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Bill

SB 977

Crimes and punishments; prohibiting lewd acts or obscene material in public place. Effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Bullard and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma bill prohibits lewd acts and obscene material in public places, establishing criminal penalties with an effective date provision.

Coauthored by Representative West (Kevin) (principal House author)
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Bill Summary · SB 977

Legislative bill overview

SB 977 proposes to prohibit lewd acts or obscene material in public places in Oklahoma and establishes an effective date for the law. The bill has moved through initial readings and has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for consideration, with both a Senate sponsor (David Bullard) and House co-author (Kevin West).

Why is this important

Laws regulating public indecency and obscenity have significant implications for public safety, community standards, and the enforcement authority granted to law enforcement. The specific definitions and scope of what constitutes "lewd acts" or "obscene material" determine how broadly this law can be applied and what penalties individuals face.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's effectiveness depends on how "lewd acts" and "obscene material" are defined; vague language could lead to inconsistent enforcement or challenges on constitutional grounds (First Amendment/free speech concerns)
  • Enforcement discretion: Without clear standards, law enforcement may have excessive discretion in determining violations, raising concerns about selective or discriminatory enforcement
  • Existing law overlap: Oklahoma may already have statutes addressing indecency and obscenity; the necessity and relationship of this bill to current law requires clarification

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

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