Oklahoma

Oklahoma has achieved all six pillars of rape kit reform. The state is working on clearing its backlog.

Reform Status
Full Reform
Testing Status
In-Process
Untested Kits
Now 2888*
Then 7270**
* According to a media report by Free Press OKC there were 2888 untested kits in Oklahoma in 2023.
** According to a media report by the Oklahoman there were 7270 untested kits in Oklahoma in 2018.

Pillar Count

6/6 Pillars
Oklahoma has achieved all six pillars of rape kit reform. The state is working on clearing its backlog.
Statewide Inventory

Yes, the state carried out a one-time inventory.

Oklahoma carried out an inventory of untested kits through non-legislative means.

Test Backlogged Kits

In-Process, the state has committed to testing its backlogged kits.

Oklahoma is eliminating its backlog through non-legislative means.

Test New Kits

Yes, all newly collected kits are being tested.

  • According to the law, how much time after a rape kit examination do hospitals have to notify law enforcement that a kit is ready to be picked up? Not specified
  • According to the law, after being notified, within what time frame is law enforcement required to pick up the kit? Not specified
  • According to the law, after picking the kit up, within what time frame is law enforcement required to submit the kit to the lab? 20 Days
  • According to the law, after receiving the kit, within what time frame is the lab required to test the kit? Not specified
  • Does the law allow crime labs to outsource kits for testing if they are unable to meet the deadline? Not specified
Implement Tracking System

Yes, tracking system in use.

  • Does the law state that the tracking system should track initial collection at hospital, inventory and storage by law enforcement, and testing and storage by state labs? Yes
  • Does the law state that the tracking system should track if kit a has been destroyed? Yes
  • Does the law allow all agencies who participate in the tracking system to update the status of a kit? Yes
  • Does the law state that the tracking system should have a victim portal? Yes
  • Does the law require law enforcement, labs, and hospitals to participate in the tracking system? Yes
  • Does the law state that all previously untested kits should be entered into the system? No
Victim's Right To Know

Yes, the state has granted victims the right to notice and be informed on the status of their kit.

  • Do victims have the right to receive information of the location, testing date, and testing results of their kit? Yes
  • Do victims have the right to be informed when there is any change in the status of their case? Yes
  • Do victims have the right to receive notification before destruction of their kit? No
  • Are victims granted further preservation of the kit or its probative contents? No
  • Are victims provided with the contact information for the designated liaison(s) at the corresponding law enforcement agency at the time that a kit is collected? Yes
  • Do victims have the right to receive a physical document identifying their rights under law? Yes
Fund Reform

Yes, the state has allocated one-time funding.

See state reform timeline below.

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State Reform Timeline

2025
Bill: Introduced
HB2705 enacted in Oklahoma

In 2025, Oklahoma enacted HB2705, which grants victims the right to be informed when there is any change in the status of their case.

2024
Funding
$5 million awarded in Oklahoma

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded the City of Tulsa $2.5 million to enhance its efforts initiated with previous SAKI funding and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation $2.5 million to advance efforts in testing and tracking unsubmitted sexual assault kits and potentially reopening cases for prosecution.

2023
News Article
Tulsa police cleared a third of backlogged rape kits found in 2017

Tulsa police have tested about a third of 3,000 untested rape kits found in 2017. Testing backlogged kits helped Tulsa police solve two rape cases from 2003 and 2007.

2021
Bill: Enacted
HB2546 enacted in Oklahoma

In 2021, Oklahoma legislators introduced HB2546, granting survivors the right to request and receive the status of and results of the analysis of their forensic evidence. Under this bill, law enforcement agencies and medical facilities are required to provide a document explaining these rights. This bill was signed into law in May 2021. Read our letter of support.

Funding
$5,547,390 awarded in Oklahoma

In 2021, BJA awarded the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the city of Tulsa $2,500,000 and $2,047,390 respectively to sustain their work on rape kit reform.

Inventory
4600 untested kits uncovered in Oklahoma

According to a media report by the Enid News & Eagle there were 4600 untested kits in Oklahoma in 2021.

2020
Other
Oklahoma's rape kit tracking system goes live

In 2020, Oklahoma’s rape kit tracking system went live.

2019
Bill: Enacted
SB975 enacted in Oklahoma

In 2021, Oklahoma enacted SB975, which requires law enforcement to submit rape kits to a crime lab for testing within 20 days of receiving the evidence, giving priority to kits determined to be likely to yield evidentiary value to the investigation and prosecution of the alleged sexual assault. The law required the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and each crime lab in the state to adopt procedures for the collection, submission, and testing of newly collected rape kits, as well as implement a protocol for prioritizing the testing of backlogged kits. For the second year, legislation granting survivors the right to know the status of their rape kits did not pass out of committee.

Bill: Enacted
SB967 enacted in Oklahoma

SB967 required the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to create a statewide rape kit tracking system for newly collected and backlogged kits. Law enforcement agencies, medical providers, and forensic labs that had untested kits found in the 2017-2018 statewide audit were required to participate in the system. The tracking system was required to include a portal to allow survivors to access the system.

Funding
$2,398,302 awarded in Oklahoma

In 2019, BJA awarded the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General $2,398,302 to sustain its work on rape kit reform.

Bill: Enacted
HB2765 enacted in Oklahoma

HB2765 allocated $1 million toward the Sexual Assault Examination Fund.

2018
Bill: Failed
HB2929 failed in Oklahoma

In 2018, Oklahoma legislators introduced HB2929, which would have mandated annual inventory reports of untested rape kits in the custody of law enforcement agencies statewide, and mandated the swift testing of all newly collected rape kits. This bill failed to pass.

Funding
$1,523,037 awarded in Oklahoma

Also in 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded the city of Tulsa $1,523,037 to test kits, investigate and prosecute cases, and re-engage survivors in the criminal justice system.

2017
Non-Legislative Reform
Executive order created Oklahoma Task Force on Sexual Assault

In April 2017, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin issued Executive Order 2017-11, convening the Oklahoma Task Force on Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence to conduct a statewide audit of untested rape kits. The task force also studied the process for collection and analysis of rape kits in Oklahoma, and ultimately reported 7,270 untested kits in the state.

Inventory
7,270 untested kits found in Oklahoma

According to a media report by The Oklahoman there were 7,270 untested kits in the state in in 2018.

2014
Accountability
3,783 kits found in Oklahoma

In 2014, The Accountability Project issued open records requests to bring the number of untested rape kits in Oklahoma City and Tulsa to light. Through these requests, we uncovered a backlog of 3,783 untested kits in Tulsa. In April 2014, the Oklahoma City Office of the Municipal Counselor declined to respond to our legal request for its rape kit records from the past 10 years.

Accountability

We have issued public records requests, through the Freedom of Information Act, to the following jurisdictions in Oklahoma to discover whether they possess any untested rape kits.
Target
Request Year
Untested kits discovered
Information received
Tulsa, OK
2014
3783
Request Denied
Oklahoma City, OK
2014
Unknown

More from Oklahoma

Oklahoma Moves to Test all Rape Kits
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed S.B. 975 into law, which will ensure that all rape kits are submitted to a crime lab and tested in a timely manner. The Joyful Heart Foundation, which has for years advocated for rape kit reform in the state, praised today’s action as one of many steps the state is taking toward progress.
Coming Together for Rape Kit Reform in Oklahoma
Danielle Tudor is a survivor and advocate from Oklahoma who has worked on rape kit reform legislation across multiple states. Most recently, she worked with stakeholders in Oklahoma and Governor Mary Fallin on an Executive Order establishing a task force to conduct a statewide audit of untested kits. Here, Danielle shares her experience collaborating with […]
Oklahoma Takes Important First Step Toward Rape Kit Reform
The Joyful Heart Foundation today applauded Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin’s new Executive Order, which creates a task force to conduct a one-time audit of untested sexual assault kits across the state. This is an important first step toward comprehensive rape kit reform, which would include mandatory testing procedures for backlogged and newly submitted rape kits, a tracking system for all kits, and a process for survivor engagement and notification.