a domestic violence crisis, and this measure will better protect victims and give them more control when they’re feeling their most vulnerable.”
Domestic violence defendants who have a prior abuse adjudication and those charged with a violent offense, such as domestic abuse by strangulation or domestic abuse with a dangerous or deadly weapon, could be required to wear an ankle monitor until the conclusion of their criminal case. Defendants would be required to cover the costs of the ankle monitor and monitoring service, although exceptions could be made for indigent defendants.
A domestic violence victim will receive an electronic alert if the defendant comes within a specified distance. Law enforcement will also be notified.
Senator Coleman has worked on this legislation since the fall, when he hosted an interim study to explore the feasibility of requiring GPS monitors for domestic violence defendants. He added that this concept has been implemented successfully in other states to reduce instances of abuse.
If signed into law, SB 1325 would take effect on Nov. 1.
