With unanimous support from the Legislature, a new bill is poised to add a layer of protection to youth in juvenile detention. Senate Bill 870, also known as the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, seeks to shore up mandatory reporting of sexual misconduct in state facilities, with the bill now on its way to the governor's desk for final approval.
Introduced by Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, the proposed bill would obligate all employees and contractors in juvenile facilities to report any incidents of sexual misconduct involving colleagues or minors, a move that targets the kind of oversight failures that let abuse go unchecked. The requirements are criminal and civil penalties for evasion of these freshly minted rules, reports from Senate Bill 870 obtained by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
"This bill is about protecting some of the most vulnerable kids in our state," Rep. Williams said. "If the state takes custody of a child, we also take full responsibility for their safety," as reported by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Under the new legislation, tardiness in reporting could lead to felony charges, with potential punishments including up to two years in prison or a $5,000 fine; moreover, civil suits could see individuals and organizations facing penalties as stiff as $50,000.
The bill not only codifies mandatory reports but also requires that facilities properly train their staff on these new protocols, because training negligence could expose facilities to civil liability. Furthermore, it mandates the forwarding of investigation reports to the relevant district attorney. As per statements made by Sen. Rader, it transparently lays out the required actions for anyone aware of misconduct, ensuring that those who are positioned to blow the whistle grasp their crucial role in safeguarding at-risk minors.
Praise for the bill has come from various justice reform advocates, including Colleen McCarty, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. She told the Oklahoma House of Representatives, "This law is a victory for children who have been voiceless for too long." With attention now turning to the governor's impending decision, many await the signature that will seal this legislative effort aimed at ensuring the protection of youth in the juvenile justice system.
