Mental health; Neil's Law; Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act; purpose; intent; terms; civil actions; venue; relief; claim; records; vulnerable adult; effective date.
HB 1566, known as "Neil's Law," establishes the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act (OEAA) to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The law defines vulnerable adults as individuals 18+ who cannot manage their financial or health needs due to mental illness, disability, or other impairments, and creates a civil right for them (or their legal representatives) to sue abusers or exploiters. Key provisions include clear definitions of abuse, exploitation, and neglect; court requirements to encourage vulnerable adults' participation in decisions; and ensuring legal claims survive the vulnerable adult's death. The law does not replace mandatory reporting obligations to Adult Protective Services for suspected abuse.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Floor (House)
→
Floor (Senate)
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was transitioned from the House version to the Senate version, with significant reformatting and reorganization of the text. The substantive content of the bill remains largely the same, though there are minor formatting changes and some text reordering that reflect the legislative process. The core provisions regarding the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act, including definitions of abuse, caretaker, exploitation, and financial neglect, are preserved.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains unchanged; it still establishes civil actions for protecting vulnerable adults and incapacitated persons from neglect, exploitation, and abuse.
TECHNICAL
Header information was updated to reflect Senate floor version instead of House floor version, including different page numbering and formatting conventions.
The bill's title and introductory sections were reorganized to conform to Senate formatting standards, though the substantive content remains the same.
Section numbering was adjusted to align with Senate procedures, with some sections being renumbered or reorganized for clarity.
Committee amendment notation was updated to reflect Senate floor version conventions.
Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2025 · House Mar 13, 2025
How they voted
46–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
May 5, 2025
D
Democratic9
100% Yea
R
Republican40
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
24
Key actions
7
Committee
6
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred for enrollment
lower
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Engrossed measure signed, returned to House
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure passed: Ayes: 44 Nays: 0
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Engrossed, signed, to Senate
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 80 Nays: 0
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public Health
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Health
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1566
Scope: OK
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1566. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline