Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Oklahoma

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101; Tit. 21, § 1021.4 

Mandatory reporters include the following:

• All persons
• School employees 
• Physicians, surgeons, or other health-care professionals, including doctors of medicine, licensed osteopathic physicians, residents, and interns, or midwives 
• Commercial film and photographic print processors or computer technicians 

Training Requirements for Mandatory Reporters

Training of mandatory reporters is not addressed in the laws, policies, and online resources reviewed.

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

Every person who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

The reporting obligations under this section are individual, and no employer, supervisor, administrator, governing body, or entity shall interfere with the reporting obligations of any employee or other person or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against the employee or other person who in good faith reports suspected child abuse or neglect or who provides testimony in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect. Any employer, supervisor, administrator, governing body, or entity that discharges, discriminates, or retaliates against the employee or other person shall be liable for damages, costs, and attorney fees. If a child who is the subject of the report or other child is harmed by the discharge, discrimination, or retaliation described in this paragraph, the party harmed may file an action to recover damages, costs, and attorney fees.

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101; Tit. 21, § 1021.4

A report is required when any of the following apply:

• Any person has reason to believe that a child under age 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect. 
• A physician, surgeon, other health-care professional (including doctors of medicine, licensed osteopathic physicians, residents, and interns), or midwife is involved in the prenatal care of expectant mothers or the delivery or care of infants and an infant tests positive for alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance or is diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
• A commercial film and photographic print processor or computer technician has knowledge of or observes any film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 

Privileged Communications
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

No privilege shall relieve any person from the requirement to report. 

Inclusion of the Reporter's Name in the Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Disclosure of the Reporter's Identity
Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

The Department of Human Services shall electronically record each referral received by the statewide centralized child abuse reporting hotline and establish a secure means of retaining the recordings for 12 months. The recordings shall be confidential and subject to disclosure only if a court orders the disclosure of the referral. The department shall redact any information identifying the reporting party unless otherwise ordered by the court.