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Read. Follow. Verify.Oklahoma Restricts Public Access to Crime Scene and Autopsy Photographs in Clemency Hearings
Last action · April 10, 2025: Placed on General Order
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What This Bill Would Do
HB 1860 exempts crime scene and autopsy photographs of victims submitted for s from public disclosure under the , requiring separate hearing packets for the public and the Pardon and Parole Board starting November 1, 2025.
The measure changes public access rules for state records by withholding specific visual evidence from public view during clemency proceedings, while ensuring that the Pardon and Parole Board and the Governor continue to receive the complete files.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Crime victims and victims' families
Their crime scene and autopsy photographs are granted statutory confidentiality and prohibited from public display during clemency hearings.
Pardon and Parole Board
The Board must receive two separate hearing packets, review files containing confidential photographs, and hold the authority to seal submissions from public view by majority vote.
Office of the Governor
The Governor's office receives the unredacted clemency hearing packet that includes autopsy and victim images.
General public
Public access under the Open Records Act is restricted, prohibiting inspection or viewing of victim crime scene and autopsy photographs submitted for clemency.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents will be withheld from the public during clemency hearings?
Who receives the complete set of clemency hearing materials?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
15 actions- Apr 10, 2025SenatePlaced on General Order
- Apr 8, 2025SenateFloorReported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
- Apr 1, 2025SenateCommitteeSecond Reading referred to Judiciary
- Mar 13, 2025SenateIntroducedFirst Reading
- Mar 13, 2025HouseEngrossed, signed, to Senate
- Mar 12, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred for engrossment
Show 9 earlier actions
- Mar 12, 2025HouseFloorThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 84 Nays: 0
- Mar 12, 2025HouseGeneral Order
- Feb 27, 2025HouseFloorCR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee
- Feb 24, 2025HouseAuthored by Senator Gollihare (principal Senate author)
- Feb 24, 2025HouseFloorPolicy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Criminal Judiciary
- Feb 4, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Criminal Judiciary
- Feb 4, 2025HouseCommitteeSecond Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
- Feb 3, 2025HouseAuthored by Representative Roberts
- Feb 3, 2025HouseIntroducedFirst Reading
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Exemption from Open Records Act
The measure amends the Oklahoma Open Records Act to carve out a specific exemption for victim crime scene and autopsy photographs used in clemency proceedings.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.oklegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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