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HB 1860

Confidential records; requiring certain victim photographs submitted to the Pardon and Parole Board be kept confidential; clemency; Open Records Act; clemency hearing packets; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Todd Gollihare and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma bill makes victim photos in pardon/parole board and clemency proceedings confidential, removing them from public records access to protect victim privacy.

Placed on General Order
0
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Bill Summary · HB 1860

Legislative bill overview

HB 1860 requires that victim photographs submitted to Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board be designated as confidential records and excludes them from the state's Open Records Act (FOIA). The bill also applies these confidentiality protections to clemency hearing packets containing such photographs. This creates a new category of protected victim materials in clemency proceedings.

Why is this important

Clemency decisions are high-stakes governmental actions affecting individual freedom and public safety, and transparency in these proceedings has historically been considered important for accountability. This bill directly restricts public access to evidence presented during clemency hearings, potentially limiting the ability of citizens, media, and advocates to review how clemency decisions are made and what factors influence them.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. victim privacy: While victim privacy is important, restricting access to photographs in public clemency proceedings could reduce governmental accountability and public confidence in the clemency process, which some argue should remain relatively open.
  • Scope creep concerns: Creating broad confidentiality categories around clemency materials could set precedent for further restricting access to other clemency-related evidence and arguments, potentially limiting meaningful public review.
  • Unequal access: Applicants for clemency and their attorneys may retain personal knowledge of hearing content, while the public cannot verify whether proceedings were fair or evidence was appropriately weighed, creating information asymmetry.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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