OklahomaHB 3586Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouse

Children; Right to Raise Act; adoption; eligibility; Oklahoma Children's Code; biological sex; abuse or neglect; crimes and punishments; child endangerment; effective date.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Adoption can’t be denied over gender transition

Beginning November 1, 2026, adoption placement cannot be denied or delayed because you refuse a child’s gender transition. Agencies also cannot deny you the chance to be an adoptive parent for that reason.

Tougher penalties for child abuse and sex crimes

Beginning November 1, 2026, the law sets tougher felony penalties for child abuse, neglect, and sexual crimes. Willful or malicious abuse and enabling are serious felonies. Sexual abuse of a child under 12 carries 25 years to life. Some repeat sex crimes against children under 14 can mean life without parole or death. Fines often range from $500 to $5,000. Consent is not a defense.

Reunification services limited to 15 months

Beginning November 1, 2026, time-limited reunification services are only available for 15 months. The clock starts when a child enters foster care. After that window, those services end.

New child endangerment rules and penalties

Beginning November 1, 2026, it is a crime to knowingly let a child face certain dangers. This includes allowing physical or sexual abuse, drug manufacturing sites, or riding with an impaired driver. It also covers driving in violation of state DUI law with a child in the vehicle. Penalties are up to 4 years in prison or a fine up to $5,000, or both. You have a defense if you reasonably feared stopping it would cause serious harm. Raising or referring to a child by biological sex is not endangerment.

Parenting by biological sex isn’t abuse

Beginning November 1, 2026, caring for or referring to a child by their biological sex is not abuse or neglect. Child protective services and courts cannot use that conduct to find abuse. This protects parents, guardians, foster parents, and facility staff.

Higher standards for foster and youth treatment

Beginning November 1, 2026, caregivers must use a reasonable and prudent parent test for foster kids' activities. Specialized foster homes must be certified and monitored by the state’s Developmental Disabilities Services and funded through the Home and Community-Based Waiver Services program. Youth residential treatment programs must use trauma-informed care, have 24/7 nursing and licensed clinicians, involve family, and provide at least six months of aftercare. They must be licensed and accredited by CARF, the Joint Commission, COA, or a similar group.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Erick Harris
Republican • House

Cosponsors

David Bullard
Republican • Senate
George Burns
Republican • Senate
Denise Crosswhite Hader
Republican • House
Dusty Deevers
Republican • Senate
Collin Duel
Republican • House
Randy Grellner
Republican • Senate
Brian Guthrie
Republican • Senate
Shane Jett
Republican • Senate
Cody Maynard
Republican • House
Julie McIntosh
Republican • Senate
Clay Staires
Republican • House
Lisa Standridge
Republican • Senate
Kristen Thompson
Republican • Senate
Max Wolfley
Republican • House
Gabe Woolley
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 28

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 39 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 0 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

Committee vote: Health & Human Services

Yes: 10 • No: 2

House vote • 3/11/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 75 • No: 15

House vote • 3/3/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 12 • No: 1

House vote • 2/17/2026