Children; Protect Families from Government Overreach Act; purpose; Department of Human Services; custody; records; exception; emergency motion; imminent threat; report; Oklahoma Commission for Human Services; noncompliance; civil remedies; criminal penalties; agencies; audits; court; reassessment; codification; effective date.

HB 1164 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to return custody of children to parents or guardians within 72 hours if criminal charges against them are dismissed, dropped, or result in a not-guilty verdict. It mandates expunging all related investigation records within 72 hours and returning personal property taken during removal. Exceptions allowing continued separation require a court-approved emergency motion with clear evidence of imminent danger, documented with findings of fact. Noncompliance may trigger civil penalties under federal law, criminal charges for misconduct, or funding audits. The bill directly affects families involved in child welfare cases where criminal charges were resolved in their favor.