HB2538 Summary

• Modifies the legislative intent in Oklahoma's Children's Code to clarify that when a parent abrogates parental rights, the best interest of the child shall prevail in termination of parental rights proceedings.

• Eliminates jury trials for termination of parental rights petitions, requiring instead that such cases be tried before a judge without a jury, effective November 1, 2012.

• Reduces the timeline for filing termination petitions from 15 months to 12 months when a child has been in foster care for 12 of the most recent 22 months.

• Adds a new ground for termination of parental rights when a child is born testing positive for controlled dangerous substances; allows parents to rebut this presumption through successful drug treatment participation and negative drug tests during the case.

• Repeals the existing statute providing for jury trials in termination of parental rights cases.