All Roll Calls
Yes: 131 • No: 16
OklahomaSB 1597Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate
Court-appointed special advocates; removing requirement for state association to adhere to certain national standards. Effective date.
Sponsored By: Todd Gollihare (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Legal protections for court advocates
Beginning Nov 1, 2026, people serving as court-appointed special advocates in court are presumed to act in good faith and are immune from civil lawsuits for actions in that role. Managers and board members of CASA organizations who act in good faith are also immune from civil and vicarious liability.
Background checks for new court advocates
Beginning Nov 1, 2026, local programs must run specific checks for all new court-appointed special advocate volunteers and employees. They must get a child welfare records search from DHS and a criminal history search from OSBI. They must also get any other checks required by Oklahoma or national CASA standards. If the person has lived in Oklahoma less than one year, the program must request a criminal history check from the prior state.
Training before serving as court advocate
Beginning Nov 1, 2026, anyone serving as a court-appointed special advocate must complete training that meets national and Oklahoma standards. A case cannot be assigned until the person finishes that training and is approved by the local program. Local approval includes required background checks. Each local program must send yearly proof of training to the Oklahoma Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Todd Gollihare
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Bill Coleman
Republican • Senate
Shane Jett
Republican • Senate
Anthony Moore
Republican • House
Casey Murdock
Republican • Senate
Roland Pederson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 83 • No: 8
House vote • 4/14/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
5/13/2026SenateSent to Governor
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 83 Nays: 8
5/6/2026HouseGeneral Order
5/6/2026HouseCR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee
4/14/2026HousePolicy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Civil Judiciary
4/6/2026HouseReferred to Civil Judiciary
3/30/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
3/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
3/3/2026HouseEngrossed to House
3/3/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
3/2/2026SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 41 Nays: 7
3/2/2026SenateGeneral Order, Considered
3/2/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Pederson
3/2/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Coleman
3/2/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Moore (principal House author)
2/16/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
2/12/2026SenateReported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
2/10/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Murdock
2/10/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Jett
2/10/2026SenateSecond Reading referred to Judiciary
2/3/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/7/2026
Floor (House)
4/18/2026
House Committee Report
4/14/2026
House Policy Committee Report
4/6/2026
Engrossed
3/3/2026
Floor (Senate)
2/11/2026
Senate Committee Report
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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