HB 2971 Summary

• Creates the "Child Welfare Review Committee for the Death and Near Death of Children With Disabilities" to continue until December 31, 2018, to study cases of death and near death of children with disabilities who have prior child welfare involvement or are in Department of Human Services custody.

• Committee consists of 10 members including legislative leaders, the Attorney General, DHS Director, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chief Justice of Oklahoma Supreme Court, and a medical expert appointed by the Governor, with appointments due by September 1, 2016.

• All committee meetings and records are confidential and not open to the general public; committee must hold organizational meeting by October 1, 2016, meet at least quarterly, and members receive no compensation or travel reimbursement.

• Committee must issue a report of findings to the Legislature and Governor by December 1, 2018, with all confidential or protected health information redacted from the published report.

• Amends 10A O.S. Section 1-6-103 to allow any member of the committee to inspect juvenile court and Department of Human Services records without a court order; effective July 1, 2016, with emergency declaration.