HB 2740 Summary

• Renames the "Youthful Offender Act" to the "Serious Juvenile Offender Act" and updates all statutory references throughout Title 10A of Oklahoma law.

• Expands educational needs assessments and individualized treatment planning requirements for serious juvenile offenders, replacing generic "presentence investigations" with comprehensive "certification evaluations" by qualified mental health professionals.

• Extends eligibility and access to serious juvenile offender services until age 21 (previously age 18 years 5 months), allowing continued treatment and rehabilitation through the Office of Juvenile Affairs for older youth meeting eligibility criteria.

• Authorizes serious juvenile offenders age 18 and older to be placed in secure facilities with adult-level population management and in community-based residential settings exempt from child care licensing requirements.

• Adds provisions allowing serious juvenile offenders age 18+ to consent to medical care, qualify for mental health inpatient commitment and insurance programs, and clarifies that juvenile custody orders do not disqualify youth from state benefits.