OK HB1967

Courts may appoint guardians for minors upon verified petition from a relative or other person, with petitions required to demonstrate the child's best interest and that other legal avenues have been exhausted

Prospective guardians must undergo home studies meeting Oklahoma Adoption Code requirements, plus comprehensive background checks including national fingerprint-based criminal checks, sex offender registry review, and Child Abuse and Neglect Information System (CANIS) search for all household members 18 or older

Children temporarily residing in licensed domestic violence shelters cannot be removed by ex parte order or guardianship custody order if a valid protective order exists for the custodial parent

Mandatory reporting required within 24 hours to both DHS and local law enforcement when any individual, agency, or shelter becomes aware of potential child abandonment; failure to report may result in penalties under existing mandatory reporter statutes

Effective date is November 1, 2025; repeals existing 30 O.S. 2021, Section 2-101 regarding court-appointed guardianships of minors