Senate Bill 553 is heading to the Governor’s desk after the Oklahoma House passed the measure to strengthen requirements for schools to report child abuse. The measure prohibits the State Department of Education from issuing a teaching certificate to any convicted of failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect. It also creates a mechanism for teachers found guilty to have their certificate revoked.
Additionally, SB 553 requires all school personnel to sign an attestation acknowledging their legal responsibility to report abuse or neglect. This must be done annually, if the bill becomes law.
Senator Adam Pugh is the author.
“There is no higher priority than protecting Oklahoma’s children,” Senator Pugh said. “Senate Bill 553 ensures that educators who fail in their legal and moral duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect will be held accountable. This bill provides critical safeguards, promotes transparency between school districts and reinforces trust in our education system. This legislation represents a strong step forward to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for advancing this important measure and look forward to it becoming law.”
The bill also allows for career teachers to be dismissed and barred from reemployment, as well as school districts disclosing to other districts whether a teacher was alleged to have engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student.
