Co-authors of new Cold Case law look at next steps in joint interim study

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 1636 by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, gave hope to some 1,000 Oklahoma families when the bill was passed unanimously in both chambers and signed into law this last legislative session. The measure was aimed at creating a formal pathway for families still awaiting justice in cold cases. Now the lawmakers are teaming up for an interim study to look at the next steps through the creation of a statewide Cold Case and Missing and Unidentified Persons Advisory and Accountability Board.

The joint study, “Evaluating a Statewide Cold Case and Missing Persons Accountability Framework,” will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 9:00 a.m., room 230 of the state Capitol in the Senate Public Safety Committee, and will be livestreamed at oksenate.gov/room-230.

Hicks said across Oklahoma, there are cases that have remained unresolved for years and even decades. 

“Behind every case is a person whose life matters, a family waiting for answers, and investigators who may be working with limited resources, aging evidence, or information spread across multiple agencies and jurisdictions. The goal of this interim study is to better understand Oklahoma’s existing system, the work already underway, and where opportunities exist to strengthen our response,” Hicks said. “We’ll examine how a statewide advisory and accountability board could help establish a more coordinated framework, identify systemic challenges, strengthen family engagement, and make recommendations for improvements in policy, funding, and oversight.

Hicks said Oklahoma’s experience with statewide coordination through the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) Board may offer valuable lessons in considering what structure, authority, and responsibilities would be most effective in helping find answers in unsolved missing persons and homicide cases.

Ford, a former police officer of more than 25 years, said there was nothing worse than telling someone he didn't have an answer about what happened to their loved one. It was the reason he co-authored SB 1636, which was signed into law this year, establishing the review of cold case files.

"The legislation was just the first step in assuring that family members and others are able to request a further look into a loved one's case," Ford said. "In this study, we will examine next steps. The hope is that by establishing an accountability board we can ensure law enforcement has the resources and support to do all they can to see these cases are resolved and justice is served."

The study is open to the public and press, and will also be livestreamed at oksenate.gov/room-230.

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For more information, contact: 

Sen. Carri Hicks at 405-521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov
Rep. Ross Ford at 405-557-7347 or Ross.Ford@okhouse.gov