Legislation signed increasing penalties for stalking

House Bill 3286, legislation increasing the penalty for stalking from a misdemeanor to a felony while also providing a warning to those who are accused of stalking, has been signed into law. The governor gave final approval to the measure on Wednesday. 

Authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, the legislation increases the punishment from one year to up to three years in prison and increases the fine for stalking. Additional punishment would be levied on the second or third offense.

“I am excited to see this signed into law,” Bergstrom said. “Unfortunately, Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of domestic violence and partner stalking in the nation, and we also rank high in violent crimes, especially against women. Statistics show that as many as 83% of women who are murdered were stalked first. By increasing the penalties for stalking, I’m hopeful we can get these perpetrators either off the street or to change their behavior before their crimes further escalate to violence.”

Under the new law, a stalking warning letter to the accused must be provided by law enforcement when a complaint is made, a move Bergstrom said has been implemented in other states and has resulted in a significant reduction in stalking. The letter would be issued in the same manner as a victim protection order (VPO).

Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, was the House author of the measure. The newly signed legislation will go into law Nov. 1.