Oklahoma House Bill HB1625

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Crimes and punishments; modifying scope of crime to include strangulation; effective date.

Summary

HB1625 amends Oklahoma’s aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement statute, 21 O.S. 2021, Section 650. The bill expands the definition of aggravated assault and battery upon a police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, highway patrolman, corrections personnel, or other state peace officer to expressly include strangulation, in addition to the existing conduct involving physical contact and attempts to gain control of an officer’s firearm. The bill also defines “strangulation” for purposes of the statute as any form of asphyxia, including closure of the blood vessels or air passages of the neck due to external pressure on the neck, or closure of the nostrils or mouth due to external pressure on the head. The measure retains the current felony penalties for aggravated assault and battery on law officers, including imprisonment and fines, and states that the section is cumulative to other laws rather than replacing them. The effective date is November 1, 2025.

Impact

HB1625 would broaden the scope of Oklahoma’s felony offense for aggravated assault and battery on law enforcement by adding strangulation as an expressly covered form of conduct. This would affect prosecutions under 21 O.S. Section 650 and could increase the range of cases charged under the statute when an officer is strangled during the performance of duties. The bill does not create a new offense, but it clarifies and expands an existing one, leaving the current penalty structure intact.

Sentiment

Based on the available context, the bill appears to have been introduced without recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials. The measure’s caption and text suggest a law-enforcement-focused public safety bill, and there is no evidence in the record provided of organized opposition or support. Its referral status indicates it was still early in the legislative process at the time of the last action.

Contention

The main policy issue is the expansion of aggravated assault and battery on officers to include strangulation, which may be viewed as a needed clarification to address dangerous assaults on law enforcement. Potential points of contention could include whether the new definition is sufficiently precise, whether the bill broadens criminal liability too far, and how the added language may affect charging decisions and sentencing in officer-assault cases. No specific opposing or supporting arguments were recorded in the provided transcripts or vote history.