House Bill No. 2798 amends existing laws regarding the reporting of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma. It establishes a centralized hotline for reporting such cases and mandates training for hotline workers. The bill specifies that all individuals, including school employees and healthcare professionals, must report suspected abuse or neglect immediately. It introduces penalties for those who fail to report, with misdemeanors for general failures and felonies for prolonged knowledge of ongoing abuse. Additionally, it ensures that reporting obligations are individual and protects reporters from retaliation by employers.

The bill also imposes specific responsibilities on school superintendents and administrators, making them subject to felony charges if they knowingly fail to report or interfere with reporting. The definition of child abuse and neglect is expanded to include various forms of abuse, including sexual battery against students. The amendments aim to strengthen the reporting framework and enhance accountability among those in positions of authority regarding child welfare. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-1210.163
Floor (House): 70-1210.163
Floor (Senate): 70-1210.163
Engrossed: 70-1210.163
Amended And Engrossed: 70-1210.163
Enrolled (final version): 70-1210.163