Bill > HB4341

This bill modifies the requirements for court-appointed special advocates (CASAs), who are volunteers appointed by courts to advocate for the best interests of children involved in legal proceedings, by updating education and training standards and background check procedures. Specifically, it removes references to "national" standards, focusing solely on Oklahoma CASA standards for both training and background checks, which will now include a child welfare records search by the Department of Human Services and a criminal history search by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, along with any other checks required by Oklahoma CASA standards. The bill also clarifies that if a prospective CASA has lived in Oklahoma for less than a year, a criminal history check from their previous state of residence is also required, and it sets an effective date of November 1, 2026.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb4341&Session=2600