The "In the Child's Best Interest Act" establishes new requirements for adoptive, fostering, and legal guardianship arrangements in Oklahoma. Under this act, such arrangements must consist of either one willing adult or two adults, specifically one adult female and one adult male. The act also allows for other adults, including biological relatives and friends, to assist in the care of the child, but the official arrangements remain limited to the specified adult configurations. Additionally, if any arrangement is found to violate these provisions, the courts will declare it void, and the Department of Human Services will be responsible for finding a suitable home for the child, prioritizing placements with biologically related adults.

The act defines key terms related to adoption, fostering, and legal guardianship, and emphasizes the importance of promoting the child's best interests. It includes provisions for the codification of these new laws and sets an effective date of November 1, 2026. The legislation aims to ensure that children are placed in stable and supportive environments while maintaining a preference for placements with their biological relatives when possible.