All Roll Calls
Yes: 186 • No: 4
OklahomaHB 2798Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Reporting requirements; making certain acts unlawful; effective date.
Sponsored By: Toni Hasenbeck (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Workers protected from retaliation for reporting
Beginning November 1, 2025, reporting duties are personal. Employers and supervisors cannot stop, fire, or punish someone for a good-faith report or testimony. Workers who are punished can sue for damages, costs, and attorney fees. If a child is harmed because an employer blocked reporting, the harmed party may also sue for damages, costs, and attorney fees.
Statewide child-abuse hotline and training
Beginning November 1, 2025, DHS runs one statewide hotline to report child abuse or neglect. DHS must train hotline staff on interviewing, writing clear notes, computer systems, and case decisions. DHS tracks call totals, screened-out calls, assigned referrals, callers who refuse basic info, and cases later ruled out. DHS records each referral and keeps recordings for 12 months. Recordings are confidential, and reporter names are removed unless a court orders release.
Crimes and fines for failing or false reports
Beginning November 1, 2025, it is a misdemeanor to knowingly and willfully fail to promptly report child abuse or neglect or to interfere with reporting. If a person knew about ongoing abuse or neglect for at least six months and still failed to report, it is a felony. Knowingly making a false report is also a misdemeanor. In child custody cases, a court that finds a knowingly false accusation can fine up to $5,000 and award reasonable attorney fees.
Stronger school reporting rules and penalties
Beginning November 1, 2025, school employees must immediately report students under 18 to the DHS hotline and local police; for students 18 or older, they must report to local police. Reports sent to a county office must be referred to the hotline. Police and schools must keep the reporting employee’s identity confidential unless a court orders release. The law expands what counts as reportable child abuse for schools, including many sexual and trafficking crimes. Superintendents and school administrators who knowingly fail to report or who interfere commit a felony, punishable by 2–10 years in prison, a fine of at least $20,000, and court-ordered community service. “School administrator” includes principals, assistant principals, and other supervisory or administrative staff. The custody-by-abandonment exception still applies.
Everyone must report child abuse to state hotline
Beginning November 1, 2025, any person who has reason to believe a child under 18 was abused or neglected must call the DHS hotline right away. Reports made to a county office must be sent to the hotline. Doctors and other health workers must also promptly report infants who test positive for alcohol or controlled drugs, including NAS and FASD. No privilege or contract blocks the duty to report. The custody-by-abandonment exception under Title 30 §2-117 still applies.
Faster access to medical records in investigations
Beginning November 1, 2025, doctors, midwives, hospitals, and other child healthcare providers must give exam results and related records to police or DHS investigators when asked during an investigation. This includes notes, x-rays, and photos. The rule speeds access to medical evidence in child-abuse cases.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Toni Hasenbeck
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Stacy Jo Adams
Republican • House
Jerry Alvord
Republican • Senate
Chad Caldwell
Republican • House
Warren Hamilton
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/14/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 84 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/5/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 3
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 1
House vote • 3/13/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 84 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/21/2025
5/21/2025HouseSent to Governor
5/15/2025HouseEnrolled measure signed, returned to House
5/15/2025SenateEnrolled, signed, to Senate
5/15/2025HouseReferred for enrollment
5/14/2025HouseFourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 84 Nays: 0
5/14/2025HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Adams
5/14/2025HouseSA's read, adopted
5/14/2025HouseSA's received
5/6/2025HouseEngrossed to House
5/6/2025SenateReferred for engrossment
5/5/2025SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 43 Nays: 3
5/5/2025SenateGeneral Order, Amended
5/5/2025SenatePlaced on General Order
4/10/2025SenateReported Do Pass Public Safety committee; CR filed
4/8/2025SenateCoauthored by Senator Hamilton
4/2/2025SenateSecond Reading referred to Public Safety
4/1/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/17/2025SenateEngrossed, signed, to Senate
3/17/2025HouseReferred for engrossment
3/13/2025HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 84 Nays: 0
3/13/2025HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Caldwell (Chad)
3/13/2025HouseGeneral Order
3/13/2025HouseAuthored by Senator Alvord (principal Senate author)
3/4/2025HouseCR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee
3/4/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/15/2025
Amended And Engrossed
5/6/2025
Floor (Senate)
4/9/2025
Senate Committee Report
4/8/2025
Engrossed
3/17/2025
Floor (House)
3/9/2025
House Committee Report
3/4/2025
House Policy Committee Report
2/11/2025
Introduced
1/29/2025
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