SB 1470 Summary

• Amends 57 O.S. 2011, Section 566.3 to require prisoners filing civil actions to pay court costs from their trust accounts before commencing litigation, with an initial payment of 20% of preceding six months' deposits and monthly payments thereafter.

• Prohibits the State of Oklahoma from paying any costs and fees related to grievances, petitions, or complaints filed in court by prisoners unless required by federal law.

• Requires prisoners to exhaust all administrative remedies through the Department of Corrections or sheriff grievance procedures before filing court actions, with failure to do so resulting in dismissal with prejudice.

• Establishes that all reports and investigations prepared by the Department of Corrections or sheriff in response to prisoner grievances are confidential, prepared in anticipation of litigation, and not subject to discovery or the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2012.