This bill amends existing laws regarding the reporting of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma, specifically targeting the responsibilities of school employees and administrators. It establishes a centralized hotline for reporting such cases and mandates that all individuals, including school employees, healthcare professionals, and others, must report suspected abuse or neglect immediately. The bill introduces criminal penalties for those who knowingly fail to report or interfere with reporting, with specific provisions for school superintendents and administrators who may face felony charges if they do not comply with these reporting requirements.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "child abuse and neglect" to include a range of offenses and specifies that local law enforcement must keep the identities of reporting individuals confidential. It also outlines the penalties for making false reports and provides for the protection of individuals who report in good faith from retaliation by employers. The effective date for these changes is set for November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-1210.163