Mental health; Neil's Law; Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act; purpose; intent; terms; civil actions; venue; relief; claim; records; vulnerable adult; effective date.

New legal protections for vulnerable adults

Beginning November 1, 2025, Neil’s Law establishes the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act. Vulnerable adults can sue for neglect, financial neglect, exploitation, or abuse. Authorized representatives can act for adults who cannot pursue their own claims. Representatives include guardians, limited guardians, conservators, power-of-attorney agents, estate administrators, and others approved by the court. Claims go to a district court in the county where the adult lives or lived when the conduct happened. The claim must be more likely true than not. Proven neglect or financial neglect allows recovery of actual damages. Proven exploitation or abuse allows recovery of three times actual damages. Courts can also award punitive damages allowed by Oklahoma law. The winning party can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. Claims continue after the adult’s death and follow Oklahoma’s general civil-claim laws. After a claim is filed and a proper request made, courts can order further violations to stop. These orders are available even when other legal remedies exist. Courts can authorize access to the adult’s financial, legal, mental-health, and physical-health records. Record holders must provide them within 10 days of the order, or sooner if ordered. Records cannot be shared for another purpose. Doctor-patient and spousal privileges cannot block evidence about the harm or its cause unless a specific court order allows it. Courts can tailor orders to support the adult’s independence. Existing duties to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement remain unchanged.