OK HB2827

Victims of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, rape, or forcible sodomy may request emergency temporary protective orders when courts are closed, with peace officers assisting in filing petitions and notifying judges by telephone for approval.

Expands the definition of "stalking" to include harassment and a course of conduct involving repeated unwanted contact such as following, approaching, appearing at workplaces/residences, telephone calls, electronic communications, or delivering objects to the victim's property.

Petitioners seeking protective orders may request exclusive custody and control of animals owned by either party or minor children in the household, with courts authorized to prohibit defendants from contacting, harming, or disposing of the animals.

Courts must consider specific factors before setting bail in domestic abuse, stalking, or harassment cases, including the defendant's history of violence, mental health, substance abuse, access to weapons, severity of the alleged incident, and whether strangulation, sexual assault, or abuse during pregnancy occurred.

Peace officers investigating domestic abuse, rape, forcible sodomy, or stalking must inform victims of the statewide 24-hour communication service and their rights, including the right to file for protective orders. Effective date: November 1, 2010.