HB2964 Summary

• Consolidates Oklahoma's victim rights laws into the "Oklahoma Victim's Rights Act" by amending statutes related to victims' and witnesses' rights in criminal proceedings.

• Requires peace officers to provide written notification to victims of violent crimes informing them of their rights, including contact information for victim-witness coordinators and websites for accessing victim compensation information.

• Establishes victim rights including notification of court proceedings, protection from harm, restitution, victim impact statements at sentencing, and the right to contest parole decisions.

• Requires the Pardon and Parole Board to notify victims in writing at least 20 days before parole consideration and notify them of pardon or parole decisions within 20 days.

• Allows immediate family members and surviving victims to witness executions in person or via closed-circuit television at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary; provides for recodification of existing victim rights statutes.