Second Survivor’s Act bill passes Senate after Governor’s veto

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, passed a bill on Thursday that would alter the language in a previously vetoed Survivor’s Act bill.

Senate Bill 1835 was originally going through the legislative process as a trailer bill to help support the Survivor’s Act before it was vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt on April 24.

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“The Survivor’s Act protect victims of domestic violence,” Pro Tem Treat said. “Senate Bill 1835 was already going through the legislative process before the other bill was vetoed. My colleagues and I thought it was vital to get this passed. I don’t know if there was a miscommunication or something else that led to the original bill being vetoed, but we collectively believe it is an important piece of legislation to help those who are suffering from abuse. I thank Representative Jon Echols and everyone else who had a hand in making this happen. I am confident it will now be signed into law.”

In the veto, the Governor calls the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act “bad policy.” The Oklahoma District Attorneys’ Council supports the veto, arguing the bill is too broad. The Senate then voted to override the veto.

Majority Floor Leader, Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, and Pro Tem Treat wrote the bill to allow victims to use evidence of their abuse to receive a lesser sentence. It would also work retroactively.

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On Thursday, May 16, the bill passed the Senate with changes to clarify the language without changing the original intent. It would lead a court to consider how the person had been abused physically, sexually or psychologically by their partner, family member or member of their household, a trafficker or other individuals who used the person for financial gain.

According to the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, Oklahoma is ranked one of America’s highest states for domestic abuse homicides.

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