Sen. Kirt files legislation to improve fair housing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has filed legislation for the 2025 session to modernize Oklahoma’s eviction statutes. Senate Bill 815 would seal eviction records and Senate Bill 128 would give people more notice of eviction hearings.

“Oklahoma is sixth in the nation for evictions. When families lose their housing, they also can lose stability like their jobs and their children’s school success,” said Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. “By modernizing our statutes, we can make sure laws meet the needs of property owners while protecting the rights of tenants. We need to align our laws with the best practices good landlords already follow.”

SB 815 would require records to be sealed immediately if an eviction case is dismissed, or found in favor of the defendant. In other cases, the record would be sealed two years after the date of judgment. SB 128 would extend the summons timeline, giving tenants a better chance to resolve their back rent instead of losing their home.

“An eviction case stays on the public record and can make it nearly impossible for that person to find housing in the future, even if it was resolved in their favor or they’ve been able to get back on their feet financially,” Kirt said. “These bills could be real solutions for more Oklahomans to build prosperous futures.”

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov