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Bill

SB 1274

District attorneys; requiring certain representation of county officials seeking a protective order. Effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kelly Hines

Requires Oklahoma district attorneys to represent county officials seeking protective orders, expanding DA responsibilities to include civil legal defense in restraining order cases.

Second Reading referred to Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1274

Legislative bill overview

SB 1274 requires district attorneys to provide legal representation to county officials who are seeking protective orders. The bill appears to address a gap in legal services by mandating DA involvement in cases where county employees or officials need court protection from harassment, threats, or abuse.

Why is this important

Protective orders are critical safety tools, but county officials may face barriers accessing adequate legal representation. By requiring district attorneys to handle these cases, the bill ensures consistent access to counsel and potentially expedites the legal process for vulnerable public servants. This could improve workplace safety and reduce liability exposure for counties.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: District attorney offices may argue this creates unfunded mandates that divert resources from criminal prosecution and other priorities
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language regarding "certain representation" and which "county officials" qualify remains unclear and could create implementation disputes
  • Constitutional questions: Some may argue protective order representation differs from traditional DA functions and could raise concerns about mixing civil and criminal prosecutorial roles

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

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