OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — If you were wrongfully convicted of a crime in Oklahoma and got released today, the state would give you a maximum of $175,000.
However, that could soon change to $50,000 for every year the person was behind bars if HB2235, authored by House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, becomes law.
“Currently if you are wrongfully convicted regardless of whether you are on death row or on parole you only have access to $175,000, which really does not make up for years lost when it comes to employment, having time with your family and loved ones and in your community,” Munson said.
The issue was brought to Munson by a constituent and she looked at surrounding states when drafting the legislation.
“There is a long process to prove innocence and so once that innocence is proven, then they are able to access the compensation and right now I have it set at $50,000 which is about the median income for an average Oklahoman,” she told FOX 25. “There’s an additional benefit, financial benefit, for those who were on death row. And then they have access to health benefits, similar to a state employee. So we’re basically saying you get the same type of healthcare package the same as a state employee.”
Munson said there are also education benefits included.
This is not the first time Munson has tried to get this bill passed. It has previously made it out of committee. She said she is hopeful that this could be the year.
“It’s one of those unique issues that Republicans and Democrats can come together on and we have found opportunities to find common ground there,” Munson said.
If passed the bill would go into effect this year.
