Politics & Government
Child Protection Legislation Passes House, Heads to Senate
Bill seeks to prevent the appointment as child guardian those who've lost parental rights. Has bipartisan support.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation designed to better protect children in the custody of the Department of Human Services passed off the House Floor on Tuesday.
House Bill 1036, authored by Rep. Collin Walke (D-87, NW OKC, Warr Acres) passed with a bipartisan 94-3 vote.
The legislation would prohibit a parent who has had his or her parental rights terminated from being appointed to serve as the child’s guardian. The bill also prohibits the Department of Human Services (DHS) from considering a parent who has had their parental rights terminated to act as a guardian for a child in the department’s custody.
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“Like a lot of our state agencies, DHS is underfunded and understaffed,” Walke said. “When agencies are underfunded and understaffed, they have to make hard decisions that they wouldn’t normally make if they had adequate resources. This legislation is a proactive measure that prevents DHS from allowing a parent that has had their parental rights terminated to serve as the child’s guardian.”
While presenting the legislation on the House Floor, Walke reiterated that there is a process in place to reestablish parental rights, and that this legislation won’t affect that process.
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“This is about ensuring what is best for the child,” Walke said. “I encourage parents that have lost parental rights to do what is necessary to get them back, but the state isn’t going to let those parents act as a guardian until that process is complete.”
The bill was opposed by three House members, Reps. Mark Lepak (R-9, Claremore), Logan Phillips (R-24, Okemeh) and Todd Russ (R-55, Elk City). Patch News OK has reached out to the three members regarding their ‘no’ votes but thus far has received no comment.
The bill also received the support yesterday of Rep. Mark Lawson (R-30, Bixby) who signed on as co-author.
HB 1036 now advances to the Senate where it will be introduced by Sen. Paul Rosino (R-45, Mustang, SW/SE OKC), the bill’s principal Senate author.
A summary of the bill can be found at : http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2019-20%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB1036%20INT%20BILLSUM.PDF
For more details or to monitor the progress of this or any other bill please visit : http://www.oklegislature.gov/BasicSearchForm.aspx