OklahomaOklahoma requires CASA training and checks before case assignments
Starting November 1, 2026, local Oklahoma CASA programs must check advocates' training and approval before assigning cases and require searches for applicants.
What it does
Before assigning a case, local CASA programs must confirm an advocate completed required training and approve the assignment. They must send training records to the state association each year.
Local CASA programs must require child-welfare and criminal-history searches, plus any other check required by state or national CASA standards. Applicants who have lived in Oklahoma for less than a year also need a search from their previous state.
Argument forTraining and program approval before case assignments could help prepare advocates to support children in court.
Argument againstRequired searches could make it harder for some people to volunteer or work with a local CASA program, especially recent arrivals who need an extra search.
More detail
A CASA must complete training and receive approval from a local CASA program before getting a case. This applies to court-appointed special advocates available for appointment under the Oklahoma Children's Code or Oklahoma Juvenile Code. The local program's approval must include appropriate criminal background checks. Local programs must send training records to the Oklahoma Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association each year. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
Local CASA programs must require child-welfare and criminal-history searches for applicants. The searches apply to people applying to volunteer as a CASA or work for a local CASA program. Programs must also require any other background check called for by state or national CASA standards. Applicants who have lived in Oklahoma for less than one year must also have a criminal-history search from their previous state's repository. These rules take effect November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Signed, returned to Senate
- May 6Enrolled, to House
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Signed, returned to Senate
- May 6Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 83 Nays: 8Major
- May 6General Order
- Apr 14CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary And Public Safety Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 6Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Civil JudiciaryMinor
- Apr 2
- Vote recorded Civil Judiciary Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Referred to Civil JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 30Second Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety OversightMinor
- Mar 3First ReadingMinor
- Mar 3Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Mar 2Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Measure passed: Ayes: 41 Nays: 7Passed Senate
- Mar 2General Order, Considered
- Mar 2Coauthored by Senator Pederson
- Mar 2Coauthored by Senator Coleman
- Feb 16Coauthored by Representative Moore (principal House author)
- Feb 12Placed on General Order
- Feb 10Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Coauthored by Senator Murdock
- Feb 10Coauthored by Senator Jett
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Gollihare
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Criminal Justice