Mental health; creating Neil's Law; enacting the Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act; purpose; intent; terms; civil actions; venue; relief; claim; court; records; vulnerable adult; evidence; codification; effective date.

HB 2741 establishes the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act to provide a legal pathway for vulnerable adults and incapacitated persons to file civil lawsuits against individuals who abuse, neglect, or exploit them. The bill defines specific terms such as "vulnerable adult" and "caretaker" to clarify who is protected and who may be held accountable, while also outlining what constitutes abuse, exploitation, neglect, and personal degradation. It requires that legal representatives for these individuals prioritize their self-reliance and encourage their participation in legal decisions whenever possible. Additionally, the law ensures that the duty to report suspected abuse to authorities remains unchanged and does not replace existing mandatory reporting requirements.