House Passes Bill To Modify Statute of Limitations for Rape, Revenge Porn

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape in certain situations.

Senate Bill 1658 from Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, eliminates the statute of limitations for rape when DNA evidence emerges or when a suspect confesses to the crime. The current statute of limitations for rape when the victim is age 18 or older is 12 years.

The bill passed the House unanimously after the measure was amended to include expanding the statute of limitations on the dissemination of revenge porn from 12 to 20 years.

“Oklahoma needs to be tough on crime when it comes to heinous offenses such as rape,” Garvin said. “This is a common-sense measure that will allow prosecutors to charge rapists to the full extent of the law when DNA evidence or a confession comes to light. I thank Leader Echols for partnering with me to make this critical legislation even stronger by also cracking down on those who disseminate revenge porn.”

"Every victim, regardless of when they suffered, deserves equal opportunity to see justice done," Echols said. "By eliminating the statute of limitations in cases where DNA evidence exists or a confession is obtained, we can end impunity for perpetrators and deliver justice for victims."

This bill was requested by Attorney General Gentner Drummond. SB 1658 now returns to the Senate, where it previously passed with unanimous support.