Bill > HB2798

This bill strengthens reporting requirements and penalties for child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma, focusing primarily on school employees and administrators. It amends existing laws to create more stringent obligations for reporting suspected child abuse, with specific new provisions for school superintendents and administrators who fail to report such incidents. The bill establishes that superintendents and school administrators who knowingly and willfully fail to report or interfere with reporting child abuse can be charged with a felony, facing potential imprisonment for two to ten years and/or a fine of at least $20,000, plus mandatory community service. The legislation also expands the definition of child abuse to include additional specific offenses, such as sexual battery committed by a school employee against a student, and reinforces protections for individuals who report suspected abuse by prohibiting employers from retaliating against them. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Human Services to maintain a centralized hotline for reporting child abuse, track call data, and electronically record referrals while maintaining confidentiality. The new law will take effect on November 1, 2025, giving schools and administrators time to prepare for the more rigorous reporting standards.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2798&Session=2600