OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. John George, R-Newalla, passed three bills in the House today intended to better protect Oklahomans.

House Bill 1594, would mirror the statutory language of domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon to the language of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

"We've almost downplayed domestic crimes and treated domestic victims as if they are less of a victim than those of other crimes," George said. "This measure would correct that."

The bill also includes weapons besides a firearm only.

House Bill 1595 would increase the maximum penalty for both assault and assault and battery. For assault, the maximum would go from 30 days to 90 days, and for assault and battery, the maximum would go from 90 days to six months.

"The goal is to keep people who are willing to cause harm to others out of the public for a significant period of time," George said.

George also passed House Bill 1597, which he said would do away with some unnecessary conflicts and confrontations between law enforcement and citizens and protect both.

The measure specifies that if a first responder is performing their duty and they order a citizen to stay back 25 feet to allow them to do their job, the citizen will face a misdemeanor if they approach closer than that distance after the request is made. 

All three bills will be carried in the Senate by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore.