Oklahoma Governor Signs Statewide Public Safety Plan Into Law

Governor Fallin signs a public safety bill on Thursday that is supported by both republicans and democrats.

The statewide public safety plan developed through Oklahoma's Justice Reinvestment Initiative establishes a grant program to provide funding for crime reduction initiatives. It also requires at least nine months of post-release supervision for felons and creates risk, mental health, and substance abuse evaluations for people before they're found guilty of a felony.

"Increasing public safety is a top priority of my administration and a primary function of state government. The reforms in HB 3052 will help to reduce crime and ensure our streets are safer for Oklahoma families," Fallin said. "In addition to lowering crime rates, reducing the incarceration rate and giving law enforcement more resources to fight crime, this bill will help us to save taxpayer dollars by helping our corrections system operate in a more efficient and effective way."

Criminal justice stakeholders from across the state stood in support Thursday as Fallin ceremoniously signed House Bill 3052. The bill, authored by House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, was formally signed Wednesday.

"Today marks the beginning of a tougher, smarter fight against crime," said Steele, R-Shawnee. "Police will get more resources, offenders will be held more accountable, prisons will have the space to incarcerate dangerous criminals and Oklahoma will be much safer as a result. We're thrilled to have been part of the unprecedented collaboration across our entire criminal justice system that has delivered this meaningful law to the people of Oklahoma."

HB 3052 goes into effect on November 1.