HB 2188 Summary

• Amends 22 O.S. 2011, Section 471.3 relating to the Oklahoma Drug Court Act to modify the drug court approval process.

• Shifts drug court consideration authority from the district attorney to the court when the district attorney objects; the court retains discretion to review and approve an offender's request for drug court participation despite prosecutor objection.

• Allows courts to refer offenders for drug court investigation and set an eligibility hearing if the offender voluntarily consents and no district attorney objection is made.

• Permits future consideration of an offender for drug court even after an initial denial, provided the district attorney approves.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2017.