Bill > HB1565

This bill amends the Oklahoma Children's Code to strengthen child abuse and neglect reporting procedures. Specifically, the bill requires that any hotline referral alleging abuse or neglect by someone other than a person responsible for the child's welfare must be immediately reported in writing to the local law enforcement agency for potential criminal investigation. Hotline supervisors are now mandated to ensure these reports are made before screening out a referral, and the Department of Human Services must maintain a record of each report transmitted to law enforcement. The bill also makes a minor formatting change, capitalizing the word "X-rays" in a section describing medical record documentation. These changes aim to improve the tracking and reporting of potential child abuse cases by ensuring prompt communication between the Department of Human Services and law enforcement, potentially helping to identify and respond to child abuse more quickly and effectively. The bill is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.