HB 3473 Summary

• Amends child death and near-death reporting requirements under 10A O.S. 2011, Section 1-6-105 regarding investigations by the Department of Human Services.

• Modifies notification procedures to allow the Department to notify the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House (or their designees) of reasonable suspicion of child death or near death from abuse or neglect within 24 hours.

• Requires the Department to release specific information to the public upon request within 45 days when there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect, including child's age/sex, custody status, and detailed case history when child was in parental care or Department custody.

• Establishes that the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth shall release relevant information to the public within 60 days of request when a person is criminally charged, including prior reports, investigation outcomes, and judicial proceeding information.

• Makes statements of apology, sympathy, or condolence made by the Department of Human Services inadmissible as evidence of admission of liability or wrongdoing in legal proceedings; effective November 1, 2014.