OklahomaSB 1558Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Child care; modifying certain definitions. Emergency.

Sponsored By: Aaron Reinhardt (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Defines specialists who serve children

The law defines a “specialized service professional.” It covers people like behavioral or physical therapists who provide one‑on‑one services to a child. Programs and families can rely on these specialists under the Act.

Who runs and signs for programs

The law clarifies who runs and signs for child care programs. “Program” means the business that provides care and learning. A “responsible entity” is the person who can legally bind the business. The Department of Human Services, and its licensing division, administer the Act.

Clearer rules for foster homes and agencies

The law clarifies who counts as a foster family home and a child‑placing agency. A foster family home is a private residence, including specialized, therapeutic, and kinship foster homes. A child‑placing agency arranges foster care, adoption, or independent living placements. These definitions guide licensing and oversight.

Stronger safety checks for child care

The law strengthens safety checks. Foster parent reviews must include fingerprint‑based national criminal history searches and a home assessment. The process is similar to highway patrol hiring checks. The state also gets “rap back” alerts when a cleared person later has new criminal activity. This helps child care and foster care programs act fast to protect kids.

Who counts as a child or adult

The law clarifies who is a child and who is an adult under this Act. A child is anyone under 18, and also someone in Office of Juvenile Affairs custody whose case extends past 18. An adult is anyone 18 or older, including those in extended juvenile custody. This helps programs apply the right rules.

Clear rules for child care types

The law sets clear categories for child care by hours and setting. A child care center runs 30 or more hours a week. A part‑day program runs more than 15 and up to 30 hours a week. A family child care home serves 7 or fewer children; informal neighbor or in‑home care is not included. A large family home serves 8 to 12 children. Full‑time care is continuous care beyond 24 hours, and a 24‑hour setting with non‑relative adults is a residential facility. These operations count as child care facilities and must follow licensing rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Aaron Reinhardt

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Emily Gise

    Republican • House

  • Brian Hill

    Republican • House

  • Brian Hill

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 117 • No: 2

House vote 4/28/2026

Emergency

Yes: 83 • No: 0

House vote 4/15/2026

Emergency

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote 4/15/2026

Emergency

Yes: 11 • No: 1

House vote 4/8/2026

Emergency

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote 4/8/2026

Emergency

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/23/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Emergency

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 05/01/2026

    5/5/2026Senate
  2. Sent to Governor

    4/29/2026Senate
  3. Signed, returned to Senate

    4/29/2026House
  4. Enrolled, to House

    4/29/2026Senate
  5. Referred for enrollment

    4/28/2026Senate
  6. Signed, returned to Senate

    4/28/2026House
  7. Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 83 Nays: 0

    4/28/2026House
  8. General Order

    4/28/2026House
  9. Coauthored by Representative(s) Hill

    4/16/2026House
  10. CR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee

    4/16/2026House
  11. Policy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Children, Youth and Family Services

    4/8/2026House
  12. Referred to Children, Youth and Family Services

    3/30/2026House
  13. Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services Oversight

    3/30/2026House
  14. First Reading

    3/24/2026House
  15. Engrossed to House

    3/24/2026Senate
  16. Referred for engrossment

    3/23/2026Senate
  17. Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 44 Nays: 0

    3/23/2026Senate
  18. General Order, Considered

    3/23/2026Senate
  19. Coauthored by Representative Gise (principal House author)

    3/16/2026Senate
  20. Placed on General Order

    3/4/2026Senate
  21. Reported Do Pass Health and Human Services committee; CR filed

    3/2/2026Senate
  22. Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services

    2/3/2026Senate
  23. Remove as author Senator Rosino; authored by Senator Reinhardt

    2/2/2026Senate
  24. Authored by Senator Rosino

    2/2/2026Senate
  25. First Reading

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    4/28/2026

  • Floor (House)

    4/20/2026

  • House Committee Report

    4/16/2026

  • House Policy Committee Report

    4/8/2026

  • Engrossed

    3/24/2026

  • Floor (Senate)

    3/3/2026

  • Senate Committee Report

    3/2/2026

  • Introduced

    1/12/2026

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