Bill > HB2916

This bill establishes the Handle With Care (HWC) Oklahoma program, a trauma-sensitive initiative designed to support children exposed to potentially traumatic events by facilitating communication between law enforcement and schools. The program enables law enforcement officers to notify schools when a child has experienced a traumatic incident such as domestic violence, family death, parental arrest, drug overdose, neighborhood violence, displacement, house fire, or child maltreatment. By November 1, 2027, the program will implement a hotline or email system for these notifications, which will include only basic identifying information about the child and a brief statement alerting school representatives that the child may need additional support. Local multi-disciplinary teams will be developed to coordinate responses, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education will provide training and model protocols for first responders and schools on identifying and supporting traumatized children. The program aims to help children who might not qualify for traditional child welfare interventions but still need assistance, with the ultimate goal of helping students feel safe and succeed academically. The program will seek funding from various sources and will be required to submit an annual report on its progress and impact. The bill is set to become effective on November 1, 2025, and acknowledges that unaddressed childhood trauma can significantly impair learning, relationship-building, and overall academic performance.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2916&Session=2600