HB 1318 Summary

• Amends Oklahoma law regarding assault and battery on police officers, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, highway patrolmen, corrections personnel, and state peace officers.

• Simple assault on an officer during performance of duties remains a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine not exceeding $500.

• Battery or assault and battery on an officer becomes a felony punishable by up to 5 years in state correctional institution or county jail for up to 1 year, and/or a fine not exceeding $500.

• Defines "corrections personnel" as state or political subdivision employees with direct inmate contact, including Department of Corrections staff, vocational trainers, education personnel, and county/municipal jail staff.

• Clarifies that attempting to reach for or gain control of an officer's firearm constitutes assault and battery, and applies to off-duty officers when the assault relates to their official position; effective November 1, 2015.