HB 2131 Summary

• Amends 22 O.S. 2021, Section 340, to regulate the use and disclosure of grand jury transcripts in Oklahoma.

• Prohibits attorneys and other persons obtaining grand jury transcripts from disclosing contents to anyone except their attorney without court permission for criminal proceedings, asset forfeiture proceedings, or removal proceedings.

• Requires written notice and hearing before a judge to release grand jury transcripts, with hearings closed to the public unless the judge finds public interest in openness outweighs grand jury secrecy interests.

• Prohibits attorneys obtaining transcripts (except in civil asset forfeiture cases) from representing parties in civil cases related to the grand jury testimony or using transcripts to benefit or harm any party in civil litigation.

• Allows prosecutors to continue indictments or removal accusations while engaged in related civil litigation, provided grand jury transcripts are not disclosed to civil litigation staff; permits witness access to their own testimony for trial preparation under disclosure restrictions.

• Establishes violation of transcript disclosure restrictions as a misdemeanor punishable as contempt.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2025.