Two new laws signed in May will stiffen penalties for domestic violence offenders across Oklahoma starting Sunday, Nov. 1.

The biggest change: domestic abuse committed in the presence of a child becomes a felony on the first offense. Under current law, a first conviction carries six months to one year in county jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Starting Nov. 1, that same offense becomes a Class B5 felony punishable by one to five years in state prison and up to $7,000 in fines, or both, according to a legal analysis by Urbanic Law.

The change comes through Senate Bill 1238, authored by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City. The Oklahoma Senate passed the measure 42-3 in March. The House followed with an 81-2 vote in May, and the governor signed it May 12.

"When domestic violence happens in front of a child, that child becomes a victim too," Coleman said in a Senate press release. "… This legislation works to break the cycle of violence so children don't grow up living in fear of abuse at home and perpetuating that abuse when they grow up."

A second law, Senate Bill 1264, passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by the governor May 21. It creates new penalty tiers for domestic abuse by strangulation. A first strangulation conviction becomes a Class B5 felony carrying one to three years in prison and up to $3,000 in fines. A second or subsequent conviction jumps to a Class B3 felony with three to 10 years and up to $20,000 in fines.

SB 1264 also broadens the legal definition of "great bodily injury" in domestic violence cases. The expanded list now includes bone fractures, concussions, disfigurement, second-degree or greater burns, injuries requiring surgery, continuous hospitalization of 48 hours or more and injuries creating a substantial risk of death. The amendment removes the words "protracted and obvious" before "disfigurement," widening that category.

The penalties matter.

The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association called the new domestic violence measures among the "major public safety victories" of the 2026 legislative session.

UCentral Media reported that Oklahoma ranks among the highest cities in the nation for domestic violence cases. The outlet, citing the state's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board annual report, also reported that incidents and identified victims rose 11% between 2023 and 2024, with identified suspects jumping 13% over the same period. In 2024, the state recorded 29,198 domestic violence incidents, according to UCentral Media's account.

The new penalties apply only to alleged conduct occurring on or after Nov. 1. Cases filed after that date for earlier conduct will still be prosecuted under the previous law.

Residents experiencing domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.